David Hancock

Just a little ditty about Round Britain Rally adventures. In 1974 Les Dale and myself were attempting for all rounders. We decided to "do" East Anglia one weekend. I was using my trusty, but underpowered MZ ES250 "flying banana" which although slow was totally reliable. Les's Norton Commando on the other hand needed lots of TLC. On the weekend in question Les had to rebuild the cylinder head and by Thursday was running late.

It was agreed that I would set of from work and go and find the first landmark, the village stocks in Canewdon, Essex. Find a campsite near by and then meet up with Les in the nearest pub to the landmark. Les would finish the assembly and come down late Friday. NO PROBLEM! I arrived in the village found the stocks and stopped in the village shop to ask were the nearest campsite was. They told me to use the old orchard behind the vicarage, quote "the vicar lets the scouts use it" Great thought I only a few yards from landmark and village pub. Calls in at the vicarage to check only to find no one home. I hang around for ½ an hour no one comes. Never mind. Round to the orchard and up with the tent and adjourn to the pub, just as it's going dark Les rolls up, to find me slightly merry. "I've got us a great camp site across the road in the orchard" "Excellent" says Les, get me a pint in while I chuck me tent up. 10 minutes later a thirsty Less arrives and we continue to imbibe.

We eventually retire at chucking out time and creep back to the tents. Just about dawn I was woken by the dawn chorus of lots of birds. I ignored it, rolled over and went back to steep. Later Les heard voices outside, in the distance. I was sound asleep. Quote "I came down hear last evening and there was this tent and motorcycle here. Good lord now there is another one! "This is just too much! How many more are going to turn up? Les decided caution was called for and stayed put in his tent.

After it had gone quiet again he woke me up and related the tale and suggested we better get going quickly. After quickly packing up one of us went to the vicarage to apologise etc. It transpired that the orchard had been used by the scouts years ago but the vicar had to stop that after it was made into a nature reserve and bird sanctuary. OOPS. Ever likely it was so noisy! We told him our story about the RBR. He said I hope you don't expect they all can stay there. We reassured them no and advised he inform the local shop not to direct any more happy campers his way.