National Motorcycle Rally: Blenheim 15th-17th February Thursday 14th, 8.45am, we are all set to go but first I have a 10pin bowling league to play, then it is all go. League finished, so we head into the Ferry for the 2.45pm sailing. Being Valentine’s Day, the crew were all jovial and at the end of the sailing, wore dress-up hats and handed out mini bars to every passenger as they disembarked. We headed to Blenheim and checked into our motel on arrival. As it was tea time, we went to a local pub for a very nice meal, before heading back to the motel. Friday dawned bright and sunny and after a few chores and lunch, we went to rally headquarters to pick up our rally pack, check on who was entered and reminisce with some of the entrants who were there at the time. Back to the motel for a bit of tea and then on to the meet and greet, for a chat. We met up with lots of older established friends, but as it was an early start the next day, we didn't stay long before going back to the motel for the night. Saturday was another hot day. I took Bill down to rally headquarters to meet up with David Williams from the Auckland branch, who was taking Bill as his sidecar passenger/navigator, or should I say aggravator. They were doing the medium run. The run contained a lap of the Hawkesbury Circuit, before heading toward Nelson, turning right at Havelock, onto Queen Charlotte Drive and on to Picton via the tourist route. From there they headed back towards Blenheim, to the lunch stop at Tuamarina School. After lunch there was a lot of touring before getting back to the rally finish. Dinner that evening was at the Marlborough Convention Centre with a guest speaker, Graham Crosby, who had the audience in fits of laughter with his talk. While Bill and David were on the run, I went on a shopping tour (didn't buy anything) in the morning and after lunch I went to the local 10pin bowling alley and played 4 games of bowls, then it was time to go and collect Bill from the rally finish. Sunday, was another long day, with gymkhana events, a public display and if you wanted to, a look through the aircraft museum, before the evening dinner and prize giving. Bill and Maureen Bull were honoured to receive a trophy each for having attended every rally, or in Bill's case, competing in every rally. Monday saw us heading home while some of the more hardy went on to do the after rally tour. Bevney Munro.
Anyone wishing to include The Saddleback CafĂŠ, in Ohariu Valley, as a meal stop on an outing, note it is now closed permanently. Ed. 15