Thanks David, Janis and Family.

Friday came, and as usual, the best made plans were laid to waste and I was a wee bit late leaving the hoos. Ahd organised with Danny to meet him at the Stirling services at 1:15pm and ride up to Amulree. Arriving at 20 past I had no idea whether Danny had been and gone or not. I waited until half past and thinking "Danny's never late" I set off. Wrong! Danny was late and knowing what I'm like he thought if he said 1:15 I'd get there for 1:45. Everyone who knows me knows how to get me someplace at a designated time. Doh!! Danny stood aboot until the back of two waiting.
Apology necessary "Sorry Homer" maybe next time
I got up to Amulree at around 2:15 to be greeted by two happy smiling faces. Spider, who I'd already spoke to in Creiff and Pete West who had already set about the pubs finest foaming ale. It was still early and David and co from the pub had everything sorted and set out with such precision that when every one else arrived they thought we were a very professional outfit. Signs were up on the hotel directing bikers to the check in. We were more or less separated from the main hotel into what used to be known as the Barn Bar. A wee favourite with rally goers from years gone by. Its smoo, snug, rough and ready. Ideal for a great party and less hassle for organisers coz we don’t need to worry too much about what damage could be done.
Unlike the hotel which was refurbished this summer. Concrete floors meant no brand new carpets to be covered in fag burns and spilled beer. A great wee place to chill out. You’d never believe that a month ago this whole part of the building was like a Beirut tenement.
The rally site was marked out with tape as two separate parts with a fire escape up the middle. The portaloos were in position with a signpost. Floors were swept, tables laid and the bar open.
Great !! have a wee beer with Pete and Spider and take up residency at one of the picnic tables in the campsite. This is the wee bit that I like about rallies. Sittin doon and havin a wee bit of banter and right good craich. Carol and Jackie arrived in the rally support vehicles. A Ford and a Rover. Time to get the tent pitched and get everything sorted for booking in.
A first for me at oor ain rallies was to be semi organised. Tent went up complete with poles and pegs as I usually forget one or other or even all three.
Everything sorted we spent another wee hour waiting on the rest of the important people to arrive.
Carol took care of the booking in aided by her pal Jackie who even though she's not a club member was an invaluable help, making tea'n'coffee for folks when they arrived and just generally being helpful.
At this point I'll say a massive thanks to Jackie

Thanks Jackie

Folks were by now turning up and beginning to party. Carol was doing an excellent job with the book and directing every one to the campsite (not visible from the road) and informing them where the loos were and that we'd set up a 12 volt battery with a wee airbed blower and a wheel barrow for carting stuff aboot in the campsite for all to use.
Friday night was a wee quiet affair with only 40 or so folks arriving. The Iron Belles were wondering what they’d subscribed to and were thinking of pissing off to another rally the following morning. After a wee reassurance they settled in and enjoyed the banter.
The hotel's main building being recently redecorated and looking more akin to having little old ladies for afternoon teas (funny that but it sounds familiar) wasn't quite the place for 40 or so bikers. Spider adopted his usual gravity defying position at one of the tables. The staff concerned that he was slightly over inebriated asked Carol to kindly remove him to a place where his sleepiness could be worn off in a more suitable and safer environment. (his bed). After a wee reassurance by Carol that this was quite normal, ie. we see him spend the first part of an evening like this many a time, they seemed to settle to the idea. Two minutes later Spider succumbed to the forces acting upon his upper body and keeled over onto the floor. This however had the desired effect on the bar staff who realised it woke him quicker than any alarm call and Spider began to rejoin the rest of us.
After dinner and niceties in the hotel it was off back down to the Barn Bar where we could sit down, chill and enjoy the frivolities.

Trogg was there as usual with his disco to provide a wee musical ambiance and what a great job he was doing. I know he sometimes goes a wee bit squewhiff with his choice of music but tonight he was doing great until, I think it was Christine from the IB's who was picking the tunes. Thank F*&^k he didn’t have any Wham in his collection :-)
After the bar closed we retired to the stable where we sat and partied until the wee sma hoors. I think it was about 5:30 when the last stragglers went to bed. Carol using the excuse that somebody had to supervise the rabble. Aye right Carol whit aboot every other rally we go tae.

Saturday dawned a very short time after this. The weather man dealt us a good wan and the sun was splittin the skies. Ah'd thought we might organise a wee ride oot but everybody seemed happy gawn daein their ain thing. Graham and Lesley from the Anasazi club (matching Pan Euros) went a wee run doon to Buchanty (aboot 6 miles Sooth) to see the Salmon leaping up a wee spout on the river Almond. I’ve been to Amulree loadsa times and it took a Yorkshireman to tell me about some of the local attractions. (note for next year: learn more about the area so I don’t get embarrassed by visitors who'd never been there before) I think they’d been planning a bigger run but as they rode up with Stu and Sal who was still shattered after her run up on Friday decided on a few short hops instead. Ah'l mention at this point that Sal's furthest bike run before this has been about 30 miles and this lot dragged up here on her ER5. A total journey of 297 miles. Well done that lass. When your in God’s country there’s no real need to go far as the roads and scenery around Amulree are some of the best anywhere so hopefully they enjoyed themselves. Graham did however decline the run across Glen Quiach to Kenmore. I think it was the thought of having to stop and open and close the gates on the way up and down the mountain that put him off.