Leeds Lions 2009 The Leeds Lions Gathering is not a VSOC rally but it is attended by a good number of members. We think we counted 30 members from across the country attending this year. The Lions rally is organised to raise funds for the air ambulance, they have a great selection of trade stands ranging from bike parts to original and fun clothes. There were ample food outlets for all tastes and even a stall that had some very well thought out munchies. A great weekend for a great cause. Because of the bank holiday this rally was on for three nights, there were some fantastic bands and singers; there were party games and even a hypnotist. There were over 1,500 people in attendance and a huge array of bikes and trikes. There are some people you meet that you meet every year at the same rally, it becomes a tradition and you just know that they will be there. Its great fun to hook up with these friends and chew the fat. Tales of rallies past and rallies to come flow as easily as the beer. Small camping groups form as friends find each other and bring their chairs over for a chin wag. News is exchanged, sometimes happy sometimes sad, toasts are said to absent friends. This year the weather was not only kind but we were treated to the most beautiful sun set and a very strange cloud formation that literally split the sky in half, half blue half white. It looked like the weather man had stuck one of those sticky clouds you see on the telly right over out camp site.
The site its self was easy to find and in a fantastic location right on top of a 20% gradient hill! Since my pillion is 6’3” and about 12 stone on a fully loaded bike it became a bit hair raising when he seemed to think leaning back going up the hill was a good idea. Now I don’t condone the use of bad language but I found myself roaring... “Lean forward you daft b****r” This is the last year Richard is my pillion and since it is his 17th birthday while we are on the Irish rally he is sending for his licence ASAP.
Anyway back to the weekend. As I have mentioned the music was a very high standard and Sunday night is no exception, some party goers have to leave on the Sunday due to work/family commitments but it is worth staying over until Monday. The band on Sunday evening really was worth staying for.
Grum and I decided at this weekend away that we would invest in a tent you can stand up in! Believe me this is luxury, and we have subsequently bought a Kyam quick erect Freelander. First outing Ireland.
The weekend was over too quickly we enjoyed great weather (Friday evening it rained for a while but soon dried up) great music, great friends, new friends, old friends, great bike watching, and great views of rare red kite birds of prey as they hovered over the camp site. We had a small caption competition as these magnificent birds repeatedly flew low over our campsite. What were they thinking? Ideas included: “Bloody hell that wasn’t here yesterday” “They don’t look very tasty” “Wish they would turn the music down” Much fun was had as usual and over £3,000 raised for the charity that may one day save one of our lives.
By Grum and Allison
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