AFSC 2005 A PERSONAL REVIEW

By John Wymark

This year was going to be exceptional I thought to myself just after New Years Day that after 2004, 2005 could only be better, I wasn’t disappointed.
My season sort of started back in January with a niter in Braunschweig hosted by the Tarmac Spirits. We (Steve Evans, Craig Ballantyne, Ian Botham and myself) decided to book in to the Etap hotel and spend the night in town before. Met in town by the ever present Borgo and Marion. A cracking night was had by all, except for Craig at the end of the night giving us his version of the projectile vomiting scene from the Exorcist.
The next meeting was a decision from Simon Brunskill that we all meet up for Sunday Lunch in Hannover to discuss the up and coming season. Another cracking day was had and it was a good opportunity to wish Jimmy the Blade good luck on his posting back to UK. This was followed by another gathering of the HFC in Bergen to say farewell to Sharon as well.
Finally the season arrived, as so much has happened the easiest way to do this is by event and bullet the most memorable points for me.
 

Easter Run- Scytheman SC near Uelzen, Germany
Attendees: Dave Gibbs, Craig and Kathleen Ballantyne, Bill Anderson, Steve Evans, Mick Fullbrook, Simon Brunskill, Daz Stocks, Ian and Lisa Botham, Jimmy Foalle, Gaz Powell, John Wymark
• Seeing Daz Stocks on his Lammy for the first time.
• Saying goodbye to Daz Stocks 2km out of Bergen as his scoot packed up.
• The Ride in.
• Listen to Bill’s LML do 20,000 revs at the lights.
• Watching three SSgts put up a gazebo in four hours.
• The Barbecue
• Strippers
• The Music
• Si B dancing on his own (German scooterists don’t like line dancing).
• Strippers.

1st Forde Run – Kiel (North North Germany)
Attendees: Ian Botham, Steve Evans, Craig Ballantyne, John Wymark
• It was fricking cold.
• Steve Evans’ 50 km diversion (we couldn’t catch him to tell him).
• The realisation that we were a much respected club after the welcome we received.
• The cheap beer.
• The music (whatever we asked for they played)
• The company
• The German girl falling into the fire
• Ian and Craig ignoring road signs (bit normal for Ian)
• The location
• Winning two prizes including furthest travelled. Ian picked up best old timer (not his scoot)
 

1st May the HFC had an impromptu ride out to Celle for lunch.

Skegness National Rally – AFSC AGM 2005
Attendees: Just about everybody but “I swear I was there”
• The ride to Paderborn (watch the signs Ian).
• The gathering in Paderborn.
• Wayne Hargreaves.
• The night out in Woolwich
• The ride to Burgh Le Marsh
• The meet up at the Gardening Centre (that was a real buzz)
• Welcoming the SD boys and girls onto the site.
• The Friday night in town (AFSC colours everywhere)
• Spence Wakelam dancing non stop till closing time.
• The ride out (That will be a tough one to top, but it was a photo opportunity missed)
• Taking over a pub
• Mik and Sue’s organisation.
• The Barbecue.
• Lisa B packing the Sky remote (Ian will always keep a secret).
• And many more…………..
 

As Ian and Lisa Botham were posted in June I decided to hold a barbecue at my drum to say farewell (well make sure they went). The word was spread and thirty people turned up which ain’t bad for a Wednesday Evening. We all got an impromptu gig from Dave Gibbs which rounded the evening off nicely.

Treacle Fielder popped over for a pint in June, now that’s dedication.

Tortured Maniacs Run- Bosel
Attendees: Steve Evans, Craig Ballantyne, Gaz Powell, Simon Cuerden, Dave Gibbs, Rob da Mod, Borgo and Marion, John Wymark, Si Brunskill.
• It was fricking hot.
• Craig taking out the AF250.
• Steve Evans’ T5 going tits up (I had to say it).
• Having beer thrust in your hands on arrival.
• Si C rocking up on his GP.
• The company.
• Putting the world to rights with Si C at five in the morning.
• Gaz Powell rocking up on his genuine Italian Melody.
• Si B turning up on Sat.
• The shower run (a small sink in a schnelly).
• The ice cream parlour ride out.
 

Tarmac Spirits – Peine
Attendees: Craig and Kathleen Ballantyne, Steve Evans, Simon Cuerden, Simon Brunskill, John Wymark.
• Seeing (and hearing) Steve, Craig and Si C pull up in my driveway.
• Riding down with the Heide Heizer.
• Achieving longest travelled over shortest distance (you really had to be there)
• The company
• Cheap beer.
• Seeing Si B ride in.

Holiday in Holland – Borculo
Attendees: Too many to mention.
• Bill Anderson breaking down 4km into the journey.
• Dave Bellis’ organisation.
• Hearing the saga of Dave Gibbs’ SX
• Breakfast in the town.
• Pauline Baker getting me lost riding back from the town (it wasn’t my fault, honest).
• Watching Si B drift into oblivion drink Bacardi slush puppies.
• Dave Gibbs running the fun games
• Bagsy winning best scoot.
• Riding back with Trifle joining us.
• Beating Steve Evans off the lights (ha ha).
 

Vespa Club of Celle - Annual Meeting
Attendees: Gaz Powell, Craig Ballantyne, Daz Stocks, Bill Anderson, John Wymark
• Driving 4 whole kilometres to get there.
• The welcome from the Heide Heizer
• Celle beer
• The bollocking from my wife on Saturday
• Daz Stocks as DJ(don’t book him)
• Never-ending Schnapps on Saturday night.

Vespa Corse/Bully Boys Run – Osnabruck.
Attendees: Si and Carol Cuerden, Steve Evans, Si Brunskill, Ted and Urte Perry, Johno, Craig Ballantyne, John Wymark.
• Finding the place
• Going down to meet the Paderborn Gutersloh crew ‘cos they couldn’t find it.
• Vanilla vodka.
• Seeing Si C and Carol turn up looking relieved after finding the venue.
• The company.

AFSC Germany – End of Season Bash
Attendees: Too many to mention.
• Seeing people’s faces as they realised Ian B had turned up.
• Seeing Grasp for the first time (awesome).
• Top music.
• Great company
• Seeing Dinx again.
• Getting picked up by Si B and Jo after being left!!!
• Breakfast (thanks Dai)
• Sunday dinnertime session in Dempsey NAAFI with Blocky, Grasp and crew.

For me personally it’s been a fantastic year, I’m sure I’ve missed a few ride outs and trips to Daisy’s Diner but it doesn’t matter, I am now looking forward to 2006 with anticipation.

 

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