Shakespeare Rally

After Axel Bodeit and I did not take part in the September 1994 rally because I became a father for the first time on 8 October 1994, we planned to take part in the 1995 January rally.

I started looking for a winter motorcycle in late summer. I thought of a BMW boxer model. I also told this my colleagues at the time. One of those colleagues explained to me that he still had a BMW R 90S in his father's yard and that he would like to sell it. The R90S in Daytona Orange had been under a tarpaulin in the yard for 10 years. A young birch grew through the frame from below. We agreed on a price and I brought her home.

The cylinders on the engine were re-honed, the cylinder heads overhauled, new piston rings, the connecting rod bearings changed, the defective original tank exchanged for a blue one, a one-man seat, a cheap windshield from Hein Gericke, heated grips, handlebar mitts and enduro tyres installed. After a few test drives on Sundays, you could say that it worked well.

Early in the morning of 6 January our trip set off for England. Axel drove ahead with his Moto Guzzi 850 T3 and set the pace. The usual route to the ferry and on towards Ettington to the pub The Houndshill.

About 50 km after the last refueling break, my BMW started to stutter on the motorway and I stopped on the hard shoulder. Axel who drove ahead noticed and stopped. After a short discussion (Axel thinks I have been driving without lights for some time) we noticed that my battery was completely empty. Lucky in bad luck, the Moto Guzzi has the same battery as the BMW. So we removed and replaced the batteries on both motorcycles. Axel's Moto Guzzi was briefly pushed with the empty battery and the journey continued. In the meantime it was already dark and I just drove the country roads after Axel with the parking light to save the battery. A great experience.

When we arrived in Ettington, we talked to Paul Mullis about my problem. He said we'll have a look at it tomorrow morning, now a pint first.

On Saturday morning Paul removed the rotor of the alternator, which had a short circuit, with a puller, drove the short distance to his home and got me a repaired rotor. Lo and behold, the battery was recharged by the alternator. I asked him how much money he should get from me for the rotor. No problem, he answered, you come back to the rally in September, buy a new one and bring the rebuilt one back to me.

Despite all the problems, we had a nice weekend with lots of friendly people and good conversations.
(Well, as far as I understand...)

And of course the tankard for the longest journey from the Continent.

The BMW R90S is still in my possession today and is used as a winter motorcycle. Since 1999 with a Dnepr sidecar.

Programme

Another excellent puzzle square from Heather MacGregor who left a few cryptic clues at the bottom of page 3 indicating there are 22 names and 17 letters over.


Shakespeare

HENRY VIII

SHAKESPEARE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

'Shower a welcome on ye, welcome all'
Act I sc. iv

Welcome Indeed to our 'HENRY VIII' rally here at 
'The Houndshill', where our regular weekly club 
meetings are held, and where Andy Martin will be 
our host.

'A general welcome from his Grace....
good people!'
Act I sc iv

The Inn will be open on Friday from 5 to 11 pm, 
and on Saturday from noon until 11pm.

'Do you look for cakes and ale here, you rude rascals'? 
Act V sc iv

Meals and snacks will be available from noon 
to 2pm and from 7 to 10pm. 

Breakfasts on Sunday between 8 and 9am (Please 
book on Saturday)

'Tis true this night he makes a supper and a 
great one, to many Lords and Ladies'
Act I sc iii

Accommodation is still available at the Inn at 
the time of going to photocopier, as they say. 

'Merry o' me. what a multitude are here!... 
from all parts they are coming, as if we 
held a fair here!'
Act V sc iv

Trophies will be present in the Inn late on 
Saturday evening. 

Shakespeare Club Sweat Shirts are available 
at £12 in XL, L, M, and at £6 (S). 
T-Shirts in Black only at £7, XL, L. M.

'There's a trim rabble let in, are all these 
your faithful friends'
Act V sc iv.

Heather's Quiz appears on the back page.

We trust you will have an enjoyable weekend, 
and hope you will have a safe journey home.

This is a collection of womens names. All 
but one of them have held the distinction 
of being Queens of England, even if only 
because their husband at the time was the 
King! I have put another one in who is 
unlikely to achieve the post, so you have 
to find 16 names (15 of them I have listed) 
and present the list to an organiser, if 
you can find one, and you may get a reward!


S C U M A T I L D A V E
S O A P P H I L I P P A
O E C A T H E R I N E L
P L A J O G A R E N I E
H I T A M G A T O R Y X
I Z E N N A T M O K L A
A A P E D O R N I G E N
U B R E L I A G O L E D
H E N R I E T T A T L R
B T A I L O R M A R Y A
S H I E L E R A N N E X
C A R O L I N E R U S T

ELEANOR      ELIZABETH      ANNE      
MARY         JANE           CAROLINE  
SOPHIA       MATILDA        CHARLOTTE 
ALEXANDRA    CATTORINE      BERENCARIA
MARGARET     HENRIETTA      PHILIPPA  



- Hans Mondorf