Pilgrims

Mayflower MCC, 25th Pilgrims Rally, August 2000

On Friday morning, August 4th, the following participants met for the England tour: Axel Bodeit Moto Guzzi (850 T3), Robert Darimont (BMW R1100GS), Karl Heuser (BMW K100RS), Jürgen Krechel (BMW K100), Udo Krechel (BMW R1150GS), Hans Mondorf BMW (K100RS),Walter Trappe (Yamaha XV535 Virago). Via Cologne, Aachen, Liège, Namur, Mons, Lille, Dunkirk to Calais.

During the ferry crossing, we had fish and chips for lunch. Then the usual traffic jam on the M25 and before the Dartford Tunnel.

After reaching the Scout Camp, Langdon Hills, Basildon, the tents were set up and after a refreshment at the water taps, we went into the marquee to restore the fluid balance in our bodies with a cold Lager.

Saturday morning after a delicious breakfast we set off on a tour of Burnham on Crouch and Maldon with the motorbikes. After returning to the Scout camp, we used our “Shower Tunnel Tent” again.

We spent the evening at the tables outside the marquee. As a welcome drink, I had brought a bottle of home-made fruit schnapps from the Black Forest. One or the other acquaintance came by and drank a small sip of it. One of them, I only remember his first name, Bo, liked it so much that he drank too much of it despite our warning (caution: 60% alcohol). That was a "dangerous mix" with the beer.

 

Sunday morning, usual routine, breakfast with the Scouts, raffle and awards ceremony by Chairman Graham Butler. Robert Darimont from our group received the Long Distanze Continental award. Then we dismantle the tents and pack the motorcycles. We didn't see our evening schnapps drinker until we said goodbye. Apparently he still needed some time in his sleeping bag to evaporate the fruit schnapps.

 

Again this year we followed the M25 to the A21 junction and then drove to Rye via Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells. From here via Dymchurch, along the coast to Dover.

At Hawthorn Farm Campsite & Holiday Park we set up our tents again for the last night. From there we had 300 yards to the pub. The last pints at dinner.

Monday morning the short trip to the port of Dover. After checking in and tying down the bikes we went to the food court for our last full English breakfast for the weekend.

No technical problems on the outward and return journey.

- Hans Mondorf

Postscript


Start of quotation We never took a bottle of fruit schnapps back home. End of quotation

- Hans