Our one time leader, and one you didn’t want following you, kept practicing his road racing skills well past his sell-by date and many years after he raced for real

Willie Baird, a legend & very much a nuclear Club Member died some 10+ years ago subsequent to a motorcycle accident, which fortunately did NOT seriously hurt his grand-daughter, who was riding pillion

However, for the purposes of this article, Alistair, his son sent us this picture (acquired during this year’s Irish Weekend), of his Dad competing in the North West 200 many years ago

The second item is regarding Isobel Main’s Granny, who was a Dispatch Rider during the Second World War. More information is being elicited & hopefully will be added later

In sympathy with Sam’s dog (who hates to be on his own), this event was to be a “shorty”, in time

So we let Sam lead the way, & we departed from Monkton fuel station & covered the whole of Ayrshire, or so it seemed. Dalrymple, Dalmellington, Patna, Crosshouse, Stewarton, Stair, Tarbolton, Mauchline & of course, Kirkmichael, where we had a splendid lunch.

Sam disposed of us in Stewarton & we went our various ways home

An excellent day all round with fab weather.,

Wow & wow again- what a fabulous day out

Life can’t get better than this

Arthur with his new “sensible” Harley- good for you Arthur.

Other than a freezing start in very wet mist, this must rank as one of the best results yet. Bobbie seems to have an instinct for success.

We met as usual at Milton, fed ourselves in TARBET, where some of JH’s BMW Club pals joined us.

Thence to Lochgilphead, Norrie & JG stopped for fotos, as the views were stunning and, by the way, stunning ALL DAY!

Lochgilphead, amongst other things is famous for having very convenient loos!

South via Ardrishaig to the bonny wee fishing town of TARBERT. Here we stopped for lunch, one table waiting FOR EVER, as Norrie decided to have a full lunch- as usual!

Bobbie had organised the timing so we could catch the 2.15 pm ferry to Portavadie, allowing for some slow eaters. Again, one cannot match the views anywhere, I hope the fotos convey this sufficiently.

From Portavadie, other than “routine maintenance” to Elliot’s elderly Triumph, all went well over the hills (gorgeous visuals) to Sheila’s Diner, where some couldn’t manage their tiny meringues, & had to resort to the sweeper-up

Here we bought the discounted Ferry tickets & caught the Western Ferry to Gourock. Again, I apologise for repetition, but the views on such a day were just wonderful

As Wallace & Gromit would describe it- a “Grand Day Out”.

Thanks again, Bobbie