We sent our senior foreign diplomat, Boris G to The Province, ostensibly to suss out matters pertaining to the forthcoming September Weekend
Ulster 30s First Minister, https://viagrageneriquefr24.com George S met the delegation off the Stena Ferry (very impressive) & proceeded to lavishly sit down to a ‘meal’ at the Lisburn Motorway Service Station. (Wow! but actually very good)
Geo, who is now a Clerk of Works at his local Lodge/now Community Centre as well, stopped to check on progress. At that stage Boris was not impressed at the internal appearance (looked very Irish)- however, on a later visit, it was no longer giving off a shambolic appearance.
An interesting archway crosses the road opposite the Orange Lodge, which boasted a Chapel on one side and the said Lodge/Community Centre on the other. Many might think it cotraversial- I’ll keep my opinion to myself.
The weather was fab & on arrival at destination George, June, his Missus, was sunning herself in the sheltered back garden & we joined in, in a flash (no flashing permitted)- with a wee aperitif. 
Mealtime was spectacular- yummy, & then a visit to Castle Ducati (to see George’s Racing bike & Paddy (sponsor) & then Ivor (master engineer). Reminded me of The Last of the Summer Wine. One was a double of Compo!
Photos of George on Ducati forced onto this page; looks good though- the bike I mean.
The next day started with Clerk of Works, then provisional booking for September 2019 Weekend! This was a long way round to Armoy to watch practice.
That was very interesting, noisy & VERY dangerous looking. We had some food there (very good) & watched from 2 different spots.
So dangerous, in fact, that a paramedic, tending to a fallen rider, is fighting for his life!
We prepared for next day’s BBQ Run. Starting close to Belfast & eating near Banbridge. Boris was concerned as the weather forecast was decidedly dodgy. Indeed, I stated that @ WSVMCC we would have considered a call off phone round. “No, no, it’s never as bad as forecast”. WRONG!
As soon as we started off from the Meeting Point nr Belfast, it threw it down, non-stop for about 3½ hours. In fact we were travelling through deep flooded areas & the bikes made it! Except for a BMW whose rear wheel bearings collapsed.
We arrived at Dave’s huge establishment: one barn used for cooking and the adjacent one for drying out & eating. You would have laffed to see some 20 grown & mostly “elderly men” giving off plumes of steam as their waterproofs vainly tried to dry out some 5 ft plus from the paraffin “bonfire” of a contraption. The food was great and despite the conditions, lots of hilarity.
No aggro & great fun.
In due course we squelched into our wet gear (yuck!) & headed off for a hot shower & an even hotter furnace room for our gear.
The next Monday, by the way, there was a Post Mortem on why residents of the Province were not warned of the severity of the rain. Well, it was a Saturday & it appears no one at the Weather Centre works after noon Friday. (Allegedly). Michael Fish, all is forgiven
Sunday was motorcycle free. A fab breakfast in town with the in laws & a visit to their farm type dwelling. Wonderful place, with loadsa room for all things mechanical & Sandra has developed wild gardens full of natural flowers- really beautiful. Also keeps donkeys as well as husband
Dinner out then preparations for return trip. Clothing all dried, thank Goodness
Uneventful return- still nurturing the pleasure of the trip.
Although the Province is small, you know what they say- “guid gear in wee bulk”. Loads to do, the old shipyards, the Titanic experience & fab sea views & countryside, good motorcycling roads. Worth a visit anytime.
