I had a pillion this year as my youngest son Alastair  had decided to grace us with his presence.  We met the Fife contingent at the Echline Roundabout on the A90 and traveled down with them to Haddington.  On the way my toolbox lid sprung open and despite Alastair's best efforts I lost some spark plugs and other spares.

On reaching Barry's, I topped up my fuel, a wise decision given subsequent events.  On fixing the toolbox lid back on,  I also noticed that the primary chaincase had it's drain plug missing!.  I scrounged some Blu-Tack from Barry and effected a crude repair which at best let some oil lubricate the primary chain.

Helen travelled  by car with our tent and other kit but most adventurously agreed to go on the pillion for the ride out.

Alastair got a Pillion from Bill Curry who was kind enough to take him.  Our start was a bit fragmented as Bill Keogh and Bill Curry went to get fuel before we started.  Then Barry's bike refused to start so he went pillion with Steve Pennycook.  As is usual with us no one but the organiser (Barry) knew which route we would take.

We then set off at a fair pace and saw the two Bills on the other side of the road at Haddington.  I was in the middle of the running order and assumed they would turn and tag on behind us.  

Then things went pear shaped! 

 Steve sped off going through a series of turns into ever smaller roads at ever increasing speed.  At least that's how it seemed to me.

In my efforts to keep in touch with the Bikes in front I gradually became aware that there was no one behind.  I slowed down and hung back until another rider caught up and the I moved on.  It was, I'm afraid, too little and too late; we had lost the two Bills. We stopped at Trapain Law to admire the view and count heads but despite the use of mobile technology we could not find our missing bikes.

Eventually we set off for Nunraw Abbey which we had agreed would be our main stop for the afternoon as we had been made so welcome last year.

After a while our missing members turned up after scouring most of East Lothian and reunited at last, we returned to Barry's  through the Lammermuir Hills, Whiteadder Reservoir, Gifford and Haddington.

We then passed a great evening talking, singing, dancing and generally making merry.  As is usual when you are having a good time it passed all too quickly.

The East Fortune Aircraft Museum was having a special air day with allsorts of special events so as it was only a few miles away we went along.   We viewed  the exhibits and went admired Concorde, while some really spectacular kites were being flown in the light winds.

Denis and I left early afternoon and had a fast journey back (well it was fast for me).  My speedo had an indicated 75mph on it but could have been more (I'm sure it reads low).  The motor was running well with plenty of power, it gave no indications of the horrors I was to discover on my pre MOT inspection the next week.  Ignorance can be bliss at times, but I would not recommend if you are interested in long term reliability.

Thanks to Ivor for the use of his pictures as Captain Calamity and Major Cockup had ensured that my camera got left safely at home.