coffee when half a dozen other foreign bikers turned up and after giving us the

once over they decided that we looked a difficult lot so they sat down outside.

After coffee we only had to make our way back to the tunnel/ferry port via

Guines and home.

So despite three road closures, no tour guide at the windmill, and the jolly

gendarme turning us around, the French could not spoil what was a excellent

day and not being the most natural of biker’s moll, I can honestly say that I

thoroughly enjoyed the weather, the food, the open roads and most of all the

company – a really happy, easy going group of people who all seemed to get

on well with each and enjoyed the day.   We all got home safely without any

mishaps which is the best thing of all,  and I also filled the drinks cabinet up

which once home, bike put to bed, and swapping big boots for slippers we

both imbibed in a congratulatory drink on a very successful and happy day.  I

slept well that night – it is very tiring on the back of a bike!

Wonder where we will go next year?

Some time ago John

Hull announced that he

wished to step down

from the position of

Chief Observer. At

their monthly meeting

on 4th November

observers gathered to

elect a new Chief.

There were two

candidates for the post:

Richard Ayling and

Miles Moseley. Both in

turn made a

presentation to the

meeting. They then

fielded a host of questions from the floor.

At the end of the meeting ballot slips

were completed. John took them away for

counting and for the e-mailed votes (up to

the deadline of Friday 6th November) to

be included.

The result as published on the morning of

7th November was that Richard Ayling

will become Chief Observer as from the

2010 AGM.

John Hull said he will do all that he can to

make the changeover as smooth as

possible and will also offer his support to

Richard for as long as he wishes it, in the

same way that Mark did for him when he

took on the role.

In response to congratulations from the

Observer Corps, Richard Ayling said:

“Thank you for the good wishes and

offers of support that have come my way

since the ballot for the

new Chief Observer. I am

heartened by the reaction.

As the Chief Observer you

can all be assured of my

support.

Looking to the future - if I

had an office door it

would be open to any of

you at anytime. But since

I don’t have a door I

would ask all of you that

if there is anything you

wish to bring up with me

in confidence or for the

benefit of the group in

general do not hesitate to contact me. It is

only by talking about any issues or beliefs

that things can progress and remain

cohesive. Therefore, if any one of you has

an idea that you want aired, subjects you

want addressed or problems you think

should be resolved please let me know.”