The meeting point at Brighton baths is always a great spot for classic motorcyclists and scooterists as a rendezvous for Vic riders for coffee catch ups and view the scenery across Port Philip bay.
Today it didn’t disappoint as 13 Classic Lambrettas from the late 50’s to late 70’s rolled in.
A mixture of colours and the usual smell of two stroke attracted holiday makers, joggers and beach goers to look at and take pictures of our Italian shopping trolleys, our pride and joys.
The customary chat with the locals and remarks of nice bikes mate, I used to have a Vespa in the 70’s ….. 

We left Brighton baths at 10-40 for the (usually) 45 min ride to Carrum beach.
The roads were packed with holiday makers trying to find a car parking spot as near as possible to beaches as the temp rose to 30+ for the first time in what had seem like ages.
The increase in riding time was inevitable , 40mins in and we approach Mordialloc roundabout just as, approx 25/30 bikers pull up along side us in the outside lane.
Leather clad and arms in the air grabbing hold of monkey bars the lead rider seemed to have arm width similar to size of my waist … I guess they need that arm strength though.
It took me back to 1982 and my first memory of a scooter ride to the New Forest and meeting up with the Modrophiniacs in Brockenhurst when about 100 bikers cruised passed us, tension was in the air in those days but not anymore 
As these Victorian bikers ( well most of em) gave a nod, or smile or a thumbs up to us and a glance down to our little 10” wheels.

We eventually arrive in Carrum just after 12pm as the hosts prepared our BBQ, 
Lambrettas all lined up for display to the Carrum locals and staff, we cooled down in the shade with Bevvies as we admired more local scenery :) .. and chatted tyre pressure and gear oil options.

Friday 19th
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The day had arrived for the congregation of the WA clan to converge on the Kerem Camp Bullsbrook for the customary Jamboree event, the southern riders making their way to the meeting point The Pipers Pub in Currambine . The northern guys were in good numbers, and already tucking into Scottish breakfast and iron bru. With everyone feed and watered the next task was to obtain the last minute perishables and of course refreshments for the weekend (Beers) and overload the backup vehicles, with this complete the air was now filled with smoke and exhausts ringing out with the 25 riders making the short ride east to Kerem camp .
 
After settling in and finding your digs for the weekend, It wasn’t long before the usual pleasantries amongst the guys had commenced accompanied with the free flow of lubrication on the warm afternoon. The swimming pool area was offering some relief, and the usual banter and laughter rang out amongst the guys. As the day wore on into early evening the waft of Dean Hilditch’s curry began to fill the air overseen by chief John everything was in control to feed the now well-oiled troops.
The food went down well and was appreciated by the congregation, and of course hot curry meant more cold drinks being consumed to see most of the guys off into the late evening.
edit.

Saturday 20th
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With the resident chief already in full swing it wasn’t long before we feasted on the full monty to set us up for the day ahead, as the morning was growing in temperature and some riders not feeling 100%, I wonder why, the ride out was unanimously canned with the guys happy chilling out around the camp. The Gymkhana course was now being set up ready for the enthusiastic riders to try and crack the layout. The scooter prepared by Terry Winters now needed a flogging. Before the main event it was feeding time again with Steve Leech and his merry helpers serving up light lunch of ham n cheese sandwiches.  Then it was to the back paddock and with the Official timekeeper Craig Robertson to get the first rider to set the pace and having completed it successfully the enthusiastic riders taking it in turn to chase Jay Lilly down.
With the guys giving it a good go the spills, crashes and abandoned runs where mounting up keeping the audience amused to the roar of graceful cheers and laughter, with close runs and many determined attempts Dom could not hunt Jay down who was the eventual overall winner. For the rest it was we give it go and had a bloody good time as ever. With the Gymkhana safely over the guy’s resumed keeping their fluids up until evening mealtime.

With Saturday’s evening dinner being served the lads got stuck into lamb kebabs and beer of course which went down a treat, after the food Steve Leech thanked everyone for the support of this year’s event and we had a presentation to The Gymkhana winner Jay who gladly excepted his voucher and tee shirt.

​Also merchandise left over was given out to the junior members parents attending the event and the volunteers for their help over the weekend.
The rest of the evening was spent finishing of the liquid supplies and piss taking resumed amongst the members as every into the late evening.

Sunday 21st
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Sunday morning broke and with some weary comrades in the ranks the thank full breakfast of bacon n eggs prepared them for the ride home, the clean-up of the camp commenced with everyone chipping in to leave it as we found it. The accustomed lining up of the scooters commenced and photos taken for the memories along with some last-minute tinkering.
Eventually we set out for the ride home only for the south guys needing a personal escort by Sid Barton to get us flying in the right direction cheers mate. Personally I would like to thank the Organisers Dean Hilditch, Steve Leech and all the volunteers who helped out over the event greatly appreciated, but not forgetting you our mates who have shown your support and commitment in keeping this Jamberee successful may long it continue.

Ride safe comrades.
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Trev