Late May 5 intrepid Lambretta club of Australia members jumped on planes and headed to Europe. One of them, Steve Diffey went to England and rode his Lambretta to EuroLambretta.
The other four met in Rome after flying from Adelaide and China.
My story is of the four of us road-tripping, training and walking our way to EuroLambretta in Adria, Italy.
 
We spent the first few days in an Airbnb in Rome, where we were tasting and drinking our way through the city. We explored the Vatican, Parthenon and many other of the cities highlights.
We then ventured to the jewel of the South, Naples. Loosely it was more of the same, drinking, dining, and exploring the city. The windy and hilly lanes would surely have seen many a story over the centuries. We did the tourist thing and climbed to the top of Mount Vesuvius, if you ever get to the top of the volcano keep your eyes peeled for the Lambretta club of Australia sticker! Then we explored Pompeii. Suffice to say we had a ball and suffice to say what happens on band camp stays on band camp.

After Naples we caught the fast train via Bologna to Milan. In Milan we explore the city and I purchased new luggage as my backpack had exploded. We then undertook the pilgrimage of many a Lambretta owner, and traveled to the Lambretta factory. We did the obligatory and stopped at the Lambretta cafe. Then we circumnavigated the factory. We met some English scooterists who are friends of the Synotts, mooching around the factory, and taking photos on their way to Adria. After nearly a full day at the factory we had taken photos and drone footage and even saw the famous roundabout with the series 2 on it.

The next day we headed to Adria where met by our Italian “fixer” Mattia.
I had had the privilege of attending the first euro Lambretta in Strasbourg France in 1989. And it was great to represent the Lambretta club of Australia 28 years later at the international president's meeting. We exchanged gifts and had the meeting. The presidents meeting coincided with The Rideout so disappointingly I missed it. We spent the next couple of days at the rally with the usual hi-jinks. We watch the open track day with everything from racing Lambrettas to roadgoing machines.
We also witnessed the unavailing of the new Lambretta copy, the V-special. In short it was a tough audience and after the unveiling the crowd went mild. At the end of the weekend we all got to ride the factory twin prototype with 10 inch wheels and meet Vittorio Tessera who gave us many history lessons. Suffice to say the rally weekend was spent drinking and chatting with Scooterists from around the globe. The Lambretta club of Australia received the furthest travel trophy and we decided to give it to Steve Diffey, as he was the only one who rode to the event out of the Australian contingent.

After Adria we headed to Mauro Pascoli’s shop in Ravenna. He must have sold all of his Lambrettas and parts as there only seemed to be Vespas and Vespa parts left over. But seriously folks, he had an amazing collection and was very open to us exploring and photographing his shop.

We then travelled to Venice and explored the Beautiful city.
This ended our travels and we flew out of Venice International airport to head home.

What can I say? A Great holiday with great mates, fun and laughter aplenty!

Thanks to the Lambretta club of Australia committee for helping to get EuroLambretta tickets. And special thanks to Mark Carter, Brant Cumming and Damien Harris for helping me share a bucket list holiday of a lifetime.

Cheers Nick Townsend Ex-president of the Lambretta club of Australia.


Click on the image below to access the videos, but don't steal them! Brant's permission for use is as follows:
"download em, put em away to show the grandkiddies...but don't license other people to use them without contacting me, if there are queries about the raw content send them to me, it is for sale yes."

Once upon a time Pacemaker was published as a club magazine. Here they are for your nostalgic pleasure

It is with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Pat Couch. Siobhan Ellis recently wrote the following about Pat.

"Pat worked for Lambretta Sales and Service on Williams St, in Sydney, for many years in the 1960's and was Sales and Service Manager. He was instrumental in setting up the Lambretta Club of NSW, which was based in the company's office. He, unfortunately, lost his job when Lambretta Concessionaires took over and started up in Artarmon under the Lambretta (Australasia) Pty Ltd. However, Pat's enthusiasm for Lambretta did not waver, and he carried on as President of the LCoNSW taking the club on major trips around Australia, such as to Adelaide. Finally the club closed down with the shutting down of the Innocenti factory. Pat continued to keep the flame burning though, and helped many a person over the following decades with new parts, or good second hand parts from his home on the outskirts of Sydney. Finally, his health meant he could no longer ride, yet he still continued to help many people, and he was very involved in the startup of the LCoA as well as continuing to attend national rallies."

Pat also served for many years as treasurer for the club. Our thoughts go out to those he leaves behind.