Lammy Jammy 2024 - Canberra, Australia
* Friday 29th March to Monday 1st April*
Easter snuck up on us this year like the Easter Bunny trying to steal our chocolates. After missing last year’s event, Steve and I were excited for the big weekend ahead.
We left Sydney a day early as we had tickets to see Gladys Knight in Canberra on Thursday night with Chris & Nicky. Steve rode his Series 2 down the M31/23 grinning like a Cheshire cat as he slip-streamed trucks to pick up speed, not that he needed to, he was comfortably doing around 100 kmph most of the way.
We left Sydney a day early as we had tickets to see Gladys Knight in Canberra on Thursday night with Chris & Nicky. Steve rode his Series 2 down the M31/23 grinning like a Cheshire cat as he slip-streamed trucks to pick up speed, not that he needed to, he was comfortably doing around 100 kmph most of the way.
On Good Friday, after a great night out, we headed to the jamboree campsite at Capital Country Holiday Park. We parked up outside our cabin and unpacked, ready for the weekend. Everyone else started arriving in dribs and drabs, from as far as Tasmania, Qld, Victoria and SA as well as nearby NSW and ACT. Gatherings were soon taking place at various points around the campsite, and Steve wandered off somewhere. I found him, beer in hand, with some other Jamboretti who were staying in one of the cabins by the lake. Not sure what they did to score such a prime position?
Over the next few hours there was lots of catching up over drinks, as like-minded scooterists re-connected. For those who bothered to read their emails and Jamboree Facebook posts, (though to be fair, the phone/internet reception was pretty bad due to the campsite remoteness outside Canberra), rally packs were handed out in the Rosella conference room at 5pm. Shortly after, we made our way to the campsite kitchen where a few volunteer chefs were cooking up a storm of endless kebabs and vegetarian chilli.
Over the next few hours there was lots of catching up over drinks, as like-minded scooterists re-connected. For those who bothered to read their emails and Jamboree Facebook posts, (though to be fair, the phone/internet reception was pretty bad due to the campsite remoteness outside Canberra), rally packs were handed out in the Rosella conference room at 5pm. Shortly after, we made our way to the campsite kitchen where a few volunteer chefs were cooking up a storm of endless kebabs and vegetarian chilli.
The kebabs were amazing, cooked perfectly and with plenty to go around. And so, apparently, was the chilli, judging by some of the carnivores among the group that I spotted digging in. Everyone was having a great time acquainting and re-acquainting with new and old friends.
After we’d filled our bellies, we headed over to the conference room for Quiz night, hosted by Andy and Terry. They made a bold entrance, dressed for the occasion in their typical crimplene safari suits and went about testing our Lambretta and music knowledge, with a touch of Spicks & Specks style. As usual, I did appallingly on the Lambretta knowledge so apologies to the rest of my team if you were expecting Steve's expertise to have rubbed off on me. Funnily enough, Steve who was in a different team to me, didn't do much better thanks to the number of beers he’d had, and lack of listening skills. Note to self, next time be on Nev's team. At least I did a bit better on the music knowledge, though some of us were tripped up on some of Terry’s more obscure questions. There were prizes given out at the end thanks to some sponsors, but I don’t think anyone really cared about who won. Hats off to Andy and Terry for the creative questions and great entertainment. More drinks and laughs continued later into the night before one by one people disappeared, stumbling back to their cabins for the night.
After we’d filled our bellies, we headed over to the conference room for Quiz night, hosted by Andy and Terry. They made a bold entrance, dressed for the occasion in their typical crimplene safari suits and went about testing our Lambretta and music knowledge, with a touch of Spicks & Specks style. As usual, I did appallingly on the Lambretta knowledge so apologies to the rest of my team if you were expecting Steve's expertise to have rubbed off on me. Funnily enough, Steve who was in a different team to me, didn't do much better thanks to the number of beers he’d had, and lack of listening skills. Note to self, next time be on Nev's team. At least I did a bit better on the music knowledge, though some of us were tripped up on some of Terry’s more obscure questions. There were prizes given out at the end thanks to some sponsors, but I don’t think anyone really cared about who won. Hats off to Andy and Terry for the creative questions and great entertainment. More drinks and laughs continued later into the night before one by one people disappeared, stumbling back to their cabins for the night.
Saturday morning, after breakfast and some real coffee courtesy of the orange coffee van brought by the South East Asian Lambretta crew, everyone assembled by the entrance to get ready for the first ride out of the weekend. There was a good turnout. I didn’t count, but believe there were approximately 50 Lambrettas, even though a few people, including Steve and I, decided to stay behind. Eventually, after waiting for some stragglers (you know who you were), they all took off, enjoying their ride and lunch at Bungendore. A few hours, and only a couple of minor breakdowns later, everyone started arriving back at the campsite, in time for the afternoon's entertainment.
Saturday afternoon was filled with Gymkhana, slow-ride and Show' n' Shine. The gymkhana was a bit slow to start after Bill demonstrated his expertise going around the circuit. I think at first nobody was game to follow, fearing they'd fail abysmally in comparison. Then gradually a few came forward, especially after Bill offered to lend his TV175 to anyone wanting to attempt the course. Things got interesting when Ziko tried to take his chopper around the course, getting stuck on some cones in the process. Other stand-out moments were watching riders get some air on the see-saw, and of course, Chris never fails to disappoint with his attire. He will forever now be known as “Pope Puddington”. The slow-ride was done differently this year. Rather than two at a time in a knock-out competition, everyone lined up to do it at the same time. What a sight! At first, I was amused to see Rappers going sideways in the wrong direction, then gradually one by one, as a foot went down, a Lammy would take off down the straight until there were only a few left, wobbling to the finish line. As for the Show 'n' Shine, well let's just say that Steve and I disappeared for a while to visit someone's impressive collection of rare scooters and cars nearby, so we missed the display and judging.
In the evening, we had the Presentation dinner in the dining room by the lake. The campsite caterers put on a delicious roast meal with all the trimmings, followed by dessert - there was plenty left over.
Awards were handed out to various people:
Best Shaft Driven - Brant Cumming
Best Series 1 - Nevil Cope
Best Series 2 - Mohamad
Best Series 3/GP - Steve Syms
Best in Show - Nevil Cope
Best Unrestored/Rat - Jack
Best Custom: Ziko Hart
Furthest Ridden - Colin Grimmborne
Winner of the Gymkhana - Bill Guthrie
Winner of the slow ride - Brant Cumming
Gold medal for riding a chopper around the Gmykhana - Ziko Hart
Awards were handed out to various people:
Best Shaft Driven - Brant Cumming
Best Series 1 - Nevil Cope
Best Series 2 - Mohamad
Best Series 3/GP - Steve Syms
Best in Show - Nevil Cope
Best Unrestored/Rat - Jack
Best Custom: Ziko Hart
Furthest Ridden - Colin Grimmborne
Winner of the Gymkhana - Bill Guthrie
Winner of the slow ride - Brant Cumming
Gold medal for riding a chopper around the Gmykhana - Ziko Hart
After we’d eaten and a brief speech to thank everyone who had helped make it a great weekend so far, a few people disappeared and some of us went back to the Rosella conference room for more drinks, a variety of music and more chatter. The night ended with some dancing to Northern Soul, where even Steve got up and gave his new knee a whirl (a sight to behold). We were disappointed when the night had to end because the music source ran out, although I'm sure it was much to the relief of any neighbours trying to sleep nearby since it was well after 1 am when we finished up. Who says Gen X/ Boomers are too old to party past midnight?
Easter Sunday morning was a slightly later start for our scheduled ride out. This time, I convinced Steve (“I F-ing hate ride-outs”) to join the ride, with me on the back of his Series 2. We had a nice ride under sunny blue skies, heading a bit further than the previous day, to a nice pub at Gunning, “The Telegraph Hotel” where we stopped for lunch. The route back to the campsite got a bit hairy though, as one of the back roads turned out to be quite diabolical - full of potholes – the worst I’ve ever encountered in my life. There were so many lumps and holes, they were impossible to dodge! God knows how it didn't end in disaster. Fortunately, everyone made it back to the campsite without any damage, and once we got over the initial shock of the experience, it made for a good story later.
Sunday afternoon involved more catching up, more drinking, and then after teasing our senses all afternoon with glorious scents coming from their cabins, the South East Asian Lambrettisti treated us to a delicious meal. As the sun set, we all sat out by the pool in the cool Canberra autumn air, enjoying the variety of tasty Asian food, company, music, and, of course, more drinks for our last evening together.
On Easter Monday, those who hadn’t already departed, left early in the morning, Steve and myself included. Those who headed north on the M23 encountered some heavy fog going past Lake George, but, fortunately, not much traffic considering it was the end of a long Easter weekend.
It was another cracking, successful weekend of shenanigans and laughter. Thanks again to everyone who attended and who helped organise and contribute to such a fantastic event. We can’t wait until next year!
It was another cracking, successful weekend of shenanigans and laughter. Thanks again to everyone who attended and who helped organise and contribute to such a fantastic event. We can’t wait until next year!
Write up by Tasha
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