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. 

​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.  

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.
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​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.

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?
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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.

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