The route home was a lovely run which took us via Chelmsford, Harlow, Hertford, Stevenage, Hitchin and finally Bedford. This route was the best all rounder to ensure that we stayed as a group as long as possible and allowing people to turn off to their own homes without having to do too much of a final leg alone, just in case.

I cant remember where it was now but we stopped fairly early on the first leg for a breather and to top up the old fuel. Personally I didn't think I needed any more petrol but thought I probably should. Of course I bought a bottle of Castol Super TT 2 stroke too as I didn't have enough and it was £2 cheaper than my usual ScootR in the station. Additionally I didn't have a measuring jug so guesstimated what I would need, unfortunately, as events will show, I would appear to have under estimated as opposed to overestimated. Anyway, once everyone was ready, and the men found a corner for a pee, we were off again.

My next stop was a bit earlier than everyone else's.

I should mention here that I was fairly pleased at how the Lambretta had stood the pace, the only problem so far having been a side panel embellisher which had come loose and luckily was sat at my feet when we stopped in London. However, in a little village called High Ongar on the A414, I noticed my right hand headset mirrors vibrating a lot more than normal. Pulling over, a quick check revealed that one of the clamps had in fact snapped in two. Wondering what to do my hand found nothing in the toolbox to help, but luckily I had a thick bungee on the rear carrier. A bit of tying up later and I'm back on the road and waving at Tom who had kindly turned around when he noticed the group was suddenly one down. (I had been at the back when it happened). As Tom was finding somewhere to turn and catch up with me, not difficult on his stage 4 tuned GP 200 which doesn't so much go fast as looks like its low level flying, I see that others have also turned to see what was wrong. Thanks everyone!!

It's only another few miles before our backsides need to take another well earned rest at a petrol station where conversation includes my relaying of what had happened to the mirrors and the discovery that the station had a coffee machine! As I'm sipping my coffee and it still looks like the heavens are going to open, Rachel asks me about my engine and how it pulls in 4th. Both our Series 2s are stage 4 175s and she feels that her's doesn't pull well. Personally I think that she's been spoiled because today she's actually on her other half's scooter, her own is at home with an imola 185 that's not run in yet. Not that I'm jealous; well, not much.

Back on the scooters and its via Stevenage for the next leg so that we can drop Lee off and somewhere about here Tom & Wendy cut off to go home too. I can practically smell home as we find Henlow and have a final stop in a layby. By now there's only four of us left and we're ready for home. Off we go and we're on the home stretch when it happens. Remember I said I'd underestimated the oil? Yep, you guessed it. As I'm wondering what the new high pitched noise is from the Lambretta suddenly she splutters, dies and heat seizes on me. I'm doing a straight line skid at 50mph with a Mercedes on my ass. I think I skidded about 10 or 12 feet before I got the clutch in and coasted down hill to the next layby all alone because, again, I was at the back. Mind you after a few minutes Stewart and Len noticed and came back, Wilstead Dave had already taken his turn off for home. Typical how this would happen within 5 miles of my front door!

Anyway, as the lads had a fag and I reattached my flywheel cover which had worked loose, we let the engine cool and prayed it would start up again, which it did. Lambretta's, you just can't keep them down. As we wave goodbye to Stewart and get on the bypass I'm within two and a half miles of home when finally the heaven's open and I swear I saw someone building an ark, it was that bad.

After waving goodbye to Len in Kempston I get home soaked but in one piece. What a bloody brilliant day!!

Other GLRO photos