TRiP DoWN MEMoRy lANE

By Tony Gray, Member #3905

Deep down in the files of club records I came across a Christmas card sent to Club Members on 1998 by that intrepid travelling duo and BMWMCQ members – Ken & Carol Duval. I have reproduced the hand written text: Hi there Club Members. Our journey has once again brought us back to England to work and save for our extended trip. Looking back over the past few months we have covered many miles (in the rain) in the European summer. Ireland, Isle of Man, (where were you Alan & Joan Hore), France, Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, (met Pommie Dave – BMW Safari fame), Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Northern Italy. So many roads, Whew! Bike still running OK. BMW batteries are crap. One lasted 7 months, the other 10 months. Would not recognize warranty over here. Time for a change. Working now, saving our pennies and pounds. Our plan is to do the Mediterranean Countries this summer then the big one – Africa. Top to bottom and back. Maybe we will be tired enough to come home then, then maybe not. Anyone interested in the Isle of Man this year. Contact us soon, we can organize a few things and join you. How about Africa? Anyone want to tag along? A big journey – once in a lifetime – expensive though. The Aussie Dollar is still weak.* We are earning Pounds – that’s great for us. Anyone wishing to drop us a line please write to the address on the back (TG: Barway, Ely Cambridgeshire UK). We are working for this company hopefully until June 1999. It is a Farm/Factory producing celery & lettuce for all of the major supermarkets in England. They own a farm in Spain also and that supplies the product during winter. A purpose built Hostel houses around 100 NZ, SA, Europeans & Aussies. Summer has this increasing to over 600 and they come from everywhere. Both Carol & I are quality controllers in the celery section (I’ll never eat celery again). Thought you would like to know that folks at Motobins are great. Very helpful and cheap parts to boot. Know us well. Catch you later, Love & Best Wishes, Ken & Carol

* Ken wasn’t kidding about the exchange rate. At the end of 1998 when this was written the $A was worth about 37p Sterling.