I had agreed with motormeisje and panrider Roelof that I would arrive at their house in Fryslân on sathurday the 29th and that I could spend the night there. Tensely I was looking forward to this weekend. An then it was there.
On that sathurdaymorning, I got out of bed by 07.30. Having a shower, some breakfast and get my things together, that I wanted to take with me. Not that much, it is only for 1 night. A clean slip and socks, and a small bag with toilet requisites. For Betty and Roelof a bottle of Schrobbeleir. A native strong drink from Brabant.
First my wife had to refuel the car, as I was to take the tank-card with me. So I left the house at 10.45. I had planned to leave around 10 AM. I had an agreement with Jelle, to meet in Nieuwleusen.
According to the weather-prophets, this weekend would give us bad weather. Nothing came true. It wasn't like in summer, but we kept it fairly dry. Three short heavy showers I had on the way. I was in Nieuwleusen, at Ten Kate at 12.45.
Jelle had already arrived. First we got aquainted en then I followed Jelle on his Africa Twin over nice b-roads and single tracks all the way up north. That boy can handle that bike quite well. My compliments.
Nice tour, with a coffee-break. At my request we even drove the "Katja-road". Most of the readers will know which road I mean. What a wonderful road to attack some curves. But always be on the look-out for the mounted guard. Luckily we haven't seen anyone of them, but we did have fair warning. So we payed attention.

Around 4 PM we arrived at Betty and Roelofs place. What a warm welcome from those people. Coffee and Frisian pastry with orange glazing. Where on earth did they find that??? Orange pastry!! And Roelof kept making jokes about the colours of my company trucks. Yellow and cerise. No that pastry……orange!!!!!
OK, after the coffee, the first bottle of wine is opened. Betty made a delicious hotchpotch with leaks. Roel almost finished the custard by himself.
After dinner we had some more coffee or tea and then the next bottle of wine was opened. Jelle was the most sensible, he stayed alcohol-free. Roel had his beer and Betty and yours truly took some wine. And then the stories were told.
Jelle had planned to return home that night, but at a certain moment it was fairly dark outside and after a short deliberation, Jelle was to stay and crash. Immediatly a sleeping place was arranged in the same room as where I was going to sleep. I do hope he doesn't snore, I already do that. Hahahaha. Wonderful stories were told and there was a lot of laughter. After two and a half bottle of wine and after the churchtower chimed 4 times, we went to bed, because we had a busy day ahead.

Around 7 AM Roel came to our room, to wake us. When I rose, the first thing I thought was: is that alcohol already gone? Am I allowed to drive?
Oh well, we'll see. First a shower, a shave and a little breakfast. I took a roll with cheese and Betty told me, they cut the cheese a different way. But she already knew, I am different.

Shortly after 9 AM we mounted the bikes and went into the direction of Assen. First the Flippo-bridge in Oosterwolde, where Henks and Alwin were waiting for us. Alwin is new as a forum-member, but a nice guy. He only had his drivers-license for 3 days, but he was doing very well. Congrats.
By a touristic tour, under guidance of Henks, we drive to Assen. We're supposed to meet the others at the Mac.

A short while after arrival, we can hear the siren of Rudy's Liberator. What a wonderful sound that is. Rudy made an honorary round around the parking with the wailing siren on. After getting aquainted with the Conimexman, Janbmw and saying hello again to the others that I had already met, we mounted the bikes and went for a tour, in a fairly neat speed after Libby, to unknown roads. We drove by modern macadam and sandroads, where only the Africa Twin of Jelle and the Liberator of Rudy were suitable for.

Near the monument of the crashed Lancaster, we had a coffeebreak. Rudy had coffee and tea in thermos-bottles with him. And then the first surprise! Old-Timer had taken Bossche Bollen. After eating this delicasy, we were yet again surprised, with music. Old-Timer had a harmonica and his accordionwith about 12 bass sounds. He could play fairly well. Wonderful, I really enjoyed this.

Then the parade moved towards the TT-circuit of Assen. There we met Aprili@ster and het husband Fret. Also Ronald and his wife Henny were present. Good to see familiar faces again.

After using a lunch in the restaurant and walking by the track, it had to happen.

Motormeisje was supposed to have a ride on Libby on the parking. I know this is a long fostered illusion of Betty. So after a few instructions of the owner of this particuliar looking machinery, it was kicked on. Put into the first gear and open the throttle. The engine cut out immediatly. You really have to treat her careful, such an old lady, otherwise you can forget the ride and walk home. Second attempt and goodness, Betty gets it going, without any preblems and has her ride over the parking next to the track, on het great love: Libby of Rudyhadee. I made the effort to make lots of pictures.

After Betty returned, Janbmw wanted to make an attempt. Knowing that Jan himself is always busy working on older material, I did not expect him to have the engine cut out twice. That really took me by surprise. I thought he would drive off just like that, but he finally menaged and succeeded in gearing up. Also for Janbmw three times hooray. That was real cool seeing those people driving on a bike, that they had never touched before.
But them the time came to say Goodbye. Pity, but all good things come to an end. I still needed to drive for 200 kilometres to my house. At 7 PM I was home. Dead-tired, but what a wonderful expreience. Did I enjoy this weekend.

With many thanks to: in the first place Betty and Roelof. Not to forget: Jelle, Henks, Alwin, Janbmw, Hans the Etaman, Donald the Conimexman, Huib Old-Timer, and not to forget Rudyhadee.

Rudy thanks for the ropes and especially what was tied together with it. Magnificent!

Peter Schaduwman.