The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Fresher than ever.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 5,600 times in 2010. That’s about 13 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 59 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 198 posts. There were 18 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 2mb. That’s about 2 pictures per month.

The busiest day of the year was June 6th with 67 views. The most popular post that day was My Favourite Picture of Sue.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were en.wordpress.com, facebook.com, rtfitch.wordpress.com, twitter.com, and s1.zetaboards.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for heritage softail, softail heritage, sherwood chapter, harley davidson heritage softail, and wedding menu.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

My Favourite Picture of Sue May 2009

Our Bikes – Part 2 – Heritage Softail April 2008
4 comments

Why I Resigned From Sherwood Chapter Committee December 2008
2 comments

Gareth and Emma’s Wedding August 2009

Railway Walks – Cornwall – The Birth Of Steam October 2008
1 comment

I know it won’t be easy, but it might be fun, inspiring, awesome and wonderful. Therefore I’m promising to make use of The DailyPost, and the community of other bloggers with similiar goals, to help me along the way, including asking for help when I need it and encouraging others when I can.

If you already read my blog, I hope you’ll encourage me with comments and likes, and good will along the way.

I know that there will be thousands of bloggers who are similarly hit by an attack of new year enthusiasm, let’s try to support each other to keep this resolution.

Many regards
Dave (Chuffinghog)

I was slightly surprised that my previous post to this one was back in July when I wrote about Hoggin’ The Beaver. Well, this one is about the same great bunch of people, Sherwood Chapter of the Harley Owners’ Group. This weekend was their annual rally, Sherwood 11. I have written here about a couple of rallies at Woodland Waters, the last one almost exactly two years ago. I was not involved in last year’s rally at all, but they moved into the heart of Sherwood Forest, and into the shadow of the luxurious Warners Hotel, Thoresby Hall.    

Chuffing Hog at Sherwood 11. We didn’t stay at Thoresby Hotel.

This year’s rally was held on the same site, and I was booked to provide the disco for the three nights of the event, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Sue and I were invited to stay for the weekend, but after a great deal of thought and discussion, we decided to travel to and from home each day. This proved to be a good decision as I was able to get a good night’s sleep between each evening’s work. I think that this is a point well worth making, that being a DJ is a job that has to be taken seriously. It’s a shame that there are some DJs who don’t do this. 

I rather fear that some DJs at other Harley Rallies may fall into this category because I am always amazed to be told by lots of Sherwood Chapter members that my disco is very good. This weekend, I’m afraid that I couldn’t agree with them on at least two of the nights. Anyway, that analysis can come later. 

The site is stunning. Woodland Waters was a great setting, but Thoresby Park is a step forward. There’s much more space for a central rally area with the bar, a lot of trade stands, food outlets and a large arena, with a great focal area – a large brazier with a welcome fire. The site is almost surrounded by woodland, with the imposing face of Thoresby Hall close by across the field. There is a lot of room for the rally to grow as there is another large field beyond a line of trees that was almost unused all weekend. 

Even before we had arrived on Thursday afternoon, it was clear that the organisation of the rally had taken a leap forward from my previous experience. A set of very professionally made signs guided us into the venue. I commented to Sue that these were much better than day-glo cardboard signs. This impression was confirmed at the gate where we received a warm welcome and were fitted with our wristbands. The medieval-style black and orange tent at the gate, and its twin a few yards away are a step up from the gazebo of old. 

Sherwood 11 – Black and Orange Tents

We drove across to the marquee, unloaded and started to set up the gear for the first night’s gig. The band, Crusade, arrived soon after us and we sorted out how we could share the limited space. The gig itself was not one of my best. I have always felt quite strongly that I should make the music I play fit in with the style of the band. Crusade is a rock band, so I played a lot of rock that night. Certainly it was good quality rock and I think most of the people there enjoyed the night. Someone who has never been to a Sherwood Chapter event would probably think, “Bikers – rock, what’s the problem?” For me the problem is that bikers can be as diverse as any other group of people. Certainly there are people whose musical taste goes from A to Z – AC/DC to ZZ Top – all rock. But a lot of Harley owners like other kinds of music, so I came away from Thursday night feeling that I’d let them down a bit.   

The complaints about noise from the hotel didn’t help either. We had set up the disco and the band with our PA systems pointing straight at the hotel, so the complaints were justified. When we were staying at Thoresby, we’d have been unhappy if there had been a bunch of noisy, hairy bikers just outside our bedroom window. I’m sure that the lesson has been learned. But I thought that Friday would redeem this. Friday and Saturday night were indoors, in the Riding Hall, Thoresby Park’s beautiful function venue, so there weren’t going to be problems with the hotel. Friday’s band was The Platforms. We first met these guys three or four years ago when the pub at the end of the Hoggin’ The Beaver ride out booked them to play while we were there. They were an out an out glam rock covers band with outrageous make-up to blend in with the Sweet, Bay City Rollers and Gary Glitter songs that they were playing. Absolutely 100% right for the average age of Harley owners. So they got booked for more Sherwood gigs, at rallies and a Christmas Party.   

I was quite excited at the prospect of being able to play a lot of sixties and seventies music to fit in with their fun, party style on the Friday. I always ask the band for their set list so that I can try to remember to avoid playing the songs that they are going to do. When I was given the Platforms set list on Friday night, my heart sank. Sure enough, the first set was pretty solid seventies glam rock, but they ended their first set with a nondescript heavy rock cover. Worse still, most of the second set leaned towards hard rock, so I couldn’t use my 30 minute interval set to do much more than thrash out more of the same.   

I can understand that a band wants to move on beyond playing the same set for ever, and maybe they had fallen into the trap that bikers = hard rock, but neither I, nor many of the crowd were very satisfied with Friday night. Frankly, the shortage of chairs in the room didn’t encourage people to stay (on either Friday or Saturday night).   

Saturday’s band was Bootleg Blondie. They are the only Blondie tribute band to have played at the home of Punk, CBGB’s club in New York and both the band and “Debbie Harris”, the lead singer were great. They put a lot of effort into their sound check, which paid off with a great sound in the room and underlined their experienced, professional approach. The first set was a fantastic flow of Blondie’s hits from “Denee” through to “Maria” and a show-stopping rendition of “Heart Of Glass” as their first set encore.   

Sherwood 11 – Bootleg Blondie on Stage

But I felt almost embarrassed that, for most of that first set, the audience just sat there. Even the applause between songs was lacklustre. I didn’t play between the two sets as this is the time when awards are presented and thanks given. I realise that this is an important part of the weekend, but it may have gone on a little bit too long. I must give the organisers some credit for cutting down on the time that it takes to draw the raffle, but even that backfired because the mass exodus from the room as the band started the second set was dreadful. I feel partly responsible for this because I announced that the raffle prizes were on a table just outside the room. Doh! Bad idea.   

The band’s second set saw a little more dance-floor action to some great cover versions of eighties party classics such as “Enola Gay” and “Going Underground” and after they had finished, I played for another three quarters of an hour, which I believe to have been my best set of the whole weekend. Did I really play Dean Martin’s “Amore”?   

Whilst I was thanked profusely, my contribution to the rally was not as good as it should have been and I know that I can do better. I’ve already been told that I’ll be there next year, so I’ll do some planning between now and then.   

I’ll return for a moment to Saturday afternoon. This was one of my professional and personal highlights of the weekend. I provided a PA system on the field for the arena and other activities. This was to promote the Bike Show, to provide commentary for the games that turned into an international “It’s A Knockout” between a great bunch of HOG members from Belgium and a motley bunch of Englishmen (with an American as well.) This was enormous fun and afterwards, the comment was made that my commentary helped the audience to understand what was going on. However, the real high spot of the afternoon was the arrival of the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance helicopter which flew in to the empty field that I mentioned earlier.   

Sherwood 11 – The Air Ambulance

They came to accept a cheque from the Chapter’s fund-raising activities. Most people there were amazed when a cheque for £9,500 was handed over; a brilliant effort by the Sherwood Chapter and friends.   

For my perception of the rest of the rally, I return to my theme as we arrived. As an (almost) outsider looking in, I saw a superbly organised event with a great atmosphere. There have been something of an upheaval in Sherwood Chapter over the last few months and I believe that some of the issues that were bubbling when I left the chapter two years ago have now been resolved. I really hope that the dust finally settles because I saw a renewed Sherwood Chapter this weekend, one that is moving forward with a united commitee and good leadership. Indeed, Sue and I have been talking about rejoining the chapter when our economic situation improves.   

My thanks to everyone in Sherwood Chapter for making us feel so welcome.   

Ride Safe,
Dave   

However, life is never quite so cut and dried, so this weekend, we loaded up the disco gear and went to play for the Chapter Director, Pete and Partner Sam’s long-running weekend in the Vale of Belvoir (in which “Belvoir is pronounced “Beaver”). With HOG being either the Harley Owners Group, or a nickname for the bikes themselves, we arrive at Hoggin’ The Beaver.

I have to admit that when I was asked to do the disco for the Saturday night, I was a little apprehensive about how I would be recieved. I really should not have worried.

There have been a number of changes in the time that I’ve been away from the politics of the organisation. In particular, the people who were behind my departure have themselves moved on, leaving behind a far better atmosphere.

It felt really good to be greeted so warmly by so many people that we used to ride with and meet at the monthly chapter meetings. I really did feel that I was among friends.

Yes, there were some people who, I am sure, consciously blanked us and others who did nothing untoward, but just saw us as “the disco”, but I was very touched by the number of warm handshakes from the blokes and hugs from the women who took the trouble to come over and say “hi”.

So we arrived at the Dirty Duck at Woolsthorpe and started setting up the equipment. Just as we were finishing, the band arrived and we struck up a good working relationship straight away – something that doesn’t always happen between a band and a disco. If I get to work with the Nathan Wall Band again in the future, I will be very happy.

We shared the space on the stage between us and even reached an agreement that the band would use my sound system for their vocals to save them setting up their own speakers in front of mine.

Having done a number of gigs for the chapter that always involve bands, I really must stress how great these guys were. They set up smoothly and efficiently, their soundcheck was quick and to the point and I was able to start the disco bang on time. We had to come up a little jiggery-pokery with cables and plugs to make the change-over from disco to band work, but this was OK

I was delighted that a couple of people were straight on the dance floor, even before the band’s first set. Thanks, Jane and friend.

The band were also happy to give me a set list that was mostly indie rock, but inculded a few sixities classics. This is always an enormous help as I know what not to play and can try to lead in to the band’s sets with tracks that complement, rather than clash with their music.

As soon as they started playing, I realised that they were a cut above the average. I really enjoyed their first set and when I got back onto the stage, they left me a fairly full dance floor to sustain.

After about half an hour of me, it was presentation time and I was gobsmacked when Pete called Sue an I forward to present us with an engraved tankard in recognition of our support for the event. That really put the icing on the cake for me in making feel that I was still part of something that I had walked away from.

There were a number of other presentations, including to the winners of the bike show. Then it was time for one of the highlights of Hoggin’ The Beaver, Yi-Aye Man’s charity auction. Jeff had a new glamorous assistant this year who was an imporvement on her predecessor, although keeping the auction shorter than previous years also helped to make it effective.

The auction must have raised well over 100 pounds and was followed by the raffle with loads of prizes (alough none wo by Sue who had splashed out on a fistful of tickets.

After a quick tune or two from me, it was time for the band’s second set which was as good as their firstand as the evening went on and the alcoholic beverages started to hit the spot, the dance floor was quickly packed.

After they had played for over an hour, and been called to do a couple of extra, unplanned encore songs, I was given free reign. Musical highlights for me were Led Zep;s “Rock and Roll” and Meatloaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Light”. The sound in that small function room was really good and I loved the whole vibe.

I didn’t even let one very drunk idiot spoil things; he objected loudly when I started to play a Smiths track, so I dumped it and hit another track instead. Although I am still wondering what Morrissey had done to upset him.

By 1am, it was becoming clear that the weekend had taken its toll as people started wandering off to bed and by about quarter past one, I wound it down with a pile of bodies on the front of stage (Pete, Sam, Beasty and one or two others) and I finished with a most unlikely biker anthem – Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World”.

It was great to be asked to do Hoggin’ The Beaver and now I know that I can look forward to my next outsing for this bunch of reprobates when we spend three nights working at the Sherwood Chapter’s Rally at Thoresby Park in September.

It also looks like we’ll be back at the Hoggin’ The Beaver next year. I can’t wait.

Ride Safe
Dave

I read a lot online and in the real world about writers block. I have, on odd occasions experienced it, but that hasn’t been the problem for me. I have had loads that I have wanted to say but haven’t had the time, energy or inclination to sit down here and write.

Something changed today and here I am. The cause of that change will be the subject of my next post, although probably not from this computer – my desktop machine nosedived into the ground over the weekend and I typing this on an aged laptop.

How do people cope with these tiny keyboards?

Ride Safe
Dave

However, there is enough of the former Great Central Railway still around that the wisdom or otherwise of its closure is still a hot topic for debate more than 40 years on.

Some of the former Great Central has been preserved and re-opened. The most famous section is between Loughborough and Leicester North.

However, there is another section of that line, a few hundred yards north of Loughborough Central station, that still has rails and still sees trains. This is the route between Loughborough and Ruddington, just south of Nottingham. This is the home of the Great Central Railway Nottingham.

This preservation group started their operation in sidings just south of the former Ruddington station, serving a former MOD depot, so from the outset they have had buildings on their site that they have put to good use. The Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, as the site is known, is not only home to the preserved standard gauge railway, but has an extensive large-scale outdoor model railway operated by the The Nottingham Society of Model and Experimental Engineers as well as a museum of buses and other vintage vehicles, an excellent model railway group as well as a restoration shed that is open to visitors, a Visitor Centre and the cafe and fundraising shops.

On Sunday, Sue and I went to the centre in the company of my mum. In fact we went thanks to my mum generously paying for us to go in. Although this is the nearest preserved railway to where we live, just across the city of Nottingham, we have not been regular visitors, so it had been several years since our last visit to Ruddington and we were very pleasantly surprised at the amount of work that had been completed there and that this is obviously ongoing. Their plans for the track layout and for station buildings are very impressive.

Obviously we wanted to travel on the train, so just before its advertised departure time we were a little dismayed that there was no sign of the train in the platform. In common with many preservation sites, Ruddington has rows and rows of rolling stock parked up in varying stages of dilapidation. It was clear that the coaches that we could see from the platform were most unlikely to be the ones that we would be travelling in. Our fears were unfounded as a diesel locomotive horn and steam whistle preceded the appearance of the nose end of a Class 20 diesel, evoking memories of  from a few Summer Saturday Specials to the East Coast back in the 1970s and, of course those ubiquitous double-headed coal trains in and out of Toton.

The Whistling Wardrobe was followed out of siding by a short rake of maroon mark 1 and 2 stock and a Robert Stevenson & Hawthorn Saddle Tank steam loco. After a shunt, it arrived in the platform where we quickly found our seats. I had already been busy with the video camera and continued to film as we journeyed down the track.

On our last trip to this railway the journey was a brief shuttle to 50 steps footbridge and back, but since then, the group has been given access to the main line southwards as far as Loughborough Junction.

So this was a new stretch of line to us. I never travelled over the Great Central route in BR days, so I know that I was breaking new ground.

The ride quality was outstanding. I  fact, it was Sue who commented how smooth the journey had been.

All three of us thoroughly enjoyed our day there and I thoroughly recommend a visit to Ruddington to anyone with an interest in railways.

Ride Safe
Dave

Last time we went was almost exactly a year ago, on 6th April 2009. On that occasion, they were running a diesel, Class 31, 31101. Although their website tells us that they have a fairly substantial steam fleet, today’s services were also diesel-hauled, being run by Class 25, D5217 in early 1960s green livery.

D5217 and Chuffing Hog at Shackerstone

As ever, Sue captured some great photos of the day, but I also had a creative moment or two and produced this video of D5217 running round its train at Shackerstone station.

Class 25 diesels are one of a group of diesel locomotives that were christened “Rats” by enthusiasts. There a number of theories online about origin of this less than flattering nickname, but my own memory was that they were introduced towards the end of steam and diehard steam enthusiasts simply coined an insulting name for these new-fangled machines.

We have a had our video camera for a little while now, but this is the first successful edit I have managed to complete. I recounted my first unsuccessful attempt just after Christmas 2009 in this blog post. Now that I seem to have a slightly better grasp of what I am doing, there could well be no holding me back.

Chuffing Hog goes all Cecil B De Mille

We went on the train to Shenton, the site of the Bosworth Battlefield, but as it was windy and cold, we wimped out and stayed in the train and came back to Shackerstone.
 
Sue has a real talent for spotting unusual photo opportunities and I really like this one that she captured of a brilliant volunteer recruitment notice just outside the station.

Noticeboard at Shackerstone Station for their "Adult Creche"

This sign says:

New for 2010 at the Battlefield Line

Adult Creche

Drop the man in your life here at Shackerstone Station
You can then enjoy some well deserved retail therapy at a nearby shopping mall

Ask for a leaflet today

We had a great day out at the Battlefield Line, but next time we go, I really must make sure that they are running one of their steam locos.

Ride Safe
Dave

In addition I have spent quite a lot of time refreshing our work website to improve the navigation for its users and I had planned to work with our lovely admin team to upload it today. Unfortunately, they very quickly found a problem with the coding that took me most of the afternoon to fix, so the new work website won’t go live until tomorrow morning.

Please take a look at www.sdcvs.org.uk when it’s up.

Whilst neither of these websites have had a full redesign, it’s great to be able to contribute to information on the web being right up to date.

I’d appreciate your comments about both of these sites – especially if you’re going to say something nice.

Ride safe
Dave

Today is my mum’s birthday, so we invited both the mothers round for a meal of Homity Pie followed by Pavlova.

After dinner we sat round and somehow the conversation came round to the words of Stanley Holloway’s famous “Lion and Albert”.  I remembered that I had this on CD, so went to find it and played it, followed by other tracks from the compilation CD of other comic songs of a similar vintage.

We the moved on to songs that I remember from my own childhood, things I used to hear on Children’s Favourites on the wireless – long before the days of radio.

Although I really enjoyed this evening, it was a timely reminder that nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

Ride Safe
Dave

But I’ve done it!

I celebrated today, not with a blow-out, but with a single slice of birthday cake from last night’s disco. The party was for the ladies who make these cakes at www.rosboroughcakes.com and here I am tucking into a slice of their fruit cake.

After 46 days, Chuffing Hog enjoys a slice of fruit cake

I fully intend to continue to exercise some restraint in my future consumption of things that are not good for me, but I am looking forward to the occasional treat.

I’m also going to spare you the count of each passing day in my next blog posts.

Ride Safe
Dave