'After leaving Blockley this morning the redoubtable duo arrived at Ross from Kidderminster at 15:45 hours this afternoon. Yours truly, jhe and Will were amongst the welcoming party which was headed by Mrs Lucas of Royal Enfield dealer Lucas Motorcycles, the newly elected Mayoress of Ross on Wye.

'After refreshment the party, now headed by Ducati mounted Will, set off for Abergavenny and then on to Merthyr for the first nights stop. Reported as being mainly uneventful except for an Emm (Senior?) moment when she managed to introduce a serious misfunction into the Electra electrics. She will no doubt tell us all about it in due course. Good weather so far.'

'Rowena & Emm seem to be enjoying a great ride, evident from large grins & everything going smoothly.

'Both seemed well pleased with the bikes performance. Only a slight oil leak on Emm's bike & Neil Lucas checked it out & referred back to Enfield HQ.

'Bob Wilding was phoned & told what was needed, so a late night bit of fettling for him in Methyr Tydfil!

'I led them as far as Raglan and then left them in the care of S.Wales trio (Pete, Alun & Sonia...hope the names are right) for the journey on to Methyr. If we keep this up they can't get lost!'

********

Message Board, Tuesday 10th, from A65Pete:

'I met up at Lucas Motorcycles and found a warm and generous welcome from both the Lucas's and local riders (especially doughnuts and tea) thank you. Alyn & Sonia and I rode with them all the way to Bob Wildings after saying Ta-Ta to Jim (sorry I didn't recognise you!) at Monmouth and Will at Raglan.

'The Enfields looked and sounded great and we had a good run over the Heads of the Valleys road (climbing to 1350ft!). With all the luggage they appeared to be carrying I was impressed by their performance. Another warm and generous welcome in Merthyr ~ a barbeque no less! If the fortnight continues this way, Ro and Emm may put on weight! Possibly the feeling of bunking-off work on a glorious sunny day added to my own enjoyment but I hope they enjoy the rest of the run as much we did.'

********

Fax, Tuesday 10th, from Rowena and Emm

Made it to Merthyr! Day one - 205 miles.

One dead pigeon. One diversion. One oil leak (quite a little one).

Passed by Meriden, Redditch, Small Heath and Hall Green.

Local riders know all the best routes.

Big thanks to Tony the Tiger, Mike, Charles, Les, Peter, Sonia and Alun.

Off for a Jaffanob!

********

********

Fax, Wednesday 11th, from Rowena and Emm

Day 2 - all of Wales!

Five hours, seems all too easy, but started off with the Exxon Valdiz hoving into view behind Emm's bike. Too many mechanics on Day 1, being enthusiastic with 'Top up your oil, Madam?'

Tomorrow - Liverpool! (Calm down, calm down) The day after that… Friday the 13th…

********

********

Message Board, Thursday 12th, from Pat Bailey:

Quick report from Charnwood. Girls arrived safe & sound sometime around 4 -ish. Seem to be having a whale of a time. Bikes going well, (that's put the mockers on it!) and they both like the bikes. Only complaint seems to be that they have under-estimated the mileage that they can do in a day!

********

Message Board, Thursday 12th, from Neracar-Ken:

I got there at about 5.30 on the Dart, and they were both in good spirits. A lot of Enfield riders there to greet them, and they all set out for the evening ride at about 6.15. Quite a procession - made all the pedestrians stare at so many bikes! I followed them to my turning for home.

********

Saturday is Cowling, Preston, Morecombe and Hawes, and then you can ride with them all day on Sunday, from Eclipse in Tranent at 9:00am to RM Motorcycles in Beverley. The full RBR Route is here...