On The Road With Felix Tours

by

Felix Oliver

 Camping had been arranged at the Black Horse pub in Stratford St. Mary, near Colchester, with Ade sorting out the run which was going to start at10ish. I decided to arrive early and whizzed from home to Ipswich and filled up with petrol then whizzed down the A12 to the pub, arriving about 9ish. There was Ken Briggs, his moped, and his tent, so we put the world to rights while he made me a cup of tea.
 Richard Clifford arrived next, having taken the long way around Milton Keynes. Shortly afterwards Ade and his friend arrived followed by Bill and Rosina on their bikes.

        

 I knew a route which was 80-odd miles and after a quick chat we decided to do half of it because it was felt that the whole run was too long. So we loaded up and set out, me at the head of the posse because I used to live in the area. Felix Tours consisted of my GT550, two GTRs, one Suzuki and one Yamaha.
 We travelled from Stratford St Mary to Stoke By Nayland on the B1068, where I worked and lived for a year when we came back to the country in 2001, then to Hadleigh on the A1071. Next stop was Kersey, where we crossed the ford which was only a few inches deep and to the church where we had a walk around.
 From Kersey we whizzed on the back lanes though Edwardstone and into Little Waldingfield. Yes, I used to live there!
 We went into the pub for a spot of lunch and then got back on the road – the B1115 and the A141 to Laverham where we dismounted and had a quick waddle round the village. Lovely place to look at the buildings but not much else. Then back to the lanes to cut though to the A143, on to Long Melford via the B1064 and the A1092 to Clare.
 When we arrived a woman rushed out of the wool shop saying that she had some leathers that she wanted to give to a good home – two pairs of trousers and a leather jacket.
 Ade and his friend had to get back so headed home via Bury St. Edmunds on the A143. We wended our way back to the camp site via Halstead on the A1124.
 All in all a good run and everyone enjoyed themselves.