No longer a Treffen virgin, I spent 4 days in glorious sunshine at Carmarthen where the 2007 British Treffen was held. Considering the dire weather we have had for most of the summer, the sunshine would have been enough to make me enjoy it but as a bonus, the event itself was great fun. Seeing all the different bikes in a multitude of configurations (trikes, add-ons, paint jobs and so forth) was quite a feast for someone newly enamoured of the Goldwing and needless to say, it has inspired me to think of the sorts of things I might yet do for my bike. I did get a couple of things whilst there, notably a CB radio, yet to be installed, and a J&M headset which is now in my Arai Quantum – I couldn’t see how to fit it to my currently preferred helmet – a BMW system 5, although I may be encouraged into radical surgery of the helmet if I like it enough. A quick test this morning suggests it will work very well.

I used my new tent which provided ample accommodationand although it looks a little lonely here, it was soon surrounded by others as more people including my new buddies in Kent Wings, arrived. There were close on 800 inscriptions for the event and although I have no idea hw many of these were foreign, there were certainly enough to make one realise the international nature of a Treffen. Some of the vistors provided considerable entertainment in the form of spectacular bikes – not always the prettiest for sure!

On getting back home on Monday afternoon, I found myself in considerable trouble. A hip that had been slightly sore for a couple of days had become so painful, I could hardly get off my bike and walking was a nightmare. I slept not a wink that night and on Tuesday morning took myself off the doctor’s who promptly sent me to A&E on the basis that I might have septic arthritis – a potentially fatal condition. After not too long waiting around, I was seen by a doctor who diagnosed severe bursitis of the hip, possibly brought on by my unsatisfactory sleeping arrangements at the Treffen – basically an inferior lilo that left my hip in hard contact with the ground, I think a camp bed is next on my list of must haves! Anyway, now a couple of days later and having popped a few pills, I am feeling somewhat more human and thankful to both the gods for sparing me septic arthritis and the NHS for sorting me out.