Heart of England

Probably the AJS and Matchless Owners Club’s friendliest section!


 

A big hearty welcome to you from Heart of England country. The AJS and Matchless owners club is a great organisation to belong to and we think we are the best section in it!

 

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Latest Heart of England Happenings

 

The Heart of England Annual Dinner February 2010

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

At the club’s national Jampot Rally we always hold a raffle. This year one of our section members, Conway, very generously donated the raffle’s top prize, a weekend sailing on his yacht, ‘The Isadora’. It was won by well loved member Joyce Smith and her equally liked son, Les. This is Conway’s report of the weekend.

 

 

 

We left Buckingham around 08.30 in pouring rain but by the time we got to Gosport the weather had cleared up. After loading all the provisions and crew we set off for Osbourne bay Isle of Wight. We anchored off and enjoyed a leisurely lunch stop for an hour or two. As the wind was light on the return we resorted to the 'Iron Donkey', a 30hp, 3 cylinder Yanmar marine diesel. Joyce helmed most of the way back, showing great courage and determination when we past Warship No 61 of the American Navy.

 

 

 

You never know, they are, understandably, a bit twitchy since a small craft did a suicide attack on one of their ships in the Gulf. Anyway all went well and we arrived back at Gosport just before dark. We took a car ride around to see the sights in Lee on the Solent and as supper called bought fish chips from the Alverstoke chip shop. Reputed to be the best around Gosport, however Les will never know as he had a pie and chips. Then it was a quick dash back to the clubhouse to eat them while looking out over the harbour watching the shipping. After finishing the wine kindly donated by Joyce, we retired back to Isadora for a nightcap or two.

 

 

 

Overnight a gale was followed by heavy rain, which fortunately eased off towards lunchtime. As we couldn't sail, because of the weather, we crossed the harbour by way of the ferry and visited the Spinnaker tower in Portsmouth's Gunwharf quay area (on the site of the old HMS Vernon shore base). The 360 deg views were spectacular, well worth making the effort for.

 

 

After lunch at the HMS Hornet sailing club near the submarine museum in Gosport we returned to the yacht to pack up and clean her before leaving for home.

 

All in all everyone had a good time doing something new to them. Joyce and Les were very much taken with sailing and both were very good company, making my weekend just as enjoyable.

 

Conway

 

 

 

We are a very open and friendly group. If you fancy joining us why not pop along to one of our Thursday nights (2nd and 4th of the month) at The White Horse. I remember how nerve-wracking it was when I first came along and met the group of then strangers that made up Heart of England and who I now consider good friends. If you e-mail heartofengland@jampot.com  to tell us you are coming, we will look out for you and make sure you are made welcome.  Give us a try!