Friday June 10th. 

This morning was a repeat of yesterday morning with more postcards to buy and a visit to the Morning Kaffee, but this time by scooter, which we picked up from the rally ground. It was great to see so many Lambrettas arriving with their riders and pillions. Soon the main parking area at the ground was a hive of activity with many friends and acquaintances to meet and share travelling experiences. Lots of Italians this time, almost non-existent at Kelso in 2004.. with Swedish, Belgium, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Poles and Germans. The Austrian club had arranged a standalone-rolling stand to test the top speed of each Lambretta that proved very popular with a long queue. The special 225cc models being extremely fast and noisy. This was the first afternoon when the sun really began to warm up and we were able to walk around with just a tee shirt for comfort. 
Feeling peckish we took the road in the opposite direction to Leutschach and stopped at a village called Arnfels for coffee and Austrian cakes. Stopping on the way back in this village to feed the fish in the clear river water. This was the first time we had seen a slot machine which gave out small fish pellets for a 10 cent coin. It must have been a popular pastime for tourists and residents as the fish were extremely large [black goldfish or carp]. 
Six o’clock saw us all gather in the main hall, with glasses set out on all the tables, for the wine tasting and cheese event. 
Three types of local wines were poured out at different times with a selection of one cheese and three patties to compliment. Our hosts gave a history of the wines and cheeses in German and English as they were given out and judging by the applause everyone had a good time and enjoyed the local fare. 
Not long after, we were homeward bound up our narrow and twisty lanes to the guesthouse. 

Saturday June 11th. 

The main day we all look forward too as a Lambretta rider. On offer so a quick visit to the village before the rideout which was schedule for 12.30 p.m. Just on time we were off with around 200 riders making for Lechtschach and then onward to Gamlitz and then back through the byways up and down dale with steep hairpins.  
It was quite a sight seeing a long column of colourful Lambrettas in front as far as the eye could see. Either in a valley or snaking up the next mountainside.  
We reached our resting-place high up with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside at a wine bar called Eory Kogel. Wine and cordials were available at the bar for the travellers and we returned to the campsite around 3.15 p.m.  See map for further details. 
Natter then for an hour before returning to our guesthouse for a wash and brushup and rest before the dinner at 07.00 p.m. 
At this stage perhaps I can explain the layout of the campsite which the Austrian Lambretta Club was using. 
It is a permanent complex site comprising of the main building based on the great American theme of a western ‘cowboy’ saloon, with the added theme of Route 66, although here the location was Route 69 in the Austrian road layout.  
The saloon was called the ‘Boot Hill Saloon’ and was frequented daily by motor cyclists instead of cowpokes. As well as camping there was two large permanent tepees which had electric lights installed plus large beer barrels and I mean large as they could accommodate a bed and were used in lieu of tents for those wishing overnight accommodation without a tent or not wanting a guesthouse. It was an amazing place, away from large towns and set in this lush winery region where two wheel riders of all categories could meet and enjoy the countryside and have a common bond. 
Although there was nigh on 300 Lambretta scooters parked in the main corral with hard stone foundations, alongside the other side of the saloon was a tarmac area for the large motorbikes, not forgetting the mopeds to safely park. 
Because of the nature of the expensive Harley and BMW’s that frequent the establishment there is a 24 hour security in these parking areas which are monitored and covered by insurance. 
As well as the campsite at the rear, the caravans and campervans are not forgotten as they also have their own private area to the left of the campsite. 
All in all, a perfect spot to host a Eurolambretta. 
However, back to the plot…..We found a good place at a table near the stage in the large Marquee and our party comprised of Paul & Karen Luton L.C., Graham & Dave from the Cherokees S.C., and Caroline and Christine Jackson from the Rakes L.C. We already had some bottles of Austrian red and white wine plus some sparkling water. To compliment the liquid we also had a plate of pate’s and some Austrian brown cut bread. Of the 450 participants, 180 were from the Lambretta Club of Great Britain – although 50 had flown in from the UK via the cheap flight you can get these days from Ryan Air and Easy Jet. Still nice to see such a large contingent of English. Next in numbers came the Germans followed by the Italians then the French, Belgium’s, Dutch, Spanish, Scottish with small numbers from Poland, Portugal and Sweden. Although I don’t know what happened to the Irish? 
The main course of the evening was rather strange, for the main dish - two large wings of chicken done like ‘finger licking Kentucky fried’. It took me some time to finish off and even then I had to leave some. After a wait some Austrian cakes arrived to finish off the meal. The meals were cooked on site and I suppose catering for 450 souls with a hot dinner was kind of an achievement. At least we didn’t go hungry. 
After the meal came the customary entertainment which was a Austrian dance group of ten fellas of all ages from around ten years old to some in their sixties with knee, leg and thigh smacking accompanied by a fella on an accordion. Sounds a bit corny, but with the right atmosphere the lads did a good job with a bit of knocking a hammer and old fashioned lanterns flashing about. Anyway they got a lot of applause during and after the rendition. 
After the applause had died down, the main event of the evening got underway with a speech from each of the heads of countries. Usually this takes some time and can be a bit wearisome as a lot is in the language of the host’s country.  However this year I quite enjoyed the proceedings, mainly as we were very near the stage and the microphone seemed quite audible. The guy who responded with the English translation was very good, with a clear deep voice that commanded attention from the audience. 
The main EuroLambretta Trophy award which is given out each year for the person who has done the best service to the marque over the years was presented to a very surprised Chuck Swonnell from the old ‘Croydon 41 L.C. It was presented by last year’s participant – a Mr Kev Walsh – I am sure I have seen or heard of this guy before?  
Well that’s keeping the family silver in the club! 
I give the Austrian hosts eight out of ten for their combined performance for the evening. For me - That’s good? 
Time was getting on then with the closing speech and the atmosphere was quite smoky so Sandra and myself took some fresh air with the disco starting to get warmed up. 
We decided after a little while outside, after chatting to Graham Bird to take the journey back to our ‘digs’. As after seeing ‘Chuckes’ a little while earlier – he did happen to say ‘it was way pass our bedtime! 

Sunday June 12th. 

Well it is just after 8 o’clock in the morning as I type these few sentences above which are still fresh in my mind. We usually have an 8 o’clock breakfast here as days start early on the farm. But the hot water has not come on yet in the bathroom, so guess it is our hosts ‘part rest day today’ as it is Sunday. 
Well it turned out to be a problem with the plumbing so we duly had our breakfast with a bacon & egg omelette plus fruit, bread rolls cheese and ham. 
Arriving at the marquee just before 11 o’clock we were in time for the Concourse de Elegance & club presentations. Many being won by members of the Great Britain contingent. Furthest ridden Lambretta to Austria was won by Gillie from the Scottish Lambretta Club. A member of LCGB who lives in Plymouth won the oldest Lambretta ridden to Austria on a ‘D’ model 1,500 kilometres. The biggest club was again – guess what – Lambretta Club Great Britain. Other winners for their Lambrettas in different categories were from Italy, Switzerland Germany and the host country Austria. 
Dave Chalk from the Cherokees managed to win the class for ‘best standard model Li / TV Series III’ with his red and white TV175. Apart from the paintwork, Dave had fully restored this model himself which was imported from Italy a couple of years previously in very poor condition. Well done Dave. 
After the prize giving, a general natter around the caravans and camper vans of the English section. I also managed to have a chat to Harry from Tokyo, Japan who had travelled up with the Italian contingent having heard of Eurolambretta being held this weekend in Austria. Then for a short run in the glorious sunshine Dave and myself took our scooters up to my guesthouse through the hairpins for a final ‘photoshoot’ before returning to the rally site. 
Time then to say our farewells to our friends from England and our nearby neighbours from Holland – must remember to send a copy of our magazine to them at ‘NL’ as by now I had run out of the six copies taken to EuroLambretta. 
So this more or less ended EuroLambretta for this year for us and will look forward to next year that will take place in central France at a place near Clermont Ferrand.