highland lassie

Hola folks! I could have happily shot Mark when I realised he'd put the bulk of my rather lengthy begging email online, but all is forgiven now that the cash is rolling in! Huge thanks to those of you who have sponsored me so far -

Just wanted to say what a great job EK and G2F have done on the Observed 2008 book - it arrived through the door yesterday and I sat looking through it for about an hour before I realised I'd left the car and house doors wide open! The pictures are obviously stunning, but the layout and design of the book is beautifully done and really sets the pictures off. Good job all round - cheers folks!

Today is the first time I've had time to sit down and watch this through since checking out the You Tube version, and I'm currently on the second time round....it's fantastic!! I'm supposed to be writing up notes for the new Entries Sec, but after two hours I still haven't started....and it's taken me the best part of 30 mins to get this far in this post cos I keep getting distracted by the action! For me, I think it captures the essence of the SSDT - it covers everything from machine examining to fuel checks, moor crossings to Dougie's Two. For anyone who doesn't know the route and wants a glimpse of what it's all about, this is where it's at. Huge kudos to BF and Fugly for putting in such a ginormous amount of time and effort not only filming this, but pulling it all together. Oh, and for those lucky enough to get a copy, don't forget to watch it to the end - never mind the bloopers, it's Fuggles Travolta that can't be missed!! Quality!!

Don't worry, we're not just sitting back and enjoying the sunshine! We've got a sub-committee who have been working on this since the end of the last trial, but you've got to bear in mind that we all have families and full-time jobs, and the SSDT has to fit in around that (although it's quite often the other way around!!). The guys on the sub-committee have been working tirelessly in the background to pull together all the legislative information that we need and contacting various bodies to make sure we're going the right way about it all. As soon as we have anything to report, it'll be reported. In the meantime, keep the ideas coming!

Quality!!!! I can just picture Mr A cowered under his kitchen table as we speak!!

Short answer to that one I'm afraid - a resounding and disappointing no.

Not the case. Absolutely not the case. The problem we had is that nobody reported it to us until Friday, when the incident happened on the Wednesday. By that time the offender was back on his original bike - he was watched closely for the rest of the trial, but without being told in time to catch him in the act, we couldn't prove anything in time to exclude him from awards listings. The club take cheating very seriously - we know it goes on year after year, but with only a handful of officials, there's only so many pass checks and bike checks that we can do. I'm not going into all that again, it's old ground and I've discussed it on these forums already this year, but suffice to say if we had more volunteers we could do a lot more to tighten up these things....so if you've got spare time in May, you know where to come!

Here was me thinking you were wanting to join up too!!

Don't worry - it's been noted. Unfortunately we were told too late to catch the 'unnamed' (as yet!) culprit in the act, but rest assured he won't get the chance to try it again...not if I have any say in it anyway!

Apologies - I don't know why I missed your original post. I'd have called straight away if I'd seen it - glad one of the four pieces of lost property have been reclaimed! A child's bag, keys and gloves were also handed in to the office - anything unclaimed at the end of the week is left with the local police, so if you think one of those could be yours, contact the FW police with a description and they'll get it back to you.

Perce = Grass.

Bagsy me a copy! Despite several attempts to escape the office for 30 mins during the week, I got waylaid every time and didn't get there. Gutted, but delighted to hear there could be a second chance....excellent news!

You are incorrigible, Mr Moffat!!!

Video footage of the Section Of The Day coming up on the SSDT results site shortly...including Hemmo's clean and Dougie's two. Needless to say, the video footage is courtesy of TC's own Bigfoot and Fugly....cheers lads!

Yer funny, but yer face beats you.

Believe me, we've got enough problems today without tightening sections up! There's usually the odd corker thrown in during the week to give the top boys something to think about. Gorton was obviously one of them!

I didn't take it as criticism, don't worry....I just get a bit over-protective!!

Excellent! Consider yourself booked - last sub at Trotters do you?

The observers have a full briefing meeting on the Sunday night - the rules are gone over at that stage, and they were particularly well established this year as we've got a whole host of new observers. Until you're actually doing the job I don't think you realise how different observing at the Scottish is to observing at a club trial. The number of people who think it's okay to blether to you when you're trying to watch feet is worrying - there's riders walking the sections, getting in your road, spectators who think it's okay to sit with their feet in the sections, the list goes on. Worst of all are those who know the lot and sit over your shoulder commenting on your scoring. And then you get the 'helpful' friends and family of some of the better known riders who aren't shy about putting pressure on young or inexperienced observers - bullying tactics at their politest at times! I don't think for a minute that there should be anything other than a 5 for stopping moving forward, I just want to make it clear that these observers are sitting on the hill for at least seven hours at a time, putting up with all sorts of grief and interruptions - there are going to be some things that get missed. Similarly with a third of our observers being new to the SSDT this year, you've got to give them a chance to find their feet - don't scare them off by slating their hard work before they've started! If you'd prefer, we'd love the benefit of your experience, so feel free to volunteer next year!

'Ey up you!!! Shouldn't you be on the road for the curry night by now? Are we going to see you at the weekend? Take the clan up - it's beautiful weather for a break!

For all the good it does - if I had a pound for every panic phonecall I've had through today... Seriously - it's now verging on being too late to get insurance sorted. If you haven't already done so, PHONE YOUR INSURER TOMORROW TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE COVERED. If you turn up Sunday and can't confirm that you're insured in line with the Road Traffic Act, you can't start the trial. Goodness me...how much nagging does it take to get you lot moving?!

Well, this time next week literally thousands of us will have arrived in Fort William for the start of one of the greatest weeks in the trials calendar. It's incredible to think that it's come round again so quickly! Most of us will spend the best part of this week organising everything that needs to be taken with us, so for those of you riding the trial, read on for some reminders on the things you're not allowed to forget. For those of you just coming along for the show, here's some more about the events taking place throughout the week... Parc Ferme... As usual, the Parc Ferme is based in the West End Car Park on the waterfront in Fort William. If you haven't been to the SSDT before, then don't worry - you can't miss it! It will be open for traders to set up from late Friday afternoon, when Rab and co will be there to keep everyone right. Once again, there will be a limited number of SSDT items for sale, so watch out for those! Sunday morning... Sunday morning sees all 275 riders registering their entry at the SSDT HQ (the Ben Nevis Hotel for the uninitiated!). From there they'll move down to the Parc Ferme at the West End Car Park and submit their machine for scrutineering. All the riders must have their bikes in by 2pm, before taking them straight back out again for the annual cavalcade. Everyone should then follow the instructions given by the officials in charge on Sunday and proceed to the end of the High Street, ready to take part in the Parade Of Riders through the town centre. Unfortunately we're not allowed to involve any children in the parade this year, so taking kids on the front of the bikes is a no-no, but don't let that spoil your fun! If you're spectating rather than riding, then something not to be missed is the cycle trials display. At 1.30pm there will be a display of cycle trials at the east end of the pedestrial precinct - it's been put on for the past two years and has been a phenomenal success each time, so it's well worth going to see. Some of these guys will be the trials stars of the future, so get along there and see them for yourselves! Registering your entry... If you're a rider, then here's a few reminders about the registration procedure. Registration is open from 10am to 12.30pm - anybody who hasn't turned up by 12.30 runs the risk of having their place reallocated, so if you think you might be late, let me know beforehand! You can call us at the Ben Nevis Hotel on 01397 702 331 so if you're travelling up on Sunday morning, get that number stored in your mobile phone now - better safe than sorry! To register your entry you'll need : your licence (remember only an ACU registration card, SACU/MCUI licence or a full international licence is acceptable) your completed signing on form (it was sent to you with your entry pack, so go find it!) any outstanding fees (you'll have been told about those in your entry confirmation letter if necessary) Insurance... Those of you who have requested information on our third-party RTA insurance will go through the signing on process at a cost of

Oooh! Wouldn't like to be you when the programme sales dip cos of yer gob!!