Day 9

Saturday 26 November

The wind has been howling over the night and we will be missing a couple of the local chaps as they have work to do as a result of sheds blowing down etc.

We are up our normal 6’ish but don’t leave until 8.15am. We ride to town and park at a café’. A chap on his bike and with his young son follows us and wonders what we are about. I give him some ribbons and explain what it is about and invite him on the ride to Picton, but somehow it feels wrong; he is not very interested, and as we go in to the café’ he rides off.

There are now 5 of us as Colin has joined. He is a fraction disappointed as he has been in contact with the local HOG chapter and other bikers he knows in Nelson, but nobody has turned up.

Quick stop after the hills

We have a pleasant ride, even if it is a bit windy. We arrive at the junction where the others, who did go to Christchurch, are waiting. Everything is sweet and after some catching up we ride to Picton.

Picton

I was expecting an event in Picton, but we park on the middle strip in the centre and that is about it. Sarah is still full of energy and is handing out ribbons and chatting with people. But my tank is starting to be empty and I just go with the flow. We have some brekkie (I settle for a blueberry muffin and a chocolate), others get more serious with a continental one.

This is the breakup and the NI and SI riders separate to go their own way. Hand shakes and cuddles all around. Promises to catch up and photos. Then there are the farewell speeches and a guitar is found to help with the singing.

Farewell waiata

Now the only thing left is the ferry trip home. I have this time pre-booked my ticket, and used the Patriots discount, so I know I will be on the ferry.

I am now sitting on the ferry typing this, and there are only a few hours before I will be at home…

This is written on Sunday: Stopped over in PN for the night and then rode home to HB on Sunday. Nice sunny ride and the HB heat hit me after Dannevirke. Loved it!

As I park my bike at home I have been on the road 10 days and done 3,285Km's and used just below 150 litres of petrol.

Now time to get back in to normality, but will provide my view on it all in a few days. (And also add some bits where lacking, including the two days I still have to write about).

So please, come back and read the updates in a few days. Feel free to leave comments as I would love them!

Until then, stay safe.
Pete