I had tried to do some writing for this blog last night, but only got a bit done. And the morning was an early one: We were out of Riccarton Park Holiday Park at 8.30am and heading towards Ashburton.
Nice and sunny day, not too much wind, and it was a bliss to be riding. Some additional riders had joined up and our numbers were approx. 15.
We arrived at Ashburton approx. 10am and everyone was waiting for us. A welcome, speeches and we were doing our bit to promote the White Ribbon message.
The welcome
I ended up talking to one of the MC police that were there with their late model BMW bikes. He told me he had a K100 in his garage but was also very keen on a K1 (same as mine) but wanted a red one. (I refer to them as McDonald coloured as the red and yellow is a perfect match).
Spoke to the organiser of the event and she told me that Ashburton also had its share of family violence. And after the Christchurch earthquake there had been an increase. Main reason being that many families had moved there from Christchurch to escape the devastation. But as a result they were now missing the support of family and friends and this was in some cases hard for them resulting in alcohol and violence (same same but different).
I also had a chat with three of the local YMCA staff who was there to hand out ribbons and mingle. Brilliant!
The event was next to the main road and there was a constant flow of bikes returning from a bike event passing by. A few would stop to have a look what this was all about, but most just rode past.
We said our goodbyes and left Ashburton towards Timaru. The weather was still Ok, but there started to be a chill in the air and it was clear that the rain was going to be here soon.
We arrived at Timaru’s Caroline Bay park. This is a very nice place with a big playground and a huge aviary including some birds I did not recognize. (Perhaps I should do more bird watching…).
Keith, the S&M manager
I met up with Keith and his staff from YMCA Mid & South Canterbury who were in charge of the BBQ. (Thanks guys!) Some mingling and talk about what this was all about and time to again make our way to the next stop: Oamaru.
The weather was looking bad so we all put on our rain gear. That was a good idea, because 5 minutes south and the skies opened. (well… there was a couple who did not have any rain gear and I do not think there was one spot on them dry!)
We arrived in Oamaru to a “Plan B” event where all had been moved inside as a result of the rain. Nice muffins, sandwiches and a cuppa hit the spot.
I spoke to a lady who had endured domestic violence for years before she got the courage to get out. Today she realizes how it all fitted together, but when she was inside it all it was hard for her to see. ( The saddest part is that this is starting to become so familiar.) I am also told that Oamaru has its share of domestic violence and for each family that is helped; two more will be waiting at the door.
We get escorted by the police to the shopping centre where we park our bikes and start giving out the white ribbons. I get interviewed by a local film crew and chat to a guy who has a bunch of Triumphs and BSA’s at home. I give them all (and others) all my white ribbons and it is time to move on to Dunedin. The weather has held up a little while we did the last mingling, but as soon as we are back on the road, the rain comes back. It is a non-stop rain for the 115km’s to Dunedin.
Once there we park up at the hospital where we soon get company from the Police and a group of young boys who will run in front of us performing a Maori war dance as we head the parade to the Octagon in the centre of town. I forget to put my new sunnies in a safe spot and they fall of the bike without me noticing it. Last I did see of them. Luckily I travel prepared and I grab one of the four pair I carry just in case…
Octagon welcome
Bikers occupy the Octagon occasionally
We arrive at the Octagon and are welcomed by a haka and speeches. There is live music and food. And the rain keeps coming down. There are photos and mingling. And the rain keeps on coming down. We are then asked to ride the bikes up to the cathedral at the top of the Octagon where the priest will bless our bikes.
Bikes and cathedral share space
Officially blessed bikes
If you are to arrive, might as well do so in style!
Once that is done we are asked to come in to the church for a ceremony. The ones who do so are greeted by three different choirs and a speech by Sophie Elliot’s mother Lesley.
After 2 hours we leave for the accommodation as the street lights come on. And still it keeps on raining. Once there most guys try to dry their wet gear and there is gear hanging all around the rooms. We have chicken, chips and fish for T. All takeaways.
And with 10 in the bunkroom and guts filled with takeaways it was a noisy night…
Travelled: 350Km’s
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