Hurricanesssssssssss

The call went out for HOG riders to escort Captain Hurricane into the Stadium tonight. Sounded like a challenge and definately something different to do for a Friday night! We met up at the Thorndon Fire Station. There were about 14 bikes in the end. Captain Hurricane was pillion up front along with the Chief's mascot. Our bikes were wrapped in Hurricane tape and we could have got tickets to the game for free, but we decided to head home and have some dinner - we'd been out on our bikes all day and we were starving!


Of course Leenie couldnt go to a fire station without asking for a tour of the facilities! The guys were teasing her about requesting to see the firemen's hoses ... *blush*!

The truck Leenie is sitting in is one of the most advanced trucks in New Zealand - it had all the bells and whistles.

We werent allowed to take the bikes onto the field, but we escorted Captain Hurricane for about an hour around the streets of Wellington. It was quite a carnival atmosphere with lots of people hanging out of pubs and along the footpaths cheering an clapping the mascots - of course the sound of thundering Harley's made a few people stop in their tracks also.

No idea what the cheeky Chief's mascot was up to there :o

Home again and knackered after a full day out - Leenie showing off her free t shirt from Wgtn Motorcycles - she thinks she looks like a real biker ... yeah right!

Done and Dusted!

Leenie passed her full motorcycle licence on Friday and picked up her new Harley on Saturday! Simple stuff eh?

"Trude" will be found a new learner rider and "Tess" an 883 Custom Harley Sportster will take her place. Tess is loud, Craig is a little concerned shes louder than his Hog!

Another step closer to our dream :) Bit by bit - rome wasnt built in a day :)

Our 1st HOG Rally!

HOG = Harley Owners Group. Craig is a member of the International group and the Wellington Chapter. Every year the New Zealand HOG group hold their annual rally and this year it was in Palmerston North. It was our first rally and we had a BLAST!

The day didnt start off too crash hot, laying in bed we heard the rain persisting down and Leenie made the comment about taking the car to Palmy and Craig could get wet. However by the time we were ready to leave it had cleared somewhat and after dropping the dogs at the Kennels we went round to a mates place where three other bikers were waiting for us. We knew the Wellington chapter were leaving from Wellington Motorcycles at 9:00am so we decided to scoot over the Rimutakas to beat the rush so to speak. They were anticipating 80 bikes. When we got to Featherston (see pic below) there were already 30ish bikes parked up - they'd had the same idea as us!

We stopped for brunch in Greytown at the White Swan - Wellington Motorcycles put on a roast meal - it was awesome - pork with all the trimmings! There were about 110 bikes parked on both sides of the road through Greytown - certainly gave all the locals something to talk about! We were in "HOG" heaven.After about an hour and a half at Greytown the group carried on to Pahiatua, where we stopped to get everyone regrouped and petrol before carrying on through to Woodville and on to Palmy through the Manawatu Gorge.

We stopped again just outside of Palmy to regroup and then carried on to the Rally site at the Awapuni Racecourse - the Wellington Chapter made a dramatic entrance with all bikes in formation thundering up the entry road. The weather was decidedly dodgey by now - thunderstorms and showers with the rain at times going sideways - thank god for wet weather gear! Once we completed registration it was TIME FOR A COLDY!

Within moments we met new people, saw lots of new faces and had a few laughs at all the different "types" that attend the rallies! We felt quite young! The general crowd was aged in their 50's. All shapes, sizes, ages and races were in attendance! A couple of hours into the festivities the racecourse was hit by a huge thunderstorm and lightening struck the main building knocking out the transformer - no power!!!!!!!!!! Luckily the food marquees were running on gas or generators so we got fed! Unfortunately OSH had to close the main bars around 8:30 once it got dark. Most people headed into town, we went back to our wonderful hosts house (Beryl and Brent!) and had a few laughs playing Wii - Craig is awesome at tennis - Leenie needs more practice! Thanks Beryl and Brent for your wonderful hospitality.

The next morning it was up bright and early for breakfast at the rally site then time to depart on the "Thunder Ride". 1160 Harley's lined up in one street -you can imagine the noise and smell the fumes cant you????!!??? Palmy probably wondered what the hell struck it!

The thunder ride headed back out toward Massey, through the Manawatu Gorge, through Woodville and then turned up and over the saddle past the windfarms and into the back of Fielding before returning to Palmy and parking up in the Square for a couple of hours. The boys went to the pub, Leenie went shopping! Who said just because we only had two saddle bags there wasnt any room for taking any extras home! Never say never to Leenie!

The square looked spectacular!

That evening we went back to the rally site - the power had been restored and the festivities really got underway! We met a lovely couple from Wagga Wagga Australia (about 4 hrs drive inland from Sydney). They ended up staying at our house on Sunday night as they were catching the ferry on Monday to tour the south island for a couple of weeks. We might have to make a trip to visit them at some stage - great people.

Come Monday night we were absolutely shattered! Despite the weather, we had a fantastic time. Met some amazing people and experienced fantastic hospitality from our family for putting us up for a couple of days and the rally organisers who had a disappointing first night with the power issues - but still battled on regardless. Oh and the great news is Leenie's backside survived the 400kms round trip as pillion! Next years rally is in Wellington - we cant wait!

Quick South Island Trip

Well we had a total blast on our whirlwind 3 day visit to the South Island! For Bill's christmas present we (Craig, Leenie and Raynor) gave him a voucher for free use of the Triumph and a return trip on the Ferry. Craig had jacked it up with Wayne in Havelock for us to visit Arthur and stay at their place for a few days. So left on the Thursday after Waitangi. Craig, Leenie and Bill - the Harley, Suzuki and Triumph!

We went down on the Awatere and back on the Kaitaki.

It was a picture perfect day, the sky was blue, the harbour like a mirror and we knew it was going to be an awesome sailing! The two cruise ships docked at Queens Wharf was a beautiful sight when sailing out. You really cant beat Wellington on a good day!

Speaking of picture perfect .... hahahaha

Heres the boys tieing the bikes down - didnt really need to as there was no swell or waves, but its always better to be safe than sorry!

Our first stop was the Flying Haggis in Picton for lunch!

We then followed Queen Charlotte Drive all the way to Havelock. It was so hot that some of the roads were melting - tar everywhere, made it a bit slow going on the bikes - but it was well worth it and very pretty. This is at the lookout just above Havelock.

We gave Arthur a lovely surprise when we arrived. He wasnt expecting us - Wayne hadnt told him of our arrival! He was even more shocked when we said we were staying for a couple of days! Arthur turns 90 this year and hes doing really well - very energetic for a 90 yr old. Not all the cans on the table! Oh well guess it was a holiday ;)

Speaking of 90 yr olds ... recognise anyone? Like father like son! (Leenie absolutely loves this picture!)

That night we went down to Slip Inn for dinner - mmmmmm fresh juicy scallops! Wayne and Vicki on the left.

On the Friday, Wayne had organised a fishing trip for Craig so Bill and Leenie jumped on their bikes and cruised over to Nelson for the day. Took about an hour to get from Havelock to Monica's work. We popped out to her gym for a coffee and muffin - was fantastic!

Then on our way out to Ruby Bay we popped in and saw Bob - it was another glorious day!

Then on to lunch with Barbara and Fergy - Leenie was glad she'd packed her shorts! It was a scorcher! There were a few texts going back and forward to Craig - Wayne had caught a 22pnd snapper! Craig was still practicing!

Bill and Leenie got back to Havelock about 5ish and the boys didnt get back from fishing until 8:30pm! It was a quick change and down to the local for an easy dinner. We wrapped it up about 11:00pm - everyone was bushed after such big days out!

The next morning we were up bright and early - Craig was particularly keen to take his triumph for a quick blast around town to at least say he'd ridden both of his bikes in the south island!

Here's the three of us heading out from Wayne's to go to Blenheim before going on to Picton and catching the 1:15 sailing.

We stopped in and saw Jan and Walt (Bill's first cousins) in Blenheim. We were also lucky enough to meet two of their girls and their families who were visiting from Waitangi Day as it was Walt's 70th birthday. The family are lovely. It was quite funny pulling up outside there house - there were three garages and it was a lovely home. Each of us parked in front of a garage and Leenie was a bit paranoid in that we werent at the right house and kept asking Bill to make sure he had the right address! Imagine three bikers turning up on your driveway if you werent expecting them - you'd be wondering what on earth you'd done wrong!

We had a lovely long weekend. The weather was perfect, the company was awesome, the fishing was great (would have been even better if Craig had caught something to keep!) the scenery was out of this world and the bikes ran like a dream. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hopefully we'll be able to get to do it again some time.

It must be summer!

The weather has just been phenominal in Welly lately. Beaches, bbq's, bikes and errr beer! Thats what summer is all about after all :)

We've had so much energy this week that we've been back into our healthy habits with a vengence! We've gymmed three times this week and Leenie walked for an hour EVERY day. Craig very happily made a record of taking his lunches to work for 4 weeks running - now thats an achievement. Incredible how little changes and little goals - make massive impacts on the mind, body and wallet!

The weekend was fun, Craig and Bill went out on the Harley and Triumph on Saturday. We had a very quiet Saturday night ... the two of us played a board game! Dont remember the last time we did that! *frightening* - it was fun though, to actually have a weekend at home - however the game was far too riveting and it was lights out by 9:30pm!

Sunday was a gorgeous day and we packed a picnic lunch, jumped on the Harley and popped down to the All American Vehicle Day at Trentham. Wasnt as good (less cars - more people) as last year, but once again there were some amazing vehicles to drool over. We spent a couple of hours just lazying in the sun, eating, drinking, sniffing motor oil and fumes and listening to rock music and V8's revving - BLISS! Unfortunately we didnt slip slop slap and wrap too sensibly and we are paying for it today - will we ever learn?!!??!??

We've got a short week this week - yippeeeeeeeeee. On Thursday Craig, Leenie and Bill take their motorcycles on the ferry and go down to Havelock for a couple of nights to visit an old family friend. Hopefully we'll get a chance to pop over to Nelson on Friday and say hi to the rellies. The weather forecast is looking good at this stage! *fingers crossed*