UITENHAGE

 
CHAIRMAN • John Atkinson

CELL  • 084 586 1903

E-MAIL • pata.maritime@galileosa.co.za
SECRITARY • Pat Atkinson

TREASURER • Nick Buckingham

ROAD CAPTAIN • Kevin Grimbeek

From JOHN ‘A’ of Uitenhage Chapter – Addo Breakfast Run – Report

Hi All,

Thought I would share with you, what was a run with a difference. Maybe I should use the word " Fragmented ".

Saturday saw Seaton and Riana partake of the pre nuptial ceremonies. For those that went on the CMA Addo Run on the Sunday it was clearly visible to all that Riana had a far more intense pre-introduction to the institution of marriage.  It will be up to Seaton to sanction the photographs that prove this fact. Seaton got off lightly.

Sunday dawned a magic day for riding. Bokkie, Seaton and Riana, Dave, William, Ouman, Pat and myself set off for Addo. We all know what the road is like and Riana, tender as she was decided to go for the less jarring ride with William Unfortunately William's bike came to a spluttering halt 5 km's out of Uitenhage. Riana then ended up as pillion with Ouman. She reckoned that the Tequila and Appletizer was much needed by the time they got to Addo, long before the rest of us. Dave got William back home. Muuuuch later William arrived as pillion passenger with Dave. Hence the word " Fragmented"

There were about 200 bikes in the parking area, a fantastic sight on a Sunday morning. Although it was a CMA run I was pleased to see that the pub was open for business.

It was a great breakfast for those who got, it was self service, which created problems for those at the back of the line, Dave, William, Seaton and Riana got only egg or nothing. About a quarter of the bikers ended up without breakfast. Not good. The bar did good business.

Pat and I cruised back via Kirkwood, (lekker road) which was great in that there were plenty of superbikes flying past.

Ouman left before Pat and myself. I still do not know when or which route the rest of the guys took on the way home. Hence the word " Fragmented "

Happiness is butt on moving motorbike.  Cheers, John A.

Meeting of Uitenhage/Graaf-Reinet and Australia.

Not to be out done by East London, we were very lucky to have the likes of Brian Jones in Graaff-Reinet who very kindly organised a braai for the
Visitors From OZ! But before they got to Graafies, I met up with the
Ulysseans from OZ on the Saturday (12th November) afternoon at 3pm on the N2 between J'Bay & PE and invited them around to the Uitenhage Club (the route is shorter too) for a couple of toots before moving on to Addo. After attending to family commitments etc. on Sunday 13th, Rohan Cloete & I took off for Graaff-Reinet on our bikes at 3:30pm to arrive in
Graaff-Reinet at 6pm - despite the rain, and rain it did! So much so that
the water in the veld was standing so deep it was throwing reflections of
the "plat koppie" mountains back at us! The Australians were really taken aback at the hospitality afforded them from the Eastern Cape! After Penny contacted me, I made contact with Vic & Lyn Lesslie who then forwarded their itinerary to me - that was around February this year. When I realised that there was an opportunity for a braai in Graaff-Reinet on Sunday, 13th November, and after contacting Brian Jones, all I can tell you is that the rest was history! Brian and his very limited numbers did more than the extra mile, they actually exceeded the likes of many service organisations I have had the pleasure of befriending.

And by the way, the Graaff-Reinet locals also arranged a tour of their
(tequila) distillery and handed out little nippets of the golden stuff.
Nice touch hey?

So here's a big thank you to the following;-

-     You Penny for the first contact.
-     Brian Jones and his merry men for the fantastic evening.
-     Ben Nash for putting us up for the evening.
-     The Graaff-Reinet Bowling Club and Community for being so hospitable.

And finally to Vic & Lyn Lesslie for allowing us the opportunity to get to
meet and know some of our international partners.

Uitenhage Chapter Reports:

Download the Uitenhage 2004 Report HERE.