Bikers collide in Canterbury (12 December)

**Rashika** · 19th December 2009, 06:47

Originally Posted by nik_and_annie

Wish we could have been there, but in a way feel that we were. Any chance someone can post a couple of photos of the biker procession... Would love to see you all.

I think there will be a few pics from someone, but here is a couple from the gathering before we left.

**shrub** · 19th December 2009, 06:50

I hardly knew the man, but he has had a profound affect on me and listening to Mike read his eulogy I realised just how much he and I had in common. If things had been different I could imagine he would have become a very good mate.

**Trumpess** · 19th December 2009, 07:25

Well its now the day after and Im still reeling from the solidarity and comradory of our goodbyes yesterday to Ewan and our support for Seona. It can be hard to express feelings and emotions, but was free flowing right throughout the afternoon. It was an awesome send off for Ewan, one I wont forget in a hurry. The procession, the beautiful service filled with laughter and tears and the unity of us all being there for a fallen one. It makes one think about living for the now and soaking in every single minute of it.

**miSTa** · 19th December 2009, 07:55

A few snapshots of the ride from the video I took....

**cruza** · 19th December 2009, 14:34

Originally Posted by Rashika

I think there will be a few pics from someone, but here is a couple from the gathering before we left.

alot more bikes arrived after those pics too ,Rashika. Awesome

**dangerous** · 19th December 2009, 15:27

Originally Posted by nik_and_annie

Any chance someone can post a couple of photos of the biker procession... Would love to see you all.

Our thoughts continue to be with you,

Nik, Annie & Finlay.

Hi there N&A, thanks for the post, cant be easy so far away and being unable to see with your own eyes the reality of it all.

There were pleanty of photos taken, I hope they will make it to the net, and a vidio was also taken by the funeral directors, it will be good to get a copy and I believe it was done for those back in Scotland so as to help with closing.
Maybe when it arives ya all get togeather and have a good old shin dig with the vidio and also celerbrate the life that was Ewan.

**shrub** · 19th December 2009, 15:28

Originally Posted by cruza

alot more bikes arrived after those pics too ,Rashika. Awesome

It looked amazing in my mirrors - you were riding beside me - nice machine.

**Retroqueen** · 19th December 2009, 17:43

Originally Posted by nik_and_annie

Wish we could have been there, but in a way feel that we were. Any chance someone can post a couple of photos of the biker procession... Would love to see you all.

Hey Nik and Annie
Mista and Ghost Bullet both had cameras on board for the ride as well so there is video about. They may post something here but otherwise there are Cd's heading to Seona......

**miSTa** · 19th December 2009, 20:19

Originally Posted by Retroqueen

Hey Nik and Annie
Mista and Ghost Bullet both had cameras on board for the ride as well so there is video about. They may post something here but otherwise there are Cd's heading to Seona......

Seona already has a copy of the video I recorded.

Here's a short video I've put together of the ride (snapshots taken every 20 seconds):

Ewans Funeral Ride.wmv

**nik_and_annie** · 20th December 2009, 01:40

Hey thanks everyone for the pictures and the video you posted. I know there is a plan for a memorial service/celebration in January here in Aberdeen, but great to see that the KBs organised a great turn out and perfect send-off for Ewan. Hope to meet some of you when we come over to visit.

Thanks again everyone, and love and hugs Seona.

Nik, Annie & Finlay.

**Penfold** · 21st December 2009, 04:56

Very sad news.

RIP Ewan.

Looks like Ewan had a good send off.

Condolences from Hilly & Penfold from Kemnay, Aberdeen, UK.

**KiwiPhoenix** · 21st December 2009, 09:06

I have to say I will never forget the sight of looking in my mirror and seeing all the bikes! A very fitting tribute to Ewan.

Seona, it was amazing to see you ride with Ewan, you are a very strong woman! I was so proud of you!

**Maddmaxs** · 25th December 2009, 18:46

Firstly please let me apologise for not answering individual posts until now. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have nearly 4 pages of emails to respond to, c. 180+, so on this occasion as well, I hope you understand why this is a bit of a 'blanket' post.

I promise that I will try to catch up properly with you all individually in due course.

I need to let you know that although my entire world has been turned upside down and my heart torn apart, I want to reassure you that I am feeling calm and actually quite 'complete'.

There are several reasons for this, not least because all the support I have had, some of it from total strangers (I have had emails and letters from people I have never met, from all corners of New Zealand and the world). Some are from other women who have lost their partners in bike accidents, some from people who have heard about it in the press. I am deeply touched by all the attention I have received, but this isnt about me, its about Ewan.

For those of you on the other side of the world who couldn't be at our 'celebration' last Friday, please be assured this was a happy event. Yes there were tears, but there was much laughter and reminiscing, and great confusion when verses were read in the doric, one of which Alli 'translated' into kiwi for all uninitiated. Several folk stood up and said a few words. David captured it all by saying 'We are not here because Ewan died, but because he lived. I want to live like Ewan did... to the full, making the most of life'.

Ewan finally had an interview at Ecan (where he had been trying to get into since ever before we left Scotland). He was due a second interview last Wednesday. I have to say that he was the most positive and upbeat I'd seen him since we arrived here, and was looking to finish his part time job, which involved Saturday work, and start his new role in January if successful. We had also been looking at houses to buy as we are currently in a rental (which is nice, and we have fantastic neighbours) but it's not ours.

I've been in my permanent role since 23 November, and my colleagues are firmly my friends - they've been 100% there for me.

I don't want to single folk out, but I'd like to thank two groups of people in particular, that's Alli and Mike's bosses. Alli should have started her new management role on Monday 14th, and her boss gave her leave to stay down here and support me as long as necessary. Similarly for Mike: no questions, just 'go and be there and take as long as you need'. For that I will always be very grateful.

Now, as most of you know, neither Ewan nor I are particularly religious, Ewan being an aetheist, but I need to let you know that the other reason for my being so calm, is that I actually feel that he is back here, with me. I've had 4 reasons to believe this already (but I wont go into it here). Just believe that I believe - it helps me get along.

Three or four words keep coming up: no regrets, happy, content. That's what we were like. We never had a fight about or to each other in 10 years (yes we had grumbles, but mostly about outside influences that we couldn't influence). No regrets about how we lived our lives, and we were happy with our lot and very very content with each other. If you have no regrets or 'what ifs' you can actually sleep at night very well. I was very lucky to have the time we had together, nearly 10 years. It was a privilege to be Ewans soulmate, wife and best friend. I look on it as a gift.

I asked that folk didnt come rushing over here for the celebration. I also asked that folk continue to save and plan for coming out here for a holiday so that 'we' can show them round and show them why we are so passionate about the place.

We videod the celebration service for sending back to Ewans folks and anyone else in Aberdeen wishing to see it. It was really beautiful. The director said he had never seen as many bikes at a funeral. Nae bad fur the loon seein as we've only been here since August. They ran out of seats (over 110) and ran out of silver ferns to lay on the casket.

We are planning on a celebration shindig in Aberdeen, probably in late Jan or early February, kind of like the leaving do we shared with Alli and Roger. Kath and Barbara will be organising (along with his folks, who are having their own religious service in Inverness in early January).

Thank you for being there for us and for having us in your hearts just now...

Seona and Ewan

**Paul in NZ** · 25th December 2009, 19:28

Never met you Seona but Vicki and I thought of you a bit today...

Hey - when you want to come away for a break the offer of a rooms still there eh? No stress, just whenever...