BMW starts long awaited South Island tour

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

The second part of my journey starts on Wednesday. The ferry trip over was very calm and there were 4 other bikers. It is a few years since I have done Picton to Nelson on a bike - they have certainly improved the road alot.

I had too much luggage on the rear of the bike so I made a temporary tank bag. I made a vow I would stick to the speed limit - that lasted all of 20 minutes - I was following a hicktown farmer in his ute doing 60 kph in a 100 k zone - nothing pisses me off more. He was not the only one unfortunately.

Have visited my mum, who has dementia - can't spell als.... lol. She does not know who I am at all, you can say a name to her and you can tell she has no idea who you are talking about. I can watch my best friend die but to see my mother like this is heartbreaking. One day she was hugging a teddy bear - the guy next to her was crying, another woman was say she didn't know anyone here. Jesus wept bring in euthanasia - they are neither in this world or the next and they will only get worse. She is in a very good home tho and looked after well.

On Wednesday part two of my journey starts. I leave for Westport and will spend the nite, my brother is working there at present and some old family friends live in Granity.

I will mainly stay at DOC camping grounds - much cheaper than other ones - this is a super budget trip lol. I have heaps of thermals, got my airbed and the plug does work on my bike to pump it up. Have a good sleeping bag and tent so I'm all set.

Have thoroughly cleaned and polished the bike, changed the oil filter and oil. Bought a tank bag which is brilliant and also have a bike cover (my previous one got knicked).

After Westport I will just meander down and around the south island. I will not be taking my pc but hopefully will go to the odd internet cafe. I hope to visit a few kbers so feel free to PM me or text me on 0274 524 977.

Cheers Shirley

[LBD]

Have a really good ride, hope the weather is kind, the sandflies in hiding and the Cops leave you alone.

I look forward to following your route on the net and suggest it includes Jacksons bay for a visit.

[fergie]

enjoy your trip Shirl, sorry to hear about your mum,i'm in the same boat with my 95 year old mother.It's not easy

[Mom]

Travel safe Shirl.

My beloved step father ended his days in a locked psychiatric ward for dementia patients, so I am very familiar with the feelings you have re your mother. My kids would not go to see Harry, they could not see him like that.

I remember the last time I saw him (he had had a stroke that robbed him of almost all speech), I told him a bit about what we had been doing, what the kids were up to while he sat there staring at me, muttering away. When I left he followed me to the door and then gave me this huge hug. A real close, tight hug, he was teary and called me Trish.

Guess I must have reminded him of an old girlfriend. He was happy when I left him. For me, seeing him like that was a two edged sword, I hated it as he told me to shoot him beofre I left him to wither away in a home, but on the other had, it was lovely to see him free of the demons that had controlled his life, to see him at peace with himself and happy. He had no idea where he was.

[Conquiztador]

I had not seen this thread before, but came across it today.

Have been struggling with news I got today, not knowing if I should post it. But here goes: I was waiting for Shirley to come for a promised visit now when she is back in NI.

Apperently she came to HB, but never made it to my place. She became very ill and is now in Wellington hospital and the prognosis is not good.

I send all the positive thoughts I can muster!!!