DuringFebruary, twomembersof theScottish
Motorcycle TouringGroup, GrahamFultonand
DougieWright, fled the icywastesof aScottish
winter and took refuge in sunnier climes. Dougie
tells the story.
T
hismotorcycle tripwas organisedby
members of theNewZealand IPA (or
IPANZas they like tobe called). Travelling
the lengthandbreadthof NewZealand, the trip
washostedbyNewZealander BruceRevell. Bruce
organisedeverythinghimself, accommodation,
bikehireandbookedall necessary inter island
transfers. Bruce is a real good guywitha superb
personality that transformedapotentially good
trip intoanabsolute corker!
Apart from theexpectedmembers on the trip from
NewZealand, wewere joinedbymembers from
Canada, SouthAfrica, Germany. This really friendly
group, thatmixedeasilywith the locals’ warmand
easy goingnature, even includedaMet Cop, Brian
Field (anonbiker), who followedusby car. This
trip that inone go justified the International title
of the IPA!
For thosewhohavenever been, NewZealand
is anexoticmixtureof a countrywith stunning
scenery, varying from sub-antarctic glaciers and
penguins in the south, todeserts, geysers and sub
tropical temperatures in the very north.
Theexoticdoesn’t stop there–whilst travelling
a road called the ‘ForgottenWorldHighway’ we
stoppedhalf way to
Taumaranui, at ahotel
where they take great
delight in stamping
pommiepassports
onentering the
mythical Republic of
Whangamomona! Yes,
I know– thenames of
places! Let’sbe fair -
we justmade surewe
never got lost or had to
askdirections or I think
wewould still be inNewZealand!
After a smooth crossingof thenotoriousQueen
CharlotteSound, the scenery got evenmore
spectacular, and sodid thenames. But at least
nowweknewwhatmotorbikesweremade for!
Mileaftermileof dreammotorcycle roads,
twisting through spectacularmountain scenery,
(passing throughplaceswithominousnames
suchasDeath’sCorner inArthur’sPass.)
With sucha variety of idyllic locations suchas
the spa townof Hanmer Springs, the ‘Cardboard
Cathedral’ of Christchurchand theFrench
influenced coastal hamlet of Akaroawenever
tiredof theparadise that isNewZealand.
All too soonof course it had to come toanend
and it was time to leave the landof BilboBaggins
and the Lordof theRings. One thing is for sure
–havinghada tasteof NewZealand, I have to
goback! This triphasbecome somethingof an
annual event but if youhaveanotion to go, book
early! The trip isusually bookedout withinweeks
of theprevious year’s tripbeing completed!
Thank you IPAandwell doneBruceRevell.
DougieWright
, Glasgow, LomondandClyde
Article
15
POLICEWORLDVol 59No. 3, 2014
DougieWright andGrahamFultonwithother bikers
