hando
Race Dog
I know that posting this under Ride Reports may be a little strange , but since a group of us rode our bikes as escorts for Watty's funeral , I feel that posting it here is OK.
Originally I did not intend on joining the escort this morning. The idea was to ride to PE to see the assessor about the damage on my bike and then see if I can get a new helmet to replace the one I busted in my recent fall.
I ended up riding in the rain from Uitenhage and riding up and down in Cotswold trying to find the assesor's place. The number I had of him ended up ringing on a fax line. Eventually I gave up and rode to the KTM guys in Buffelsfontein road where I found a helmet I liked at a price I liked. Then I rode to the funeral home in 1st avenue.
I stood out of the rain at the Spar munching a pie when I saw Uncle Al go by on his Transalp. I finished my pie and rode over to where he was parked.
Eventually we were joined by three other bikes making the total 5 in all. Uncle Al's Trans alp, my F650 GS, a father and son on an Africa Twin, a KLR 650 and ShaunF on his R1100GSA. (forgive me gentlemen for forgetting your names. - please let me know and I will add it here).
We pulled away in a staggered formation with the hearse following behind the fifth bike. It struck me that when the five bikes were parked two abreast that there was one short to fill the gap on postion 6. Almost like a missing man formation.
What touched me in the service (and also the reason I felt like writing this) was to hear people talk about Watty and the kind of man he was. From what I heard it sounds like we could all strive to be the kind of men that Watty was. I am sorry that I have never had the privilege of meeting Watty and getting to know him. I somehow get the feeling that I am a poorer man for not having known him.
I hope that , one day when my time comes , I will also have made such an impact on the lives of the people around me as Watty has. I hope that I will also be as loved and respected and missed as Watty is today.
Rest in Peace Watty. I am sorry that I never got to meet you. And my prayers and condolences to Denise and the loved ones Watty leaves behind. May you find peace and rest in Him who holds our lives in His hand.
Originally I did not intend on joining the escort this morning. The idea was to ride to PE to see the assessor about the damage on my bike and then see if I can get a new helmet to replace the one I busted in my recent fall.
I ended up riding in the rain from Uitenhage and riding up and down in Cotswold trying to find the assesor's place. The number I had of him ended up ringing on a fax line. Eventually I gave up and rode to the KTM guys in Buffelsfontein road where I found a helmet I liked at a price I liked. Then I rode to the funeral home in 1st avenue.
I stood out of the rain at the Spar munching a pie when I saw Uncle Al go by on his Transalp. I finished my pie and rode over to where he was parked.
Eventually we were joined by three other bikes making the total 5 in all. Uncle Al's Trans alp, my F650 GS, a father and son on an Africa Twin, a KLR 650 and ShaunF on his R1100GSA. (forgive me gentlemen for forgetting your names. - please let me know and I will add it here).
We pulled away in a staggered formation with the hearse following behind the fifth bike. It struck me that when the five bikes were parked two abreast that there was one short to fill the gap on postion 6. Almost like a missing man formation.
What touched me in the service (and also the reason I felt like writing this) was to hear people talk about Watty and the kind of man he was. From what I heard it sounds like we could all strive to be the kind of men that Watty was. I am sorry that I have never had the privilege of meeting Watty and getting to know him. I somehow get the feeling that I am a poorer man for not having known him.
I hope that , one day when my time comes , I will also have made such an impact on the lives of the people around me as Watty has. I hope that I will also be as loved and respected and missed as Watty is today.
Rest in Peace Watty. I am sorry that I never got to meet you. And my prayers and condolences to Denise and the loved ones Watty leaves behind. May you find peace and rest in Him who holds our lives in His hand.
