A day at the race

With tired bones I leave beautiful Stewart Island, the track was really exhausting. Early in the morning I take the ferry back to the mainland to Bluff. We pass by a few islands until we reach the open sea, the weather has finally improved. The swell makes the ship roll again and again, when diving into the waves the whole aft deck gets wet, you can only stand under the foredeck. But it's a lot of fun.....For today I have thought of a real contrast program to yesterday's contemplative hike: senseless burning of irretrievable fossil fuels.... there is a big motorcycle event this weekend in Invercargill, the Burt Munro Challenge with various racing events. I start with the hill climb in Bluff, about 70 motorcycles of all model years drive up a mountain track individually against the clock. Unlike the highly regulated Germany expected, the safety requirement here is limited to: straw bales in the curves, a few stewards and - Do not stand on the asphalt. So the bikes really race past one, with the old Norton or Guzzi's the exhaust sound echoes through the whole body. The atmosphere is typical kiwi relaxed, you are also right there at the start. 

In the evening I go to the Harley Davidson drag race, each with 2 motorcycles starting for a 1/4 mile, the first one to the finish line goes on...why Harley sponsors this event with the heavy iron heap, no idea. At least a Harley beats an old Indian.... It smells like oil, rubber and clutch... and it's loud.... And there are fries and beer..