The blog is ten years old, we collect blankets and patch our youngest member

Those of you still reading this blog will no doubt have noticed that quite recently the posts have tended to feature more and more of the rides and events of the Meeulanders Motorcycle Club, I can explain;

Way back in 1999 I joined the then quite young club and was a member for two years but left due to other interests which occupied my time. Gradually those interests faded and were replaced with the happenings of the local motorcycle groups once again. Understand that I had not stopped riding during that period but was not affiliated. I found myself accompanying the Meeulanders club to many rallies and dayjols and was accepted in their group, to the extent that they would carry my equipment in their backup vehicle, allocate a place for me in their camp and even on occasions erect my tent for me. It wasn't long before their friendship, camaraderie and brotherly spirit made me eager to be a part and so I rejoined.

As with many men of my generation I am a veteran, there are several in the club and the brotherhood and camaraderie are things that we need and gravitate towards, if you reading this are a veteran then no further explanation will be necessary. A good motorcycle club fulfills a need for that bond.

Now the club is twenty years old, the oldest and biggest club on the west coast and I am proud to be its President, this club means everything to me and so do its members.

In the Meeulanders we patch our lady members, we are a family oriented club, our ladies do a lot to ensure the smooth operation of the club, the meetings and the fund raising events. Two of our ladies ride their own bikes as well so we see no reason not to patch them in.

So it was that at our last regular meeting I had the privilege of awarding our youngest member, our prospect Elsje her full colours. She is a very keen, bubbly young lady who loves riding her own and she will definitely be an asset to the club, well done Elsje you make us proud.

At the same meeting our members, in spite of the almost continuous calls being made on their charity donated an impressive amount of blankets and toiletries for those in need. I continue to be amazed at what big hearts bikers have compared to any other sector or group, these items will be donated after the biker church meeting next Sunday.

As a matter of interest, (well it is to me anyway) this blog is ten years old this month. 

Happy birthday to Braaisbeersand bikes, happy birthday to Braaisbeersandbikes etc., etc.

It's quite hard to believe that I started writing this way back in June 2008, thank you all very much for reading and for the occasional comments, especially to my good friend Brandy of that excellent blog "Trobiaritz' Tablet" who regularly comments here and whose blog you should go and read.

Stay safe, keep the shiny side up and keep reading.