As can be gleened from other reports there were some awesome rides to and at the Rally this year.  Just a little extreme for this old fella and his passenger but it still gets the blood going just to read of the exploits. However there was a lot going on for those not quite so adventurous and Jean and I think this rally was tops.Barry and Sue and the team put on a very memorable three days and the whole thing ran like clockwork.  A really good attendance made it all the more memorable and the atmosphere was perfect for the whole three days.  As well as the riding options, one could take it easy and be taken on a bus tour of three of the local wineries to do some sampling. A really pleasant and relaxing afternoon being driven in a coach laid on by a local BMWOR member who was unfortunately not able to attend.  This was his way of participating and was a wonderful gesture. The gymkhana went without a hitch, very ably organized by Gerard from Palmerston North.  We were treated to some pretty slick riding.Dinner on Saturday night went without a hitch and the auctioning of an original metal BMWOR badge donated by Bill Obers must have been the highlight. Our visitor Ivan from Ireland took it away for $150.  This guy is something else.  His riding skills too I understand are pretty awesome. Good one Ivan. Like others from up north we took the opportunity to do a tiki tour by going down the east coast with stops at Blenheim and Ashburton before spending three days R&R in that lovely city Dunedin where we did the touristy things and loved every minute - especially the rail trip through the Taieri Gorge.  Then down through the Catlins staying at MacLean Falls and from there to Te Anau via Invercargill, Riverton and Tuatapere.  We got to see some of the local scenery around Te Anau by taking a 3 hour quad bike tour of some of the high country, and what a hoot it was.  Didn’t realize I’ve been married to a petrol head for over 40 years – I couldn’t keep up with her.  Over to Alex for the Rally then homewards stopping near Bruce Bay after a very wet ride from Alex. Fine weather again to stops at Reefton and Waikawa Bay before saying goodbye to the South Island until our next visit.  We were keen watchers of the recent TV programme Hunger for the Wild by Logan and Brown.  We saw the show set in Fiordland hunting for a deer for the pot.  A side bar took them to Mossburn where they sampled a venison pie at the Bracken Hall café We decided right then that we would have to stop by and sample for ourselves.  The verdict – definitely the very best pie we have had.  The icing on the pie (so to speak) was that we got to meet the young baker, and (I have permission to speak my mind) she is as good on the eye as her pies are on the tongue.So after nearly 4000 klicks of trouble free riding and a really great few days at the rally we have to express our thanks to Barry and Sue and team of wonderful helpers for organizing a great time for us in Alexandra.  We chatted to friends met at events just like this, relaxed in some wonderful places, saw some awesome sights and just plain had a ball.  Can’t wait for next year.Thanks again to all who participated     Malcolm and Jean