Brandon Bosch Memorial Ride - Africa 2021

[DASKOP]

I got hold of my mate, Charlie Skeen, who I had met in Livingstone and he was in Moorreesburg, so I stopped off to see him on my way to Cape Town.

Brandon's sticker was still on the bakkie windshield.

Then it was off to Cape Town to surprise my brother, but the GPS completely sent me in the wrong direction to his work address.

But, I happened to find a street named after my son.

Eventually I got to the right place, after phoning his son, and then it was home and Matilda was parked in the carport.

 

[DASKOP]

03 August 2021

It was an early departure from my boet in Cape Town, stopped off to see my nephew and then it was a cold and misty ride all the way Riviersonderend. It was crazy, sometimes I could barely see 30 meters ahead of me, so it was slow going.

Everything was wet.

 

[DASKOP]

At times you would be above the mist, and soon after just be back in the thick of it.

Eventually the sun broke through and visibility improved. Then the taps could be opened, I had a deadline with some friends in the Tsitsikamma.

 

[DASKOP]

You always have to stop at the top of the pass before you head through Wilderness.

 

[DASKOP]

My Dogs of War Military Veteran's Association friends, and my brother, Reuel, who met me at Marilyn's in Tsitsikamma Village and then escorted me to Jeffrey's Bay, where we had some "kuier tyd" at different venues.

 

[DASKOP]

Could not resist a photo of this.

I **** myself when I tackle some of the roads I have ridden, but it is figuratively speaking.

 

[DASKOP]

Back at home.

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Wow! What an incredible journey.

Rest easy now.

8)

 

[Elmer Fudd]

A belated welcome home.
This RR is/and has been something quite special.
I'm sure there is lots more to share, but that's your decision and in your own time if you elect to do so.
If I ever get down to the my home town there in 'the Bay' again expect a pm from me with a steak dinner and beers invite on me.
Best regards

 

[DASKOP]

Wow! What an incredible journey.

Rest easy now.

8)

Thank you Ian.

 

[DASKOP]

A belated welcome home.
This RR is/and has been something quite special.
I'm sure there is lots more to share, but that's your decision and in your own time if you elect to do so.
If I ever get down to the my home town there in 'the Bay' again expect a pm from me with a steak dinner and beers invite on me.
Best regards

Thank you for your kind words and the invite, it will be good to meet in person.

 

[punisher]

an exceptional RR , thank you sharing

 

[DASKOP]

an exceptional RR , thank you sharing

Thank you.

 

[RobD]

Exceptional journey, so well documented!!

May peace be sooner than you think...

 

[DASKOP]

Exceptional journey, so well documented!!

May peace be sooner than you think...

Thank you very much.

 

[Pilchie]

I followed this story feeling you pain. Thought of you when the news came in of my friends son - the Stellenbosch University student taking is life last month. I
Wishing you all the strength you need.

 

[Vuurmaker]

My Mother and sister passed away less than 2 weeks from one another,
the last funeral was Tuesday

You might ask, whats the context?

My niece is a very vulnerable 23 year old that is left standing all alone in this world,
we have gladly taken her under our wing

the other night I overheard my son chatting to her and giving some inspiration,
he was telling her of Brandon and Marius
and how Brandon's legacy is changing lives for the better,

See I have shared some of what touched my heart as portrayed by Marius some time ago.
my son came visiting Wilddogs, read the whole thread without me knowing
and used the pain, heartache and positives to inspire

Marius please continue on your journey, Brandon's legacy lives on

 

[DASKOP]

My Mother and sister passed away less than 2 weeks from one another,
the last funeral was Tuesday

You might ask, whats the context?

My niece is a very vulnerable 23 year old that is left standing all alone in this world,
we have gladly taken her under our wing

the other night I overheard my son chatting to her and giving some inspiration,
he was telling her of Brandon and Marius
and how Brandon's legacy is changing lives for the better,

See I have shared some of what touched my heart as portrayed by Marius some time ago.
my son came visiting Wilddogs, read the whole thread without me knowing
and used the pain, heartache and positives to inspire

Marius please continue on your journey, Brandon's legacy lives on

You have absolutely no idea how much I needed to hear that. It is such a lonely road, because, unless you have experienced it, you have no idea what it is all about.

One day at a time, I know, because that is how I survive.

It is difficult, but I want to make a difference, but I cannot do it alone.


Stay strong.

 

[DASKOP]

I followed this story feeling you pain. Thought of you when the news came in of my friends son - the Stellenbosch University student taking is life last month. I
Wishing you all the strength you need.

Thank you, I know their pain, please become a part my life mission to create awareness and fight this scourge. I cannot do this alone, but I will if I have to.

 

[DASKOP]

This trip was one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life, but I had to do it or shoot myself in the head. Matilda is my therapist, something I think most of you can relate to.

There is nothing more painful than a parent losing a child. NOTHING.

So what comes next?

I have been painfully honest throughout this RR, and I will remain to be so. In a situation like this, you become like a leper, people avoid you like the plaque, because most people do not know how to relate to your situation, and I have gone through the most darkest moments of my life and did not really know how to deal with them. The pain of losing a child is indescribable. It is a pain beyond comprehension.

But, it is done, the past you can do nothing about.

I sat under a tree, I drew a line in the sand, to the left is the past, to the right is the future. The past I can do nothing about, the future, I can, so this is where the conundrum lies, how?

All I know is that I want to make a difference. I formed an NPO, The Brandon Bosch Foundation, from here I have no clue, totally outside of my set of expertise. All I know, it is time to address this situation and help, help wherever it is necessary to make difference.

How, I still do not know, but I will, no matter what, but I cannot do it alone.

So, for now, until I get to the point of knowing WTF I am doing, I am asking you to just reply. Three simple words:

I am in.