Posted 7:28:58 AM by Don
NEW CONTACT NUMBER (JUSTIN) - 0402 842 136
FINISH DEFINITELY 11:00am, MARCH 13TH SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE STEPS.
NEW PHOTOS ARE HERE!!!

Spent the morning with Charlie Edwards, a wily old character, directing with frenetic pace, angles and shots that would make good coverage for the local news. With boom and camera out our back window, Charlie kneeling delicately on cushions, we carefully conducted an on-road interview with Andrew driving cautiously, aware that two opposing roadtrains could spell trouble. Caught some great footage through Hay past the shearing hall of fame.

We will be met today by Justin Vanderventer, a family friend with a daughter in my sister?s class, who shall accompany us to Sydney. The transfer coincides with Andrew?s departure. Andrew has been unbelievable. He has been all a mate could want and perhaps more. We confide, laugh, share strides and yarns and have similar aspirations and views on life. I will find it difficult without Andrew, albeit for 10 days, as he has been more than a roadside companion.
A person who came willing to give totally, leaving such an impression, Andrew has seemed to enjoy most the time spent conversing with those who stop to talk. This lifestyle has been relatively easy for Andrew as it not too distant for his comfort zone - a natural bushman.

Andrew?s final thoughts: ?A fantastic and unique event of which to be a part. It has been a pleasure and an honour to have been able to help my mate Don, and at the same time see some of outback Australia, meet plenty of ?real? Australians, whilst supporting a fantastic cause, in the Fred Hollows Foundation. I hope to return next weekend with a small army of support runners, just out of Goulburn? anyone interested??

Amanda has been silently slaving? With only two crew the workload has increased, but Amanda (Bette Midler meets sideshow Bob - care of 70s sunnies we found and the long frizzy hair) has been greater than the challenge, washing clothes daily and handling two rogues such as Andrew and I, with a mature arm.

3219km completed to date.

From 01.03.02
?The morning greeted us with the coldest temperature in weeks and a hostile chilling wind.
As the day warmed, road trains appear to approach from a lake, as the sun on the long straight road again provides mirages.?

More additions to our tape compendium: The Corrs ? ?Forgiven Not Forgotten?; Meatloaf - ?Bat Out Of Hell? x 2 (obviously quite unpopular); Janet Jackson; The Choirboys; John Farnham - 33 and a third; A Knight at Dirty Dick?s (featuring ?Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink?) and Monty Pythons - The Life of Brian Soundtrack.

From 28.02.02
?The sun had not been up long before we passed through Balranald. Given the time we could only fill up with diesel and water and make a quick phone call before heading out to catch Don, who kept steadily surging towards Hay.?

This plain sees sheep graze on seemingly ungrazeable land. The ability for animals to survive in the extreme climates we have witnessed amazes us all.
The beauty of being on the Hay Plain, particularly its remote nature, means that like yesterday, we were afforded a very relaxing lunch break. Perhaps too relaxing, as Don set out after his ?nap? feeling worse than before he climbed up to the bunk and into the world of slumber, whilst the van rattled and rolled with the force of road trains passing three feet from our side. But the lunch break began badly? Pumpkin soup had been served and Don was lying down to rest when for that terrible split second he realised the bowl was below him. Unfortunately, his momentum was thus that his back was scorched and a good soup gone to God.

Today a bloke called Marty pulled over. A quiet, unassuming, and genuinely kind-hearted man, this guy had had a rough trot - he?s been cruising round the area looking for work on farms, a bit of fruit picking here and there, etc etc. Only last week he was beaten and had his wallet and phone taken, but still he managed to give what he could, possibly more. After a chat we had to move on to get to the next aid stop and I thanked him once again for his generosity. The way he said ?my pleasure? could not be repeated, he was so stoked to have been able to contribute. Marty was an example of the people that, though amazed by what we are doing, give us our inspiration.

From 27.02.02
Last night a car pulled up beside the van as we ate dinner. It turned out to be a freelance journalist covering the Year of the Outback whom we?d been expecting. Greg and his German friend Sylvia ended up staying with us, and (we are led to believe) appreciated the comfortable bed and early lights out.

With possibly an earlier start than that to which Greg was used, the morning saw more photos snapped and questions posed from the friendly reporter. There was also opportunity for Sylvia to run with and learn more about our crazy Don.

It was the first lunch break in some time where the time did not disappear without having time for a lie down or a chance for Andrew to have a thorough read (instead of intermittent glances) of a slowly progressing novel.

Amanda: ?Feels a bit cooler today, although the night was warm and the morning milder than usual. Don has had headwinds most of the day and the afternoon is warming up. With the warmth has come one of the worst fly days ever, warranting some film footage as Don?s white shirt turned black!!

As generous as people continue to be, it never ceases to amaze me when people actually pull over to give money. Yet another passerby commented that he thought he was doing well running 10kms?and he is! It is great how inspired people become to go home and start running again or get fit. It seems Don is helping people with sight of all kinds, bringing awareness not just of others need for help but for each one of us to do more, for others and for ourselves. We continue to meet the real salt of the earth characters - it is very heart warming.
We are still adjusting to Sophie?s absence. A drowsy Andrew asked if Sophie was awake and wanted porridge whilst I made enough miso soup for her as well.?

From 26.02.02
Sophie did not waste her final opportunity to do those last few kilometres of exercise, setting out for a couple of legs between packing her (strangely) much expanded bag, whilst maintaining her crew duties through to the final hour.

Lunch came and went as it was quickly filled with final speeches of farewell and hugs before Aunty Mem?s classic vintage motor-home trundled out of sight, taking Sophie back to college in Melbourne.

Amanda: ?Sophie was a tower of strength, as Don noted. It takes courage to tackle this challenge and she hung in longer than any other - 52 days. She would have stayed until the end but had to start college, and having been the lucky recipient of a Sophie massage I know she will be an excellent therapist. I will miss her passion and excitement, her singing and stories. She has a great personality and her Mum tells some hilarious stories too?

Sophie will be making the trip to Sydney to see Don arrive.

Amanda: ?We popped into Euston a town boasting waterfront views which we glimpsed as we looked for a phone box and somewhere to fill our water. The locals were very friendly and helpful - their water source yet again the mighty Murray.
As we drove away the moon was almost full above the pink horizon as the sun set over the vineyards - a magical moment, truly the colour and beauty of nature is something of which one can never tire. Now to prepare dinner.
I cracked open a can of coconut milk and managed one of my most successful concoctions to date - not sure how. I had intended do a Thai curry but lemongrass plants aren?t of abundance in the bush and I had acquired some zatar and fennel seeds in Mildura, thanks Sam and Diana, so some middle eastern spices, dash of Japanese with the hijiki and a splash of Thai? the boys liked it!!!?

From 25.02.02
It was of great assistance to be joined by Don?s friends Sam and Di Cross, in Mildura. A shock having to reckon with roundabouts and traffic lights again, not to mention trying to park in the town. Whilst Mem and Liz dined with Stefano De Pieri, we set up an interview for Don with the local paper in the mall, and then all split up and went collecting, some shop to shop and some on the street. The ?Mildurans? were so friendly, everyone greeted us with a smile and most people managed to rummage up some loose change?it was a very successful break, though somewhat hectic. Still managed to run on through one of the most humid days I have felt since on board.
As Don set foot on the bridge from Mildura, across the Murray, he entered our last state of call, the home soil of New South Wales. That evening we passed through the mileage roughly marking three quarters of the total journey. That ?home straight? is seeming much more real.

After a final jog with her nephew, Liz was taken back to Mildura to return to Melbourne.

Awakening at midnight to the sound of voices, Mem?s head appeared and we heard of her van breaking down on the return from dropping Liz. She would need to spend the morning in Mildura and would return ASAP to depart with Sophie.

Posted 3:21:25 PM by Sportz
See the many new photos of the run that have just been placed in the gallery.

Posted 11:07:13 AM by Don
SAT. PHONE NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. PLEASE PHONE KATE (02) 99534664, A NEW NUMBER WILL BE POSTED SOON.
FINISH 11:00AM SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, MARCH 13TH.

From Sophie:

"Leaving ?Frankie? and the ladies of leisure snoozing in layby parking bay, we bust a move towards Mildura.
Vineyards become strung together and the contrasting colours of red soil, emerald green leaves and black sultana grapes welcome us into the Sunraysia district-oasis country.
The sun becomes more centred in the sky, mum yells teatime and the stretch of houses lead us into the heart of town."

The days have been long, with increased effort made to maintain 60km per day. I find that towns are problematic as we always seem to spend longer than I had hoped. Subsequently the afternoon run's pace is 'forced'. Some magic skies over the past few days looking like inverted red golf bunkers - at these moments I feel very peaceful and concur with country folk who just can't believe the bustle of the city. A few hip concerns prompting dull pain. I just zone out and look ahead to the next hour with the pleasure of knowing there is an hour less to run... The spring is leaving my step as the body no longer appreciates the training that now simulates overtraining. However, I still respect and draw strength from the land on which I step and the step by which I land. Resting heart rate is on the rise and I feel the speed sapped from my legs. It is nearly time to hang up the shoes. It would be nice to keep some speed for the Aussie Rules season. Less than 1000km to go... 2916km completed.

From the aunties: (Liz and Mary - who for 2 days now have joined the on-road caravan) - "Travelling through barren salt bush, paddy melon and bindi-eye country to the lush green irrigated fruit blocks that flank the mighty Murray River, the versatility of the crew has amazed us; the gourmet meals presented twice daily; the myriad ?housekeepng? chores performed; the support given to Don in running with him for short bursts, preparing cold drinks, special snacks etc. An extraordinary trio of dedicated supporters. We also applaud Don on his super endurance and dedication to the task - how he can keep on keeping on , despite the heat, the flies and the toll it is undoubtedly taking on his own body, is beyond belief and normal human endurance. For Liz especially, it has been a real thrill to run with Don and enjoy some one-to-one chat time with him? and to join in the roadside yoga sessions so professionally conducted by Amanda.

Amanda here:
"Thanks for that Liz, it was great that you joined in! It has also given me great pleasure that everyone has enjoyed the brown rice and split pea dahl. Mary even tried the miso soup and enjoyed it, seaweed and all. I have been popping seaweed in everywhere. good to keep up the minerals. In fact Andrew even commented the other day that he might have to pop into that macro shop in Bondi Junction when he gets back to Sydney. I told him he will be pleasantly suprised at all the yummy food in their caf? that even normal, non-macrobiotic people eat!!!

I have to say I have very much enjoyed doing yoga with sophie every day,and it has been interesting to work a ?full? session into the breaks, as japanese yoga is slightly more dynamic than regular yoga and works specific meridians, there is a format to follow, it can actually be seen now on channel 10 every morning by teachers trained at zen renaissance where I did my shiatsu. Sophie is a natural and I think would make a great ki yoga teacher!!! I willl miss her when she leaves, for a number of reasons as well as being my yoga partner.

Call me old fashioned, but a highlight for me had to be seeing my first kangaroo this trip. Don said he saw over a dozen within touching distance, hopping along with him in the morning. It seemed strange to me that we haven't seen more but a veterinary nurse, met at an ostrich farm, explained that they only come to the road if they are looking for water and because it has been such a cool summer they haven?t needed to. Well after 23 years in Oz, I finally learn that it isnt just the food for which they come foraging!! I have learnt heaps about Oz on this trip.

Another highlight for me has been sleeping with the door open and watching the stars and the moon. I would love to sleep on the roof when I can work out how to get up there!! Kea have some very nice design features on their mobile homes, like the double door, so the main door can be open just leaving a fly screen door. Shame no fly screen on the cab windows - the flies have to be the best method of torture!! Here in vineyard country they seem to be busy elsewhere, thank g-d!

It has been great having Liz and Mary along, they have been very helpful and more importantly kept us entertained with some hilarious stories of their travels ?..I reckon there should be a book!!!"

From Sophie 24.2.02:
"A very warm morning? and the flies are rampant as we pass through more scrub land, farming belt and the occassional vineyard.
As another person steps on a three cornered jack and curses under their breath, Mum comments, ?how people thought to turn this land into lush vineyard country is beyond me?.
Lake Cullulleranie lines itself up beautifully on our mileage schedule, so we stop there for lunch? under the shade of gums and by grassy (lush!) fields we chat, chew and even swig a chilled brewski. A magnificent splash in the lake with laser sailing boats passing, works wonders. We sit and have a crew meeting- the first of its kind since the birth of this trip, to discuss apparent ?issues?? suggestions, emotions and expectations all addressed.