We woke up from one of the coldest nights on the Peace Run since we left South Australia. Temperatures have definitely dropped! That is great for our running, but can be quite a challenge while camping. We all wore extra layers of clothing to get through the night ...
... our running was also quite challenging today, since the Bruce Highway was not as ‘broad-shouldered’ as we had been used to ...
... we’re still a little culture shocked after having run for nearly two weeks through the lonesome outback of the Northern Territory ...
... now we’re back in the ‘real world’ and with every passing day the population increases and traffic has followed suit.
Today was not so overcast but still really good running weather. Our girls team all set off to do a 5km before our first meeting ...
One of us even got an escort through the road works. With a car on your tail you really do pick up the pace – so it was more like a 2 miles race with a warm up and cool down!
Just before we arrived into Rockhampton, Ion spied some kangaroos in a nearby field ...
... as soon as his friend, Kaspars came in from his run, he ran off to the field to photograph these beings, so marvellous to the European eye ...
With time to spare on this beautiful day in Rockhampton, we pulled into the centre of town and took time to be tourists ...
Rockhampton has about 70,000 residents and is a wonderful city to wander the streets in. And all so close that we were only 400m away from our appointment at the library with the Rockhampton Regional Council ...
When we arrived at the library, Chris Ison from The Bulletin was there to cover the meeting and take a few photos ...
We were welcomed initially by Michael Rowe – Council's General Manager of Community Services, who introduced ...
... Cr Cherie Rutherford – Chair of Sports and Recreation, who was officially hosting our visit – and the Deputy Mayor, Cr Tony Williams.
We all came inside, introduced our team and sand our Peace Run song ...
Cherie had looked on our website to see how much we had run so far, and noted that when we reach Gladstone this evening, our legs would have run a combined total of 13,508km!
At the conclusion of her speech she spoke of how talk of World Peace has become something of a cliche: but that we are actually doing something about that. She then thanked us for our passion and commitment and for the very very special thing that we are doing. It is so very heartening for us when we meet with people like Cherie who instantly connect with the Peace Run on a heart level: thank you for making the time to meet us today!
Michael, the General Manager, then invited us all to partake of the light refreshments the Council had kindly provided for us. It was also a wonderful time to talk to the Councillors about the area and about the Run ...
While the other teams were at the Council, our second boys team visited Rockhampton Special School and gave a presentation for the children there ...
... they were very excited to hold the Peace Torch and make their wishes for peace. Our song immediately got their attention and they enthusiastically sang and moved along ...
... after offering them our certificate of appreciation ...
... they surprised us by giving us a certificate of appreciation as well! We really appreciated that!
Back on the road after the 'big city', we crossed back over the Tropic of Capricorn, and started to find our rhythm again ...
... there was a succession of cars and trucks the whole way along the Bruce Highway but this is not a hindrance to our running or our time along with the Peace Torch ...
... these moments on the road are precious to us all, allowing us those moments of silence and stillness that we find on these long long roads ...
... running gives you time to bring your thoughts together, balance yourself and bring peace into your heart ...
... even with cars zipping past and many trucks that will always try to rid you of your hat, you still have the beauty and simplicity ...
... of just running.
Our stopping place where we waiting for our final runner of the day was right in the midst of a massive roadworks operation at a big intersection on the highway ...
... some of the crew on duty were fascinated to find out what we were up to ...
... here comes our runner now, wending his way through the roadworks ...
... arriving in Gladstone, just as twilight set in ...
... where we are staying the night at the home of long-time friends and supporters of the Peace Run, Jenny and Dick Garrett ...
... their daughter, Charubala cooked us a splendid meal which was gratefully enjoyed by all!
After dinner we expressed our gratitude for such overwhelming generosity and hospitality in song ...
... Charubala, Dick and Jenny accepted our heartfelt Certificate of Appreciation, signed by all members of the team.
