As today would be our final chance to watch the sunrise over the ocean, I made my way down to the beach at sublime Jervis Bay ...
This morning we had a late start. Both teams wanted to go St George's Basin Primary, as this would be one of our last schools on the Peace Run. But we were not meeting them until 10:15am which meant we got to soak up the beautiful beaches in the Jervis Bay area. As we were so close to so many beautiful beaches and most of our team will not come back, we thought we should check out a couple ...
... we made our way from one stunning beach to another and took the Peace Torch for a run along each of them. The sand sang to you and you ran ...
... the water did look very tempting ...
... but as it is winter in these parts the water was a little on the chilly side.
... it seems the boys team had the same idea ...
While our main running team were enjoying themselves on the beach, our visits to Canberra schools continued into their second day ...
As with all of life, at certain times on the Peace Run things seems to run beautifully smoothly, almost effortlessly, and you find yourself carried along by the hard work and dedication of others. At Sts Peter and Paul Primary School in Garran, we found ourselves in such a position; the beneficiaries of the tremendous care and inspiration that the dedicated teaching staff applied to our humble visit.
The whole school of 300 children were gathered in the school yard for their Assembly ...
... when the Peace Run team arrived.
The staff had left no stone unturned in their quest to make our visit a memorable one, starting with balloons to help create a celebratory atmosphere.
Everything was organised beautifully.
From the Assembly, all the kids came with us ...
... for a run around the playing fields with the Peace Torch.
Unlike yesterday, today in Canberra was a glorious sunny day, just perfect for being outside and running with the Torch ...
All of us then came in to the hall where we watched the Peace Run DVD and sang the World Harmony Run song together (with accompaniment from Rathin on guitar) ...
... the children were delightfully attentive.
There was pin-drop silence as each child strove to feel peace in their own heart.
Robyn and Annie accepted the Certificate of Appreciation.
The school staff had also gone to the trouble of sending press releases to the local media. Halfway through the presentation in the hall, we were all delighted to notice the WIN television crew entering quietly into the back of the hall.
When we were finished inside, some of the classes came outside again to "re-enact" our run around the playing fields, this time for the TV cameras ...
Lauren interviewed us, with Morgan manning the camera, and the team were able to see the excellent report later that evening on the news.
Thank you Sts Peter and Paul Primary School – and especially Amy Doszpot, who coordinated our visit with such love and care. It was the perfect start to our day!
Back on the coast, after their beach visits, our running team were preparing themselves in various ways for the day ahead ...
One way or another, we all made our way to St George's Basin Primary School ...
... here we pulled out all our flags and arrived with a bang!
There were about 450 students all packed into the hall. The school has grown so much over the last few years that they cannot keep up with the expansion! But everyone was fantastic in the space we had.
Decorating all the walls of the hall was artwork and Peace Pledges that all of the students had prepared in anticipation of our arrival ...
As we were getting the students to guess which country we were from, we noticed two students seemed to know all the answers. We found out later that both these students had been learning on their own the different countries of the world. Well done Jake and Isaac for learning about all the wonderful countries of this beautiful earth-home of ours.
Four students came up to the stage and read out their poems:
"Peace is people working together,
Peace is feeling happy and joyful,
Peace is a beautiful beach,
Peace is a kind school, where everyone is kind,
where nobody fights and argues.
Peace is where everyone's great,
Peace is where people are smiling and happy."
Angel (left)
"Peace is not something you wish for,
it is something you make."
Anna (second from left)
"Peace is people that speak nicely,
Peace is happiness and joyful,
Peace is a beautiful beach where people are happy."
Luke (second from right)
"Peace is the ocean and it is also love and stars,
Peace is something that you share and respect,
Peace is a calm beach where everybody is happy."
Cale (right)
Jasper and Alesha, the two school captains, came up to receive the Certificate of Appreciation.
We then all went outside and passed the Torch around ...
As we walked around and met the students, we were given Peace Pledges that they had made over the last two weeks in preparation for our arrival.
Julia joined our team just yesterday, to help us with our final few days back to her home town of Canberra ...
Jessica – the Assistant Principal, then invited the team up to the staff room for a cuppa and some snacks before we started our running for the day.
Jessica is sidelined from running for a couple of weeks as she recovers from an injury. And Jessica if you read this, remember it’s two weeks off running!
Then it was finally time for our boys team to get some running in!
Running today with my brothers, I took the time to reflect on the people I have been spending so much time with on this journey since Brisbane ...
... starting with the 2 longest serving stalwarts of the Run of 3 ½ months (all the way from Canberra to Canberra) – Steve and Drishalu.
Steve from Brisbane, Australia, has found his way into all our hearts with his ready Aussie wit and impressive range of skills – all of which have been of great use on the Run ...
... this is Steve’s first Peace Run, and he has earned the respect and admiration of everyone who has met him for staying strong and positive to the end.
Drishalu of Austria is a veteran Peace Runner and has been a source of wisdom and timely advice for all the guys who have been on the team ...
... he has kept standards very high, both inwardly and outwardly and without question, he has been a rock on this journey.
Another long-serving member of the team is Ion from Moldova – he has been on this journey ever since Adelaide in mid-May ...
... a super-smart guy with tremendous language skills which have enabled us to communicate across the team, using English, Russian and Spanish. Indispensable to the team and always eager to get on the road to run first.
Jaival from Ukraine has brought an incredible eye for a good photograph to the team ...
... many of the photos over the last couple of weeks have been Jaival’s and we are so grateful that he was able to capture so many magical moments.
Purevdorj from Mongolia has won our hearts with his boundless enthusiasm, constant cheerfulness and relentlessly fast running. We’ve learned a lot about Mongolia’s great and noble history from him as his English language improved. He has only been learning the language for 2 ½ months and his progress has been quite remarkable.
Odgiiv of Mongolia is the elder statesman of the group – coming in at 64 years young. He doesn’t speak a word of English but is always willing and can run with the best of them. He is incredibly fit and youthful – one day I caught him stretching with his leg behind his head! Amazing.
Martin came at just the right time. A Commonwealth and World Age Group Record Holder for the 24 hour race, Martin is a top runner by any standard – his PB is 255km over 24 hours! He has been a Godsend for all the tired legs on the team. He is and will be a tremendous asset for this and many future Peace Runs, I’m sure.
Finally, Bahumanya from the UK. Never happier than when he is cooking – which has been good news for the team!
... he has also found himself a new role as a presenter, spokesperson and report writer for the team and this will come in useful for many future events.
It’s been a privilege to run with these guys. A real band of brothers!
Up ahead in Canberra, we were preparing for our second school visit of the day ...
Half of the students of St Matthew's Primary School in Page – about 150 of the younger grades – gathered in the school library ...
... to hear the presentation about the Peace Run, watch the DVD and learn the World Harmony Run song.
Bring a younger audience, they were rapt in wonder to see the many places the Peace Run has visited, and were really excited to learn and sing the World Harmony Run song.
From the library, the kids spilled eagerly outside, where everyone formed a huge circle and waited patiently ...
... so that we all had our chance to hold the Peace Torch ...
... and make our wish for peace ...
... and then speed around the oval for a few laps of pure joy.
Our thanks to all the staff at St Matthew's who were so very kind and accommodating, as well as of course to the ever-eager kids!
By now our girls team were on the road and heading inland ...
... we had been allocated the last 40km into Braidwood.
It was a very scenic road today, with not much traffic ...
... perfect running conditions, small undulating hills and a nice cool breeze.
Our final school in Canberra today was St Joseph's Primary School, O'Connor, where we were greeted warmly by the Principal, Sue Dempsey. Once we gathered in the hall with the whole school of 193 students, Mrs Dempsey asked all the students to please give the runners "a big St Joseph's welcome" ...
... and indeed, this is what we enjoyed for the next hour – a very big and warm-hearted welcome from one and all!
Once outside on the oval, the classes formed into rows to pass the Peace Torch from hand to hand.
Then each class in turn tore around the oval with the Peace Torch.
Whether it was the thrill of participating in the Peace Run, or the impending end of the school day, or just being outside on such a gloriously sunny Canberra day, all the kids were bubbling with enthusiasm and excitement.
The teachers gathered for their own photo with the Peace Torch ...
... teachers Jeff Vayo and Emily Capper even ran with the Torch, much to the delight of the assembled children.
Teacher Janeanne Gray was a great help in organising everything out on the oval. Thanks to St Joseph's for your warm welcome and joyful send-off!
As our main running team had left so late from the school earlier in the day, we didn't get to our accommodation until after 4pm ...
... but Andy was there to greet us and show us around Torpy's Eco Accommodation and Motel.
The guest house here was built in 1862 and has been restored to that era ...
... including a wood fired oven! Luckily we have a Brit on our team who has cooked on one of these before.
Andy lit the fires for us ...
... and introduced us to Raymond and Tommie (his dog).
Raymond is the Electronic Swagman who has been travelling Australia for over 12 months and blogging about his experiences and the people he meets. It was his last night here and our last night on the road. So it seemed fitting that we met him tonight. He has done a lot of walking around Australia including spending 6 years with Aboriginal People in the desert, walking some areas that possibly no white man has ever walked before ...
... Raymond's dog Tommie found him when he was there: his mother was a wild dingo ...
... as Raymond said he will be the fattest dingo you will every meet – and the friendliest!
We then made our way back up to the guest house and enjoyed another classic British meal – Pie, Mashed potato and veges.
We all crowded around the fire, talking with Andy and Raymond long into the night ...
