I'm still working but there is officially only 6 more working days before I am off for 6 months.
Those 6 months are just going to fly and I want to remember each morning when I wake in a new town and a new piece of the country to remind myself that I have to make the most of each and every moment. I also have to remember to motivate the riders to appreciate every day whether the weather is against us or the wind is in our faces. Every day is new and every scene is different and every person we meet has a story. This is not a race and it should not be a chore. We need to enjoy it for what it is.
Everyone I tell about this trip wonder how so many people are going to be able to live and travel together for such a long time. We only have 6 people doing the whole 6 months. Hopefully these people will get on together OK or at least have the insight into giving each other a break when they have had enough of each other. Collis and I are trying to work out a strategy for ourselves so we don't get on each others nerves too much also. Past riders will laugh at this because we are renowned for our constant bickering at each other but that is normal for us. It's when we are not bickering that people need to worry because that means we aren't talking to each other and that is not good in this household. So I will suggest we are all open and honest and no-one takes offence if someone needs their own space for a period. For each stage the group dynamics will change with riders leaving and new ones joining us. It should be fun and I'm really looking forward to hearing everyones' stories.
Not sure if all the riders are actually aware that we are not always going to have mobile reception throughout the trip. I thought this was pretty well understood until I was talking to one rider the other day who thought she would have reception all the way around.
Never fear, we have purchased a satellite phone this trip (where on other trips we have hired one). So with this phone and the mobiles and of course the bush telegraph, we should be well catered for. We will instruct all riders of our satellite phone number, mobile numbers, outback emergency numbers via email before we leave. They must make sure their families at home have our satellite number but they must also realise it will cost them a small fortune to ring that number as well. The best thing for families to do is text messages to the riders phone numbers and then they get them when we get into a town.
Collis is known for his poor dress sense and many a past rider has chipped in to buy him a new shirt. So this trip I decided he needed a shirt that stated who he was, stood out on the road (so he doesn't get run over) and looks a bit like a uniform. Those early morning rises the riders will also be able to spot Collis. I have also got a couple of these shirts but I probably didn't need them as much as he did.
We were going to get shirts for our unofficial crew but decided against it as we were pretty sure Anna wouldn't want to be wearing one of these.
The riders shirts have arrived and some have been handed out. So far everyone is happy with them and I'm sure the riders will be seen out there.
On the back we have each leg with the kms stated so as the leg is completed the riders can tick off which part they have done.
Only 3 weeks to go!!!!!
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