Well, I have had my sleep and recovered from the effects of my sleepover at Barlow Park!
We arrived at about 3.00pm and went to our area - all the campsites were set up in long lines with street names and numbers in the middle of the walking track.
We watched the survivors walk - two of our
team have had cancer and are in remission.
It was amazing!
Then we all got our gear on and walked together
for the first half hour.
We had bright Postie shirts and specially made 'stamps' and we
looked great!
We then made ourselves comfortable at our campsite
and proceeded to make up a roster of half hour walks
We just sat and talked and walked around and visited with people
that we knew and listened to the bands playing and generally enjoyed
ourselves.
I went and listened to some of the John Farnham concert which
was on next door - you could hear him very clearly!
At 7.00pm the Candlelight ceremony began -
you write the names of people you wish to remember on a white
paper bag - put some sand inside and put a tealight candle on
the sand in the bag and place it around on the inside of the track.
Then the lights go out and it is very dark with just the glowing
candles around the track.
The walkers kept on walking quietly and you could have heard a
pin drop during the two minutes silence. I went for a walk around
while the lights were out and it was an awesome sight and it was
very moving - so sad that so many people have died.
The lights came on again and we kept on walking.
Suanne's partner Gordon came for a while - he is still pretty sad but was pleased I think that we made an effort to do this in Suanne's memory.
After 12.00 midnight we just had single walkers so people could sleep a bit longer - I of course wasn't tired and most of the people went and snoozed.
At about 12.30 am when I was sitting alone
like a big Nigel I took my chair and half a mug of Port and went
and sat down where the band was playing until 3.00am - it was
great!
When I went back to our tent it was Ann's turn to walk but, as
she was asleep, I took her turn and told her husband to wake her
at 5.30am to do my turn.
I went to lay down which was difficult because
Tanya, whose campsite was right next to the stage where it was
loud all night, had a headache and came and slept in my spot with
my sleeping bag and pillow but we made do!!
She made it up to her team by walking for an hour and a half when
she got up!
I woke at 5.00am (only two hours sleep) as
bright as a button and because Ann was still asleep I started
her shift but she came out and took over which was good because
I had some serious blisters.
We usually did six laps in 30 minutes but I was down to 3 laps
in 30 minutes - took it real slow!!
A couple of the posties who didn't sleep over came back at 4.00am because they are pretty bright at that time and did the shifts till the last 30 minutes when we all walked.
We had a nice breakfast - instead of the provided one, there was a tent from the Hilton Hotel and we had scrambled eggs, bacon, sausgaes, hash browns, lovely fruit and proper coffee!
During the last 30 minutes everyone walked,
the band was playing - we had the wave going round the track for
most of the last 30 minutes and it was good fun.
I even saw Councillor Diedre Ford dancing up a storm to "Dancing
Queen"
A few presentations (a record amount was raised - will have to check the papers tomorrow - I don't remember numbers!) and home to bed!!
And there you have my story!
Should have some pictures soon!