A chance to reflect

I've been waiting for the right moment to write this blog, I wanted time to reflect, to remember, to laugh, to cry, and to sleep on the stories that I want to tell. Now I feel I am ready to write it.

This always was going to be the journey of a lifetime, regardless of expectations, highs and lows. Many of the stories I look back on with a smile. The team became my family and boy did we have some laughs. Simon and Bevs constant humour, Hollys crazy moments, Kates blonde moments, Pete,Dan and Dims odd moments, Lauras randomness, Daves passion and drive. I was in Australia with an awesome bunch of people. It wasnt always plain sailing, but as Kate said, the truth is in the ending, and at least we all walked away talking. This picture to the right was taken on one of the toughest days of BoardFree - at 4am. Spot the 7 members of the team!

But there is no use in pretending it was all plain sailing. Everyday was a challenge - nothing agitates me more than people that thought we were there on holiday. The whole team worked hard, but I often feel the role that myself and Bev took on was often overlooked. Every day we managed to blag free accommodation, varying from basic to luxury. Everyday we provided the team with food and cooked meals. On top of this we went out every night fundraising. We did not stop for the majority of the journey. I'm proud of what we achieved, and I am certainly not complaining, for it was an experience - frustrating at times, but a good experience. Above is a picture of me when our gas cooker broke down on the Nullabor - good job I new how to cook on a camp fire!

Above all, we raised money for the charities - this was the thing that got me out of bed every morning. People look at Just giving and tell me we didnt raise very much. But if you convert it into dollars, we raised over $40,000 We could not have worked any harder if we tried. For those that criticise - to put it in perspective - if every person that looked at the boardfree site donated, we would have hit our target months ago.

So now, after two and a half weeks back in the country, I reflect on the journey, Perth, The 1000km mark, the nullabor, the road to Adelaide, the 2000km and 3000km mark, the great Ocean Road, Melbourne, the 4000km mark, cann river, Sydney, 5000kms, the road to Brisbane. I remember the sad times and the feelings I had, but then I think of all the good times, the happy times, the funtimes, what we, me and the team, achieved.

I see a map of how far Dave skated and wondered how it was possible
I read the global media and think of Kate with Fond memories and a friend for life.

I watch at the video's online, and remember Si making me laugh.

I study at the fundraising total and remember how glad I was that Laura joined.

I listen to the trailer and remember the good and bad times with Dim and Pete.

I drive my car and think of Dan at 15kmph, and still smiling.

I look at the photo's and remember the girl stood behind it is my new little sister, Holly.

I think of all the memories and Im so grateful I got to share them with my closest friend, Bev.

As I look back with a little tear in my eye, its hard to believe its all over, then I remember its not. Dave is still in media spotlight, and another journey on the way. The book and the dvd are on the way. Im sure both will be fantastic viewing/reading, but for the team, I dont think either will do it justice of what we went through and how it was. I know the rest of the team are frantically looking for jobs, I am too. Despite all this experience, i'm apparently not experienced enough.

Its strange to wear normal clothes again, have my own identity, have a mobile phone. I still have the need to feed others and a sense of guilt comes over me at 6pm every night, telling me I should be out fundraising. At 5am everyday I wake up, thinking that there are 9 other people to get up and feed, a strange sense of loneliness sends me back to sleep. Life after BoardFree has been about adjusting. For the first time in 23 years I dont know whats about to happen in my life next. I dont really like not knowing where my life is at, but it sure is nice to have some time for myself. Who knows whats next, but watch this space...