Trek 463 – Guide Rod Ori – Trek Completed

[Henah]

WOW!
You boys covered some ground yesterday! Good effort.
Two more ridges and I can turn my map over to the homeward journey.
You're on your way to the highest point of the trek – hopefully it will be a bit easier for you the next few days.
Trust you are looking after yourself. How much weight have you lost?
Are your clothes falling off you yet?
Hope your feet are keeping in good shape too.
Nothing terribily exciting to report here.
I am taking the pushbike out today.
Rach and I are heading out to Boondall Wetlands for a ride this morning.

Love you, Chief.
Looking forward to having you home.
Will check back in later.
H xo

[rosslyn]

Good morning to all – particularly Neil and Doug.

I spoke to Casey and Mary last night to tell them what I knew (which is not much). Casey sends her love and might try to send a message. Mary was just going out to the boy's school. Didn't have much time to talk to her.

Apparently there is a new article in today's Queensland Times about you guys with a photo. I wonder who is responsible for that (Dianne??) Greg phoned earlier this morning to tell me he had seen it.

Think of you and are praying for you every single moment I am awake.

You are half way there. Keep going. Enjoy

Lots of hugs and kisses – Love you big much

Rossie

[Dianne]

Morning loved ones on Kokoda – It's Wednesday already and I hear via the "Track Vine" that you are all doing well – so proud of you all –

I left the office yesterday – yes, really, I went to a PNG Tourism presentation in Brisbane. Who could believe that while running late, i made great time and negotiated the traffic well, only to find that when I arrived at the Hotel, the Fire Service were attending to a fire alarm and that a School had chosen this venue for their formal as well – I was finally able to make my way aroung the fire engines and line of limos.

The presentation was wonderful – Cyril from one of the villages in Rabaul "ushered" us all into the venue – what a beautiful man with his brightly coloured yellow face and amazing feathered headress.

Caught up with Nathan from Kokoda Trekking who confirmed to me that you are all doing just fine –
and that you are all going to do it again ???????????????????????????????????????????

Not a great deal more news – the Queensland Times rang and asked to do a story on you all – reluctantly I said yes, so there is an article in today's paper – hope that is ok ????

Forgive me if I have doubled on this message – I had one almost completed and it just disappeared from the screen, so not sure if it was sent or just hiding somewhere. Not to worry, just a double up of well wishes and hugs if it did make it's way through.

Will check in later today – hugs to all –

Di and Mum

[Boss Meri]

Update 13th August: Trekkers radioed in from Naduri and I was able to read out some of your messages up to page 3…sorry, if I hog the radio too long I will be kicked off as its a party line and mainly used for emergencies.

Rod is going to try and call again tonight if they can get a radio signal.

According to Rod they plan on spending the night at Myola Junction.

If they are lucky they may get to meet Ovuru Ndiki who lives in Naduri

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[Casey]

Hey Doug,

How is everything going on your adventure? I hope you are having a wonderful time and aren't too sore . Started at work on Monday and it is going well so far. Just easing my way into everything.
Your mum called me last night to let me know that I could contact you, so I hopefully you do get this message.
Well I miss you lots and lots and cant wait to see you when you get back. I am working this saturday so i have sunday and monday off. So i can spend monday with you relaxing if you like.

Take care and stay safe
Love Boo xoxo

[Kelszy]

Message for Ben….

Honey I am extremely proud of you…. I never doubted you in trekking the kokoda trail. You don't have far to go now…. Hang in there as I know it wouldn't be easy. Everyone thinks you are amazing and wish you every success.

Stay safe and look after yourself. I love you and can't wait to have you back home.

Just remember there ain't no mountain high enough or valley low enough to be achieved. You are almost there.

Lots of Love
Kel

keep on trekking and trekking and trekking

[Mars]

Hi Craig

Took Maverick for a drive, mum and dad say Hi and hope you are enjoying the experience and time.

Nicholas hopes you are having a good time at the canoe. (I keep trying to explain that you are hiking but for some reason he thinks you are canoeing) He loves you and have a good time.

Nicholas keeps asking what day it is and when you are coming home.

James hopes you have seen stuff about what you raed in your book before you went away and that you are having fun.

Forgot to tell you yesterday that Nicholas received a merit certificate for always having a go at new tasks and challenging tasks. Sounds a bit like you at the moment. Keep on trekking, having fun and enjoying the experience

Bye for now
Mars

[rosslyn]

Hi everyone,

Saw the update on the net and that you are all still going. Good job and keep it up. We are all counting down the days until when you get home and are able to share your adventures with us.

I hope it is everything you wanted it to be and possibly some more??

What a great bunch you are

Keep on keeping on.

Lots and Lots of love to you all (particularly Neil and Doug)

Rossie

[Dianne]

Hello again trekking family

Well another day is done and i guess you will all be settled in for the night – serenaded off to sleep by the eukelele.

Met up with Shirley (Ben's mum) at the newsagency – seems there was a frenzy on newspapers today – luckily we managed to secure the last 202 copies (just jokes, actually 201) – she mentioned that she was going to send a copy off to the Salvation Army for some reason – she thought the recent photo might help to recognise him if he called in for help – I thought that with a hat like the one he is wearing, everyone would recognise him but didn't like to say that – you know, just in case they had given it to him. Anyway, Shirley and Brian send their love and best wishes.

Kathy Glasby popped in for coffee this afternoon – she and Stan send their wishes as well, wanted to know how the "old fellow" was going?????

Not a great deal of news – Leah and Oscar say hi to all !!!

You are all doing so well – ahead of schedule, only 4 more sleeps – you should all be rather chuffed by your achievements.

Take care all – hugs and more hugs

Di and Mum

[Henah]

Darling Chief – and fellow adventurers.

Another day has drawn to a close.
I am sure by this stage of the day you are ready for a good nights sleep.
Well done on completing another day of your Kokoda adventure.

We miss you all dearly here. More as each day passes.

Went for a bike ride this morning – am feeling a bit sore.
No where near as much as you probably. But I feel good knowing I've done some exercise – for the month! hehe

Zach: Spoke with Sarah today. She is doing okay. Sounded a bit tired. She has been keeping up to date with the forum – checking all the photo's. They headed down the coast today – hopefully have a bit of R&R.
I am passing on her message – both she and Isabella miss you very much, hope you are having a great time, and are REALLY looking forward to having you home. xo

Am having morning tea with your Mum tomorrow.
Hopefully we will be looking through photo's of you as a child! How adorable!

Watched the Cook and the Chef this evening. Wasn't quite the same without your singing along!

Well my love, I better go check the oven – have some chocolate muffins cooking – don't worry – I will save some for you!

Think of you often (every moment I am awake – and in my sleep! ) and pray for you throughout the day. I trust you are having a great time. God speed and strength be yours daily (and hourly!!).
I am looking forward to holding you – and having you home.
Sweet dreams – with love, Han xo

[williams]

Hi Richard and everyone for that matter – Glad to hear you are all doing well. So proud of you all.

Hoped you remembered to take all your antibiotics Richard and you are feeling better. I know – I can't help being bossy even from this distance.

Robyn said to say hello and hopes you haven't lost too much weight.

Take care. Love you heaps.

Nan, Mike and MadelineXXXXXXX

[Casey]

Hey hun (Doug),

Hope you had another wonderful day trekking about. I hope you are still keeping well and your knee isnt giving you too much pain. Also, I hope you dont have any other injuries either.
I cant wait to hear all about it when you come home. I have been able to see some photos online which is great, so i know you are doing fine.
I have 8am starts on Thursdays at work for morning meetings so I am going to have an early night. Take care, rest well for another big day tmr. Love you very much sweet dreams
Love case xox

[Kelszy]

Hi Guys

Just thought I would pop in and check how you were all doing???

Also just wanted to mention that I caught up with Margaret tonight for a little bit of girl sanity. By the way Craig thanks for cooking us such a wonderful steak. Just the way we like it….. Vegies were a little crunchy but not all boys are perfectionists at cooking vegies.

Ben I hope that the meal Craig prepared for you over there with your resources was just as tasty as ours.

See you at home on Sunday night – thought you wouldn't mind trekking a few more miles since you are already into a routine… Wouldn't want to spoil you now would we… You never know what few girls might get up to in the mean time though……..

Checking for more updates tomorrow. Have a restful night and we will seek info tomorrow.

Love Kel

[Mars]

Hi Craig

Thanks for dinner, boys love it when you cook! Hope you have cooked just as nice for yourself as you did for us.

I'm with Kel, what's another couple of miles and you are in a routine so we'll be at home. Cach you there! Unless we forget and we are at cold rock.

Have a good nights sleep and don't let the bed bugs bite!

Keep up the good work
Mars

[Dianne]

Morning my trekking loved ones –

Thursday has arrived and you are closing in on Kokoda – I say watch out Kokoda – they are coming full steam whether you are ready or not !!!!!! These guys are on a mission and will not fail to complete it !!!!!!

Knowing the hearts of each of you, I know that with each day that passes the feeling a closeness to your guides and porters will be stronger and having met Rod and Wallace, have no doubt that they will be beside you all of the way, encouraging, sustaining – I dare say that they would carry you if you needed to be carried – that's the type of guys they are. I feel that life long friendships are being established here??? Wow, that is sounding really "soppy" huh ? Guess I have been on my own too long !!! Just saying what is in my heart as I find I am developing a love and deep respect for the people of PNG myself – any real estate for sale up there Dazza ????? Just jokes, Darryl knows that when I fall in love with a place in this wonderful world of ours, that I just want to live there, but then "Slap" and "Slap again" – I am Australian, I live in the most wonderful place in the world !!!!!!

Well guys, I can only repeat what I tell you each day, I love you and am so very, very proud of you all – I know there will be some things that have happened on track and will stay on track, but can't wait to hear about your adventure.

Already planning a bbq a little down the "track" after your return (no pun intended) – thought it might be good for you all to get together again (when you are not so trekked out) to reflect on what you have all done and achieved.

Have a great day my loves and extended family

Will check in again tonight – 3 more sleeps !!!!

Di and Mum

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