Morning my family

I am hoping that you all had a good night's sleep in Kokoda last night ???

No news to tell me that this is not the case so can only hope that you are all there.

Can't wait for the hours to tick by so I can trundle off to my favourite place – the Airport !!!!

It will be great if you get back to Port Moresby early enough to have a swim and just relax around the pool. Keep save my loves – just hours away from home now.

Luv you all heaps

Di, Mum

Dear Gail and Russell

I seem to be saying "Thank You" to you a lot lately !!! Yet thank you does not seem to say near enough –

I have entrusted my husband, three sons, and seven dear friends to Kokoda Trekking and have not felt that they were unsafe or uncared for at any time. Your wonderful son Nathan made it possible for our loved ones to meet with their guides Rod and Wallace well before they embarked on their trek which added to our confidence that we had made the right decision and that they were in safe, experienced hands. THis confidence has made it a lot easier for those of us waiting at home.

Just to be able to see photos and keep in touch each day has meant so much to each of us. This contact on your part I know is under difficult circumstances having tried to call PNG a couple times myself, I know the frustration of phone lines and the unreliable communication services.

It has opened my eyes to actually see the areas and surrounds where our guys are each day and I personally feel that I have developed such a great respect a genuine love for the people and culture of PNG.

I am sure I can speak on behalf of the wives, girfriends, mothers and friends of our group in saying that this forum has helped us not in just checking in on our guys, but in that we are able to communicate with each other as well – We are all sharing the same experience.

I know this will not have been a "walk in the park" for our guys and that some days the going would have been tough, but I am wondering if the bonds of friendship and reliance on each other may far out weigh any physical pains they may have experienced.

Apart from keeping in touch with our guys, the site also allows you to share with other groups as well and brings to light amazing stories as that of Alan Hazell and his son Jackson. I must admit that the tears fell when I read his story and saw the faces of the beautiful children left without parents to care for them. How does one say thank you to a man like this – obviously the village people know how and have shown him the honour that he is worthy of. So thank you for sharing this as well – God bless you Mr Hazell for the wonderful work you have done – we have so much they have so little but have a great deal more for having met a man like yourself. Another plus for your forum !!!

So Gail and Russell, I hope that all who trek Kokoda with your company will take the time to sit a write just a few words of encouragement to you both, as well as their loved ones. You provide an amazing service – one that I will be recommending to anyone who may wish to extend or challenge themselves by walking Kokoda.

Once again, I can only say "Thank You"

Kind regards

Dianne Jorgensen
Trek 463
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Hello family – just heard the news that you are "lost" ????

In your quest to find Charlie, you have lost yourselves ???? I am praying and trusting that you are just a little of the beaten track so to speak – maybe even found a short cut to Kokoda?

I will check in again in the morning – oh dear, it is morning – I will check later in the hope of some news that all is ok and that you arrived into Kokoda .

Love you all so much

Mum and Di

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

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

Hi to Darryl, Craig, Aaron and Brett and all for that matter.

Hope you are all doing ok – think of you all constantly and praying for you all. So proud of all of you, take care – Rod and Wallace i have no doubt, will get you all through.

Hugs, and hugs,

Di (mum)

Morning my family and extended family

Hope you all had a good night sleep – I cannot tell you how good it is to see your faces and know that you are all ok – and having some fun along the way. Oh how i wish i were a "leach" along the way – just to hear some of the antics i know you will be getting up to.

Gail is keeping us updated – today looks a little "muddy" – something i guess you all expected.

Spoke to Dannii last night, as well as Rosslyn, Mary, Nancy and Kelly. Just to let them know that they can check on their loved ones as well.

Showed Leah the photos – don't know why she called you daggy Dazza ????????? Perhaps a term of endearment??? How are the Pigeon English lessons coming along ???

Have a great day guys, i am so proud of you all – i must be the luckiest wife and mum alive – i think you are all amazing. Look out for each other – I will check in again tonight. Believe it or not, i am actually going to leave the office today – I may head towards Brisbane, because i know if i go to Ipswich, I won't leave the house again for another three months.

Take care my loves

Mum ( Di or Mother to Dazza )

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Hi Guys

Great to know you made it safely into PNG – we waited to see the plane take off, just to make sure you all went – I see by your smiling faces in the photograph that you are all present and accounted for – although you had a later than anticipated start, you made it to the cemetery. Scenery looks fantastic –

Guess you have had a great day – sights have left you feeling a little "elevated" (pardon the pun)

Rather upset that Dazza has one more passport stamp than i do – just jokes – missing him terribly – very different than just a night shift – i know he will be home in a few hours.

Take care guys, love yous all (I think someone famous once said that) – have fun, keep safe, hugs to Rod and Wallace – the pressure is on them to get you all through – they are great guys and i know they will do it. Message for my man Dazza – don't forget to give the blue bag to the Rod and Wallace or Gail.

Hugs for all – have a good night sleep – only 8 to go.

Love

Dianne