08 March

5 weeks and counting

Hi everyone, we've just tipped over the $3000 mark! A heartfelt thank you for supporting us in spirit and through your generous donations. We're on the countdown now as just over 5 weeks remain until event day. Last weekend saw us knock over 3 difficult checkpoints 1-4, including Sherbrooke Forest and the infamous Hackett's Road. Jo scaled the climb into Sherbrooke like a mountain goat, leaving us in her wake! The training is clearly paying off for us all though as Hackett's Road somehow felt easier this time around. The wildlife is beautiful and random rustlings from the bush keep us on our toes. We continue to put in as many km's on the road during the week as we can. You know you're in trouble when a 3hr walk hardly seems worth getting out of bed for. We want to make a real difference and are committed to our fundraising target of $5000. If you haven't yet donated and can help, please use the link on this page. Our sincere thanks again. Until next time 'The Fab Four' x

22 February

So how hard could it be really.....

Believe it or not that was my mindset when begging Sharon to do the Oxfam Trailwalk with me this year. Knowing Shaz had done it in the past, I thought what a terrific experience it would be to do it together and piggyback off her previous experience! Little did I know just what I was asking. So my rationale was this... I've trained and completed a full marathon, something that I thought would be the toughest physical and mental challenge I'd ever embark on. Granted, the Oxfam lark is longer at 100km but it's not running, so really... how hard could it be!!! Well, I'm here to tell you... bloody hard! The terrain, whilst being incredibly beautiful and breathtaking, is challenging to say the least, so too are the hills and mountains that greet you at every turn. There are some nice long flat trails too, but after walking those for a monotonous 3 hours you are almost clapping with delight when faced with a rocky mountain track that really only a goat could manage. Ok, so that's the tough bit but we do have fun too. I'm not sure if it is genuine humour or the delerium that sets in, but we do have some jolly good laughs... particularly for Shaz and I listening to the sisterly banter of other team mates Jo and Kristi. Talk about typical siblings... too funny!!! So onwards and upwards (literally). I'm pleased to report to family and friends that my injury is well and truly on the mend and thanks to the support of you all I am stronger in mind (body not far behind) than ever. Thanks too for those of you that have supported me and the Fab Four with sponsorship... feel proud that you are supporting a very worthy charity and many disadvantaged communities around the world. Until next chat... Deirdre

21 February

Keeping on Walking!

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We are keeping on, keeping on! Hi everyone and a huge round of thanks from the four of us for tipping us over the $2000 fundraising mark. A terrific milestone on the way to our target of $5000. Your generosity, support and jibes along the way are a great motivation. Since our last update we've been training on our local Beach Road in Melbourne, the Warburton trail and the stunning Yarra Ranges National Park. Check out of the photo of Deirdre, Jo and Kristi standing beneath that area's most stunning canopy of trees. Deirdre is soldiering through a calf muscle injury, well supported by qualified medics while her team-mates tell ridiculous stories to distract her while walking. Go Deirdre you are a superstar and we hope to have you back to full capacity very soon. Next Sunday we'll be heading out for a 35km walk, leading up to our first night walk effort and culminating in a 47km hit-out before event day on April 16. Today Jo suggested our support crew may like to organise a fireworks celebration everytime we make a checkpoint, now there's an idea for you! Until next time - Jo, Deirdre, Kristi & Sharon 'The Fab Four' x

03 February

Getting Moving!

Hi everyone! Firstly a huge thank you for your words of encourgaement and support. It makes a big difference. We're now well and truly into our training, hitting the pavements around the city 4-5 times per week and heading out to the track every Sunday. Last Sunday saw us bouncing out of bed at 4.50am (that may be overstating it) to drive out past Lilydale in order to tackle checkpoints 3-5, a medium to tough 25kms. Sherbrooke Forest was so spectacular we decided to spend some extra time wandering around (read 'just a little lost'!). Deciding we had seen enough, we successfully detoured around the gardens, closed due to a total fire ban and soldiered onto the infamous Hackett's Road, taking no prisoners on the way. It was 37 degrees in the shade and blowing a gale so the cover of the Dandenong National Park on checkpoint 4-5 provided some welcome relief. That was fairly short lived however, tackling the Melba track with it's extremely steep, rocky decent gave the quads the best workout of the day. To the guys that ran past us and down the descent in an expert fashion, we are in awe! It was lemonade icy-poles all round at the start of the warburton trail to help us with those last 2 kms, they've never tasted so good. So, 25 very tough km's later we climbed in the car for the long drive home. Tired, a bit heat effected but still laughing. We will get a team photo up shortly and post updates so do check back in. And if you haven't donated to Oxfam yet but have a few dollars to spare, you can always go straight to our fundraising page. Thanks again for all your support! Jo, Deirdre, Kristi & Sharon 'The Fab Four' x

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