total received funds
Sponsor our team and help us raise money for Oxfam Australia.
We're well past our target of $5,000
Sponsor our team and help to overcome poverty and injustice.
We've raised $6,875.
We're walking 100km. Help us make a difference.
No Sleep Til Bedtime are gold fundraisers Help us reach our target of $5,000.donate to our team
our top online donors
- Trivia $1,628
- The Mint Bar and Restaurant $500
Go for it you bunch of scallywags! (inspirational)
$500 can provide a water harvesting system to supply clean water for 200 families in South Africa.
- Anonymous $400
where does the money go?
31 August
The debrief
After welcome showers and the sleep of the dead, the team shared a well earned celebratory meal in The Rocks. Thanks again to all who donated to the cause and also to Bill (extra thanks for bringing the car up), Juliet and Orr for their support on the ground up in Sydney.
31 August
The finish!
We finally made it into Mosman just after 11am on Saturday, in a time of 28 hours and 7 minutes. We were team 173 across the line out of 510, and 53rd Open team of 195 across the line. The last section was rated only a 1 out of 5, but still involved sections across beaches and a final 300 metre set of stairs. With legs screaming, feet bruised and blisters pulsing, the spirits instantly lifted as we spotted the finish line. An epic day and night and a course that was very tough ensured that we'd all have varied and special memories of the Sydney Trailwalker.
31 August
Night hiking
No sleep til bedtime enjoying soup and a break at checkpoint during the night. Highlights of our 40km walk through the night included: numerous warm snacks, Bill meeting us walking into each checkpoint, Juliet taking food and drink orders as we collapsed into chairs, each team member experiencing hallucinations in the bush as the shadows came to life and rock hopping across creeks in the Garigal NP after rain and catching half an hour sleep in the car as Bill and Juliet watched on in the rain from the footpath under golf umbrellas. With Matt out of the event and everyone tiring, the team dynamic in a word could be described as quiet...The track had a number of steep drop offs and cliffs into the bush and waters below. The lack of visual stimulation which accompanies focusing on the 5 metres of track in front of you for hours on end can be taxing and really takes its toll but as dawn arrived, our spirits also began to lift
31 August
Hill climb in Ku-ring-gai Chase NP
Hill on stage 3. This is part of the hill which took us to the highest point we reached in Ku-ring-gai Chase NP. A descent into the beautiful Apple Tree Bay where we met up with the support crew for the first course of our progressive dinner. We arrived on nightfall and head torches became visible descending from the bush into the checkpoint
31 August
On the boardwalk
Stage 3, on the boardwalk across the swamp. The sun was getting low in the sky at this stage and the quads and feet starting to make their presence known. Matty pulled the pin at checkpoint 2, after the gruelling undulations of the first two stages resulted in cramps, compounded by dehydration caused by the warm day. This photo is of the Boardwalk around 35kms into the day. Bill and Juliet were incredible as support crew, with charcoal chicken rolls lifting the spirits at lunch.
31 August
On the start line
Just prior to the 7am start from Parsley Bay on the Hawkesbury River. This is PC - Pre Carnage. The nerves quickly lifted as within 1km we were climbing a steep ascent. This set the tone for the first 3 stage (42.5kms), all of which were rated a 4 or 5 rating out of 5. This meant loads of steep and long ascents and descents in some remote bush. We were absolutely blessed with the weather, maybe a little warm once the heat of the day set in (there were bushfires on the south coast), but the thought of doing this course on a wet day is unthinkable
24 August
Trivia night
Thanks all who attended the trivia night and helped make the evening such a resounding success. We have now reached our fundraising goal and hope to push up towards $6k, which would certainly be beyong our expectations. Congrats to Soph for picking up the print and pity on Doc's uncle who will be receiving the signed RFC jumper. Sydney now beckons and Friday and Saturday are forecast to be "Fine" and 21/25 degrees respectively, which is a relief and should make for great walking conditions. Thanks to Carolyn Buckley, Fosters, Coca-Cola, Richmond FC (signatures), ABH (Mint, Portello Rosso, Murmur, Penny Black), Coles, Peter Abbott (Survivall) and Nick Kennedy for their kind prize donations.
24 August
Trivia MC Pete
Peter doing his best Tony Barber expression. Thanks for your time Pete and for helping make it such a fun evening
11 August
City to Surf/Training/Trivia
On the training front, we've recently taken on the Aquaduct walk in Mt Evelyn and last weekend Doc, Shaun and Simon headed up to Sydney for the City to Surf. The organisers of the Puffing Billy fun run graciously awarded the team prize to "Billy One, Matty None" which included entry and flights to the 14km fun run in Sydney. It must be stressed that we secured this under the "Random Prize" method of prize award, as opposed to the over-rated "First Team over the line" method. For anyone interested in running, this event is a great experience - great weather, beautiful views, an ACDC coverband, an accordian band playing the "The Theme for Rocky", crazy costumes and running gear becomes acceptable pubwear. With an updated team name "Billy Two, Matty None", the team was rounded out by Dan and a solid effort was put in by all. The trivia night kicks off at 7pm at Penny Black on Thursday 20th August. On offer is a prize of a $150 drink/food card from Penny Black. We'll be auctioning off a fantastic print (see below) and a RFC footy jumper (thanks Rachael at RFC), signed by Ben Cousins amongst others. We'll also have a raffle for Gold Glass movie tickets, a Coles voucher and petrol voucher (thanks Nick). Hope to see you there for a fun night of trivia...
19 July
Print to be auctioned at Trivia Night - "Going Somewhere!"
The print "Going Somewhere!" will be auctioned at the Trivia Night (20th August). It was inspired by the protests of Buddhists monks in Burma and is comprised of photographic source material taken in both Shanghai and Melbourne's CBD. It was awarded the Charles Du Rieu Trophy by the Melbourne Camera Club, received recognition on the Austrian Super Circuit (2008) and also received a Merit in the 41st Ballarat National (2009). Carolyn has exhibited at the Daylesford Convent Gallery and will be exhibiting at the Ballarat International Foto Biennale from 4th September. The print size is 406x542mm and is in a black frame. If you would like to bid but can't make the Trivia Night, please send an email to simonwbuckley@hotmail.com
19 July
Great Ocean Walk
This weekend's training was a 38km course along the coast from Aire River to Marengo near Apollo Bay. The route meanders along the coast through the Otway NP past Cape Otway Lighthouse, Parker River, Blanket (AKA Prince Michael) Bay and Storm Point. The brisk southern winter conditions necessitated that we rug up and a start of earlier than 10am may have ensured a finish in daylight hours. Without mobile coverage and torches, we raced against the failing light and pushed through at pace with minimal breaks. A night in the forest or traversing the rocky coast in complete darkness provided the team with an incentive to keep up the momentum. The walk was a challenging, but also satisfying, step in our training. The Ashes and Tour de France also provided an appropriate atmosphere for debriefing post walk
19 July
Gut walking in Aire River
This is the view back to the bridge at Aire River where we commenced our walk. A Big Breakfast, consumed at La Bimba in Apollo Bay provided only limited energy stores for Matt, as he made a technicolour deposit on his way up the sandy dune in the first kilometre of the walk. The personal toll of Matthew's Ben Cousins inspired yawn resulting from his "gut walking" was indeed an inspiration for the team
19 July
Where's wally?
Now you might find it difficult to believe, but a 38km walk can generate more than a few inane and trivial observations. Matty's old favorite game of Spot the Koala generated much interest and sore necks. Matt's eagle eye managed to sight a veritable menagerie of wildlife and sea going vessels. His portfolio would have made Noah jealous, comprised of 7 koalas, 2 wallabies, 4 surfers and a number of vessels. Simon's resume of sightings, although enthusiastically compiled, was less impressive and included a single koala, a windmill and a grotesque Yeti turd. This picture shows team No Sleep Til Bedtime with some wallabies on the dunes between Aire River and the Cape Otway Lighthouse.
19 July
Gumbledore, a man of all seasons
Shaun "Gumbledore" McGilton braving the icy waters of Parker River. Note the pinstriped purple leggings paired with aqua boardshorts - a little bit beach, a little bit alpine
19 July
Race against the dark - Three Creeks Beach
With relief we exited the darkness descending on the Otways Forest on to the coast at Three Creeks Beach (see Doc leading the way in the photo). The light was draining from the day and we ended up walking, occasionally running, the last half an hour in the dark. As we reached the apex of Bald Hill, the lights of Marengo beckoned and we were met on the outskirts of Marengo by Juliet who'd bought along a few torches. All in all, a very long and grinding walk with limited breaks along an exceptionally beautiful stretch of Victoria's coastline. It wasn't until we'd had hot showers, lit the fire and partook in a meal of pizza and beer that we began to feel human again.
06 July
Lawnbowls
Thanks to all who braved a chilly Melbourne winters day to parktake in lawnbowls and a barbie at the City of Melbourne Bowls Club in the Flagstaff Gardens
06 July
Bowling under pressure
The competition on the greens was ferocious, with the fiercesome combination of Buckley and McGilton prevailing over some very stiff competition. Matt looked for any excuse to drive his bowls with cannon like force into the gutter, whilst Doc wielded the tongs with aplomb.
05 July
More lawnbowls
We ran a tournament, with the final taking place in the far lane (Lands End) which had its own weather system. Special thanks to Nila and Matt McGilton for making it after getting married the previous day, Juliet for braving the journey away from her deathbed after a weekend with a shocking flu, Pete, Jantina and Nick for bringing along their little ones on such a chilly day and also the Bowls Club for their support. On the training front, I managed to squeeze in a 33km walk down at Victoria's own Van Diemen's Land, French Island. Rusting, unlicenced vehicles abounded, although there was no sighting of the Singing Budgie. It was with great concern that I witnessed the winds strengthen after hearing the ferry had been anchored for 2 days recently due to high winds and great relief when the ferry arrived into Tankerton from Stony Point. A fortnight from now the plan is to do a 40km section of the Great Ocean Walk (more than likely finishing in Marengo, where, if we play our cards right, a lamb roast and roaring fire will wait).
28 June
A demon descends
On Saturday, Beelzebub confirmed his ongoing support for No Sleep Til Bedtime. This week's training was a 15km hike from Warrandyte to Lower Plenty. Doc and Shaun backed up the next day for the 10 km Run Melbourne fun run. Upcoming training hikes include a tilt at Frankston to Portsea (after last year's Richmond to Frankston walk) and part of the Great Ocean walk near Apollo Bay. Lawn bowls and BBQ fundraiser next Sunday in the Flagstaff Gardens. The cookbook is now available for a very sharp price of $10, with loads of recipes contributed (thanks for everyone's support), including some from Penny Black, Portello Rosso and Mint
14 June
Waiting for the Yarra Punt under the Westgate
After a scenic start wandering through parklands adjacent to the MCG and meandering along the Yarra, today's training walk soon became a tour of Melbourne's industrial wastelands. We took in the sights of Fishermans Bend, Newport and Altona which was educational, especially if you like your factories and refineries either gutted and run down or simply big. We saw a number of locals attempting to catch 3-eyed fish in the dicey waterways. We also saw the best fishing kayak set up ever - depth finder, 4 rods and a stubby holder for starters. Historical highlight of the jaunt was passing the ruined remains of the Williamstown Race Track at which Phar Lap ran.
14 June
No Sleep Til Bedtime and the Pollywoodside
We did a 26km walk today from Richmond to Altona. We were accompanied by Juliet and the baguette in Williamstown went down a treat. Matt was unable to make it as he has swine flu
09 June
Training update/cookbook
Training to date has included Puffing Billy fun run (14 kms in the Dandenongs), nine laps of the tan (34kms), hikes along the Yarra Trail and even a few walks in southern China...We entered the Puffing Billy fun run as a team and won the random prize draw which turned out to be flights and entry into the City to Surf in Sydney, so we'll be in Sydney to check the lay of the land a few weeks before the Oxfam walk. The cookbook will be finalised in the next few weeks and should be available at the Penny Black bar launch or softcopy via email
27 April
Let the training commence
After completing the Melbourne Trailwalker last year, team No Sleep Til Bedtime is reforming for the Sydney Trailwalker which is to be held in late August. We've obviously forgotten about the pain and blisters...On the fundraising front, we're doing another cookbook, trivia night, auction, cooking class and more to be announced. I'll be updating the web page with notes and photos from our training and also fundraising events.
