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24 August
Bros Final Pre Event Blog
With only 48 hours until the event the intrepid Brothers are in their final preparation mode for kick off at 830 Friday morning. Fox has been shushing down the slopes of Mt Perisher as preparation of his machines, Felly has been selling his illicit wares, Pauly is preparing to wake up on time and Skipper Needles has minuted and scheduled everything down to everyones morning constitutional and probably even Pauly (the pussy dropouts) alarm clock. Needles casserole recipe has been been adjusted for Fellys beef allergy and trail mix recipes have been debated agreed and delegated. Extra toilet paper is in the bag for Pauly after his previous indiscretions. Felly has been allocated 20 minutes for putting his boots on and we will meet in the last carriage of the 634 rattler from Milsons Pt for final instructions and pre event team bonding. Thanks to all our family, friends and colleagues who have given their support - 20k is a HUGE fundraising effort for this wonderful cause. In advance - thanks to our super support crew of Super Sub (and part aboriginal tracker/come Tea Lady) Selby, Huggies, Katy, Jen, Holly and Sam. The lads all pumped and prepared to carve up those bitchy hills in synch to Needles Iphone playlists. Please remember to follow us on the TEAM TRACKER so you can will us on. Dont forget all SMS messages will be greatly received at any time of the day or night. The post event blog could be interesting - we know it will be triumphant !!
16 August
Blog 11 - Twins trek the Bridges
In the absence of Pauly the "pussy drop out" (again) and our English import Felly - the hardcore twins of the Brothers outfit (yes Skipper Needles and the Fox), set out to trudge the 7 bridges course of ol Sydney town. A mere leisurely stroll for the boys these days - Needles and the Fox hot footed the course in around 4 hours whilst solving the problems of the world. Along the bridge trudge we encountered one of the lovely ladies from team "No Excuses". Trailwalkers obviously have a common bond as this young lady picked us out to acknowledge our efforts and common bond and to wish us all the very best. Good luck and go the ladies from 'No Excuses' !! - see ya on the trail !! A very civilised lunch ensued at the Kirribilli hotel where strategies were hatched to complete the job which is less than a fortnight away. One last team session next week of 18.5 ks as training now tapers. The boys are primed and ready for "match day" and there is a real sense of anticipation and excitement as final plans and preparations are detailed. Registration and briefing is Wednesday night. Go Brothers !!!!!!!!!!!!
04 August
Blog 10 - Brothers
Faced with the daunting task of the big “50” from Berowra to Balmoral - last weekend saw Pauly officially become known as the ‘pussy drop out”. A similar ankly injury to the Foxes occurred the prior day at Hockey and Pauly decided to sleep in and let his Brothers do all the trekking while he played with Facebook. Selby was on song again as he not only drove his intrepid brothers to the trail – he met us for lunch with Needles beef casserole crusty rolls and Bakers delight blueberry scones to finish !! Felly was a little below par with 2 games of hockey the prior day and more than a snotty nose but to his credit soldiered on bravely even battling cramp at around the 45k mark. The number of kms and time on the feet/legs will serve us well as we face the down hill run toward the event. Next weekend to change it up it’ll be a light 14k City to Surf for team training. 4 weeks to go and the Brothers are looking the "real deal" – if you get a chance a lazy lobster on us via CentreBet will yield good odds. Fundraising efforts too have been outstanding with the team topping the 10k mark with a few more $ up the sleeve to bring to account!! Go Brothers !!!
04 August
Blog 9 - Brothers Step It Up a Gear (a)
As the countdown commences in earnest to event weekend our last two sojourns have really tested us out. 3 weeks ago we knocked out a cool 36km over the section of the course with toughest rating which served to really test out both pins and ‘plates of meat”. Super Sub Selby has backed off the training and retreated into the support role due to his undying man love for his brothers as well as his deeply entrenched desire to serve – (not to mention a dodgy hammy and AC joint). Whilst Selby is missed on the walks themselves, the benefits of a personal valet, cook, tea lady and coach can’t be understated. As we have come to expect the Brothers antics have continued throughout boot camp!! Skipper Needles decided in his wisdom that that the Fox should lead the down hill section of the course at speed and then whipped him into a frenzy by rolling out “Walking on a Dream’ at volume via his IPhone tunes. The result was disastrous, as the Fox at speed took a tumble whilst jamming down a steep section at the 5k mark. Luckily the resultant ankle damage was not bad enough to stop proceedings but the remaining 30ks down the hills was a will tester. About the same time Pauly realised that he should have taken his mothers advice and ‘gone” before he got in the car. Needless to say, he did what he had to do so very close to Mother Nature and walked on “undeterred”.
04 August
Blog 9 - Brothers Step It Up a Gear (b)
Recognition must be given to English import Felly who despite breaching our salary cap restriction continues not to disappoint through his creative wardrobe. The inventor of the proprietary sock ‘knack sack” to protect his right Jacob – this week turned up in his mountaineers check shirt in combo with the customary long shorts and footy/hiking socks and boots. Looking like a goat herd from sound of music we expected Felly to begin yodelling at any moment but the best we got was his customary one line expletives at the bottom of steep hills. Whilst Felly’s wardrobe isn’t entirely functional, the German ladies we encountered on the trial told me he looked cute and very fetching. Nice one Felly!!
11 July
Blog 8 - Bros Whoop it Up at the Bay !!
Thanks to all our loyal supporter who came along to the Woollie Bay last Thursday night for the fundraiser! A great night was had by all with DJ Craig of New Brighton Hotel fame hosting the evening which featured prominent comedian Gary Eck. Poor old Felly seemed to be the butt of many jokes (there is some solid material there to work with) - but when Gary realised he worked for a pharmacuetical company it was on for young and old with lotsa quality gags. The silent auctions and coin slides were a winner with most of the blokes having a crack at nearest the pin and losing some solid hard earned for a great cause. Thanks again to all who supported us including the Woolloommolloo Bay pub, Coca Cola, Woolworths and Haskel Daniels Left of Centre entertainment company. A quick reminder - your heroes are at the Crows Nest every Friday night from 530 !! Selby is happy to kiss babies, Felly will be selling his illicit wares, Needles is manning the kissing booth,and the Fox will sign autographs for a limited time only.We just hope Pauly shows up.
05 July
Blog 7 - Bros grope around in the dark (and the wet) – again!!!!!
With a number of key players unavailable next weekend the Brothers resolved to complete a backup jaunt of CP 6 to 7 on a cold and wet Monday night. Super sub Selby (now aka as ‘The Tea Lady”) was the star of the evening through his good hearted efforts in driving the 3 participating tragics (Fox, Needles and Felly) to the start point of the trail and returning to pick up 2 and a half hours later – with a cup of ‘Lady Grey” tea ready and waiting for the cold and sodden trudgers. Our beloved Skipper did however excel himself by running into an errant kangaroo that came bounding across the dark misty trail – only to actually almost knock the great man over. Such was his shock – Needles tumbled down the hill toward the river only to be saved by the long arm of Fox who was 1 step ahead on the trail. This jaunt also saw Felly’s problems with is Jacob matched by Fox’s dramas with chafing to his man breasts. When band aids didn’t cut it as a solution - the Fox charged off down the track much to the surprise of Felly and Needles who were left standing in his wake. Pauly was again conspicuous by his absence so further no shows under the guise of dodgy alarm clocks and dicky hammys will just be regarded as plain old apathy. Our fundraiser is on Thursday Night at the Woolly Bay!! Don’t forget – be there or be square!!
05 July
Blog 6 – Brothers jaunt the scenic route!!
With Pauly benched due to hammy problems, Hayden Kemp (renown Eastern suburbs pinot sipping party boy) stepped into the fold for a light 17k stroll from checkpoint 1 to 2. After only arriving home at 1 from the prior night’s activities, “Kempovitch” scored well to even make a start. His metal was soon tested as the very first part of the 100k walk is a solid 1km climb at a kindly 45 degree gradient. Kemp (much to the joy of his loving team mates) was sweating pure pinot within 15 minutes of being underway!! This leg (rated 4) in degree of difficulty was tough but inspiringly scenic – which seemed to fit into Kemps plans, as he scoped out potential locations for future random romantic interludes. Kemps antics were only matched by the Fox who sense of direction is only exceeded by his propensity to wipe out tailgating bikers with late right hand turns in his sexy gold commodore ‘Bertha”. Needles had his GooJi out again but most of the Brothers preferred a lazy Milky Way from Felly’s kit especially after he waxed lyrical for 5 minutes about their nutritional value. Jason Selby (former hard core army commando and part aboriginal tracker) set an early cracking pace with Skipper Needles out front, whilst the Fox and Felly supported Kempovitch as he struggled early with his excessive pinot output. Line of the day once again would have to go to our English import Felly who was heard to describe himself at the end of our trek as ‘wet as an otters pocket”. Now this blogger hasn’t seen too many otters (nor for that matter inspected their pockets) but we’ll take your word for it Felly!! The quality of the bacon and egg rolls and lattes at Berowra were only exceeded by the scenery of this leg and the outstanding company!
29 June
Blog 5a - Brothers become the Wheredafarkarewees
The Brothers resumed training as a team this week after taking a dim view of the trail last start by completing night manoeuvres. The legend known as 'Fox' (yours truly) was joined by Selby – recovering form his damaged AC joint courtesy of a hockey collision brought a note from his Mum claiming he isn’t afraid of the dark, our “Dick of the Day”, Pauly “claimed” that he slept through his alarm, Needles – the Groups trusty leader and cockeyed navigator and our visiting English pro Felly – fresh from his first Yoga encounter and prepared for nursing his right Jacob through our longest walk yet with a well placed strategic sock in lieu of the sought after "knack sack". We set out from St Ives at Mona Vale Rd (near St Ives showgrounds) and walked to near CP6, then to CP 7 at Davidson Park. (Roseville Bridge) then from CP 7 through CP 8 and then to the finish. The navigators estimate was approximately 31.5km and 9hrs. That’s not quite how we finished though. After 7 hours 40 minutes we reckoned we nailed closer to 36kms – and it could have been more if not for our part aboriginal tracker Selby.
29 June
Training Blog 5b - Brothers become the Wheredafarkarewees
We came up with a few interesting insights/learning’s on this trek – like the fact apples can make you crook when walking long distances. German cougar joggers with walking poles can make you feel bloody inadequate (even if really Noomfties in disguise). It does matter if you are looking at the map upside down. Sucking on an empty water bladder whilst claiming its faulty is just f…. dumb (yes – yours truly Blogger Fox had a “Barry Crocker”). Paulys lengthy new retro flaired walking pants make his ass look pretty damn hot & Fox has the best legs on any bloke ever known to man and can push out a mean decline push up in the wild. The Balmoral stairs at the end of our walk weren’t particularly welcomed because our weary crew by that stage were showing signs of wear and tear with sore feet and legs. Friday night’s fundraising frivolities at Crows Vegas seemed a long time ago. By 230 it was time for a therapeutic bath and ale so we gladly retired to Needles humble digs – “Chateau Chandos” to obliterate a meat tray, relive the day’s fun and games to retro 80s music hits and wrestling with Ruby our mascot. Remember get your RSVPs in for Thursday the 8th – tickets are going like trail mix on a 36k trek !!
23 June
Fundraiser Night - 08-07-10
Hi all! Thanks so much to all of you that have donated to support us in our OxFam charity fund raising efforts!! We have our fundraiser coming up on the night of the 8th July at the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel. It will be a great night – for a small token donation of $40/head we have a high profile comedian, DJ later in the night as well drinks, food and fun. Come along to support us – your donation is deductible!! RSVP is via our face book page: 'Oxfam Trailwalker 2010 Band of Brothers Team'
22 June
Training Blog 4 -The Bros do it at night !!!!!!!!
The evening of Monday June 21 saw us hit the trail for our first night jaunt on the area between Berowra and Mt Colah – course rating 4 (tough). Conditions were treacherous after Sunday and Monday rain so rocks and tree roots were slippery and bog abounded aplenty. Felly and Selby were conspicuous by their absence – both will require notes from their Mums (we know they are really scared of the dark). The jaunt didn’t get away to a great start as Blogger Fox forgot his (my) pants and had to undertake the journey in bike shorts. As dead sexy as this was – I can tell you my arse stuck to the seat when I got back in the car because it was dead set frozen. I’ve had the feedback from the boys that I’m pretty good at giving everyone stick in the blog, so this week Id better report factually and accurately with respect to my own stuff ups! Yes – I also forgot water so I was as dry as a chip as well on completion. With glow sticks and minors lights we hit the trail – slow going at first, but we were moving well by the time we hit Bitch Hill. Needles had fun telling us Blair Witch stories – trying to scare the crap out of us while we groped around in the dark. The nights trek sure was a challenge but has prepared us by further familiarising ourselves with the twists and turns of this part of the course – that we obviously expect to hit at night.2 hours on the nose was a good time in these conditions !
13 June
Band of Bros Training Blog 3(a) - Double Trouble !!
Today’s Trek saw us tackle 2 challenging legs of the course back to back i.e. from Check point 2 to 3 and from 3 to 4. Berowra via Apple tree Bay to the Sphinx. So……… in the past 2 weeks we have nailed the most challenging legs of the course rated 4 and 5 !! Total Kms walked today were officially 22km but with Needles the Navigator not quite at his sharpest, I think I can safely say that a few laps around Bobbin Head Marina added a couple for good measure. Some say Needles compass went askew - but we believe 2 close calls to the scenic little café was due to our fearless leaders desire for a latte and a bacon and egg roll!! (This lunatic blogger would have happily sucked this up for the betterment of the team). Some magical scenery presented itself today in the wee early hours with early morning mist and filtered light rolling through the mangroves and valleys and the pristine water ways of the lower Hawkesbury inspiring us to keep trekking. The boys were all in good form – Felly’s dodgy hammies are but a distant memory – he is now far more focussed on his chaffed right “Jacob” and reeling in “Noomfties” who are leading us on track. He leads a run up behind them from a position where we can’t be sighted like a manic Ninja and then casually overtakes them with a little banter including garbage like we have walked all night! At one stage I recall Felly (our one allowable English import that we could fit under the salary cap) - on approaching a steep climb mumbling a distinctly enthusiastic “Bollocks”.
13 June
Band of Bros Training Blog 3 (b) - Double Trouble !!
Pauly – resplendent in his skins and new anti moisture shirt was putting out enough heat at in 6 degrees to run a small regional NSW town. Those extra layers worked a treat. Pauly generously kept us going with refrigerated mini mars bars in loo of Needles GooJi – which has been put on hold due to budgetary constraints. Ruby not only has sensitive skin but has also run down her pads to the extent that she was bleeding on Saturday. The RSPCA have been informed and its expected Ruby will be whisked away to a shelter tonight for emergency pad implants. Super Sub Selby enjoyed the ride today after proactively advising everyone to up weight their packs and then himself carrying very little. (very crafty Selby). Some really steep hills – including one we have christened ‘bitch” at least 45 degrees gradient and close to a kilometre. Nasty stuff and not for the feint hearted. Next week some stair running to change up the training routine !! Ruby may be back in action if Needles can get her out of the RSPCA shelter. Our Facebook site is now up and running which is Oxfam Trailwalker 2010 Band of Brothers Team. Log on to see what we are up to!! Keep the evening of JULY 8 free as this is our big night charity fund raiser at the Woollie Bay Hotel – You will all receive invites in the next week or so.
06 June
Band of Bros Training Blog 2(a) - We hit the trail !!
So who were the “Band of Brothers” ………. This was the story of "E" Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division from their initial training starting in 1942 to the end of World War II. They parachuted behind enemy lines in the early hours of D-Day in support of the landings at Utah beach, participated in the liberation of Carentan and again parachuted into action during Operation Market Garden. They also liberated a concentration camp and were the first to enter Hitler's mountain retreat in Berchtesgarten.... A fascinating tale of comradeship that is, in the end, a tale of ordinary men who did extraordinary things.........just like the 4 lunatics who have undertaken to accept the Oxfam100k mission........ Our second team training session saw us hit the track on Sunday at 530am from Checkpoint 1 at Cowan to Berowra - the toughest part of the course (rated highest degree of difficulty) with super steep climbs and descents in muddy and treacherous conditions after Sydneys big wet. All team members present and accounted for - including "super sub Selby" who regaled us with tales from his Army days - 16km route marches with a 45kg pack and rifle.
06 June
Band of Bros Training Blog 2b - We hit the trail !!
Ruby was given a lay day in preparation for her visit to the vet this week (yes - she has sensitive skin !!). Needles came armed with his exotic GoJi seeds from China/Tibet to assist when energy levels flagged - Felly preferred the comfort of the Quickiemart 2 for the price of 1 confectionary bin - beneficial for his dickie hammies. Pauly powered through despite his recent bout of the dreaded lurgi and was sweating up a storm pretty quick. A few stops along the way to 'smell the roses" and take some action shots didn't detract from a great first up time of 2hr 55 for this leg. Average time recorded is 3 hrs 50 so this was a great first up hit out. We met a few other intrepid walkers on the way - best wishes in particular to team 511 'Busted". Conversation included some classic topics including the great 'jocks or no jocks debate" and Fellys desire for a proprietary issue Huggies 'knack sack" - no further explanation warranted. The bacon and egg rolls and lattes at the end of the trail were awesome - with much fun and enthusiasm shared about next weeks training which will include the two other most difficult legs - back to back !! Time to muscle up boys !!
