The Ride Begins Day 1
Wow…what a wonderful send off from Kempsey, a big crowd gathered to say goodby at the Kempsey skin Cancer Clinic which is where this whole journey with melanoma began almost two years. a crowd gathered to wish meack up crew, Joe and Esther, well and also to draw the raffle. With first prize going to Kerri Scobie won first prize of the wonderful weekend farm stay at ‘Bermurrah Homestead’ at Pee Dee via Bellbrook, Jodie Cliff won the wonderful painting by Anita Humprhries, and local legend Bill Smith won the two final prizes of the chainsaw package Donated by Greg and Regina Hawkins of Hawkins Mowers and Chainsaws Kempsey and the $2oo voucher for Retravision donated by Janeelle Clarke from Greenhill General Store.Amazing with nearly two thousand tickets sold many of them out of town, that four locals won the prizes! I left town at about ten am, to lots of cheering and clapping. As I crossed the Kempsey Traffic Bridge I was surprised by a large group of my TAFE colleagues cheering and waving a few posters, gave me such a boost I hardly felt the climb up the big hill…it was so wonderful, I have felt very nurtured and supported throughout the time I’ve been planning and preparing for this. I am taking all that wonderful positive support with me as I head down the highway.
After the raffle I left town and rode to Port Macquarie in very high temperatures. It was stinking hot, now wind, tons of traffic.
I averaged 19 kilometres an hour to port, but had a couple of 15 minute breaks en route. I arrived at Port just before two pm, just in time to get set up for St Joseph’s Primary School, and presented to the whole school of 450 kids . Esther and Joe were great getting all the gear ready and set up for me. The students were wonderful, engaging, curious and had some really cool questions about melanoma and skin cancer. One of which was ‘are the uv rays stronger in an aeroplane because your closer tothe sun? StJoseph’s are going to run a fundraiser day and donate the tally to ride4racure. We stayed with friends at North Haven and caught the ferry over the Hastings River. Joe loved it and had a fish in the Hastings before we kicked off this morning. Last night we caught up with friends and well wishers at Finians Irish Tavern in Port for a beer and counter tea which was great.
Joe is the dedicated caravan set up person, and is very nifty at setting the camp up! We are so grateful to Watson’s for the wonderful sponsorship of this Jayco van, it certainly makes things easier and more comfortable.
I had a couple of interviews, the Macleay Argus and Port Express, also the TV (not sure which channell) filmed me at St Joseph’s while I was giving the presentation. I slept like a log for a good 8 hours and woke up feeling on top of the world and ready for my ride to Camden Haven high school.
