First Day On The Road On The Australian Mainland
Michael drove me to my start location a small seaside town called Queensclifff just outside Melbourne.
Just before I touched the water to begin two runners from Geelong Running club Joe and Zdenko arrived to take it in turns running with me the 32km to Geelong. One drove while the other ran.Later we were joined by Joanne.
On the run Joe told me that he is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa and despite being here only 1 year he has set up a small running club in the area,well done Joe!
Zdenko originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina has been living here over 20 years. He met his Bosnian wife who has lived in Australia since childhood while she was back in Bosnia for a long holiday. Long enough for them to date, fall in love and then for him to move over here.
So Joanne was the only true Aussie of our group as Michael told me he moved here from Yorkshire in 1970 with a £10 ticket as it was known at the time. The Australian government was crying out for people to move down under during the 1960′s and 70′s paying peoples air fares should they make the move. In fact my own parents were almost moving to Perth in the 60′s for they had all the paperwork and backed out at the last minute. There was something sad about such a move for many families then, long before cheap airfares not many returned. I often wondered how my life would have panned out had I grown up here in Australia.
Today on the road we stopped many times for Joe had a well stocked car full of jelly gums and cola!
Joe, God bless him went to a lot of trouble contacting local hotels on our behalf and finally the Quality Hotel agreed to give me and Michael a complimentary night with breakfast included.
Joe had also arranged for about 10 members of the running club to meet for dinner at the Boat House restaurant where the club treated us to a very pleasant dinner.
In a nearby park Michael gave an impromptu clinic of his revolutionary soon to be famous recovery techniques.
.
.
Finally my run across Australia will be dedicated to my step father John Foley who died this day 5 years ago, March 13th 2008. So no better man to dedicate my Australian run to than John, the kindest and gentlest man I have ever know. Rest In Peace John, you were very much in my thoughts today your fifth anniversary when I started my run across Australia.
March 13th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
Congratulations on the start in mainland Australia Tony and your beautiful tribute to John, who indeed was the kindest most gentle man to ever live. R.I. P. John
March 13th, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Thanks Tony for the lovely comment you made about John, every word you said is the truth. He was a beautiful man. We are so pleased you are dedicating your Australian journey to John and delighted you are doing so well yourself. Take care. Look after yourself. Love mam
March 14th, 2013 at 4:54 am
Such a priviledge to meet u and hear some of ur stories over dinner at the Boathouse in Geelong. u truely r an inspiration. i look forward to following ur journey online. all the best.
Anna.
March 14th, 2013 at 11:46 am
Thank you very much Anna and all the club members for a very special time on my first day on the mainland. You guys certainly made Michael and me so welcome, we talked about it a lot today. Good luck to you all with your running and your new running club. It was also very special to run with some of the club. Keep on running!
March 14th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
Hi Tony, great start to the Australian part of your run. Grandad would be proud of you. Such lovely and true words you wrote. Keep on running! Serena
March 14th, 2013 at 9:32 pm
Hey Tony—been off the blog during your time in Tasmania—and now it is a step into the great outback–this should be good!!!—-no pack, no bottles no Nirvana—don’t get lazy on us!!!!
Anyway–good running—yep, you are truly on the way home now!!
Cheers Greg
March 14th, 2013 at 9:34 pm
tony, a great start to australia. hopefully michael will make the trip a bit easier. you deserve all the help you can. well done. kevin
March 16th, 2013 at 7:42 am
Hi Tony, It was fantastic to have the opportunity to run with you and hear more of your story over dinner. I hope you gave Meredith a wave for me as you passed through!! I can’t wait for the next instalment of the blog! Go Tony! Go!