Amherst Party
Alfred and his wife Denise couldn’t quiet do enough for me during my stay in Amherst!
In my last entry I mentioned Alfred picked me up at the new service station in Taylor’sStation. After a massive breakfast they dropped me back there on Friday morning for my run into Amherst. The temperature was around zero degree C. The windchill factor made it about -10C. I was well wrapped up and actually enjoyed the 44km. Alfred and Denise stopped by around lunchtime with a delicious hot coffee.
I enjoyed my rest day in Amherst just chilling out and did a local newspaper interview.
Denise with the help of their 7 year-old daughter, Joanna were very busy preparing for a family house party on the Saturday night. So after I overloaded with about 6 kilos of snacks for the road Alfred brought me over to see his friend Michael for a coffee.
Michael seemed extremely interested in the World Jog asking unusual and specific questions. i got the impression he would love to be doing a similar trip but on a motor bike. Many people have told me that in many ways I am living out their dreams. He seemed to be a bit disappointed he had to go to his bar job that night and not the party.
At the party there were 2 Chinese students. I quizzed them about routes and visas but they didn’t seem to be very sure.
I also had an interesting exchange with a Turkish student who couldn’t quiet understand why everyday is not a chore for me going out running a marathon plus.
” So what’s your favourite sport? ” I asked him.
” Rugby. ”
” And who is your favourite boyhood rugby team that you would just die to play for? ”
He names his team.
” Well today was road day 39 for me…. I am living my dream, would you feel it was a chore playing your 39th game for your dream team? ”
” A good point! ” he says.
There was so much good food there that I ate and ate and ate! Had a good laugh with many of the guests then Alfred calls me aside for a special introduction to the guests.
If that wasn’t enough he handed me a package and wished me a safe journey and a Merry Christmas. I said I would open it on Christmas morning but they were having none of that. I peeled open the package to find a pen with my name engraved on it in a pen case with the World Jog along with the logo on the case! I was gobsmacked, totally blown away. How thoughtful! And there were 2 of my favourite Big Turk chocolate bars taped either side of the case!
Next morning Alfred finds a card in the hallway from Michael. It’s a Christmas card and $30 dollars to buy lunch on him… What people!
It’s always hard leaving. Never easy. This is a fact of life of such a trip. It seems every week I meet at least 2 or 3 really incredible families. The Lushman family are no different…. The hardest part about travelling is leaving.
Alfred escorts me out to where I finished on Friday and then he pops up 5km later just before i crossed the New Brunswick borderline!