2014 walk

1401 walkers, 350 volunteers, $3.6 million raised and a fabulous way to see Melbourne.

My reason for this walk was for all the women I have known that have either fought or are still fighting the bitch called cancer but my most foremost reason is my Mum...who I lost too young in the year 2000. So this was dedicated to her

We were cut loose at 7.15 am Saturday morning to walk after arriving from the Motel we stayed at Friday night...was  great, we just dropped off our luggage to the volunteers and they had our bags in our assigned tents that night...so we didn't have to do anything....breakfast, lunch and dinner was all ready for us at the times it was needed....those volunteers do a great job...so a BIG shout out to them for starters.

We had a great walk on Saturday going through very pretty tree lined streets of Kew and then onto the main roads and trams going by...little coffee shops and side walk cafes and strangers in packs...cheering us on as we walked by....such a nice feeling.

We had pitstops about every 5 k's loaded with food and drink for us which was fabulous as well as the ever important port-a-loos

And yep...I found one in pink...

The walk towards lunch was very exciting as we walked through Federation Square with people clapping and cheering.....very exilerating...but the best bit was walking past Peter Mac itself...the staff were out there to welcome us...and that was it for me....that lump I had in my throat just about choked me - so the tears just poured and a lovely lady from Peter Mac just wrapped me in her arms and hugged me so tight...and thanked me for walking....such an emotionl experience.....I don't think there was a dry eye anywhere...

Lunch....aahhhh...time to take off the runners and socks...the worst part was putting them back on....however I carried plenty of spare socks in my back pack.....a good idea!

The rest of the afternoon was great....we walked around the M.C.G - then along the Yarra....Melbourne really is great isn't it

Oh and we had cornermen...especially at the big main intersections...but Seano and I should volunteer next year, they were on motorbikes, but their helmets were decorated with PIGTAILS AND MOWHAWKS!.....W'ed fit right in Seano

My team had split up a bit as were all at different paces - the last 5 k's I shuttle bussed it back as my gammy hip was really starting to hurt..to the point where I don't think I as actually walking anymore.....it was more a swagger, minus the John Wayne legs and spurs lol....god it hurt....so straight to the  Physio Tent for me as I really wanted to walk again the next day I knew I had to preserve myself a bit...so he taped my lower back into a straight jacket form...then I plopped myself down in the yoga tent where she manipulated me and put ,me in positions I didn't know the human body were capable of,,,but it helped...heaps.

Dinner and bed was the order of the evening....I don't think anyone was up past 9.30.....

5.00 am Sunday....oh boy...here we go again...up and packed and in the breaky tent by 6.00.....a few sore and tired bodies wandering around...but a great determination to get the day going ...

I was still sore and a bit slower than a few of my group....so they set off at 6.45...some left later and I alternated between 5 k walk....then shuttle to next pitstop...then walk 5  then shuttle and so on....just to give me a chance to walk the finish line and not have to be carried over lol...

But wile on the the first shuttle I met some other injureds, including a 73 year old with - like me  -  gammy hip....so we stuck together for a while and walked slowly...then I caught up with a another couple from my original group for a while...then back to my second group for the walk over the finish line....so we walked slowly across it and were so grateful to have been able to do that.

I then found one of my original team who had bailed at the 10 k mark due to blistering....after about an hour 3 more of my original group came through....followed by the last 2 about 1/2 hour later....so between my 2 groups...lots of victories!!

The rest of the walkers came through as the afternoon went on...

Some with arms in slings....some in wheel chairs with legs braced up....some hobbled...some ran over....some came over the line solo...others in duo' s and some in big groups...other mustered up that last bit of energy and ran.....but no matter how you got over that line...you GOT over it...

Many people had their own personal stories and reasons for why they were  there to do this walk - mine.....

In memory of my Mum......Shirley Ann Brewis who passed away on April 19th 2000. Aged 53 - This was for you Mum...love you and still miss you so much xxxxxxxx

AMTRA- Thank you so much for your generosity and support to do this walk.....lots and lots of love Bob.....

Johnny, my very supportive hubby....Thank you xxxxxxx

Bobs ready to go dirt bikin now....bugger this walking caper when you have 2 wheels and a motor under ya

THANK YOU !!!!!!

Well Done Bob!

Great job Grasshopper.
Know how much the walk meant to ya and how I tried to stuff the tissue through the phone
You should be proud of yourself.
Al, Shaz and Coop's

good on ya Bob well done
mum would be proud

Big congrats Bobby Girl on doing this for such a good cause.... Well Done
...cheers Marls & Frog

Wendy, you are forever marvelous.
Phil R.

G'onya Bob, top effort.

Well done Bob, now get back on ya bike....

top effort bob,you rock