After a chilly night of camping we started running right from the turn for last night’s accommodation. We didn’t get more than 12km in before we had our first lost runner. (I’m not going to blame Prachar, our team captain, for any misinformation. :-) )
Communication is so critical out here. Fortunately, our runner suspected he went the wrong direction and was back at the main road of the route by the time we reached him. (Good job Muggi!)
In the meantime, we received a call from lost property at the caravan park we stayed at last night. One runner, we won’t mention any names (Misha), left behind his sleeping mat, a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. It’s a monumental task to keep track of all your belongings out here. We are in a different location nearly every night. We do our own laundry and hang it wherever appropriate. We leave at all different times each day. There are two different vans for the boys team and one for the girls. It’s a miracle that we don’t lose something everyday!
Once we were back on the road, our Kms were run off very smoothly. On my second leg of the day (we take turns in a leap frog style for most if not all the way) I met a very nice group of travellers at a rest area along the B100. (Sorry, didn’t get a photo) They greeted me very enthusiastically and had even already taken the time to look us up on the web. (After having passed us by during one of the earlier legs.) It’s these kind of meetings I love the most. People are so spontaneous and speak straight from the heart.
In Adelaide, there was a large turnover in the team and four of the five women team members joined, just leaving one of the original cast. We've been a team for four days now and I am appreciating how easy and cohesive it feels to be with these amazing women.
Nastia (The Nurturer). Nastia plays a huge role in making sure the team is well fed. She is incredibly organized with all of the shopping and food storage that needs to be done for 16 hungry runners. She is also endlessly curious and ready to lend a caring ear.
Dhavala (The Navigator). I trust Dhavala to get us to wherever we need to go. We've been on runs with her before and appreciate how she combines sensibility and competency with a wonderful sense of humour.
Susan (The Creative). Susan is our local who plays a leading role in guiding our team. She is vastly talented and creative, always imagining new and inspiring ways to improve our presentation.
Luiza (The Generous). Luiza is our main photographer for the girls' team. She has the skilful eyes to see and capture the beauty of Australia. Also, she is so free and generous with her laughter that it feels like a real gift to receive her joy.
(Me). Just trying to keep up.
Thank you so much Pier Hotel in Port Lincoln for so generously providing accommodation for a third of the team. A sound night’s sleep is priceless!
The second men's team ran 50km from Tumby Bay to Port Lincoln Navigator College and over their left shoulder, the beautiful Louth Bay and Boston Bay open up. Interestingly, Rathin tried to film runners with a drone, but the radio signal was suppressed by the nearby Port Lincoln Airport.
A peaceful moment before beginning to run for the day.
A short stop off for some happy sustenance.
Peeta and Lisa at the Smokemart in Port LIncoln were curious and came out of their shop to see what we were all about. Good timing because we really wanted to get some powerful lighters for the windy runs
A big thank you to Woolworths of Port Lincoln for supporting the team with a gift card which we quickly turned around for supplies of food. The team will eat very well tonight thanks to you!
The runners had fast legs today and by the afternoon the team had covered the entire day's 165km and reached Port Lincoln. There the team had a ceremony at Port Lincoln Navigator College, a Lutheran school.
The team was warmly welcomed at the school and introductory remarks before the ceremony were made by Jamie Fewster, Head of Middle/Senior School Pastoral.
Students Pippa Hinchey and Jake Gaskell received a Certificate of Appreciation and a Jharna-Kala artwork for participating in the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run.
The ceremony was documented by journalist Charlotte Martin from the Port Lincoln Times and Eyre Peninsula Advocate.
After the ceremony at Navigator College, the team went to the Ravendale Sporting Complex, where Port Lincoln Football Club President Carl Semmler provided indoor camping facilities. Thanks to Carl Semmler, for the initiative and kindness shown!
"Peace is Immortality's song-oceans." Sri Chinmoy
