March 3, 2021 Live from the road

Napier - Hastings - Waimarama Beach

Reported by Vera Sevastiyanova 45.0 km

We started our run around beautiful Napier towards Bledisloe School.

We meet a lady from Greece who is fascinated by our Olympic like torch. A local gentleman approaches and answers all our questions about how the first people of New Zealand had the confidence to leave their home shores and trust they would find land. He explains to us the story of Kupe and the Octopus, and also tells us some local history of the area.

Don't stand here in the middle of a storm or an earthquake! The waves are positively crashing down on to the stone beach beneath us.

Susan tries not to ruin the shared scarf at the communal knitting booth.

We arrive at Bledisloe School and are escorted to the assembly by the school councillors. This small group of children are elected by their peers on the basis of speeches they give on different topics.

Students offer us a beautiful artwork dedicated to Peace.

The not so peaceful skit !!!

The kids Boo !!!

"Boo !!!!!! "

We applaud the teachers for all their hardwork for making Bledisloe a peaceful school.

Peace Run....

We continue our run towards Waimarama Beach.

Team debriefing before the school visit.

We reach Waimarama School.

The school has fifteen children.

The kids find peace inside their hearts.

Is this Peace or what ????

Meanwhile our team member Harita Davis is running a marathon from Bledisloe school to Waimarama School.

The marathon route.

Idyllic in parts.

Spectacularly steep in others.

But she made it. Well done Harita!!!!

Torch carried by
Daniel Rubin (South Africa), Harita Davies (New Zealand), Mandra Laing (New Zealand), Niryana Marshall (New Zealand), Preetidutta Thorpe (New Zealand), Sean Abbott (New Zealand), Susan Marshall (New Zealand), Vera Sevastiyanova (Russia).  
Photographers
Harita Davies, Niryana Marshall
The torch has travelled 45.0 km from Napier to Hastings - Waimarama Beach.

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