Day 10 - We are Almost Home

When we rolled into Muswellbrook yesterday afternoon, it was so lovely to see some family members already there and cheering us on.  We proceeded around to the PCYC to the lovely Muswellbrook Lioness Ladies who once again provided us with the most delicious lunch followed by their yummy home cooked slices.  

Break Stop 

After this we headed to the Railway Hotel to have showers and await the arrival of lots more family members.  It was lovely to hear all the laughter and chatter as everyone relayed all the stories of the last 10 days to their families and friends.

Shari and the Captains even did an encore performance of the Can Can for all the family and friends who had come along.  Poor Todd did a hamstring and had trouble getting on the bike today !

For the last day of the ride, all the Captains are asked to get their teams to vote for who will wear in the Special Jerseys as we cross the finish line.  These people are voted overall winners of the Ride and get to keep the Special Jersey that they were voted the overall winner for.

Team Harry in consultation !

Overall Joker Jersey Winner - Ged Dorahy - for supplying so much fun and laughter every day and really embracing the Camp Quality motto of "Laughter is the Best Medicine"

Overall King of the Mountain Jersey Winner - Sal Lewis - this is Sal's first Ride and her husband Clint is also riding so she has juggled training with working, raising two young kids and looking after Clint and she has absolutely smashed the Ride.

Overall Most Supportive Jersey Winner - Stu P - always offering to help everyone, always there when needed and generally an all round awesome guy.

Support Crew Joker Jersey Winner - Clive Palmer - Clive has been involved with Camp Quality for many years however this is his ft time on the Ride.  He is so full of jokes, fun, laughter and his big beautiful smile makes a room light up.

Most Supportive Jersey Winner - Shari Nichol - for going above and beyond in her duties of helping Donna in the lead up to the ride and for keeping all the rider's spirits up daily with the mountain of costumes she wore each day and the roadside shenanigans.  Amazing !

Fines

Norm was fined for having 14 missed calls on his mobile from people trying to find out where the Ark was and him saying someone had turned the phone down !

Clive was fined for being out of uniform AGAIN. Lianne was fined for leaving the coffee grinder sitting on the outside of the coffee van while they were driving along.

Big G was fined for almost stepping on Carol's head and waking everyone up so he could get to the kettle to make a cup of tea.

Cath and Norm

Last night when we went to bed, there was once again about 8 of us sleeping in the lounge room. Wacko was in there with us.  Once he got into a deep sleep we got out the permanent market and drew on his face.  It was the funniest thing - we were all laughing so hard and I thought I was going to have to resuscitate Norm.  One again Wacko took it all in good spirits and was a great sport when he got up the next morning and looked in the mirror to find the words "Norm was Here" written on his forehead!

Beckles on Pancake Dutyu

Everyone was up bright and early this morning - I think they can all smell home and are eager to cross that finish line and get back to their families and friends.  We are all on the road and heading to Singleton for a break and then the CWA ladies Branxton for our yearly sugar fix - they do the best cakes and slices!

Will keep you all posted.

Donna. x

Day 9 - Quirindi to Muswellbrook

Last night proved to be a"painful night" for some people.

Dishpig had announced to everyone that because it was his plan to actually ride next year, he would need to get his hairy legs waxed and so was selling wax strips that could be used in the "big wax off". He has ended up with some patches of hair still remaining and some patches where he was waxed - a patchwork leg and got $110.00 for the children!

Dishpig's Leg

Denis

Poppy Pappy jumped on board and agreed to auction off the waxing of his chest for $500.00 which also took place.  In my opinion the person who got the raw end of the deal was the lovable Stu P who lost ONE only eyebrow!  He made $210.00 for the kids - talk about going above and beyond.  I think an eyebrow is worth at least $2,000.00.

Stu P - Before

Stu P - After

Well done Dishpig, Poppy Pappy and Stu P for providing the night's entertainment and embracing the spirit of the ride.

Brad has had to go back to work so the awesome Denis has arrived to take over driving the Arc back home and assist Norm.Thanks so much Denis.

B1 (Ashley) has taken off her Barista hat and put her Nurses Hat back on and jumped in the Medical Car with Doc Ally as Doc Roger is catching the train home to go to a wedding.  Doc Rog has been so much fun on the ride and we have really enjoyed having him and his "dapper looking" outfits that he would pull out of the back of the Medical Car with Doc Ally to assist the Media Car with Fun Therapy.  

Big John has jumped out of the Spare Car and into the Coffee Van to assist B2 (Lianne) and Massage Kristy has jumped into the Spare Car to help Dishpig by doing radio duties.  Everyone is so flexible and willing to jump in an doing anything required.

The riders are on fire this morning.  They were up for breakfast before it was cooked and on the road ready to go 10 minutes before they needed to.  Both Cara and Blake are back on the road and riding today which is great to see.  Everyone is so bonded and are guiding each other through the tough bits and embracing the fun bits along the way - it is incredible to see and an absolute privilege to be a part of such an amazing group of people.

We are now on our way to the Wingen Pub for the first lunch stop of the day.  More blogging soon.

Donna. xx