Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While we're together, Brooke and Dillon will run alongside me for
a few kilometres a day in Virginia, North and South Carolina and Texas,
and we'll say goodbye in New Orleans. Brooke, who is worried by my
wasted frame, says she'll make sure I eat nutritious food while she's
here. We'll take quiet time together to share memories of Lisa.
When I ran around Australia on the Centenary of Federation Run,
Brooke was four and Dillon was one, so they've hardly any memory
of that event. Then I stopped running to be in politics from 2001 to
2010, so for most of their growing-up years I've been a bloke in a suit in
Canberra. That wasn't the real me. As well as raising money for the Red
Cross, this quest is giving me a second shot at being the man I know I
am. The kids are seeing their father for real now, running again. I told
Brooke I am once again the man her mother fell in love with.
The kids know the sacrifices that they are making—not having me
with them for an entire year, perhaps losing me forever if something
bad happens—are not about me realising a personal dream, but about
attempting to end the suffering of communities across the world who
have no clean water and whose lives would be saved if water pipes and
wells could be installed in their villages. The kids accept that I sold the
family home and went into debt to fund the run. They believe that if
we raise the money it will all have been worth it.
As well as Vegemite, Tim Tams and lots of hugs, my kids have
brought me the gift of music, in the form of an iPod loaded with Katy
Perry, Justin Bieber and Delta Goodrem songs. Brooke will sing and
play for us each night. Bernie managed to buy that guitar for her, at
a music store we passed back on the road. As usual with Bernie, his
happy-go-lucky personality appealed to the bloke who owned the
shop. He recognised Bernie's Aussie accent and asked him if he knew
Tommy Emmanuel. Of course, Bernie, who plays guitar, is a fan of the
great Australian guitarist. The proprietor then asked Bernie what he
was doing in the United States, and when Bern told him about my
pole-to-pole run, the fellow gave him a second guitar free of charge as
a thankyou memento.
June 28
Today we crossed into North Carolina. I am getting through this trek.
Having the kids here has totally changed the atmosphere of the run:
