Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
december 24
We rang home today so that Brooke, Dillon and I could Skype our
loved ones on Christmas Day Australian time. After Brooke made me
a breakfast of pancakes, I ran 70 kilometres during the morning and
early afternoon, then we contacted the family. It was overwhelming
to see them all. I longed to be there with them. Mum said, 'Get home
as soon as you can. Your Christmas pudding will be waiting for you.'
december 25
My children and I celebrated mass in a little church along the way.
It's strange to think that on Christmas Day 2010 we worshipped in
Sydney's great St Mary's Cathedral, where I approached Archbishop
George Pell and asked him to pray for me. After mass, we found a
cafe in the lovely town of Puerto Varas and had lemon meringue and
caramel pie. Despite having to do without ham, pork, seafood and our
usual pudding, it was a Christmas feast we will never forget. Brooke
and Dillon told me it was one of the best Christmases they had ever
had, even though we were all feeling a little sad and nostalgic, missing
Lisa, and we knew that time together here is running short for us. But
now I must focus. There is too much for me to accomplish before I'll
dare to look forward to being back in Australia.
I had no time or money to get presents for the children, so I gave
Dillon my watch and enough money to have it engraved when he's
home. On the back it will read: 'Make every minute count . . . Love
from Dad.' I gave Brooke a little Russian doll handmade by a woman
in Longyearbyen. There is supposed to be a series of ever-smaller dolls
inside, but this one was empty, so I wrote a note: 'Dear Brooke, I love
you, and no matter where I am in the world I am always watching over
you.' They presented me with a T-shirt they'd bought in Sydney. The
message on the front? 'Life is a highway.'
december 26
I said goodbye to Brooke, Dillon, Katie and Gustavo this morning, then
flew to Punta Arenas after a day's run. Katie by now will have put my
kids on a plane for Sydney. Gustavo has gone home to Mexico. Greg
