Unite For A Change

Well here I am after a few days recovery reflecting on a journey that pushed me to my absolute limits both physically and mentally. When I originally started planning this walk back in early May I was extremely unsettled with global society. I thought that people were unwilling to change, to put up their hand and take responsibility for the state of our world, and do what they could to change it. By December 24^th 2010 my opinion had changed drastically. I am now more confident then ever in humanity as a force to overcome the injustices that the majority of our global population are exposed to daily. What it is going to take is courage and tenacity from us all. We cannot continue to be bullied by an elite class of dictators that are constantly deciding the fate of our global community. We have been backed in to a corner and it is time that we started to fight our way out. The key lies in our youth of today - we are the solution as much as we are currently the problem. We have been cultured in to believing that the superficial and materialistic society we live in today is the way the world should be and very rarely ask why? The basic fundamental principles of a community have been abandoned and replaced by an egotistical and individualistic viewpoint. It does not take a large amount of effort to reach out to those around you, to lead, inspire and help someone in need without expecting anything in return. Regardless of what environment you are born in to compassion is something that is innate within all of us. If we are to unite against a common universal enemy we must start by rebuilding a more altruistic society. One that focuses on morals, ethics and respect for one another, with an understanding that we are all unique in our own way and that regardless of race, gender, culture, or political and religious beliefs we all fall under the banner term of humanity.

For everyone out there who has supported me and believed in me along the way I would like to say thank you. It was the strength of you all that helped me push through to the end. I hope by now many of you who have been following my trip understand that a proactive approach to change is required. Our youth, our children – our future will be the ones to inherit our legacy. Lets make sure we give them every opportunity to experience the world for all it is. Keep the faith in humanity and keep fighting the good fight.

Until next time – Be the best you can be.

Alex Petrou

Alarm goes off… Alex looks round and sees familiar things.. bed side table – check.. pillows – check..  smell of coffee and breakfast – check… I WAS AT HOME! It all seemed surreal. I had made it in under 30 days. Ken picked me up at 7am and then dropped Lyndall and I back out at Edmonton.

When we jumped out of the car Lyndall and I laughed at how short a distance we had to walk, 2 hours pfft – easy stuff. While we walked in to Cairns city Potts and Pacey called for a quick interview – thank guys for your support, ABC also called – Cheers Richard, you rock!

At around 5pm I woke up and looked over at Lyndall’s bed only to find her gone and the room smelling of some serious wet clothes. I jumped up and gathered my clothes and as I walked outside I noticed Lyndall talking to her son Cory and her best friend Peta. At first I thought damn, she pulled the pin and is going home but then Cory gave me a wave and I figured they were just visiting – it almost felt like jail and Lyndall had visitors but I didn’t! As I walked over to the laundry I realised I had to wash all my clothes, which was entertaining because all I had to wear was a towel, nice Al – I was all class. Anyway supporting a supreme bony figure I walked across the caravan park showing off my new found collar bones and my apparent lack of calf muscles to talk to Cory, Peta and Lyndall. I could see Lyndall was excited as I know how much she adores Cory and how much she appreciates Peta as her friend and in a way it made me happy to see her happy. Lyndall and I spoke to Peta and Cory about our growing concerns for a small stretch of road just outside of Innisfail which offered no lighting and minimal walking space. It was dangerous and we knew it. We made the decision to have Cory and Peta drop us on the other side of this stretch of road and thank god we did. The rain was so heavy that even in a vehicle Peta was struggling to see the road and as the three of us Cory, Lyndall and I observed the road it became apparent how thin and dangerous that stretch of the highway was. Once we were in the safe zone Lyndall and I exited the vehicle.  As much as I would like to say we jumped out on the move and landed like I know Chuck Norris would have, it was nothing of the sort. Both Lyndall and I got out moaning and groaning like a pair of two twin four year olds. While I fixed my bag and Lyndall sadly waved good bye to Cory and Peta step by step we pursued on until finally we reached Babinda at around 1am. With a maximum of 3 hours sleep we were knackered and it seemed like a fabulous idea to sleep under the cover of a corner shop for a few more hours to try and re-energize before walking to Fishery Falls the next day.

Dear Blog Readers, I joined Alex for the last week of his journey from Brisbane to Cairns and I would like to share with you my thoughts and some of the history about Alex. He is far too humble to share some of his achievements and I feel this will give you a better insight into why I wanted to join Alex on this trip.

Alex and I have known each other for 5 years through our association with Marlin Coast Rangers Football Club. When I met Alex I thought he was confident, charismatic and charming. He was also quite 'cocky' however in my opinion it wasn’t in a negative way. Many people over the years have mistaken these qualities for arrogant and conceited. This has never been the case and these people have only looked skin deep or  judged him on the way he acts on and off the football field and they have not taken the time to talk with him or get to know him.

On the football field he was an unpopular (and well respected) opponent because he was difficult to stop when he had the ball and if you had the ball you needed to be prepared for the worst. Everyone at MCRFC new his game day ritual so you didn't talk to him when he was in this mode. He would put his headphones on and listen to his music, he would take his time to get ready (he was always one of the first players there), he would stretch, warm up and then at game time he was ready to unleash his fury on the opposition. The discipline and focus Alex displayed was extraordinary and this always ensured he was ready to play the best he could under any circumstances. He was his own worst critic and also acknowledged when he was having a good game or an ordinary game which he carefully dissected every aspect of the game with other players and the coaching staff. If you were Alex's friend he stood by you no matter what and he looked out for you on and off the field. He helped my family through a very difficult year by be-friending my son Corey and giving some friendly and thoughtful advice. I will remember this forever and am truly grateful he was there for us when Corey needed someone to talk to.

Day 22 was a great day for me for two reasons. The first was I had a day off due to the ground I had covered over the past three days (which my feet needed) and secondly because a good friend of mine Lyndall phoned and told me she was meeting me in Townsville to walk the rest of the way with me.

I first met Lyndall at my soccer club (The unstoppable Marlin Coast Rangers) when I played with her partner Ken and her son Cory. Lyndall competed in her first marathon last year and was planning to compete in a handful of events in 2011. Naturally I was happy for Lyndall to join me so she could challenge herself and support me during my last leg.

For the rest of the day I did nothing but rest and catch up with a few friends (Cheers Sappy for the coffee, Mayesy for the rum x 2 and Sio for dinner) and in the evening I decided to have a quiet night out with a few mates. In hindsight being on the road for so long and not having the amount of contact I would have liked didn't assist me when I went in to Townsville city to have a few light drinks. Long story short I was quite happy when I arrived home at 2am and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.