THE TANAMI DESERT CHALLENGE - 14th & 15th JUNE 2011 - DAY 23 & 24

Hey all,

So sorry that I haven't updated you all before now!  My welcome back home has been so amazing and overwhelming!!  I started the 14th (Day 24) at the Tanami Track/Stuart Highway turnoff.  We wanted to get in enough kilometres to see us to the Alice Springs Sign about 7km from the CBD. This was our starting point for our final day of the challenge.  It was a great starting point as it was accessible for anyone wanting to walk that last leg with us into town.

Braxton and Lawson at the start point of Day 24

Lawson, Sarah, Luke and Bracko - You were with me all the way!

 

Jim Geltch and Ashley Severin - Day 24



Our final leg was incredible!  I struggle to find words to describe how to thank all our supporters today and throughout the the entire journey.  Luke Bevan, Luke Cook (cousin), Jim Geltch (CEO of Nuffield Australia), Ashley Severin (former NT scholar and local cattleman) and myself set off at about 11am headed for The Alice.  The Alice Springs Police were our escorts into town.

Thank you to the Alice Springs Police for escorting us into town.

One the edge of town we met up with Sisters Tiani and Loretta along with Tanya Fogarty - who form the equine entertainment group Satin and Spurs they rode along behind us on their horses with the Australian and Northern Territory flags flying high - it was a fantastic feeling.

The Satin and Spurs girls - spectacular!

In procession we "walked" along the stuart highway into town to cars honking their horns and people yelling out their support, it was remarkable.

Coming into The Alice

Ashley, Jim and Luke Cook and Luke Bevan - not long now boys!

Thank you to all who have supported me along the way!

 Our next meeting point was at the base of Anzac Hill where we were joined by more supporters. The children from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic School created a guard of honour on either side of the road just before we reached the Todd Mall.  They were all holding signs and cheering, they then followed us into the Mall.

The OLSH kids welcome us to town

 We entered the mall to the sounds of bagpipes playing and were led in by the town crier announcing our arrival.  Neil Ross and his crew of volunteers from The Alice Springs Rotary Club of Stuart hosted a BBQ on the Flynn Church lawn.  They did an awesome job and there wasn't a hungry person to be seen.  Thank you so much Neil and Crew for all your hard work and the hours of time you put in to making our welcome back into town such a memorable one.Here we were met by family, friends, tourists, community members and the media.  We were officially welcomed to town by Alice Springs Mayor Damien Ryan.

Speech time - Luke, Myself and Alice Mayor Damien Ryan

 I have so many eople to thank, who have contributed to helping me to reach this goal, I cannot even begin to express the love and thanks in my heart to each and every one of you.



My Extraordinary Family - I Love You

Thank you to all our Sponsors

 

Luke and the OLSH Children

The OLSH children presenting me with a gift voucher - thank you guys!

 Once again to my mate and walking partner Luke - YOU ROCK!!!  This journey would not have been the same without you!

A fitting end to a fantastic 24 day journey!

Now as one journey finishes there is always another that begins and with the amazing support network of family and friends that I am fortunate to have, I can now continue on with another part of my life's journey and tackle the second part of my Nuffield Scholarship where later this year will see me travel yet again overseas to the USA and New Zealand.

Catch you soon,
Cheers Rob.

Delicious Sausage Sizzle