James and Justin,

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR EXTRAORDINARY FEAT!!
What a monumental achievement.

I hope you both recover fully and soon. Your lives will certainly be tied to this event forever regardless of what other things you do. If you want future challenges, go for it. A long life can be full of challenges of all sorts. The slogan: ‘Life be in it‘, is one that I doubt you will ever need to be reminded of!!

The welcome looked like something very extraordinary. Thanks New Zealand.

Lot 41 is a good name but I don’t think it had Pharlap’s speed; but maybe it had Phar Lap's heart and engine. The TV vision of you paddling shows that it is not as fast as a double sea kayak or a single or double surf racing ski and the expedition tracking also indicated the same thing. Lot 41 could not be like them for obvious reasons; its function was completely different. It fulfilled its design intent admirably. Lot 41 required more horsepower than those lighter craft and you two provided that in abundance.

Maybe I’ll see you on the water one day if I buy the kayak my two best friends have been coercing me to do for a many years. Problem is: too much work (not a real excuse and should be reduced), too many other sports.

You might not be recognizable if, like most young blokes I know these days, your next haircut is from collar length to a number 1 or 2!

I missed the climax today after several looks per day for two months but the website implosion might have prevented me seeing it anyway. Instead had a nice oceanswim with my kids and a niece at Avalon Beach; beautiful clear water, a little bouncy going into the small swell but great swimming downwind. Crystal clear views of the reef, weed and fish and the shark nets about 8 m down. – clarity was just like your underwater pictures. No blue bottles – just a bit of sunburn (again). No 10 m breaking waves or gales either – Phew – that part of the Tasman was placid today.
Saw all your news late this afternoon.

Good luck and best wishes for the future. Thanks for allowing such intimate inclusion in your endeavour. You and Race Recon excelled there. Patrick, Luke and others, Well done.

I have just today received from my surf life saving club a circular about the 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney. There are kayaking events (and others). Probably too short for your liking but you will be old enough, 25 and over.
Some forumites might be inspired to try something new and adventurous there.

James,
Look after your gem of a sister. I hope she didn’t explode from excitement or pride!

Ol Oiler,
It’s great that you saw the big finale. Best wishes for you too. If you want an interesting nautical read, look at: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/hindsight/features/capehorners/the_cape_horners.pdf
Or listen on the related website. Fascinating oral history

Demmi,
Are you from NZ or overseas? And if that was your first kayak trip, it was an amazing effort. 20 km. Wow! Inspired by what; I think we can guess. I hope the fellow from the forum on Fri night with the primed double kayak got out there to enjoy it with you.

Thanks too to all forumites. What a great bunch of people. Your good feelings oozed out of the text. Thanks for all the useful background info and links.
It’s been a big highlight of the year for me. I’ll miss it a lot but will be productive again elsewhere! I need more sleep too.

When the full dvd story comes out I will be keen to see everything in detail.

I'm going to bed without first looking at the Tasman sea surface wind chart.

Ian
Dee Why

G'day from West Oz :)
Have u blokes as my background on my screen here.... Oi! Oi! Oi!

couldnt resist comin back .......so late now 11.38pm :)

The Tasman Rats have come to town
- Congrats you 2 mighty good things!

What you have done is absolutely outstanding (and at times more than nerve wrecking). It has been great to follow your ups and downs, and especially watching your ability of conquering every single obstacle that The Tasman threw at you. Wauw, you have accomplished so, so much.
Also, thank you lots for landing in NZ during the weekend, saves the world for a whole lot of sickies on Monday (can't afford to have the stock markets closed on Mondays, can we?)

Patrick, Luke and everybody else involved in the tech comm: Huge thx for making it possible for the www to follow the Rats so closely. You certainly have put expeditions into a new perspective. Well done! And you even managed to keep us all in suspense when the www techs failed, ha-ha. Can't have it all :-)

Forumites: It's been great to lurk on the grand stories, worries, ups and downs, TLC, yarns and hosing a few back decks from people like ding-ding-phd, liane, ol oiler, kristenk, amorous, bern, sirius, Newboy and girl amongst many, many others.
Ol Oiler, I do wish you best of luck on Tuesday and a quick recovery - you have given me so many good and wonderful laughs! Thank you.
Stan, I owe you a very special thank you for running up and down the streets of New Plymouth on Saturday being our instant eyes on the spot.

Cheers, Leslie

CONGRATULATIONS JAMES and JUSTIN!!!!!

An epic adventure, an outstanding achievement! THANK YOU for taking us along.

Since day 1 we have checked on your progress daily; you became daily dinner conversation.
We worried about you, cheered with you..... and most def shed a few tears when you touched land. Even tho we had to imagine it at the end..... and come back to see the videos.

You are an inspiration and so glad you could share with us.

Thanks to allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the people who made your adventure possible .............
and possible for us to come along!!!

SO now what are we going to do????
The lakes are frozen ( North Canada) so can't go paddlin' . Perhaps it's time to strap on the skis..... hook up the kite .........and fly across the frozen water at 100 kmh. got your speed beat! lol

James and Justin...... should you EVER consider doing some paddling on the inland Oceans of North America.... A beaut loghouse on the shore of Lake Huron awaits you! .................. anytime!!!! YOU TWO have inspired many people!!!!



Cheers to all the forumites..... thanks for great commentary!

Cheers to all in the Year of the RATS!


Wolf
Sailorwolf@hotmail.com
Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada

James and Justin,
Congratulations. What a great effort! What a fantastic craft!
Your determination to succeed and your fantastic website has kept countless thousands absolutely enthralled throughout your journey. We have all run the full gammit of emotions as you fought your way across the ditch. I just hope your efforts have encouraged the youth of Australia and other parts of the world to get off their bums, get away from their computer and video games, get outside and half a go at something more exciting and challenging. I hope you have rekindled the spirit of adventure.
All the best for a speedy recovery.
Rob Spencer

To Justin and James,

Congratulations!!!
You both are truly inspirational gentlemen , awe inspiring to have such two incredible achievers reach their destination at our hometown!
This will be remembered for generations to come and I thank you from the bottom of my heart that my family and I now can believe in ourselves in all we endeavour to achieve throughout our lifetime.
I am sure Sir Ed would be proud of you both.
God Bless you and your families and enjoy your time here in New Plymouth.
Love
Melissa :)

Aussie Aussie Aussie! (this is the only time I will say this) :)

I continue to be inspired and to learn by participating in this forum. I’ve learned what Rissoles are and how to make them; I’ve learned that the US East Coast is not six hours ahead of New Zealand but 18 hours behind; and I’ve learned the correct Kiwi pronunciation for the word, ‘fight.’
For example:
Bloke A: Did you see Holyfield vs. Tyson?
Bloke B: Yeeh, bloody marvelous fart that was.

As another example, the following is a transcript of the interview between James and the TV reporter:
Q - Did you and Justin ever fart?
A - Yeeh, we farted all the time.
Q - Why did you fart?
A - Mostly it was after the mexican cheekin
Q - So you fort over mexican chicken?
A - No we farted after mexican cheekin
Q - How did you manage with so much farting?
A - We had to open the cabin door.
Q – To what do you attribute so much farting?
A – Despite our sore bums our foo foo valves were in perfect working order.

For everyone's info I have pasted a copy of my email and Channel 7's response to their failure to cover James and Justin's arrival yesterday.

Subject: James & Justin Trans Tasman Kayakers - Shame on you Channel 7

Here we have two young Australians making world history and Sunrise couldn't hold on for ten minutes to show their momentous arrival. Shame on you Sunrise, shame on you Channel 7.

REPLY:
Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:56:09 +1100 [01/13/2008 11:56:09 AM EST]
From: "Boland, Adam" <ABoland@seven.com.au> Australia
To: keno@midcoast.com.au
Subject: RE: contactus: James & Justin Trans Tasman Kayakers - Shame on you Channel 7

Hi Ken,

I appreciate your note.

We were proud to be the only free-to-air broadcaster covering the arrival this morning - dedicating considerable resources, including a reporter.

Unfortunately, network scheduling meant a tight deadline. It's not as easy as you may think to shift the network programming at such short notice on a weekend, no matter the intentions of Sunrise.

All of that said, I agree we made a mistake - and should've tried harder.

We are planning extensive follow-up with the kayakers.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Regards,
Adam Boland
Executive Producer



From: keno@midcoast.com.au [mailto:keno@midcoast.com.au]
Sent: Sunday, 13 January 2008 10:20 AM
To: Sunrise
Subject: contactus: James & Justin Trans Tasman Kayakers - Shame on you
Channel 7

Phil, you are added to the list to say thank you to, you are keeping us in touch with the quys, and we wish you the best.......... keep up the good work and thanks again, in advance for the best of podcasts! Yeeee Haaaaaa!!!!

Amorous Texan,

You got it in one. Go to the top of the class. When you perfect the nose rubbing you will have found perfection.

Loved your latest posting.

If and when you decide to visit Oz, and as Texas is closer to the Atlantic than Pacific... come here via Turkey. Be at the ANZAC Cove beach at Gallipoli for the dawn service any April 25. There you will witness first-hand the 'right of passage' for all young Kiwis and Aussies and give you an insight into what bonds us so closely...well, save cricket and rugby.

Frankie

Congratulations James and Justin,

What an amazing journey! Thank you for letting us be part of it. My family and I have lived through the highs and lows of your expedition from go to woe and even before that after seeing Lot 41 at the Hawkesbury Classic start in 2006.

Thanks to Patrick and all those who have contributed in some way to turn a dream into reality. To feel a part of this adventure will be something we will never forget.

Thanks to the Forumites for making the past 62 days even more exciting. It was wonderful to see so much positve energy generated towards the boys. The way that it has brought people together from all over the world is a great thing in itself.

I can't wait to hear all the stories from out there on the ditch.

Thanks again everyone!

Goodmorning all.
Still on cloud nine. Last night went to bed and listen to the BBC World News Service on the radio at 11pm (Melbourne) they reported about the arrival of the boys and had a snipt of James talking. Then a VERY polite well spoken English women said, "and that was Mr. Castrission talking about his adventure". Yeah guys once again you made it to the BBC.

This morning on the Today Show, they did a recap of the whole adventure, just after the report I went to Sunrise, I know, I know, I said I would boycott them, I was curious. Well would you believe Sunrise had their reporter Live on the beach of New Plymouth!!! As my husband said, 24 hours too late!!! Ahhhhh

---------

Thank you Phil Stubbs, I have already marked your web site. Looking forward to the podcasts etc etc.

Beky
Melbourne, Victoria,

Just a reminder....Please send an email to ol oiler this week and in the weeks to follow. We all loved his stories, so lets get behind him so he will recover quickly... I don't think he will mind if I print his email address again here ( see his post on page 2 of this section) oloiler@yahoo.com.au Thanks.....

Frankie,

Honored to witness Aussie/Kiwi bonding from across the Pacific. Wish I had been there. I love rugby -- even played a little in college -- and am trying really hard to understand cricket...but to no avail.

Steve

I'm back too, just can't help it. You are all a great bunch
of people to talk with.

And yes....I received them same e-mail from ch 7 regarding
"their mistake" It was so hugely disappointing of them and
further complaints to all stations will follow.

I am somewhat calmed after seeing all available footage by now
and am still in awe of what J&J have acheived. You are
BRILLIANT James and Justin.
Susan
Mt Beauty

PS My thoughts are with you Ol Oiler.

II WAS NOT GOING TO JUMP BACK ON THE forum either...BUT...i do have to comment on the banter that went on in the last 2 days before they arrived.
It makes very funny reading. Everything was a bit frantic. A bit ! Things were VERY frantic yesterday morning ! Computers going down etc. And in the middle of all that my husband wanted me to go & have coffee in town with him ! He went by himself ! Suggestions, helpful tips regarding TV coverage, requests to onshore Kiwis on shore at New Plymouth yesterday morning....so funny and desperate!

I think Stan, then Stan the Man, then Stan the man on the land was one of the funniest. bits...our on site runner who was very frantic keeping us informed of proceedings. Thank you Stan...thankyou. The frustration, when those non obliging TV stations made their very unpopular moves.....GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRR.......there were suddenly lots of #$#@%%$#$^#**######+#+#+,s appearing on screen ! Reading back I have not stopped laughing !

Now in my post CTD afterlife, I have so much to do.......



Take care everyone

Congratulations James & Justin - it seems such a small word for your achievement. A bloody fantastic succesful marathon journey
Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for the website, the forums and the info. It has been a great asset to have these available and for so many to feel a small part of the adventure

Enjoy the 'After Life'

Dermot
Interaction

Yes I'm also going to miss the forumites and the lads, Patrick and Luke.
I'm going to follow Chris Bray's walk might see forumites there.

Gotta go, back later.
Beky
Melbourne, Victoria.

Monday 14.01.08.


Good Mourning to the parents of the bride and groom, their siblings and the wedding entourage,

Gidday all. Good Mourning to you too, not that there has been a death, but a mourning sense of loss hovers within, that endless hungering need for connection, Maternal we guess.
Universal expansion always reaching out for more life.

That's how it feels to me, mourning after such endorphin pumping, server melting exhilaration.

Some wedding it was too.

Beautifully consummated as they “landed connected in their and our water”.

Tears flowed, hearts melted, hugs and hearty hugs galore.

Now after a wonderful night celebrating and a good sleep too, we come back out and find all of these people sort of hanging around the shores of their computers.
As wedding guests we really don't want the party to stop.

We just are not ready and don't want to go home, not yet any way.

Lingering, a bit heavy, not hung over, lethargic, reading through breakfast.

Now morning tea, hoping the bride and groom will return to visit us for lunch.

That's how it feels to me.

We have all just experienced a heart rendering two month courtship as these wonderful diamonds of the universe polished and cut their stones to the highest luster.

Microscopic moment of contact to their light gave us all inner glowing reflections, reassurance, tears and dark moments.

Moments which raced our hearts, anxieties, preparation, sensed awareness to our own imbedded pain, anticipated unkind hit, a blow, danger.

Now eclipsed by this moment of their absence as we wait anxiously for their reassuring light to return, so we hang out, waiting.

Waiting, spinning like moths around bern's outside light, some part of us just keeps orbiting the atomic nucleus.

Organically balanced, synchronised, in a holding pattern.

In harmony with the whirling pattern of tides forces and earth around the sun.

Dragged in, drawn, waxed, waned, filled, vortexed.

Lunar's orbit, the brides maids and grooms men, mindful that we are holding.

Holding our place on the green planet of the greater solar system, at our own heart.

Flickering life to milky galaxies of stars glittering across our body of the www,

In down scaled sun reflected dew drops to madam spider.

Venus, Mercury, (HM Lot 41) Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Justin, James.

Elevated here to the ancient Grecian Gods, having taken on and embodied Tasmania's spirit.

Two new stars rose and shone in Hakka powered spirit from the east.

Wise men, delivering franc incense and myrrh, waca's, champagne and ribs.

Whilst Herod is most definitely covered by phduck and his army of united ants.

Ants endlessly modeling social harmony of such advanced simplistic solar sophistication,

Mankind locked in narrow channels of consciousness is presently incapable of comprehending.


Exemplary, modeled performed and delivered in living reality by this brief excursion for mankind to THE WAY of the future.

New Clear clean energy of human power, kindness, cooperation, rationed thought and consumption, small soft feet.

If we could just Imagine living and contributing in and with this exhibition of and universal language of unconditional love.

"If we change the way we look at things the things we look at change."

Love is the answer, Love is the reason.

Love is THE WAY.

Phd & Carol Isabel, ding ding ding

Hi Justin and James!

Even if the sheets weren't silk last night, I bet they felt pretty good. Just wanted to pop-in one more time to wish you and your wonderful families well as you move forward into what your Adventuring has created. Watching some of the footage posted here thanks to the fantastic forumites allowed me to witness something extra that I had not seen previously - you, Justin, telling your Mum that she was no longer allowed to complain about your adventuring due to her recent trek up Mt. Taranaki - Absolutely loved it. More so, perhaps, because I've had the same conversation with my Mum, only ours was about competing, rather than adventuring.

Thank you, once again for inspiring the people of the world to "have a go" - you did an amaxzing job and will continue to do so for many years to come. BRILLIANT.

For now enjoy your rest and recovery. As always, savour every moment as it comes and goes.

Love and blessings to you and your families.

Namaste

Kristen : ) xox

To the forumites!

You wonderful beautiful bunch of people. Thank you for expressing and sharing your lights over the last couple of months. It has been inspirational to be involved. As with Steve, our now favourite Texan, I have absolutely no idea what brought me here, but I'm so glad I was guided here to learn and laugh. Thank you.

It will be interesting to see how many of us run into one another at some time in the future. Not hard to do, but will be hard to know about it if we've used aliases here I haven't). I think there is a move to share email addresses for those who want to - you can add them to your profiles.

Until we meet again, here or otherwise, take care of yourselves and others. Remember to actually DO all those things you promised yourselves you would do as you were inspired by the adventures of the Rats, and if you didn't then the next time you think "I'd really like to do that, but...." drop the "but" and just give it a go - "IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING".

And lastly and most importantly, remember to drop Ol Oiler a line and help him get through his next little adventure starting tomorrow.

Love and light you all,

Kristen : )

Congratulations boys on your wonderful achievement.
Thank you HRH Lot 41 for bring your crew back on dry land safe and sound.
I certainly agree with you kristenk it's been an amazing journey for all us, and i'm going to miss coming on board and reading the day to day stories and comments, you will all be missed.
There's nothing like the human spirit. It surpasses anything.
God bless all of you
Love Aunty Enid Sally Sarah Jessica xxxx

Hi everyone - yes ... Ol Oiler!! We need to bring him home safely to the shore too. NOW - I was thinking .... 1) I live in Melbourne 2) Ol Oiler is in Peter MacCallum our cancer hospital 3) I'd be honoured to get some flowers and drop them in at reception on behalf of the CTD Forumites 4) Is this OK? 5) How do I address them? I'm SURE he's not registered there as Ol Oiler!! (Or is he??) PLEASE NOTE: I do not wish to intrude on him or his family. Privacy is needed at such a time. But I thought it would be a surprise for him to receive a tanglible symbol of care from his cyber-mates.
Any thoughts?
Jan
Melbourne

Nice work boys. You are inspirational to many. Many said kia kaha and you did. It was interesting timing that New Zealand lost her greatest hero in the same week that Oz sent two more to remind us that sprirt and determination go on. Haere mai - welcome. Wish I could have been there too. Hope you enjoy your stay.
Cheers,
Stephen, Sydney, Oz

boofhead and pieguts,

love you boys, can't wait to catch up back home,

NICE BLOODY WORK!!!!!

gravy...