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    • CommentAuthorkiwi
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    cathieb,
    we'll all be checking in for tomorrow's podcast! lol!
    • CommentAuthorian n
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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
    • CommentAuthorian n
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    PS forgot to add:
    http://www.2009worldmasters.com/Sports/default.aspx
    • CommentAuthorgypz
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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 :)
  1.  
    James & Justin:

    Thank you. Thank you for following your dreams. Your's was a journey that served as a catalayst for inspiration. You dared to dream and you dared to do. Thank you.

    MMR
    • CommentAuthorleslie
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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
    • CommentAuthorCraigB
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Congratulations J & J and all your team.Also thanks to all who posted stuff in the forum as the site crashed last night (UK time) allowing me to keep up to date but also to feel part of the event. Thanks also to all who posted the URLS of the various videos allowing me to see what happened; albeit belatedly. Also thanks to my fellow Kiwis who helped give the lads such great welcome and, I am sure, did the same to their families and supporters over from Oz. It made me proud. Others have already said it but I think it shows how close our two nations are. Long may it remain so. As someone has already commented, who would have predicted thousands of Kiwis sing 'Waltzing Matilda'? Brought a tear to my eye. The old Anzac spirit.
    PS Best wishes to ol Oiler.
  2.  
    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
    • CommentAuthorJan
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    James & Justin,

    Congratulations guys you deserve it. What a fantastic effort - you conquered your Everest in great form.

    What a following you had, I too was one that couldn't get to the website to see the finish. Had to make do with the news item at 6pm.

    Looking forward to the follwup information in the website to see some awesome pictures and hear all the little stories.

    Well done guys. Hope you had a good nights sleep last night, or was the bed too still - no rocking.

    Jan
    • CommentAuthorrobspencer
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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
    • CommentAuthorlil9934
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    hush abye baby in the tree top ,sleep sleep,
    you have earnt it.
    BUT>>WOT>>> do we formunites do now???
    cut the LONG grass pull the weeds ???
    BUT a new life awaits the KINGS OF THE TASMAN
    forget life before the tasman.
    its a whole new ball game for you,
    got to go NAN has just brushed the cowwebs off the mower
    have a great day JAMES AND JUSTIN .
    AND MANY MANY THANKS FOR THE RIDE
    bern

    ps>> come back to forster PLEASE
    • CommentAuthormeljose34
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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) :)
    • CommentAuthorlil9934
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    YOO HOOO ANY BODY HOME???
    YESTERDAY COULD NOT GET NEAR THE FORUM
    TODAYJUST ME N ME MATE MELJOSE34
    WAKE UP ITS KINGSDAY
    bern
  3.  
    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.
    • CommentAuthorPhil Stubbs
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008 edited
     
    Hi, I'm the dude doing the 'best of' podcasts. Just wanted to let everyone know it's in production and we hope to get it up by next week. So make sure to come back and check the site then.

    In the meantime, have a listen to the interview I did with James Castrission by satellite phone, the last interview before he and Justin Jones glimpsed Mt Taranaki and started paddling like maniacs, flat out to reach NZ. (They were 115km short at that stage and hadn’t seen landfall yet – fortunately.)

    The interview can be found at: www.theenvironmentshow.com

    In it, James talks about the highs and lows of the trip, why they did it, how he's changed as a person, the origins of the trip, his friendship with Justin, life after the trip, the humbling vastness of the ocean, how their use of the internet has re-defined these kinds of expeditions, how they paddled back towards Australia at one stage, their kayak being hit by sharks, a reflection on Andrew McAuley who died just short of NZ a year before, and the two important things in life (that they missed) - food and beer.

    I think you’ll find his interview to be good listening.

    Also wanted to say:

    Well done Justin and James! You deserve that beer. Congratulations too to Pat and the team behind the scenes. Not only has there been hard work and effort, the way the whole project was tackled was rather brilliant. It'll be interesting to see what they do next.
    • CommentAuthorkeno
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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
  4.  
    Hi boys, I'd just like to reiterate Briar's comments. You are an absolute inspiration. Words actually fail me (James you know that's not very common). I'll give it a go anyway : ) Justin and James, you should take the time to congratulate yourself - a lot of people dream, some give it a go, but only the absolutely brilliant actually succeed. That's you. You have achieved more in the last 62 days of paddling than most people can hope to achieve in multiple lifetimes. I feel honoured to know you.

    Will (the actual GroundskeeperWillie)
  5.  
    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!!!!
    • CommentAuthorsteve
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Well done Phil, looking forward to the best of.

    After listening to Part 1 of the interview and seeing the packed shore (so many people that Justin said he thought they were rocks), I wonder if the welcoming was the "quiet and emotional get together" that James envisaged!
  6.  
    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
    • CommentAuthorwaynebeau
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Congrats Rats - and all the support team. Looking forward to getting a copy of the book. Shame New Zealand TV didn't go live for the finish on such an auspicious occasion. Patrick try to get the wild footage from the broadcasters before they recycle it and you are left with only the few minutes of edited footage.
    • CommentAuthorBiff
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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!
  7.  
    Hi kristenk, are you still out there? What next? A party for the boys when they get back home.
    Maybe we shall be able to bump into one another at that venue.
    I'll be the one with the dingo.
    Thank you for your bein' around.
    Christopher.
  8.  
    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,
    • CommentAuthorwhitneypam
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Here I am again. I can't help myself - just have to check the forums. Great idea to have a welcome home get together. i have been saying this all along so we can put faces to all the members of the forum. I know that James & Justin would love to meet all the people who shared their epic journey.But is there somewhere large enough?
    Once again thank you to Patrick and your team.
    Can't wait for the book, DVD whatever
  9.  
    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.....
    • CommentAuthorJan Tully
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Yes, we're like boomerangs - try and get rid of us :-) and BACK WE COME. It's become a sort of 'home base' for many of us - and for one dreadful minute when it melted down yesterday morning I thought 'is that it? is it over? how will we ever know what life is bringing on for not only the boys but all of us?'. Yep, we've all got other friends, but often (as has been said) they don't understand what it means to be a CTD Forumite. Let's not waste what we've built up? Surely the boys wil need a pre-packed and pre-tested cheer squad Next Time?
    Can't stop smiling :-)
    Jan
    Melbourne
  10.  
    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
    • CommentAuthoraxl
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Hi Justin and James.
    Congadulations to you both.
    I was among the crowd at New Plymouth Beach. We drove from Taupo Saturday to get a good spot. It was truely a wonderful atmosphere actually being in the water 3 metres away from you when you "High Fived" each other and jumped in the water. I felt proud to watch the event.
    It was cool to actually touch your vessel once you were on dry land.What a small cabin you had but she did you both proud.
    Not sure whats happening with your craft but Im sure the local "Forumers" like myself would love to put our names on it.
    Once again, good on use both, I think your both the bravest men alive.
    Thanks
    Paul Frost
    • CommentAuthormaxie
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008 edited
     
    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.
    • CommentAuthorcathieb
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    A new day..you're all still here. Thank you!!
    Wonder if our boys slept all all last night!.I can imagine the whole families clustered around their beds just checking that that they're actually there, and gazing thankfully at them through the night.
    (My own son is setting off on a scary(for me!) adventure of his own next week so I share the "Mum Anxiety" thing too.)
    Do you all feel that something really momentous and life-changing has happenned to us all?...Of course you do, but it is more than the achievement itself, it's how they handled it, how you all responded..Can't stop thinking about it all. You're amazing people!!!
    I was able to start the day with a laugh, Amorous Texan, thank you!!
    • CommentAuthorfred.c
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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
    • CommentAuthorsynergon
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Hi, Patrick ----- I know that you are probably taking a much deserved rest (if you aren't, you should be), but when you get a chance, could you please let us know how the boys (excuse me, men) are doing? Our news up at this end of the globe hasn't even let out a peep about their awsome accomplishment (parochial idiots that most of our media are), at least not that I'm aware of.

    I am so glad to find that I am not the only one suffering from withdrawl pains. I got so frantic yesterday when I couldn't get on the site at "that" time, that I still haven't completely revcovered. Thanks for all the links. And thank you Steve for the good laugh earlier today.

    Btw, Steve (Amorous Texan) saw your note about trying to get hold of me yesterday. Thank you. I really could have used the contact with someone who understood. That was probably about the time that I got locked out of EVERYTHING, so I sidetracked over to the Facebook site. That is where I got the link to that raw footage that I sent to you and pHDuck.

    (I'm really going to miss "Rat a Tat Rats")

    Wynne
    • CommentAuthordermot
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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
    • CommentAuthorStan
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Congratulations again Justin and James
    Im still looking over the site which still gives me a buzz reading all the nice coments people have placed. i have been down to that beach where you guys came in many times but the day u landed will stay fresh in my mind for all time. Not only did achieve crossing the tasman but you also opened the worlds eyes and show that all things are possible.
    I also enjoyed chatting and exchanging words to people all over the world who also joined in on your site. It would be great to keep contact with everyone beause the world is a much better place because you both brought everyone together.
    I would love to leave my email address on here so others could keep contact and chat about your adventure but i dont want to upset anyone by doing so. others might be able to enlighten me here as to how we could keep in contact for thoose who want to, any ideas.

    Again, all the best Justin and James and i will keep looking in to read the threads and hopefull we can try and guess what your new adventure will be, i just cant wait

    Stan
    New Plymouth
  11.  
    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.
    • CommentAuthorAnnaH
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Congratulations!! You guys are a true inspiration and we shed a tear watching you arrive! There is the most brilliant photo of you both on the front page of the smh today. I look forward to meeting you both after hearing so much about you from my boyfriend Todd, and after following your journey for 62 days.

    Well done, and enjoy the recovery and rest and time with family and friends,
    Anna x
    • CommentAuthorphduck
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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
    • CommentAuthorN'oldie
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Phil Stubbs, thank you for the link to your interview with James. Excellent insight into what the fellas have gone through.

    James and Justin, I hope that your were able to sleep last night and that all is well with you both today. Again, congratulations and thank you for making it possible for the rest of us to share in your great adventure.
    • CommentAuthorkristenk
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008 edited
     
    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
    • CommentAuthorTodd P
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    CONGRATULATIONS BOYS!!!

    No doubt about it, you guys are absolute LEGENDS!
    I hope the celebrations are still going, can't wait to catch up back in Sydney.
    • CommentAuthorkristenk
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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 : )
    • CommentAuthorfred.c
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Beautifully written phduck

    Kristenk thanks for your farewell note

    What are you going to do now?
    I have to get into serious training for Macchu Picchu

    Namaste Tot
    • CommentAuthorsally
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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
    • CommentAuthorDebP
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    FINALLY able to log in again – gave up last night and have been trying all morning! It is just fantastic that so many wish to post their congratulations and outright joy at your monumental achievement J&J. As many others have noted - such a timely lesson about the things that really matter in an often jaded world.

    So, heartfelt congratulations, Justin & James, on a safe finale to your magnificent adventure. You are so deserving of this utmost reverence you’re being held in by the rest of the world at present. Enjoy your moment(s) in the sun (there are bound to be too many to contemplate) and savour the rewards you have rightly earned.

    What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Just ditto, ditto and more ditto.
    Like many, I was devastated yesterday when the site crashed (many thanks to the wonderful Stan up until that point) and then Channel 7 cut the coverage.
    But after my initial deflation and massive sulk, I realised that the real story was being played out right there on the beach with the people that mattered the most and I could actually imagine how everyone was feeling as if I was there on the sidelines. By the time I got to watch the landing on every news service and through the many many online video links, I was very happy and felt like I hadn’t really missed anything at all. Even this morning’s Warrnambool Standard, a relatively small regional newspaper, had the story and an excellent video link that I hadn’t seen yet. I can’t stop smiling and am full of happiness for you and your delightful proud-to-bursting families.

    Well done again, Justin and James – hope those first beers and the big steaks went down a treat. So pleased and relieved for your family and friends to have you back in the fold. As a mum with a daughter back-packing in South America, I can fully appreciate that they may not be too keen on you starting out too soon on your next brave adventure. (fredc: she is just about to start hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu on 16 Jan, which seems a little less risky than some of the other things she’s been up to so far.)

    Many thanks too to Pat and the team behind the scenes for your brilliant effort in enabling a safe journey and giving we forumites such a unique and at times heart-wrenching insight into the expedition. Like kristenk, I don’t remember how I found my way to the website but I’m so glad I did – even if it did take over my life a bit (much to my husband’s chagrin – maybe a bit of old bull new bull, I think). I mainly work from a home office and managed to miss a few looming deadlines in the past couple of weeks as things hotted up out on the high seas - just could not stop checking and re-checking and then finally got brave enough to join the forum.

    Thank you all for an exhilarating ride, DebP.
    • CommentAuthorJan Tully
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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
    • CommentAuthorTony
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    Account of last 15k from another kayaker.....wish I was there. On ya lads...

    http://www.sportzhub.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3619&Itemid=343
    • CommentAuthorstephend
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    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
    • CommentAuthorcathieb
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    You;ve said it all,Phduck, and beautifully!!!
    • CommentAuthorgravy
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2008
     
    boofhead and pieguts,

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

    NICE BLOODY WORK!!!!!

    gravy...