Thanks for all the links to the NZ tv videos of J&J's arrival.
Pity the OZ tv execs didn't feel the same. Sorry for another whinge.
Not a mention on most of the tv news tonight, but wait.......
ch 7 had a 5 sec clip of the boys (men :) enjoying a meal
with family and friends.
Good to see them all looking so happy.
Susan

Justine & James

Congratulations - What an epic journey!

Great to hear your kind words about Andrew

Congratulations from all the boys (Antho, Dave, Judd) and we looking forward to catching up when you get back hopefully on the water!

yea i got to meet them a couple of hours ago they seem real well and happy!!so amazine what they have done !!!!!! congrads james and justin..kia kaha lolz xo

yea they were good james only managed to get like half hour sleep from thinking al nite but they were still sooo happy and awsome!!so dont wory ev 1 they doing well..

Back again - you're right Bern, everyone has a soft spot. I rang Peter Mac (as we call it) after having rehearsed a little speech which made some sort of sense! Let's face it "Umm I want to send some flowers on behalf of my family (who are all around the world ) to one of our family members but we don't know his name' probably wouldn't have gone over too well!! So I braced myself and started off with "This is probably an unusual request......". The young guy on the phone was lovely. I explained we are a forum supporting 'the two kayakers' OH YES, he said, WHAT A GREAT JOB! So he assured me that if I deliver them with Oloiler's computer name then they wwill track him down. Then I had the thought that maybe flowers wouldn't be allowed in ICU so he kindly put me through to them. I started to explain to the young nurse that I acknowledged their privacy policy which is a great and good thing, however as members of a computer forum we wished to send flowers to Oloiler. I grinned to myself when she asked a bit sternly "what TYPE of forum is it?" All sorts of images came to mind!! Quickly I asked had she heard of James and Justin - OH YES she said - AMAZING. Well, our Forum are their on-line support group I said proudly.
So .... no flowers allowed in ICU but allowed in Ward after he leaves ward in a few days. In the meantime I shall deliver a card with a message from all of us so he doesn't need to wait to know of our best wishes. Is this OK? Thanks to all who have offered money - much appreciated - but I will say no. It is a privilege to do this on your behalf and who knows - sometimes in the next few decades of this Forum (yes, very Roman regal!) one of you will probably do the same thing - what goes around comes around. Keep sending him the emails. The 'au' one goes through.I got one back from him the other day. Should have said "who are you?" but left it too late.... :-)
Jan (Beky's proud Mum)
Melbourne

thanks also, Zoerulz!. In't it fantastic that we can tap into someone on the spot to report back.
Have you spoken to them, Zoerulz? Are they walking OK?
No bloody decent coverage over here. More fuss about a 16 yr.old's drunken party.
We're getting more decent news and feedback on the forum!

SHARNEE fair dinkum to see JAMES an JUSTIN TONIGHT HAVING A MEAL WITH THE FAMILY WAS UNREAL THEY LOOK LIKE 100% YOUNG CHAPS GETTING STUCK INTO THE TUCKER
GO RATS GO
I sent a email to channel 7 to day I hope many more forumites do also ,,
sir I foe one of many had been with the 2 young chaps since they left forster 11th nov. what a frill it has been-- untillyesterday morning you pulled the pin on the greatest day. With over 1,000,000 trying to get on the webb site early in the day untill it crashed .
you could of come up smelling like roses>>BUT>> you come up smelling like one of KENNY"S legless wombats

bern

been no word from oloiler yet

Congratulations James and Justin - a wonderful achievement! The Avery's

Go Bern!!!

Jan thank you from the bottom of my heart for your efforts to send flowers to Oiler. How did I guess it would not be so simple as Ol Oiler is not a simple fellow. He strikes me as "what the fuss" I'm just doing what is needed.As you can see I have to coming back to this website. It is in my blood. I can't let go

Thanks Bern
I sent two long emails to seven stating it was an absolute disgrace to pull the plug and to broadcast nonsence while two young aussies were making history
The powers that be needed to get with the program, find out what the Australian public wanted and re-evaluate their broadcast content.

Ian ,
I am from Queensland mate and saw the boys off at Forster.
When we all sang Waltzing Matilda it was amazing because I grew up where that song was made and written and sung (Winton)

Channel 7 really have said soem lame excuses I have read and they had the hide to say all that crap.
I was annoyed they actually turned up to the dinner that night we attended and a little blonde reporter actually asked me did I have footage of them on the water when we were 16 kms out or so as they would be very interested in having a copy.
I said no.
I wasn't going to tell them the footage we do have is the damn best footage anyone took and J&J spoke to us a long time and answered so many questions so they can all go to forth.
I am giving it to J&J because it should go to them and not to Channel 7 to have (so they can sell it around the world ) and nothing going to the boys who did such hard work and effort.
Far too many people try and profit from the efforts of others and it sickens me.

It was great for the many kilometers we paddled with just the kayakers and Lot 41 and the boat Clary was on and the coastwatch one.
Then the armada closed in at around 5kms out.

Patrick, it really was wonderful to see you at last at the dinner for the boys last night and it was a lovely time.
Liane.. I hope you got some well earned rest ; you looked resplendent last night.

To James and family and Justin and family , wonderful to talk to you share stories and laugh and you guys have such good humour.
Doing all the pictures at the moment to DVD and will give them to you when I see you guys for the gathering back in Australia.
James's Dad and Mum(wonderful conversations), mnho hayalichta for New Year and may God shine his light on you and your family and Justin's always.

To the Forumites who where not there at the landing; I can see the care and compassion you have for the guys and it is great to see that in this world of chaos we live in.
I conquered a lot of fears to paddle out so far but it was all worth it and would do it again anytime and the day was totally aqualelectric.
To Bronnie and Pete, you guys are exceptional , thankyou for looking after me and Phil, some thankyou's heading your way soon.

Hi All,
Well my mum ( Jan Tully) has just rung me to put together a collage of pics of 'The Boys' for a card for Ol Oiler. So I will on the pc tonight working on Indesign. If anyone has some ideas of what to write in the card I can put that in.

Beky
Melbourne, Victoria.

Beky,
Tell Ol Oiler that he was talked about a lot in the last 24 hours and we all thank him for his dedication and understanding and support and that I think all Forumites should perhaps say some words for him and wish him a speedy recovery.

Welcome back to land rats, looked as if you could have done with 4 legs as you stumbled up the beach keeping one and another standing. I seen you push off the wharf in Forster and followed your progress almost daily enjoyed your cicle work and watch you overcome the wildest weather the Tasmen could throw at you, deal with the sharks, enjoy the whales and dolphins, such an epic achivement. Seeing you jump from Lot 41and walk up the shore was amazing (even on tv) i wished i was there.
You probably dont even remember me but along with a million others i feel as if we are good friends.
All the best,
The Chalkinator

P.S looked like you were enjoying those ribs

Hello Justin!!!

Ol oiler would thank Jan in a very humble way we could be sure of that.
Jan by all thats powerful that was a wonderful gesture.
I gave nothing however if there is anything that I can do be sure to ask.

Unforunatley there were many things that happened in our hosehold as far as the puter went.
The 7 coverage here was wonderful It has been many long years since I last went to New Plymouth and Had forgotten much over that time.

Had a sweatheart there (thats another story) won't go there today.
Memories did come flooding back along with the tears of joy for those guys.

Justin and James don't forget to give Bev a bell if you need more crew.
I may be busy. but I want to go.
Friends have said what about the sharks?THEY CAN SWIM can't they ?
Do we have to take them ?
Campbell n Bev
Tweed Heads

And well done Taranaki and all you Kiwis ! Magnificent welcome ! What a great country and top people ! Cheers, Mick

Jan Tully
You are a gem (like jewel33)

Yes, your efforts and sleuth work is admirable. Thank you for doing that, very much.

Demmi
Fancy seeing the Rats at both ends....OOPS...............rephrase....wonderful that you farewelled J & J and were there to greet them. What a wonderful ....um......(trying to think of an expletive...)....um.....experience for you. Sorry, am tired.

Now Chalkinator, welcome back on board,, you have been AWOL for a while.
NOW I think I have a good idea for a "bonding type thing " between Forster and New Plymouth. (probably not an original idea !)

I think us local Forster forumites should start rallying our local GLC mayor and also the New Plymouth Mayor and suggest that some sort of eternal rapport should be established between Forster and New Plymouth.
Both beautiful coastal places, great surf and Justin Jones and James Castrission have their names written all over own towns !

What do you think ? And other Forster Forumites ! Other Great Lakes Forumites !
For my email just click my user name.

I think we could establish something really

Tot (Forster)

Hi All,
Just to let you know I have finished the A4 card. I have basically made a collage of colour photos of James and Justin arriving in New Plymouth. Each photo has a feathered edge (Love InDesign) I wrote on the front 'Peace Safety Happiness' Inside I just wrote ' Dear Ol Oiler The thoughts of all Crossing the Ditch forumites are with you. All good wishes for a safe and happy landing. The Forumites Janaury 2008' This was suggested by mum Jan.


Cheers
Beky
Melbourne, Victoria

Fantastic ideas emerging from the Forumites. Demmi..great reporting! . Terrific imagery for those of us in the twilight zone yesterday. Thank you!! Clever thinking to hold out on the film footage.
Message for Jan to give OO on the card..."Ol Oiler, you've been the glue in this forum..Stick around! Love from cathieb."
Sleep tight everyone.

Evening everyone - 9.50pm Perth W.A.

Decided to tape the news bulletin on TV today as they mentioned there would be something on J&J - elderly rellies overseas just have vcr - let tape run then went back to check it, thinking other news items might be of interest to them also.

First news item (I kid you not) regarding Liberal Party member who wants to challenge for leadership but "during a drunken escapade in State Parliament" he "snapped open a female staff member's bra strap" so they're wondering if it should be regarded as "inappropriate behaviour" because there was no complaint lodged by the woman concerned - this is the sort of news you get if you live in a booming state of Australia and these politicians have got way too much time on their hands.
2nd news item - teen (16) in Melbourne area holds party while parents are away & 500 invited/uninvited guests turn up - 30 cops, helicopter & dog squad - possibility of $20000 fine. His parents are returning home from Queensland, saying he'll be very scared of the consequences - he's saying it was the best party ever & he's available to help other teens arrange a "decent party" while Mum & Dad are away.
Send him to boot camp.......overseas.

Might tape over those 2 items or the rellies might be too scared to visit. Oh, that's right - not too keen on that lot - might leave them in.

Hey all you RAT TRAPPERS!!
(members of the TRAPS Club, the Tasman Rats Amazing Paddle Supporters Club)

Don't think of this as the end of something.... if we want we can make it just the beginning.....

Just remember the golden motto of all dedicated TRAPPERS....

Keep your TRAP shut and keep your fingers to the keyboard!!!.....

The BBC (where I orignally heard of your historic expedition the day you left Foster's) is all over your arrival.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7185629.stm

Thanks Jan for your thoughtfulness. I've been thinking about Ol Oiler and when I logged on to catch up on the forum postings your post was a touching discovery. I'm going to send him some online get well cards. We have a great online service that's free here in the states. You can send a card online via the following link: http://www.bluemountain.com/category.pd?path=35036

Thanks for keeping the dialogue going...James & Justin should be as proud of this community they've formed as they are of their accomplishment crossing the ditch.

Cheers.
MMR (Margaret)