The last day of the festival. We woke up to a much better day weather wise thank goodness. The organisers and paddlers are very happy about that. The sun shone and Peterborough really looked gorgeous.
Back to the tents and meeting up with old and new chums.
Di, Rosa (NZ) and Karen. Rose was with Di on the Ord River marathon in 2009 and was with Karen, Lizzie and Jo for Amazon Heart Thunder.
Our new friends Julie and Mellisaa arrived with Melissa's daughter Danielle laden with some munchies for us. Little Dannielle also drew a special picture for us and gave us a good luck balloon to give us encouragement for our day - just lovely.
Melanie was with us as happy and wonderful as ever. Her neverending smile and the joy she has brought to us has been amazing. She was later joined by hubby John and daughter Lauren.
Melanie with Di and Elaine
Today was also the day of Flowers on the Water. This festival called it the Carnation Ceremony. Annette and Lizzie were the 2 MBT representatives commencing with the Sandy Smith Global Race, followed by the ceremony. This event never fails to move any person involved or watching from the shore. It was amazing to see representatives from each team join hands and remember (along with the spectators) those who have left us or are struggling with breast cancer. You could hear the sudden intake of breath when the white doves were released. Each of us had special thoughts on women who have touched us and who have been in the boat with us over the festival.
The day followed with the final races (see note from captain Snooze soon) and the important business of shirt swapping, final shopping and badge hunting!
Rosalie and Ivana from Bella Rosa - Italy
It was not long before the lone piper lead all participants to the closing ceremony where we listened to Dr Don and also the IBCPC committee bidding us all farewell. The most poignant part of the closing was when Sandy Smith's daughter talk to everyone about her experience while her mother was going through her journey with breast cancer. She shared some wonderful stories and experiences and we all felt moved ad inspried by the stories she shared. Her mother would be so proud of her now.
Now we bid Peterborough and the festival good bye. We are so thankful for the experience, for our ambassador and our new friends, and let's not forget our favourite bus driver Dave.
We are looking forward to finding out where the next festival will be held. Thank you Peterborough!!!!!
We are looking forward to finding out where the next festival will be held. Thank you Peterborough!!!!!
HI TEAM
ReplyDeleteIT HAS BEEN GREAT SEEING YOUR PICS AND FOLLOWING ALL YOUR PROGRESS OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS..I SORT OF FEEL LIKE MUM AND HER CHICKS...PROUD OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN PETERBOROUGH..IT LOOKED AWESOME AND SO MANY WONDERFUL SMILES .I SO PRAY THAT THE BUS TOUR WILL GO AS WELL AS THE ROCKIES ETC AND YOU ALL COME HOME WITH GREAT MEMORIES.LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING MORE PICS..LOVE YOU ALL LOTS DI
Hi Ladies,
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great day. Just wanted to say that the way the people at Peterborough embraced the Spirit of the Dragon to embrace the paddlers and their supporters was incredible. Melanie supplying us with snacks and warm drinks, Julie and Melissa buying us all shooters then turning up on Saturday to cheer us on and on Sunday with banana bread and muffins. Dick from Super 8 supplying us with appetizer vouchers for dinner on Sunday night, Ron who took B1 and B2 (Bern & Bevan) out sightseeing while the team was at practice, not to mention the many stories shared of the experiences of other paddlers across the weekend made the whole experience truly memorable. And on top of that I got to spend the past few days with an incredible bunch of wonderful women and their supporters in Peterborough. Thank you all.
Leigh Muldoon
Thank you for your Blog, it was almost as good as being there. I followed you at breakfast each day. Many thanks, and safe trip home.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline Cleland.
Dragons Abreast Ballarat.