Day 1

I made it. After about 20 hours door to door, we arrived in the old city of Hanoi. We are a diverse group of nine women and we all seem to be getting on well already.

We had a small walk around last night and we are site seeing today and an overnight train to Hue tonight.

So, not much to say, but sending hugs and kisses to you all.

We made it!

Thanks to all my generous family, friends, and complete strangers, we have collectively raised over $3,000 all of which will directly benefit CARE Australia's projects in Vietnam. The tour group together has raised more than $25,000.

I am overwhelmed and humbled by your support.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I fly out tomorrow at 6.00 am! I can't believe that the day has finally arrived. When I booked this trip I was full of bravado. Now I feel like the most selfish mother and partner in the world. And, as my very sensible friend Bronwyn pointed out, I am unlikely to have a life-changing experience. However, I hope  I will go someway to finding me and who I want to be in this world.

J

We mounted Crosby!

I am trying to catch up on some incomplete challenges before I go. Yesterday, my boys got up early to help me complete Challenge 8 - climb Mt Crosby.

As I mentioned, I have lived here for seven years and never realised there was a 'mount' at Mt Crosby!

A big thank you to Donna, MIchael, and Annie, not only for their generous support of both me and CARE Australia, but for introducing us to a beautiful part of our backyard. We will do it again.

Thank you to my photo families

I have just spent a fantastic weekend with some amazing families, taking photos of them to raise funds for the trip.

I sent an email to some of my girlfriends who forwarded it on, and then it was forwarded and forwarded and forwarded! I only knew one of the families I photographed. Everyone was so interested in the trip. Many donated more money than the suggested amount. One family lost everything in the floods, yet were still happy to help CARE Australia. Amazing. I am busily editing the pics and getting them ready to send to you this week, More photos to do next weekend.

This trip is bringing me so many encounters with such warm and generous people I would never have ordinarily met. I am very grateful (thanks Lou!)

Back to blogging

I have been very remiss in my blogging of late. Believe me I have been training (just not necessarily on the bike - oops!).

So I thought I should blog about a lovely training ride I did with Gus and our darling friends the Greenop-Roberts. We started at Toombul and rode to the Boondall Wetlands Information Centre. A hot and long ride for little legs.

Thank you all for helping me to train. You are such great company, I (nearly) forgot we were biking as we chatted.

Jxx