Blogging!

I am now up and running with this blog thing! Anaconda

Hello all
I'm just back from a short skiing trip in Victoria with my family. Michelle (has anyone located that "off switch" yet?) tried to get me to do some promotions while I was down in the snow but I was a bit scared that the holiday might end in divorce. Our families have been so supportive of us and this event, sometimes in the front line and more often than not by being extra helpful at home or making sure we take a bit of time-out now and then to recharge our batteries. By chance, I met a ski instructor at Falls Creek who knew all about Dragons Abreast Australia as she had paddled with some pink ladies and also helped raise some Pink Pennies for us earlier this year. It's a small world isn't it?

Even though I loved my holiday in the snow, I was looking forward to getting back to that beautiful warm Queensland sunshine. But guess what - the rain followed us all the way home and it has been raining for the last 2 days. We had not had rain in Brisbane for about 4 months and everything was looking rather brown. This wet weather is great timing as everything should be nice and green again by September so we can enjoy those blue skies and beautiful sunshine. Make sure you pack your sunscreen.

Well, I must go and do a bit more OC work.

Paddles Up
Pink Pete

Taste Testing in Caloundra...

Another day spent in Caloundra, this time the focus was a little more on the food side of things. Hog's Breath Cafe, situated in Bulcock Street, are providing Hoggie Dollars to all participants which means each registered participant will get a discount. We just had to try it out. The food and service is terrific.

Jo Kelly and her staff are looking forward to meeting a lot of people in September. Watch out for Hoggie in the street parade on Friday. The picture is of Jo Kelly on the left, and myself on the right.


We also visited Caloundra Events who are the caterers for your meals for the opening ceremony as well as lunches on the Saturday and Sunday. Of course we just had to have another taste test of the food being provided for you. Very nice!

Dragons at the National Zoo

We are just about to send out invitations for an amazing event on the Catwalk at the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra. This lunch, on September 7th, supported by MIX106.3, who will be emceeing on the day, is to involve the corporates in our Caloundra event and encourage them to buy tickets for the Zoo function which will in turn help us to ensure the success of Abreast in Australia 2007.

Other supporters include EcoPoint Myall Shores Resort, The Humphries Family, Hudsons Catering, The National Zoo & Aquarium, Dr LeWinn’s, Djembe Drummers and Coca Cola.

Anna and Elspeth are doing an amazing job here on this function, which together with the launch of A Dragon's Tale, is keeping us very busy! The ACT team is excited to have 2 survivors from Hong Kong in our team, and our team captain, Annette (pictured above with arms around Jama the King Cheetah's neck) has sent them a welcome message, to which we have received a most charming response. It's getting better by the day!

Jan

Hurricane Michelle Has Left Brisbane!

I picked up Michelle at 5am from Brisbane airport on Thursday, and sent her to bed late the same night! Does she ever stop? It was a great day, and we accomplished much. I felt very enthused when Michelle was explaining about the Dragon Walk of History - I even had a sneak peek at some photos. I urge you all to make sure you take the "walk of history" in September. It really is an amazing chronology of Dragons Abreast Australia.

We met with some of our supporters and it really is bringing home to fact that we are really very close. Even our supporters/sponsors are very excited. One meeting we had was with Moreton Hire who are putting up all the marquees/tents for all aspects of the event. Wow! To see it mapped out - what a hoot!
I went for a drive to Caloundra today with my mum - it was a magnificent 27 degrees, I had lunch by the water, - perfect. I can see you all there....

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE WEDNESDAY

This is it folks - we are definitely on Caloundra countdown and that really came home to me tonight! It was the night the Dragon Walk of History - which will be a central part of our Expo Marquee in Caloundra went on public display. It was a trial run as well as an opportunity for all those who have been behind us every step in the journey - here in the NT whre it all began - to see this first.

I do not have the words to describe the sensation when I walked into that room and looked at the magnificent display. I mean I had seen it asa a work in progress - but the finished product - just amazing! Check out our national blog on http://dragonsabreastaustralia.blogspot.com/ to see what I wrote there - as this is not just about Abreast in Australia - so it has been hard deciding what to post where! We do not plan to release many photos as we want you to experience the same feeling we had this evening.

It has been a long journey and not an easy one to bring the event and this amazing Walk of History together - but everyone has pulled together. Dragons Abreast NT donated $5000 from their recent Golf Day to help us bring this display to everyone. We were pleased to have the representative from TOLL attend tonight - he has seen it first hand and knows what it is that we now need to transport! Port Macquarie and Canberra have already booked in they want this display next - it is sensational and I am positive no one will be disappointed.

I am off again tonight - on the dreadful midnight flight - to Brisbane where Jo (one of our Brisbane committee members) will meet me off the plane at 5 am - which is really nice of her! and then it's a full day of meetings to make more stuff happen for your visit.
Must away now - it is almost 11 p.m - although I do notice when I post these things something weird happens to the times that appear on the page! and I need to get to the airport.
Michelle

TUESDAY UPDATE

Thought you would enjoy this snap taken by our Regional Representative on her last visit up to the Sunshine Coast - this is our team members from our two groups - Redcliffe and Sunshine Coast - all keen to greet you!

As promised yesterday here is some information re the keeping in shape side of things! The beaches are great to jog along and just by Kings Beach is this great little area where you can do your stretches and all kinds of other exercises. I took this photo from two angles and you can it is is right there on the beach! There are also barbecues near by so your supporters could cook you a breakfast to enjoy after your workout.

There are also some great areas for the kids to play if you have littlies with you!

Our latest Bulletin 14 -went out last night and the news about the discount entry to Australia Zoo has been met with wonderful enthusiasm! Crikey! is that the time - must go get the dinner.

Michelle

Greetings from cold Canberra!

It's 11.30pm, and paddling is on at 6.30am tomorrow - am I going to make it? And this to be followed by a Canberra OC meeting before a full day's work - what are Anna and Elspeth thinking of??? We want to be sure we are on top of all issues so that what we bring to you in Caloundra is perfect!

Michelle has posted some great photos of Caloundra - it is getting more exciting by the minute!

And a mysterious message from Agent Shush - she seems to be getting closer to the action, but we think we have everything under control, and away from her prying eyes - we wouldn't want her to spill the beans on everything we have planned for you!

The Canberra OC are also organising a Lunch on the Catwalk at the National Zoo and Aquarium, to raise some Pink Pennies for extra special goodies at Abreast in Australia 2007. Zoo day is 7 September, which coincides with Endangered Species Day. Here we are with Jama the cheetah, together with Annette, our team captain, and Judy, the ACT Coordinator.

And then there's the launch of the book "A Dragon's Tale" (or was that Tail??), planned for 6 September....... Pete's been asking where to locate Michelle's 'off' switch - she is switched on all day, every day, never stops!

Time for bed I think, or no paddling on the icy lake tomorrow!

Jan

THE MISSING PHOTOS!

Amazing what a good nights sleep does! I have located the missing photo's so easily today! Now I have pasted them in but am having a bit of trouble working out the formatting business!

My journey began with the Shuttle bus from Brisbane Airport to Caloundra - this costs $45 per person and is a door to door service. However, those travelling in a group will get a cheaper price - if you are coming from North American please check with Goway Travel patti@goway.com for the best deal she can do for you. The big bus from the airport stops at the Aussie World carpark which is just off the highway and everyone then piles into the smaller buses which take you direct to your specific accommodation. The drivers are great and will know where to drop you off - and our friendly committee of meet and greets will be on the look out for you arriving in Caloundra!

Once you get to Caloundra you might be a bit fuzzy headed from all the travel and sitting on a plane or in a car if you've drive from destinations across Australia.

I recommend you take a walk along the beach - there is a boardwalk that runs from Kings Beach to Bulcock Beach right in the centre of town. It is an easy walk and the views are sensational. These photos show you a peek of what you can expect to see. I took the first shot at around 4.15 pm as I walked to LaPromenade and the second one on my way back to Kings Beach around 5.30.


Now those who are keen to make sure you stay in training - there is a all kinds of stuff and options. I'll talk about them tomorrow! Right now I must away to cook the dinner for the family.
Michelle

PHOTOS FROM CALOUNDRA TRIP

Another busy day as we've worked on the finer points of the program - but I can't sign off yet because as promised yesterday I would get the photo's to you! I am so clever at this stuff that I have downloaded the photo's, labelled them all really carefully and managed to loose them! Oh dear - lucky I am not in charge of photography!

So sorry folks! I'll try again tomorrow and see if I can master this when I am fresher!

Michelle

UPDATE FROM CALOUNDRA VISIT

My visit to Caloundra was most successful! The weather was just glorious - beautiful sunshine and surf crashing on the beach. The parks were full of families having barbeques on the Sunday evening I arrived. Took a walk right along the boardwalk from Kings Beach to LaPromenade at Bulcock Beach. It is right along the beachfront and a nice easy walk that anyone can manage at their own pace. It is nice and wide too so wheelchairs can navigate it as well. The Glasshouse Mountains looked beautiful in the distance and are well worth a day trip for those of you who have time.

On arrival at LaPromanade I took a leisurely half hour to enjoy a glass of chilled white wine as I looked out over the water and watch the folks fishing off the beach. This is a fantastic spot that I recommend you should drop into for a coffee or a vino as it is right on the water.

For those who want to keep up their training regime there are some great place to run/walk along the beach front. Right outside Rolling Surf there is also a great set up of exercise bars for all kind of stretched ect - so coaches - check em out!

I met up with the team at Aussie World - venue for Party Night and they have got some fantastic plans for the night. No speeches just party night! with all the funfair stuff to enjoy as well as music and dancing for those who want or quiet corners if you prefer a more sedate pace. The buses will take you there - so you can enjoy a drink without worrying about having to drive home!

I also caught up with Lloyd Mills who will be doing our souvenir DVD - it is guaranteed to be a great production and something you are all going to want to order - we discussed all the scenes we want to capture and number one priority is all your smiling faces! So look out for the camera's and make sure you're all the Pinkest you can be!

Got to go tend to dinner now - more tomorrow - when I download photo's from camera. Michelle