Day 3 and 4 Challenge for Change

The excitement of Day 3 began just before midnight on Day 2 when we were evacuated from the Youth Hostel due to a fire alarm. It was a great fashion parade of pyjamas, although most looked less than impressed. 

I decided in the morning that this would be the day I highlighted "A Day in the Life of the Ground Crew". There are many obvious tasks such as cooking, cleaning, hauling luggage, driving, filming...but there are many facets to these tasks.  Cooks have to work out the available cooking facilities to determine what they can physically cook and then search the local shops for possible options that fit the budget.  The media crew not only film but figure out interesting angles, take up various poses on banks, under bridges and in the middle of overpasses. Then they sit up till all hours of the editing.

One of this year's  "newbies" pointed out that she has learnt to identify each of the riders from behind....by the colour of their shoes, their helmets and bikes. Unfortunately she has yet to identify them by their faces.  I guess that will come. 

Some of the crew simply drive between towns to do their jobs in the next location. Did I say simply? If you don't include a projectile vomiting episode from one of the very junior support crew (Sammy) , capably fielded by his "grandma friend" (Jan),  clothing changes, clean up efforts while parked on the side of the road, .....and then the demise of our trusty leader Hedgy.....running out of fuel in the major support vehicle.  But we won't talk about  any of that because what happens in the van stays in the van. 

Onto Day 4.  This  would  have to be one of the most scenic drives ever. The hills were again cruel but the downhill runs were also spectacular. Words can't describe the beauty of Mount Aspiring National Park and Lake  Hawea and Lake Wanaka.  I'll leave it to the video and the drone footage. Have you seen our new drone in action?  Let us know what you think.

It's 9.30 pm and the daylight is nearly gone. Looking forward to a new day dawning. Don't forget why we're doing this ride.....it's all about the children at Eagles Wings. Please support them if you are able.