Friday 23rd January, 2009.

Hi Everyone, it's me Julie again. I know I said I had finished doing the blogs, but I thought I would just do a bit of an update on our day today.
Mike, Lachlan & I all went for a drive into Perth today. We are staying at Mandurah which is about an hour from Perth. We took the long route in so Lachlan & I could see a bit more of Perth. We drove through Freemantle, Cottesloe & other places. What a beautiful state W.A. is. It is such a weird thing to see so much green grass. That is a luxury that we no longer have in Victoria. We had lunch at Kings Park in the cafe there. I still can not get over the magnificent views. After that we went for a ride on the large Ferris wheel (well Lachie & I did, Mike stayed with his feet firmly on the ground), so we just waved to him from up above. We had to share the carriage with a lovely young couple (Natalie & Anthony) who just so happened to be from Melbourne. We got talking (not unusual for me) & I told them why we were in Perth. A short time after, when we were wandering around with Mike on the ground, they found us. I think they had been looking for us as they had some money ready in their hand to give us a donation. They have both been touched by cancer themselves (not sure in what capacity- I should have asked) & wanted to give something. It is these moments that are very touching. I hope you both enjoy the rest of your weekend in Perth Natalie & Anthony, you both have your heart in the right place. You are away on probably a well deserved holiday, but still wanted to take the time to do something for others.
After our day in the city, we headed back to Mandurah. I have a cousin who lives in Perth who I have only seen once in the last 23 years & that was in Adelaide 3 years ago. Naturally I wanted to catch up with Susie again. I have never met her partner & she has never met Mike or Lachlan. By sheer coincidence, they are staying in Mandurah for the long weekend. How incredible is that! Susie & I made plans for us to call into the holiday villa where they are staying along with good friends of theirs. It took a little while to get from the city back to Mandurah due to a few hold ups. Apart from the fact we were driving at peak hour, we also got caught in the holiday traffic & to top it off a car had caught on fire which also sparked a small bush fire! We had to pull off to the side to allow the fire department through, the police & ambulance where already there. It is easy to see just how quickly a fire can get away and could easily get out of control. I assume it is all under control as we have not heard anymore about it tonight. Anyway, getting back on track, we arrived at where Susie and Alan are staying & we met their friends. It is a funny thing with family. Like I said before, Susie & I have not seen each other for 3 years & that was after a 20 year gap, but you just feel like it has hardly been any time at all. I know when we both went to Adelaide for my cousin Jennys birthday 3 years ago, Susie & I had to share a room & it was like we were 2 kids again. We stayed awake just chatting for the whole night. They took us for a ride in their boat, well Lachlan & me. Mike stayed behind with their good friend Jock. Jocks partner Tina came in the boat with us. It was just beautiful cruising around the cannals. You can imagine how stunning all the homes are that back onto the water with private jettys. The weather was also absolutely perfect for this kind of activity. It was lovely to catch up with Susie again & to meet her other half & their good friends. Alan (Susies partner) was showing Lachlan how to catch crabs with a net. Unfortunately (or fortunately, however you want to look at it) they were all under size, so he had to throw them back in the water. Anyway, it was a great day & we all had a few good laughs. We are back at Margaret & Daves house now & feeling very tired after all the sight seeing & frivolity. I certainly hope it is not another 20 years before we get together again.

Day 34. Tuesday, 20th January 2009.

What a grand finale! We were at the Perth Town Hall along with Simone Burns & all the rest of the team from the W.A. Cancer Council & also Lisa Scaffidi who is the Lord Mayoress. Mike's sister Margaret & her husband Dave where also there. They actually met up with me & Lachlan outside of Perth to help me through the city & also to find the Town Hall. Margaret hopped in our car & we followed Dave. That was an interesting experience. Maybe if Margaret & I were not yacking so much & paid more attention Dave would not have gotten away from us so quickly. Anyway, we found him again & we all got there safe & sound.
It was a very emotional moment when he finally rode in. We all stood along the edge of the road & cheered & clapped as Mike peddled in. I felt so very proud to be Mikes wife. Then Mike & I shed a couple of tears. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, it was a great moment. For me, it is such a relief that it is all over. I have enjoyed the whole experience, but I am now looking forward to getting back to a normal life. Then on the other hand, being married to Mike, maybe a normal life wont last for long. We will just have to wait & see what new projects he will take on!!!! We have come back to Dave & Margarets house to stay for a few days which we have all been looking forward to. Some of their children, grandchildren & a couple of friends all came over this afternoon. It was a very busy & happy time. They are such a lovely family. Some I already knew & others I met for the first time.
We have so many people to thank I don't know where to begin. I have to thank my parents because without their support & help I may not have been able to come, all our friends for their good wishes, support & prayers. Also all the people who have made donations, provided us with accommodation, provided us with assistance when things break down etc. Sealys bikes back in Mornington also deserve a huge thank you. Peninsula Curtains where we work have been fantastic & we look forward to seeing you all again soon. Everyone at Peninsula Christian Church in Rosebud have been a fantastic support, we can't wait to see you all again. We also can't wait to see all our friends and families, especially all the kids Bradly, Ashlea, Kristy, Kelsey, Riley & Asha (I didn't mention Lachie as he is with us). Also a big thank you to the Cancer Councils in Vic., W.A. & S.A. I also owe Lachlan a huge thank you. He has been such great company along the way & helps with all the IT stuff & packing up the car each day. Ashley Owen who created this web site & helps out with the site from his end.
We will keep this web site going till 28th February, 2009 so if anyone wishes they can still make an online donation. At this point of time we do not have a total of what we have raised so far, as we are not at home to check the post office box and we also have some collection tins to collect & count. I will post a blog at the end to let you all know what the final total raised is when the final count is done. Thank you so much for all your support. It will be a strange feeling tomorrow night when I do not have any more reports on Mikey on the Bikey to "blog".
Goodnight & Bless all of you.

Signing off for the last time,

Julie McKenzie.

Day 33. Monday 19th January, 2009.

What a day it was today. Mike had a short ride today of only 58km's from Cunderdin to Northam. He had to ride through a thunder & lightening storm to get there though! Fortunately his sister Lois & her husband Dusty live half way between. Lachlan & I dropped in first & told them they better put the kettle on for her soggy brother. It was a nice way to break up the morning, so Mike rode in & we all stayed till the storm passed. Mike hopped on his bike & left first, then Lachie & I headed off after making arrangements to meet in Northam for dinner.
We arrived at the Northam Caravan Park where Beverly had very kindly supplied us with a really nice cabin. From the moment we arrived, we had a really good "feel" about this place. It is very bushy which we like & also very pet (& people) friendly. We don't have any of our pets with us and so we have had fun playing with everyone else's. There is even a pet lamb that follows Bev & her labrador around everywhere. They have a number of permanent people who live there & they all seem to have a pet of some kind. I have enjoyed wandering around the park & talking to some of the residents there. Everyone has an interesting tale to tell. This is a great place to stay.
Later in the evening we met up with Dusty & Lois again at the Northam Tavern in Fitzgerald Street, Northam. Everyone there was also very friendly, by this I mean the staff & also a couple of the regulars who we met. The place is run by Trevor & Sandy Allsop who generously supplied us with a delicious meal. It was really good, but only Mike could finish his as the servings where huge! We have had such a great couple of days catching up with Lois & Dusty. It was actually the first time Lachlan & I have met them, but I feel like I have known them for a long time. They have been so supportive of this cause & just wanting to help in any way they can.
I feel we have so many people to thank today. A huge thank you to Bev & Ian of Northam Caravan Park (08)9622 1620, another big thank you to Trevor & Sandy of Northam Tavern (08)9622 1041 & of course Lois & Dusty.
In between all this family socialising, bike riding & chatting to people in the park, Mike, Lachie & I also managed to fit in a drive to York. What a pretty little country town this was. We had devonshire tea, had a look around & then came back. Well it's off to bed now. Huge day tomorrow. This will be the last day of riding!!! I can't believe it is about to be over, the planning, training & actual trip have been a part of our lives for 14 months. I am feeling a little emotional tonight about the whole thing. I am just so proud of Mike in all that he has done. I never doubted for a minute that he couldn't do it, but I will be glad when it is over as it certainly has taken it's toll on him physically. Mentally he is as strong as ever. Tomorrow one of Mike's other sister's (Margaret) who I have met will meet me just out of Perth to help navigate me to the Perth Town Hall where the Cancer Council team of Perth & also Lisa Scaffidi the Lord Mayoress will meet us. I am looking forward to seeing Margaret again.
So goodnight for now everyone. I guess I will have a big report tomorrow night.

Cheers,

Julie.

Day 32. Sunday 18th January, 2009.

A much cooler day for Mikey on his bikey today. He rode 104km's to Cunderdin & even though it was cooler, he still really felt it. Thank you to the Cunderdin Caravan Park for putting us up for the night, we really appreciate it. We love your caretakers little dog Sandy!
After lunch we went to visit Mike's sister Lois & her hubby Dusty. We had a fun afternoon with them and all their animals. Managed to get out without Lachlan slipping one of those cute kittens in his pocket!
We went and had dinner in the Ettamogah pub. I did not know there was one in Cunderdin. Actually there are a lot of things about this great country of ours that I don't know, but boy have we had a wonderful time finding out more about it. We went & visited the major earthquake centre in Meckering (thats where Lois & Dusty live) & stood in the ruins of what looked to be a beautiful homestead before the big quake in 1968.
Thank you to those who have made donations today. Your support helps to keep Mike focused on what this ride is all about.
Almost there, only 2 more sleeps to go!!!!!

Julie.

Day 31. Saturday 17th January, 2009.

Another scorcher today. Mike rode 110km's in the heat & it is now taking it's toll on him. He is just about worn out & I am so glad that it will be all over in 3 days!!!! I can't believe that a month has passed already.
The support crew arrived at the Merredin Caravan Park & Av-A-Rest Village to be greeted by Sue. They say on their card that they are the best & cleanest in the West. I reckon they are to. This place is immaculate, the laundry literally sparkles. Thank you so much Sue for providing us with a very comfy (& spotless) cabin. This is an absolutely beautiful park with a very nice pool & lots of shady tree's. So it is like a little haven on a hot day. Sue is also a wildlife carer, so we have had fun patting the kangaroo's that just roam around & a very cheeky cocky that just seems to hang around. The place is actually up for sale & Mike & I were saying how nice it would be to buy something like this & live in such beautiful surroundings. After chatting to Sue for a while when we first arrived, Lachie & I went back to give Mike some more cold drinks to keep him going before he expired from the heat. He takes plenty of water, but it goes hot in such a short time. This afternoon we went for a little drive around (it was too hot to get out of the car & walk around). Merredin is a nice little country town.
I would just like to mention at this point of time, that without the support from all these people like Sue who have provided us with accommodation, that we probably would not have been able to do this fundraising event to raise money for cancer research. You have all made such a big contribution which is very much appreciated.
Bye for now,

Julie. X







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Day 30. Friday 16th January, 2009.

I have one word to describe today. HOT! It got to 41 degree's, remember it is always hotter on the road, so poor Mike. It still wasn't as bad as that day he rode to Norseman though. That was a shocker (44 degrees with hot north wind).
It took Mike just under 4 hours to ride 100 kms to Southern Cross. It is 8.30pm now & it doesn't feel like it has got much cooler at all, but we are staying at a place with airconditioning so we are ok. Mike has very sore wrists (amongst other things) tonight. Lachlan is carrying on about a loose tooth, so he is trying his hardest to pull it out, and me, my only whinge is that I ate too much at dinner & now feel like I need to ride the bike tomorrow to burn off some fat. Mike said he doesn't mind swapping places! I would probably be lucky to last 1 km.
I will sign off for now as we are all really tired & ready for bed. I know that you are probably wondering why I am tired, we all know why Mike is, but I woke at about 4am this morning & couldn't get back to sleep. I then decide to get Lachlan up super early so we could all head off before it got too hot, so he looks like he can hardly stay awake much longer.
Goodnight all. Thank you everyone for all your calls & txt messages today. We feel very blessed to have so many people who care.
Julie. X

Day 29. Thursday 15th January, 2009.

Mike rode 130kms today somewhere in the bush half way between Kalgoolie & Southern Cross. So, that means we only have 460kms to go! At this point of time we are a fair bit in front & plan to arrive in Perth next Tuesday 20th January. We should be at the Town Hall around midday to be greeted by the Lord Mayor & the W.A. cancer team. Mike will be on Perth radio 6pr with Howard Sattler that evening around 5.30pm.
Great to hear from our family in Sweden, we miss you guys. Give Charlie & Gabrielle a big hug from us.
Ok, I will let you all know why we are in front. Mike could tell I didn't like the camping bit (I didn't complain - he just could tell) so he pushed himself to go further each day & skipped a day of rest. Part of me feels a bit guilty about it & the other part is just soooo grateful. I am also glad because it means we will get home a little sooner, hopefully in time for the start of the new school year.
Now we are on the last leg, only 5 days left, so if you have been thinking of making a donation, now will be a good time. Mike has worked so hard and has pushed himself & suffered a great deal of discomfort & a fair bit of pain, it would be great if he acheived his goal of raising $10,000 to help raise money for cancer research. Every dollar helps. Your good wishes & words of encouregment also help to keep him going, so thank you to everyone who has posted a message on this web site & sent text messages.

Cheers for now,

Julie.