| The Walk |
| Day 21 |
| REST DAY – TS TOBRUK, NEWCASTLE Nana Torpedo Today being our rest day we all caught up with our domestic chores before heading off to catch up with friends and old mates. I was walking through the mall and without seeing who was there; I heard this voice say “don’t walk past us with that look on your face”. It turned out to be Richard, John Smithies, Frank Schiebel and Possum who were partaking of an ale or two and telling stories from the past. I left them and walked back through the lovely park on the foreshore. Soon after one of our new walkers’ for tomorrow arrived. We had a chat and Craig took him to where the blokes are bunking down. I guess that’s all for now as I have to tell Kim the new total for this week or I will be in trouble. I must thank the Officers and crew of T.S. Tobruk for their generous hospitality. Craig ‘Feathers’ Fothergill A well earned rest and being well looked after by LTCD Hancock, SBLT Dunne, Staff and Ships Company of TS Tobruk. We all attended Parade this morning and then went about doing our own thing for the day, which included a lot of washing, and then with some heading for the local internet café to retrieve the many emails that have been gathering during the 20 days on the road. For those of you who may have joined the Navy as a Sea Cadet (in those days) I have included some photos to excite your memory. Ray ‘Jock’ Copeland A good sleep interrupted by mossies, however war will be declared tonight. Noticed several pods of dolphins in the channel but otherwise a very relaxed day reading from the ship’s library and drinking the ship’s coffee. Over the hump now and Canberra bound. My love to Jenny, Chloe, Trek and Brosnan. Barry ‘Engines’ and Cathy Davis A very quiet day. Got a good insight into the history of TS Tobruk and the surrounding areas over the past 60 years from TS Tobruk CO LCDR Hancock. Had a beautiful oven fired pizza for lunch (love my pizza) by the waterfront. Other than that it was quite uneventful. The mossies overlooked me for a change, they obviously had their fill on Craig, Jock and Richard. Looking forward to doing plenty of kilometers tomorrow. Richard ‘Slug’ Lewin What a day I have had, thank God for old friends and great reminisces. Frank, John and I spent many hours reliving old times at the Crown and Anchor Hotel, Newcastle. Love to my wife and family. Possum and Dale Caught absent without leave…..ie. Not available to report due to their desire to consume several slices of local pizza having heard about the outstanding quality of the product from ‘Engines’ and Cathy. Maybe they can catch up tomorrow. Rick Steltenpool Affectionately known as ‘Cesspool’, I will be stepping out all the way to Parramatta, and because I arrived around midday, get to have my own little say for the day. The afternoon was spent getting acquainted with this intrepid band of walkers, meeting some for the first time and reacquainted with Slug after many years. |
