Persistence

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.  Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts.  Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.  The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States of America 1923-1929

Amidst the flurry of anecdotes and comments shared by Grahame and Bruce the other day, Bruce was keen to give me a copy of the abovementioned quote, and suggested I save it to read later.  A philosophy I believe he holds true to himself and his life, I also think it's an appropriate leitmotif for my Marathon odyssey.  I keep recalling snippets of opinion and recall that Bruce uttered, not least his instruction to me that I should stop smoking immediately and make sure I get a colonoscopy as soon as I return to the UK, observing that at my age ("what are you, fifty?"), not to have one was bloody stupid!  Very cross with myself for being so wrapped up in listening to these great guys that I forgot to get a photograph of us all.

So, there's nothing like road-kill to make you realise you're not at home anymore.  During the seven hour drive from Coolangatta to Port Macquarie yesterday, my eyes were popping at the sight of the corpses of enormous dead snakes on the roadside, in my innocent North West European eyes, the size of boa constrictors!  A fascinating road journey from Southern Queensland down into Northern NSW, a mixture of motorway-like roads and undulating two-lane highway with occasional and much needed passing lanes.  Across river after angry swollen river, through small towns and large, my gutless little automatic Micra needing every bit of encouragement on the twisting inclines, it was an interesting mix of concentration and visual tourism.  Nearly came a cropper just once, when the car in front decided to brake and turn left at the last moment just as a passing lane began, which in turn had the not one, not two but THREE huge articulated trucks deciding to pass me nose to tail, the entire length of which forced me to nearly come off the road as the passing lane ended before they quite got by.  Talk about adrenalin!

I made a brief stop at Byron Bay, which I visited some 20 years ago.  My memory of this rather famous coastal resort was of a long beach, blue sea and dolphins in the distance.  This time, its impact was rather blunted by being under another grumpy, threatening sky.  Took some time to sit by the beach with coffee and write a few emails, watching the brave tourists weather the stormy, muggy conditons and sunbathe or try and ride the surf.  Then onwards, listening to ABC radio, all attention on Julia Gillard's recent and controversial cabinet reshuffle, and the rising flood waters of NSW, Northern Victoria and parts of Queensland.  Forecasts indicate peaks later this week and a low pressure front forming again off the NSW coast.  Judging from the weather reports, I don't think escaping to Melbourne will provide me with any respite, although Perth continues to have clear, blue skies and 36 degrees!

Got into Port Macquarie around 5.30pm yesterday afternoon - ah the wonders of Trip Advisor!  Parked up, found a coffee shop and had a quick look online at recommended hostelries.  Found one around the corner, and here I am at The Port Aloha Motel, which is pretty good and very central.  A quick trip to the supermarket chain Coles (I suggest similar to Asda or Tesco), and I was esconced for the night, more rain preventing any desire to explore, and my sleep was interrupted only by the hysterical laughing of a kookaburra in the trees across the road.

Off to see another marathonier this morning, and then will be up to my own devices until Thursday morning, so a continued tour down the coast towards Sydney, with a probable stop over at Gosford for a few nights and a bit of exploring - there's little point returning to Sydney as I would only have to come back up the coast for my Thursday meeting anyway.  Then back to Bondi for Thursday evening before a few more meetings on Friday.

My only big regret is that despite Max's efforts, there will a number of guys who I just won't be able to see.  I considered beggaring about with my itinerary, but as a consequence of the strong Aussie Dollar, this country is prohibitively expensive.  Will at very least try and make calls or send emails.  Still, another two to meet in Melbourne, and another Max to see in Perth.  I will be coming home with more stories, more information and a stronger sense of these amazing people's 'Marathon In The Dust' than I ever thought possible.