Day 132 : What’s The Story Morning Glory

High point: 14,000 feet – the height Steve jumped out of a plane over Bryon Bay

Low point: Paul and Fuad were sad to have their last innings behind the wheel of Martha

No point: Getting lost driving round the block with precious cargo on board, FTFE fans Jack (8), Charlie (5) and Lilah (2). Jack should be promoted to Navigator!

Pap point: Being photographed against the beautiful backdrop of Byron Bay Lighthouse by awesome photographer Benjamin Sherack http://www.benzwaves.com

There were mixed emotions driving to Brisbane.  It meant the end of stage 5, the end of an era, the start of the headache that would be getting Martha ready for shipping, the excitement of meeting up with extra special friends of FTFE and, for the boys, they’d soon be at the place they’d been dreaming about for weeks, the Ashes.The drive north took us via Surfers Paradise, the Lanzarote of the Gold Coast, where we did a quick TV interview with the ABC news team before heading out of town to meet Mark Gribble of Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, who had been chasing us down the Pacific Highway all morning, eager to meet Martha.  After a quick chat we headed for the main event of the day, a welcome party at the Story Bridge Hotel, kindly organised by our resident BrisVegas Penny Toms.

It has been a long slog to our final destination in Australia and it was fantastic to be greeted by a few followers (of that fire engine!).  Quite the eclectic bunch; good friends from home, family (there are Harpins everywhere), friends from Ozzie backpacking days, facebook followers and even a couple who had bumped into the fire engine stage 1 crew way way way back on day 2 of the entire expedition (this excited Steve far too much). Hello BrisVegas good bye stage 5, it’s been a real pleasure!

Amy

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