Welcome to our Journal.
This is a daily log of events along our journey south as seen by the author of the journal entries Ian James.
As communications are sometimes difficult journal entries may be behind the current date.

Select the desired Month Icon to read the journal entries

The journey north from Albury to Darwin our starting point has commenced. But to the team this journey has started in earnest. Now is the best time to organise specific tasks for team members, test our equipment and many other things. Our schedule at this point is not as stringent as it will be when we depart Darwin for the journey south.

Well the moment we have all been working and waiting for, the official start of the long journey south. Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer has started in earnest follow the day to day events of the riders as they describe the journey.

The ride is well and truly underway, after a few teething problems the camp is starting to settle into our daily routines. Each town we have arrived at has given us an overwhelming reception and the fund raising is exceeding our expectations. The people out here are nothing short of magnificent, which restores our faith in human nature and makes us all proud to call ourselves Australian.

We are now in the third month of our trip and things are settled well, or at least as well as can be expected. It never ceases to amaze us at the beauty of the Australian Outback and the generosity of the people.

The journey continues along very well, we have now crossed the border into Queensland. Though communities are few and far between in this region when we do arrive at a town we are warmly greeted by every one. Along the road there is never a dull moment and always something to write about.

Now that we are a it further south the towns are more frequent, there for a while it was sometimes days before we came across a town. The heat during the day has certainly strained both man and beast but both are coping quite well.

As everyone would aware, Australia is experiencing one of its worst droughts in decades. The Akta-Vite Campfires Against Cancer crew are experiencing first hand the hardships of the hot and dry conditions. Amazingly the people out here are resilient and ever optimistic and always willing to lend a hand.

Well the New Year is off to a great start, no doubt all the new year resolutions have been set. The team have all set theirs and with an extra spring in their step the journey south continues. Some of the crew have been traveling ahead to prepare for the busy schedules as the team reach the centres. Driving the cattle along the road has sometimes proven to be challenging. We can now relate to the drovers of old and some of the trials and tribulations they faced.

Tamworth was a tremendous success and everyone worked hard toward raising money toward our goal. Back on the road again and the pressure is still on, everyone is tired but still continue to keep up the momentum. The whole team is looking forward to our arrival in Albury and the festivities planned.