hello all is great!Dearest friends!
Brisbane, capital of the Queensland State! A beautiful city where Australian angels rush to welcome the walker. As number 45 shoes are worn out, he takes advantage of the Paddy Pallin store where a discount is extended to him to buy number 46.
Then, he spends a few enchanting days in Monterey Keys at Leni and Peter's house and their son Adam walks with him on some 20 km to reach Gold Coast where he is invited by Dr. Charles Wu of the Canadian Australian Club, Gold Coast Chapter.
This part of the Australian Coast is much appreciated by tourists and with reason because it is a magnificent area!
Then there are a short stay at the Miami Beach Motel and a little talk to the pupils of the Miami Secondary School where Jean makes many friends. Afterward, these young people email him very heartfelt messages.
"Your hope and determination to walk the world for "Peace and non violence for the profit of the children of the world" is an inspiring effort. To believe in yourself and have the courage to leave your family for 11 years only visiting once a year is amazing. There should be more people in the world like you."
"What you are doing is very inspiring and shows amazing determination. To do something so kind and selfless for others and the determination for peace definitely deserves congratulations. You also show great courage to leave everything in your life and set off for a mission not knowing what lies ahead."
"I hope you have fun and hopefully you see your wife soon."
"I just think that you are a great influence to all of us students. I was so amazed that you had been walking for 10 years and that you have left your family behind. Also that you are walking around the world for children. I'd just like to say Well Done and Good Luck!"
After the deserts of the Northern Territories, the coastal landscape is charming. However, the threat of dangerous snakes has not disappeared. From time to time, Jean sees kangaroos but it is a bit difficult to photograph them as they flee as soon as he tries to get near them.
Along this beautiful road, either Australian friends warmly welcome him or he sleeps in his tent. But wherever he is and whenever he has the chance, he hastens to write his memoirs.
On May 15, Jacky and Stephen Fletcher greet him in Yarrapinni. Jacky who works at Kempsey West Public School organizes a chat with the students. She then forwards a few of their comments:
"I feel so honoured to meet this man. Everybody asked questions because they were so interested about what he had to say about his journey - like the different food he ate, where he slept and how many shoes he wore out!"
"He doesn't use violence - instead he uses dialogue and communication. He is an inspiration to all young people who want to do something big in their lives."
"Jean Béliveau cares about the world and children. He tries to stop violence. He taught us that if you put your mind to something you can do it."
"I would have liked to have gone with him."
On May 19, in Port Macquarie, Jean is hosted by David Massey whose daughter Amy is a friend of Thomas-Eric, Jean's son in Berlin. On the 25, in Myall National Park, he is closely watched by a dingo, a wild dog frequently seen in the area. Finally in Gosford on the 30th, thanks to Shirley and Brian Phillips, Jean certainly cannot complain about being hungry!
On June 6 Jean makes his official entry in Sydney in crossing the Harbour Bridge in good company of Mr. Tom MacDonald, Consul General of Canada in Sydney and other friends from the same office. Andrew Lawson who hosted the walker for 2 days prior to this day and other Australian friends also take part in the event.
Following this important milestone, Jean allows himself several days in the city during which he concentrates on his writings. Brian Phillips, who hosted him previously in Gosford, provides housing for him.
After an overdose of writing, Jean continues his journey southward along the coast and thanks to Andrew and Brian who have set up some kind of a chain of hosts for him with their friends and acquaintances, Jean is welcomed with great attention and friendliness from one community to the next.
A short detour to Canberra that he reaches by bus to participate in a walk against cancer organized by the High Commission of Canada and he is back in Coalcliff on June 23 while we go through a small earthquake in Quebec! His progress on the road is very slow because he takes advantage of the warm Australian hospitality for... guess what???... WRITE!!!
While checking the Web site statistics, I suspect that people browsing the "Route" page would be disappointed with this delay. But there is a reason for it... If Jean was walking at the same steady pace of the previous years or months, he would arrive in Canada just before winter and as he prefers to walk across the country during the summer, he defers his arrival.
In a few weeks, on August 18, Jean will celebrate his 55th birthday and the 10th anniversary of his wwwalk. I wish you "Happy Celebrations", my darling!
Till next time...
Luce