Have been interstate with work, went to Brisbane and Toowoomba in Queensland last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  We had our first national logistics meeting and I also attended both site OHS meetings.  All in all it was not too bad, weather was warm for the last two days, which was a nice change.  We also have a visitor from our Holland Head Office, a very nice guy, he is now here in Melbourne with us till this Friday.

Last Sunday I hit Mt Donna Buang again, this time I only made 3/4's of the way up, it was extremely cold, windy and snow at the summit, very uncomfortable.  I was again disappointed in myself, but I have now come to the realisation that I am too hard on myself and need to give myself break now and again.

Today I took one of the account ladies with me to look at a possible venue for our company family Christmas party, on the way she told me about a audio book she was listening to.  After hearing about it I asked her if I could borrow it and she gave it to me when we got back to the office.  It is called "You Don’t Have To Be Born Brilliant" by John McGrath. I am amazed at how things happen, I have been feeling like cracks of self doubt are appearing and a little apprehensive about my trek, and this maybe just the kick in the butt I need to get me back to where I want to be.

And the venue we went to look at by the way is just perfect, The Vines a great place for a BBQ, with a huge lawn area and play ground for the kids as well as a awesome view of the valley.

Ok well dinner is about ready, will try and get around to my friends soon, sorry for the absence.

Another busy week at work, stocktake still has yet to be finalized, hope to be done by 11am tomorrow.  On Thursday I went with 8 other colleagues, including our CEO to a breakfast run by Bridgeworks the guest speaker was Jane Rowe who was one of Richard Branson’s first employees back in the early days of Virgin Records.

She was part of that early passion and outgoing leadership style that Branson still is famous for today. Jane Rowe, now Director of the Mirabel Foundation in Melbourne, lived it hard, played it hard, as part of the early 70’s UK music industry. The Mirabel Foundation was established by Jane many years ago to assist children who have lost parents through drug abuse.

She spoke about her past and how she founded the foundation, it was very good story and she spoke very well.

Yesterday I hot Mt Donna Buang again, this time with 16kg's (35.27lb) the track goes to an elevation of 800 meters over 6km's (3.728miles) so hiked a total of 12 km's. The day before I had donated blood and with the extra weight in my pack, I struggled a little, how ever I recovered well. 

Last night we went out to Pescare's for dinner with two of my school mates and their partners, was a really good night, we try to catch up once a year but with my study last year it was been two years since I have seen them all.

Today will go am buy more gear that I need, first aid kit, maybe clothing if I can find some. Then will go to the RSL for a drink then home to relax before another busy week at work.

Happy 4th of July to my USA readers, hope you have had a great weekend!

What a week at work, we have been stocktaking for the end of the financial year, my boss and another from our office went to our other warehouse interstate, and I was in charge of our Melbourne stocktake for the first time.  I was stressed I must say, we had the auditors in as well, and they found a few errors ugh!  Will know more about how it went by Monday lunchtime I guess once all the counts have been entered.

Yesterday I went back to Mt Donna Buang for training, you may remember I did this a few weeks ago and struggled a little, I had not been well at that time.  Well I took 30 to 45 minutes off my time, it was still hard but did it more comfortably.  The weather was cold but fine, the birds we singing which was nice and the track was very muddy which was not nice but good for training lol. On a sour note, I was 15 minutes from getting back to our car and I twisted my ankle!  It is still swollen and sore, have had ice on it and will apply more today.

Here in Melbourne our new $2.6 billion toll way East Link has opened this morning, I will not drive it till next week when the traffic is not so bad, a lot of people are trying it out today, the toll is free for the next 4 weeks. It is hoped that it will take a lot of traffic off our local roads, time will tell.

That's about it for now I will try and get round to you all now.

Well my official time for the 10km run was 

1 hour 2 minutes and 55 seconds

and I am very happy with that

It is 6am here on Sunday, I have a 10km (6.214ml) run in a few hours, Run Melbourne hope to do it in under 60 minutes, but feel 65 to 70 will be more like it.  This will be the longest run I have ever done, so not sure really how I will go.  Weather today is cold with some showers, hope it does not rain too much.  The company I work for is donating $5.00 per person per kilometer to Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for today race, so there are few of my work colleagues racing today, different courses. 

The Fundraising for Franks family is going great, we have raised close to $2500.00 so far. We are going to see his wife later today.  Ok well I better start getting ready.