Saturday. October 30. Day 92. LAST DAY!!!!!!

THE DAY WE HAVE BEEN WAIITNG FOR AND MORE......

There was so much excitement the last two days that I only got round to the blog this morning. And boy was it all worth it. Every km on the way from Joburg to Cape Town paid off.

Waking up on Saturday all grinning with smiles of excitement as there was only about 5 k’s left and not a gruelling 1800 anymore we quickly got dressed and started the day.

Making our way to the marker rigging the safety sign for the last time and surrounded by journalists of every degree we felt a little bummed that it was all over now but at the same time being super excited and proud that we have made it to the end.

Puddy’s family joined in and formed a convoy for us which were led by the metro police to ensure our safety on the busy roads off Cape Town. The skating went smooth and fast with only 4.5 k’s to skate we made it to the Village safely and speedily.

On our arrival we were overwhelmed by the response. The kids went crazy. The supporters went crazy. Every one cheering so loud that we thought Puddy had skated around the world. Some people were overcome with emotion shedding some tears for this amazing feat that Puddy has done for the kids of the SOS Children’s Villages.

Looking at Puddy from a distance we could see that this man was proud off himself and he had all the reason in the world to be. He had just conquered 1800km’s on his skateboard all for charity.

The kids prepared a special welcoming dance for Puddy, on which he even joined in on. A real special moment for the crew. Knowing that these were the kids that the cause was directed to and that they were just as overcome by emotions as we were felt amazingly humane. Knowing that one can still make a difference in the lives of the youth.

Speeches were made and thank you’s were said while a sea of flashes from camera’s filled the air. After handing out skateboards to the kids – which they appreciated tremendously, we were supprised to learn that another convoy had been arranged for us at Mad world and they were taking us out to Amadoda Shebeen were we where to have lunch and relax.

We got to Mad world and were stumped. A convoy of about 30 cars all branded with Skate for Change banners was waiting for us at Mad World. Lead by a huge truck donning speakers and sound equipment with a MC talking to the whole of Cape Town we made our way through the city streets. Puddy was a rock star and the whole Cape Town heard of it. What a great moment to see so much support directed to our cause. Truly mind blowing

We had a lovely lunch and some drinks and watched the rugby. After this we made our way to the Final Frontier Party at Hectic on hope were all the proceeds went to charity.

THANKS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN SKATE FOR CHANGE 2010.

ALL THE SPONSORS. ALL THE FANS. ALL THE KIDS AT THE VILLIAGES. ALL THE MEDIA COVERAGE. ALL THE PARENTS AND FAMILIES THAT TOOK US IN ON THE ROAD. EVERY SINGLE ONE WHO GAVE US A CHEER AND A HOOT ON THE ROAD. THE SUPPORT YOU GAVE US HAS BEEN BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS .

THIS HAS TRULY BEEN AN AMAZING TRIP AND WILL GO DOWN IN THE HISTORY BOOKS. THANKS YOU. WITHOUT ANY OF YOU NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.

Thursday. October 21. Day 83.

Hotel Caledon...

There are only 7 days left of the Skate for Change tour 2010 and we are all buzzing with excitement.

We woke this morning and had a lovely meal at the Caledon Hotel. These guys have gone out of their way to accommodate us. They have sponsored us all accommodation and meals for our stay here and also threw in a massage for each crew member. The service is superb and if you are ever in Caledon you are missing out if you dont spend at least one night there.

We skated into Caledon today. The road surface was pretty good but the weather was a bit fowl. Rainy and cold. We skated to the doorstep of the Hotel where we had some lunch and relaxed for a bit after hitting the road for the second session. It all started well with a sweet downhill from the hotel but took a turn for the worse as we reached the high way were the surface reminded us again of “the road to Mordor.”

Tomorrow we pack up and leave the hotel. A thank you of the highest regards to them for making our stay unforgettable.

Distance skated 23 km

Top speed 34 km/h

Average 18 km/h

Tour kilometers 1778 km

http://www.thecaledoncasino.co.za/

Support the cause - buy a shirt!

ORDER YOUR LIMITED EDITION SKATE FOR CHANGE SHIRT AND SUPPORT THE CAUSE.

By ordering these on of a kind shirts not only would you be supporting the cause we are working towards but you get a one of a kind Quicksilver quality shirt to sport in the summer sun too.

Shirts are selling for R150 including postage.

All you have to do is send an e mail with your contact and postage details and size to human@skateforchange.co.za

CAR WASH ALERT. TO all living in the Atterbury area PTA be sure to get your car washed by some local honeys. All proceeds to go to the charity!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday. September 28. Day 60.

Double time.....

It was evident today that the weekends rest paid off as Puddy pushed whopping a total of 51km’s today.

We woke this morning to the friendly faces of the guest house owners and after a healthy breakfast made our way to the marker.

The weather was great for skating with no wind pumping from the front.

The weather was great for skating with no wind pumping from the front.

The road surface was abit rough and after a couple of k’s Puddy started complaining about the constant vibration in his calves. Puddy kept pushing though, and soon the surface took a turn for the better.

A visitor from “another planet” joined Puddy, for a brief moment on the road. A team of engineers were driving a solar powered car past us, escorted by a van. Much like we are doing. They contacted us a while later and organised that we take a photo with them but unfortunately we couldn’t manage to locate each other.

Trucks were a bit of a problem as they sped past dangerously fast causing Puddy’s cap to blow off.

We made it back around lunch at grabbed something to eat at a local coffee shop. The friendly owner gave as a friendly R100 donation after he heard what we were doing.

Puddy felt recharged after lunch and said he wanted to go out on the road and do another session. So off we went to burn some more rubber..

DJ Fresh from 5fm phoned Puddy while on the road. He does this on Tuesdays and Fridays to get an update on the tour. Soon after Puddy said good bye people started responding and recognising us on the road.

Further down the road the road looked better as the surface smoothed out again. Some more "visitors" came to say hi to Puddy as he skated along. A pack of baboons lurked over the road to have a look at this strange being that is Puddy. At first Puddy was scared shouting "hulle gaan my buit" but luckily he moved past them without being attacked. Planning this trip we never thought we would have to prepare for animal threats.

We made it back to camp with a great 51 km's on the clock for the day. 31 during the morning session and then 20 in the afternoon with a 19km/h average and top speed of 24km p/h.

Be sure to catch Puddy on 5fm during the Fresh Drive show on Tuesdays and Fridays.