Ride for Refugees - the extras

Once I (and the other riders) were out on the course, there was a mini-ride for kids involving a few laps of the circuit. Obviously I didn't get to see it, but it looks so cute, with even preschool age children taking part - training wheels and all.

Meanwhile, I'd been out on the course (which feels very country-like) and was glad to discover a drinks and snack station around the 7km mark. I was pleased to see a selection of muesli bars, fruit and lollies :)

Ride for Refugees - the start

For those who sponsored me in the 25km Ride for Refugees (and for others who are interested) here are some photos from the day.

Ready to go and awaiting the start:

Underway! Just 24.985 km to go ;)


The ride started with a lap around the criterium circuit before heading out on main part of the ride.

Ride For Refugees

I'm a fan of helping refugees - and of bike riding. So signing up for this year's Ride for Refugees seemed like an obvious move. I'm going to be riding (at least) 25km - and can imagine that this will be somewhat of a shock, given that my normal bike ride is 6-7km tops.


To add to the challenge, if i get more than $221 of sponsorship, i'll double the ride to 50km!

Why $221 precisely? A refugee in the community has to live on $221 a week (including paying rent) and is not allowed work to earn any extra. (I hear that's 40% less than the dole).

Anyway, the groups that are supported by the ride do things to help refugees with education, learning English, medical and other issues.


So if you'd like to sponsor me, or ride yourself, that would be great. :)

Lending to Ali

Today i started a new loan through Kiva. This time it is to Ali in Lebanon. Ali lives with (and takes care of) his elderly parents. An experienced and reputable carpenter, he is looking to start his own business, and needs to stock up on wood and get some tools.


Ali's face is pixelated (like many Lebanese and Iraqi borrowers) to protect his privacy for "political and social" reasons. I'm guessing that people fear what might happen to them if they are seen as being connected to 'the west'.

The average wage in Lebanon is $5,900 a year ($16 a day) so the loan of $2,000 is the equivalent of 4 months pay. Obviously, most people would be scared to lend $2000 to someone overseas, but by each putting in $25, we can achieve things that would be impossible otherwise.

[Related link: Investing the Phillipines]

UPDATE: On March 17 2014, Ali made the final repayments. His business is presumably now going well, and I am satisfied to know that I could be part of helping him.

Lifeline Bookfest

This is what (half of) Lifeline Bookfest looks like. There's the same amount again, just out of shot.

This was taken from the volunteer break room (where volunteers are provided lunch/dinner if working through that time). During the day there's way more people - picking up great value second-hand books, all for the benefit of a great charity.

[My other Bookfest photo]

Top pics of 2012

Here are my photos of 2012 that you viewed most:

5. It was a tie between two food related pics - the unbelievably cheap meals, and the macadamias i harvested. (If picking them up and cracking them with a hammer is called a harvest :)

4. My unrelated post about democracy in Queensland rated quite highly. I might continue to throw in the occasional non-photo post.


3. I really enjoy funny photos, so i'm glad that the memory card photo was popular with you too.


2. My photo of the enormous number of Da Vinci code books donated to the Lifeline Bookfest.


1. The Eclipse photos from the Solar Eclipse viewable from eastern Australia in Novmber.

All the best for 2013!