It looks like I have some catching up to do, the thread is already on Quest and I have just left Bootcamp.
The 2 weeks between the phone call and Leaving for Quest were busy as anything, work was crazy with broken processes from the office move and new systems to learn, and try to balance that with Quest preparation, making lists and shopping for items required, I think I visited Dischem more times in those 2 weeks than I have in my life. On top of that Andrew sent a message asking us to complete 2 online questionnaires, at a time when we were relaxed, not tired and were able to focus on our answers, about 45min each - hmm. As the time got closer the lists seemed to get longer, and before I knew it, it was the day before Quest.
I woke that morning and said goodbye to the family as they each left the house to start their day, I was due to leave for Ceres later that afternoon to meet the rest of the contestants at a B&B, so we could travel to Kaleo together the next day and arrive on time for our 8:30 start.
My partner, Judy reminded me I had offered to drop her car in for a service just down the road, apparently we had spoken about it and I had agreed.
I left early and decided to walk back via the green belt rather than wait for the shuttle, besides some headspace the fresh air would be welcome. I remember passing people out walking their dogs, jogging or just going for a morning stroll, I overheard a couple in conversation as I passed them, I left the path to allow them to pass, as I returned I was aware of 2 guys standing just off to one side, they took a step towards me, and in one motion, one of them pulled and cocked a firearm which he pointed at my chest - the other stepped to my side. "Give me your phone" the one with the gun said, I stared at it trying to work out if it was loaded and for a split second I thought about calling his bluff - a voice inside convinced me it was not worth taking a chance at point blank range, so I handed it over, they turned and ran.
Phuck!
In that moment you feel helpless, you start playing through all the things you could have done, you realise how messed up things are and how dependant we are on those silly devices, my whole life just ran away, messages, plans, lists, access to bank accounts. It took me all of 10min to walk the rest of the way home - only to realise I had no way to contact or tell anyone what had just happened.
My list of stuff to deal with just got a whole lot longer, report to the police, buy a new sim card and block phone, find and charge old phone, cancel meetings, call Judy and let her know, download and configure apps I might need in the coming week.
Judy got out of meetings and Uber'ed home, she was worried, she told me she was sure everyone would understand if I dropped out of Quest, I hadn't even thought about that, but when she said it, I started to feel concerned over the wellbeing of the family as it had happened so close to home, I was worried they would feel unsafe with me away, but at the same time I felt an obligation to see it through and not drop Hardy and my teammates with less than 24hrs to go. We discussed it and I assured her I would be ok, if they felt ok with me going. I called Hardy and told him what had happened and sent Hannes a message to let him know I would no longer be joining them that night.
5am the next morning I set off with all my gear strapped to the back of the little 250 Rally, distracted by recent events, all the way to Kaleo.
