Page 47 - The Gazette Autumn 2024

The Gazette QARANC Association 47
segments and set small achievable targets making longer walks more do-able!
The second day the blisters and limps started to become apparent, but to our relief this was a slightly shorter route than day one. We began with a later step off time, conducted our morning selfie ritual and onwards we continued to tackle the day! Each morning was started with an ‘Eyes right’ to send us out of the gate and for a group of nurses who very seldom practiced drill we were very proud of ourselves! The game of trading patches with other nationalities became a sport when you spotted a patch that looked cool and attempted to negotiate a trade for one of ours, to then watch the disappointment on their faces when they realised that ours just weren’t as impressive as theirs!
By day three it became very clear the British have a lack of marching songs. Our team took great pleasure in joining in with soldiers of all nationalities who sang as they marched past us with their handy prewritten song books. It was often the little morale boost we needed, a fabulous distraction technique to pass the time and the catchy tunes would be stuck in our heads for the rest of the day and weeks to come.
Families and children continued to line the streets as they have done every day to cheer us on, offering out sweets, snacks and very important high fives. To add to the arduous task walking in full kit, today we contended with higher temperatures. However, another much appreciated bonus from the spectators
The game
of trading patches with other nationalities became a sport when you spotted a patch that looked cool