पिंक लदी ओं खर्दुंग La

Here is the mighty Enfield Classic 500 at the highest motorable pass in the world (claimed!) with our BCNA Pink Lady who travelled all around Ladakh with us

मनाली तो Delhi

We decided as the bikes werent able to be ridden to Chandigarh :( we would fly with Michele and her # arm to Delhi. Raj & Mr Jassa organized the bikes to be picked up and we hoped to meet them in Delhi for a press conference and final goodbyes. Ritus 4 wheel drive turned up with logos and was ready for her to drive home and for the next leg of the trip (remember it broke down on the way to Leh). We were up early for the flight out. It was different from flying into Leh with barren mountains. These ones had vegetation and small settlements all over the mountainsides. Amazing to see and not unhappy we saw it from the air!
Once in Delhi the wonderful Yash picked us up at the airport and safely deposited us at the hotel Michele was taken to a specialist hospital (on Sunday) to be checked out and all was well. We spent the Monday getting things organised (insurance, flight changes etc) and Yash came and took the Ugly Aunts sightseeing and shopping. He was very patient with us and knew all the right places to go.
We had dinner with his family whilst in Delhi and they were very gracious hosts. It was lovely to meet them and his fabulous nephew.
Michele, Kerrie, Jenny S & Jenny R headed off to Agra to see the Taj whilst Jo linked up with Katie and Tarinis family.
Our last night in Delhi Yash again took us out for Jos birthday. We drank appropriately MUDSLIDES on the night! Fanatstic food again.
Then the next day we flew out.....

थे लास्ट डे ओं थे णीळ्ड्श्र! Manali

After a peaceful night we set off again over the pass to Manali. We stopped for permit checks and Jo spoke to a man from Luxemberg who said there was a lot of mud on the pass well it couldn't be worse than what we had already travelled could it? IT WAS! The trip up the mountain started with the usual: rough roads, hairpins, rocks, water, traffic convoys, trucks, cars.... Then it got worse. The mud we had thought we had tackled OK was now knee deep. If you stayed in the wheel tracks it wasn't too bad at first, providing there was no traffic... however of course there was. Bikes have no right of way (sound familiar) The larger the vehicle the harder it is to stop as there was no traction. So pulling over early was a good idea. Trouble was it was physically impossible to move out of the track. The mud was sticky and it wasn't easy to lift out your boot. A few bikes had a little sideways rest and the boys had to help a few times to move out of the way. Julene had a head to head with a truck who had given way until she had started through a patch. She stopped and couldn't move, threw her arms in the air fell backwards off the bike and became our 'MUD ANGEL' She then climbed up the bumper to right herself.
After this Jo & Julene set off alone deciding that the rocks and waterfalls down the road was the best option at least no sand & mud on those patches it had been washed away.
Michele was doing as asked... 1st gear no throttle and up over the rocks on a hairpin. The trouble was sometimes the Enfields stalled ( due to the altitude) Her bike stalled and she went to put down her foot but it didn't reach the ground ( knew she should have used more throttle!) Hit the ground and # her humerus. Knew it was broken... Into the car for her. A little later Kerrie had enough. She had to get off & get Raj & Mr Jassa to move the bike through some parts of the road.
Then Raj was back in the lead showing us how to walk/ride through the mud. A group of pack horses passed us...
Jo was on a roll and just keep swimming just keep swimming up the hill all be it on the wrong side safe hillside. Getting cross probably didn't help but it was fun yelling at the trucks.. NO I WILL NOT MOVE OVER. Sometimes we stopped leaned over and stayed until they passed.. we could touch them.
Up the top was as snowfield with tourist buses filled with people frolicking in the snow.....
Still with Michele and her # arm ( apparently the lead car doesn't go down the hill quickly in India and leave the bikes & rear car to follow) we stopped for lunch. 'Put it down to cultural differences was Katies catch cry when we didn't understand something'
We re fuelled our bodies thinking it must be better on the way down IT WASNT
Still having survived the upward climb Jo & Julene were determined.
Finally hit some tar and just when you thought it was safe more MUD TRUCKS BOGGED AND ##**!!## MUD.
Finally a road yes a real road with corners that were intact beautiful scenery could have been in Gippsland.
Finally got Michele to hospital for plaster & more pain relief.
Photos to follow

राज & मर Jassa

Here are our fabulous Royal Enfield representatives Raj & Mr Jassa and our final group photo at Manali

पंग तो तो Jipsa

Left Pang and the altitude thank goodness and headed to Jispa.Jenny felt better after a night on oxygen. Ritu asked Jo why she didnt come to the medical outpost.... couldnt move was the answer!! Once again the roads were hard work. Initial part of the journey deep mud (so we thought at the time) crap roads.Climbed up and up and yes snow again . The bikes were great but every now and then at altitude they would stall.. not so flash if you were heading around a hairpin and hit dust/snow/water or all of them! It got cold again thank god for thermals. We stopped for a photo shoot on the second pass. Michele stalled in the water and Raj had to push out the bike. Wet feet not happy but the team pulled together with spare socks boots and gloves.We travelled through the 21 loops which were fun but once again the unpredictable Indian roads tested us. You would have a stretch of Tar and be heading around a hairpin and it would turn to rocks, sand or water.... or all threeeeeeee.And then there were the trucks. Jo wasn't following Rajs lines (as sometimes they were a little dodgy) took a loop wide and yup a truck!!**##!! Ah well stopped at the cliff edge. We do hope the helmet cam has some of this stuff on it. Jo was watching the road as you do but trying to film over the edge... it made for interesting times.
Our next stop was at a bridge that a truck (!!) had broken. The metal plates fell over the edge and the supports had also bitten the dust. The towy was an army truck (they are even bigger and give way to nothing... except Kerrie) and it took a couple of hours to fix. Lots of standing around muttering and one of our drivers Tashi took to the plate with a sledgehammer Nono the other driver was also being helpful but sustained an injury. Don't know what the rest of the 30 blokes were doing. Hurry Up and wait again. A couple of the local ladies liked the look of Raj and with lots of laughs and sign language one was caught trying to pat him on the butt!
Finally got over the bridge before the traffic jam headed off. The beauty of the Enfields again.Had to cross yes another mountain pass. Got good at water crossings axel deep running off waterfalls across the roads washing whatever with them!! The Enfields again were fabulous and we were all feeling pretty cocky about the conditions. At least the weather was good. Arrived in Jispa... a guest house with yes HOT water and a loo. We dont ask for much. Dahl again ( got a little sick of this) Everyoone feeling better now we were down at a little lower altitude.

वेद्नेस्दय 22nd

Left the amazing lake and the road didn't seem so bad this time. The beauty of the Enfields again. We visited a Nomadic Schoolthat the government supports. They used to set up tents and teach the children for 3/12 then move to another camp. Now they have a school built out of town. The children live in for the term and go home for holidays and winter. They are fed clothed and seem to enjoy the place. From probably grade 1-8. The kids were great and we delivered toohbrushes & some paste that Jenny S had collected from her school and Colgate. The acting prnciple gave us a tour and said they are sent for 2 years to teach there. He was from Leh. Left a donation as they were trying to take the kids on an excursion to the Lakes! We climbed up another pass and yes it snowed but the roads were dryish. It was a long haul up as we spent more time at the school than planned.
That night we spent in Arabian Public tents, they cooked food at the front and we slept out the back. Jenny R had succumbed again to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and ended up at the first aid post with O2 sats of 45 not too flash and the reason why she was sleepy all the time. The meal was delicious though. Jo also fell pray to AMS overnight and spent the early hours vomiting. Choice of the car or riding... no choice at least you are in charge of the bike and can stop and do whatever whenever!!

Blogs

We will all be blogging soon and putting up some photos! The internet just STOPS sometimes in India (along with the power ) Katie Jenny Jenny & Jo are on the way home, in Singapore at the moment. Michele along with her broken arm (more to follow) is on a plane to Sydney ( No Kathmandu for her :( ) Julene is the only one continuing on her trip. Stay tuned!

तुएस्दय 21st

Dropped Katie off to Delhi at 530am!!!
Finally left for Manali the long way round ( Go Charley & Ewan) Learnt how to do water and waterfall crossings. The Enfields are amazing, first gear little or no throttle and if they dont stall, they will chugg through anything. The road had been washed away and was closed. We waited for the bulldozer to sort of clear a path and we were away.On the way our crazy lead car driver liked shortcuts... why would you use the tar if there was a dirt/sand track that cut off the hairpin? We headed over the edge at one stage- acute mountain sickness makes you sleepy which is not too much fun but this dirt/sand woke us up. Each time we think a road is bad IT GETS WORSE!! We travelled across the More Plains a large area of dust and dirt. The roads filled the valley a bit like the NT if you dont like the road you just make a new one so the whole plains are filled with tracks. Once again 1st gear no throttle and the Enfield just chugged along. Jo was chasing Raj but lost the others behind so thought she would stop. In the middle of a desert like valley, no vehicles or road to be seen in either direction. Dead quiet and where the #*#* was that road anyway. Then trucks could be seen on the far right of the valley and of course we were taking the left side. The others had caught up Michele had taken a small lie down in the sand. So we gathered together and off again. After a discussion we thought perhaps the right side might be better, surely the locals knew .... Ah well as long as we went south we would get there eventually.
We lunched at Hot springs which were not like the Peninsula ones at all. We rode through lots of wildlife Yaks, horses, goats and sheep. Passed a Nomad group of tents thought it was our accomodation would have been happy as the roads were tough. Then 40ks or fairly ordinary dirt/sand/rocks to get to the stunning Tsomoriri Lake. It was a stunning landscape but we werent up to enjoying it much. We were still up high again & acute mountain sickness claimed a few of us again. The tourist tents were great with an ensuite! No hot water but at this stage all we needed was a toilet! we did celebrate with a scotch that night. The next day were still ordinary, dont think the one drink hurt us though!

सन्डे/ Monday

Attempted access to Pangong Lake alas no permits thus a wasted day. Hurry hurry and wait seems to be the Indian way. Visited another Monastery and then home.
This was in the area where the mudslide had travelled down the hill. With no vegetation there is nothing to stop it. This was kinda like the Eastlink of vic, the road that takes you everywhere. We got good at the trafficc, roadworks and towns (also the military, the animals and the people!)
Monday Katie decided to bail and fly to Delhi Tuesday.
Michele, Jenny S Julene & Kerrie were driven to the Lake Pangong Interesting trip beautiful scenery 8 hours driving roads worse than the highest pass. Glad we weren't on the bikes.
New guest house missed the old boys. Met a group of dentist doing volunteer work from USA

फ्रिदय 17th

Friday 17th
We set off over the pass good weather, no snow, very little traffic unbelievable. At the check point we had noodles at a restaurant. Stopped at the top briefly and had a reasonable trip down. This was Julenes first attempt over the pass and no dramas! After the trip down we had a picnic lunch on the roadside. Jo heard Ritu mention trying to organise a workshop at a college and didn’t follow the lead car (it was going past the college) Consequently headed off toward the petrol station and got stuck in a heard of sheep ( always fun) both ways and ended up behind the girls which made good filming through Leh traffic. It was peak hour, school out and busy. Happy to be back at our hotel for dinner and sleep.

सतुरदय 18th

Saturday 18th
Went shopping and on tour in the car. We visited the Womens Alliance Co Operative where the middle man is cut out. We had to get the shop open and they had some interesting local garments. Katie got a fabulous red woollen jacket that everyone had tried on. We also bought some local shawls. Later we ventured up to the Tsemo Gompa where we had great views over Leh. We watched the local women and men carry stone on their backs up to the Gompa to do repairs. Trying to figure out an easier way, but we thought ah well it is employment. Then on to the Leh Palace well worth the visit where we met a Singaporean couple who were trekkers and had a lovely chat to us. Even about our PM! Back home to try for internet access and shopping. Ritu took us through the market to a jewellery shop where you can buy precious stones to have set at home or already made up. We also bought shawls and scarves.

ठुर्स्दय 16th

Thursday 15th
Early next morning Shubha Ritu Jenny Jenny & Jo went for a long walk through the area. We found prayer temples and the road up to the monastery. These are built into the side of the mountains which is an amazing feat in itself. There was Sanskrit written in stone placed at the prayer temples and also embedded in the wall on the walk to the monastery. It was peaceful and the local water source comes from the melting glaciers. The valley is almost cut off over winter. The guesthouse grew all their vegetables. The place was warmed by the sun during the day and maintained a pleasant temperature overnight.
Julenes first day on the bike and she adjusted well. A camel ride was on for those interested the next morning and we all travelled out to the sand dunes. Raj showed us how to cross rivers easily. We headed up to Diskit to another monastery from where we had a great view of a new one over the way. The off to town for lunch with the locals. A workshop had not been confirmed and Ritu & Shubha had to quickly go and set up. The local women had travelled into town for it and we were late! Jenny & Jenny went to help with the breast examination and screening. We had another pleasant evening at the guesthouse.

वेद्नेस्दय 15th

We had been briefed by Raj about the bikes and were getting used to them. There are 3 500cc Classic & 2 350 cc Classic Royal Enfields. The bikes are fabulous for the type of riding we are doing. Steady and solid. The sport bikes wouldn’t be so much fun! The traffic, animals, people horns beeping ‘ I want to pass’ or ‘I am passing’ make for a noisy environment.
We were told to be up and ready by 7am…. We left at 10! Julene was discharged from hospital and was travelling in the car. We left her bike at the hotel.
We travelled to South Pulu where we stopped for about an hour for permit checks and road opening information. The altitude was affecting us with easily getting short of breath. We had some food at the canteen local deep fried bread…… interesting and of course tea.
The ride up over the Kardongla Pass is only short in ks but long in time. The tar gives way to gravel, sand and rocks. Throw in snow, slush, trucks, buses, animals and it was probably the hardest ride we have ever done. Up at the top approx 5600m depending on which map you read it is the highest motorable road in the world. We stopped for longer than the recommended time for photos etc. Once again getting short of breath and headaches. Kerrie, Michele and Jo were SO RELIEVED to have actually made it! We breast cancer gals had a moment for our mates that have not been as fortunate as we have. We left pink ladies up there with the prayer flags.
The shop was SHUT so no souvenirs- sad face.
One of the gals had to jump in the car so Raj took the lead. The trip down was not much better- still snow and slush. Hope the helmet cam has picked up the conditions. It was amazing scenery riding through the mountains but not a lot of time for sightseeing…. Keep those eyes on the road/track.
Down at North Pulu the other check point we kept going a little further for lunch. The road was good and it was a treat to almost have fun (the beauty of Indian roads is that you cannot assume anything!)
The Nubra Valley was amazing to ride into. The mountains and road were not too bad. A few rough patches. One water crossing. Raj had shown where not to go & Jo didn’t hear the NO THROTTLE part of the conversation. Consequently nearly lost it but managed to avoid Raj, the lake and his bike. Kerrie fared better and got through with only a toe touching the water!
The guesthouse was clean & we had HOT water showers. We were so relieved to have survived the pass but were not too keen to do it all again the next day. Luckily we had 2 nights here.

Tuesday

Tuesday 14th
Up for an early morning get to know the bikes and the horns, animals, people, rocks dirt, cars and bikes! We rode/drove up to the Shanti Stupa which gives a fabulous view over the valley. The head monk is a Japanese man who has been here for 30 years. It is a beautiful stupa.
Ritu and Shubha conducted a screening at the ITBP.
The afternoon we went to the 17th century Hemis Monastery a couple of hours out of town. The ride there was OK but included road damage from the mudslide, lots of fine dust, traffic, towns, we were later than we thought arriving consequently we had to ride home in the dusk/dark not particularly fun. The roads are ordinary in daylight let alone without a headlight!

मोंडे 13th

Monday 13th
Our itinerary has been flexible due to weather/road conditions and Ritu has been organizing educational workshops in remote areas, as well as breast screening. Our final destination was uncertain, but Michele and Jo wished to visit the home of the Dalai Lama if possible. Although this was not achievable the Dalai Lama came to us! He came to visit the Ladakh areas people after the cloudburst and mudslide. The people were very quiet and sat for hours waiting his presence. There were thousands of monks, nuns, men, women, children, and elderly along with foreigners. We had a special area to sit and had a fabulous view. He spoke with a translator in Tibetan and Ladakh. The first announcements were move cars with licence plates nos and turn off mobile phones! The only other information understood was global warming, cloudburst and mudslide. It was a privilege to be able to be in this moment. We shared tea and rice with the crowd.
That morning there was a screening at the General Hospital ( Military) with around 75 women attending, for a mini workshop and screening. The people involved were from the Military and the Ladakh Scouts. Local Medical staff were also educated on breast screening.
After the Dalai Lama audience we went to Indo Tibetian Border Police (ITBP) Ladakh for the Ritus workshop and screening. The presentation was to the officers’, soldiers and their families doctors and para medics. We participated in using the teaching aids that we brought over first showing the male medics how to check and then the women.

SUNDAY 12th

Sunday 12th
Whilst Katie was at the local hospital (IV fluids, meds ) with Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) the NSW team had arrived. Later that day Jenny R & Julene also had a visit to the hospital. It had been damaged by the mudslide and concrete buildings brought in and opened up to get it running again. The staff were all fantastic and good care was received.
A workshop was conducted at the Nunnery. There is an amazing Nun who has been working on raising the status of nuns and women since the 90s. We shared chanting and dinner with them. Dr Tshering Palmo spoke to us about the history and the future of the nunnery. She has a vision to bring women in from outlying areas for healing times as after the disaster there is a lot of depression in the community. Jenny R and Jo felt this experience was similar to one that their local Yoga group had held for women from the Victorian Bushfire affected area. They are trying to raise about $4000 AUS for a threshing machine to aid them with their production of medicines. Cost of a women per day at the retreat is approx. $2.50 for food.

I'm having a great time!

Hi everyone, I finally got into the blog and the internet so can post. The bike trip has had some ups and downs, literally! A couple of days ago I rode the higest motorable pass in the world! What a buzz! More so to be sharing the experience with 3 other AHT sistas and some new friends. Our support teams have been wornderful. We are in for changes as we change locations, each experience adding to the whole. I have been fortunate enough to be part of a demonstration workshop in Leh to show women how to self detect breast cancer; they were wonderful! More stories on the way as the tour continues. Hugs to all our followers, Julene xxx

प्रे Leh

Before our arrival, Ritus 4 wheel drive had broken down on the way here with the clutch plates burnt out.. She had to be picked up and transport all her gear. One night was spent sleeping in the vehicle and 2 workshops had to be cancelled. Another car has been hired for the journey, but all the sponsorship signs are not with us. We would like to acknowledge Womens Cancer Initiative- Tata Memorial Hospital, (WCI-TMH) ,Rajdeep Buildcon P/L, Royal Enfield and Ford Motors India. Royal Enfield has sent along 2 representative Raj and Mr Jassa to look after the bikes!

Leh

Have arrived in Leh, an amazing place . The cloudburst/mudslide has made a lot of damage to the town. The hotel is OK . The NSW gals have come and we are all together. We have had 3 hospital visits with 4 people suffering from altitude sickness. The locals have been fabulous to us from the hotel communication is easy. We are delayed a bit until everyone is fit and well. In 2 sleeps we will be crossing the highest passable highway in the world. The bikes look great and hopefully we will have a ride this afternoon. The town is a buzz of excitement today as the Dali Lama is arriving to offer prayers and hope to the flood victims. Pictures will be posted soon.

फर्स्ट निघत इन India

Well we have been on the road for30 hours and will be on the plane to Leh within the hour. See the photo of our first nights accomodation! Hope to hear from you all.

Singapore

Well we have arrived in Singapore our first stop 13 1/2 hours travelling time. So far so good. Hoping Yash will meet us at Delhi to collect all the stuff!

थैंक्यू Elissa

A huge thankyou not only for working so Michele could move house before leaving for India but also for donating her wages to our cause. We have met some amazing people so far and you have all been generous with your time and money. Between us we have raised enough for 4 women (we hope) to receive treatment in India.
THANKYOU ALL & WATCH THIS SPACE!

JULIETTE फ्रॉम NZ

An enormous thank you to our wonderful Friend Juliette Lee who has brought from NZ many much needed breast forms and mastectomy bras. Juliette has collected these items over the last couple of months from her many contacts in NZ.

नश्व RAFFLE

Congratulations to Susan Large from Pet barn Alexandra on winning the beautiful handmade bed cover sent from Binod in Nepal. The raffle was a great success and we have raised $995 through the generosity of many friends and family. Tickets were sold from Sydney to Ballina and $135 was sold on the fund raiser night at Wauchope. Well done and a big THANK YOU to all that helped, Michele xx

Micheles story

My name is Michele and I am 52, I have 2 children Ryan 31 and Jade 27.I live in Sydney and have my own small business. In 2005 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, after 8 months of treatment, I consider myself very fortunate, the cancer was detected early.
This experience has taught me to live and make the most of every oppurtunity. Instead of thinking about it or putting it off for tomorrow.
I have always had a passion for motor bikes and after learning about a group called amazon heart thunder I proceeded to get my riders licence.In May 2009 I participated with this amazing group of women, riding harley's from Brisbane to Sydney, raising money for breast cancer. Through this experience I have had the oppurtunity to meet so many wonderful, inspirational people.
I am so excited to be able to join some of these women in this amazing adventure in India. Our focus is to raise awareness for early detection of cancer and to demonstrate an atititude of positivity. As well as promoting this we also need funds to help with the treatment to save lifes.
Every little bit helps.
Thank you to all that are following our journey and to all that have rallied to this cause.

Kerrie's story

After a 15 year history of breast cysts, in 1998 one of those “cysts” turned out to be lobular carcinoma which had spread to 4 lymph nodes. I had a lumpectomy, radio and chemo (butcher, baker and nausea maker!). Having had 5 unsuccessful IVF attempts, facing final infertility was as hard as facing my own mortality. AC sapped my energy and my hair. But as life is short anyway, I soon figured out that if my life was to be even shorter, then all the more reason to get on with it and not waste a second. I continued to work full time, enter gliding competitions between rounds of chemo, go kayaking and cycling to keep fit and generally maintain a balance between vigilance and paranoia.

As I approached 10 years and the illusion of safety … in 2007 a mammogram showed “calcification” and a biopsy showed a cocktail of DCIS, LCIS and more lobular carcinoma. As it was the same side, previous radiotherapy dictated that this time it had to come off. Preferring one-stop shopping, I opted for an immediate reconstruction, a pedicle TRAM flap, which takes a few weeks in recovery – like wearing a pair of jeans about 3 sizes too tight! Then more chemo – fortunately gemzar is way less harsh than AC – and riding a motorbike to chemo meant I got a park within 2k of the hospital! Treatment was easy - the problem was fear raising its ugly head again – if it came back once will it come back again? The hardest thing for me to deal with is not knowing if it’s spread until it’s too late … so I need to keep reminding myself of the “life is short” bit!

At the same time I was (conveniently) made redundant after 20 years at Qantas IT, so chose to retire to have more time to “get on with it”. I spend as much time as possible gliding, kayaking, cycling, motorcycling and travelling - and try to live by the philosophy: “Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in hand, totally worn out, shouting, 'holy shit.....what a ride!!'”

Having ridden motor bikes since age 19 (with an 18 year break), I was excited to take part in the Amazon Heart ride for BC survivors from LA to San Francisco in october 2009. Now I'm also excited to be taking part in the Altitude and Attitude ride in India this year.

Julenes Story

Julene is a breast cancer survivor and Harley rider. Here’s how she tells her story.
‘It was 1999 when I had a mammogram that indicated small cysts in both breasts; nothing to worry about, just a heads up to have regular mammograms. I’m glad I did!
In August 2007, 4 years after losing my mother to cancer, I had a mammogram as part of my regular program and was diagnosed with breast cancer. A month later, following a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, I was greatly relieved to learn that I would only need a course of radiotherapy and hormone therapy. I know I am one of the lucky ones.
My diagnosis was a wake up call to get on with life, to make every day a good one. I am so excited to be joining the Project Highways Altitude and Attitude ride in India. Any donation you make will help promote the awareness of cancer in India, and assist people to access the medical treatment and support they will need.’

Jenny S Story

Jenny Selby-I am a mother of Danielle 20, Marc 24 and Kai 26. I am a Primary School teacher and currently work with young children experiencing difficulty with reading and writing.
My special interest is Environmental Education. I live close to the beach and the bushland. I enjoy walking with my two dogs. I am a member of a local environment group who work to remove weeds and restore the bushland.
I love to read about other cultures, especially biographies of interesting people in extraordinary places. I’m looking forward to experiencing life in your part of India. My family has a history of cancer, especially breast cancer and I have lost some special friends to the disease. Hopefully our visit will make a difference to some of the women we meet.

Jennys Story

Jenny Ramm, nurse midwife working on the Mornington Peninsula Victoria Australia.
Since commencing nursing 1974 I have always had a passion to volunteer in some capacity in outreach programs either in Australia or abroad. Jo and I have been mates for 20 years and I have lived through births, family death, and breast cancer with her.
India has always been a fascination for me and this adventure gives me the opportunity to combine my love of photography, travel, and aid work. I am excited to travel and see the remote areas of this vast country and participate in Highways Infinite Attitude and Altitude project.

Jos Story

Jo Lovelock wife of Andrew, mother of Sam, Tom, and Katie, married 24years, midwife, and breast cancer survivor living on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula Victoria, Australia.
A breast cancer diagnosis in 2003 – surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy opened up another world to me. One I had only briefly visited losing my SCUBA diving buddy to breast cancer several years earlier.
This experience led me to further education and I became a Breast Care Nurse (as well as a midwife) at my community not for profit hospital and prompted me to co found and co facilitate ‘Breast Intentions’ a support group for younger women on the Mornington Peninsula. The women I meet through the group continue to inspire me.
Through my cancer experience I have attended national conferences for both survivors and breast care nurses, stood ‘Live in 2010’ with 14,000 other pink people at the Melbourne Cricket Ground ( the estimated number of women diagnosed this year with breast cancer in Australia),joined Amazon Heart Thunder and ridden a Harley Davidson motorcycle with 30 other breast cancer survivors 2000ks, become involved in our local community’s breast cancer campaigns from speaking at pink breakfasts, helping organize BCNA’s minifields of women and breast health promotion, combining both personal and professional experiences.
After meeting Ritu in 2009 at The Reach to Recovery Breast Cancer Survivors Conference in Australia and hearing of her work with Highways Infinite I decided to see if I could be of assistance at an international level raising funds and awareness. My daughter Katie joins me on this trip.