The jet-setters, Janet and TomO arrived back home from London this morning and for sure it is about time we got something to smile about into our lives once again.
And you’ll be pleased to know that Janet stood at the top of the podium…
You remember – the big event. The dash to spend cash down The Stand, suitcases under one arm, credit card in the other, you know, shop till you drop.
Okay for sure, I did say give it your best shot Janet, you deserve a great win.
But let me tell you – she’s won the gold, hell, a world record…
And I know the little rooster, TomO, would have been cheering her on, but just how did she manage so much, in such a fast time?
Strewth, I’ve had to take a Bex and I’m now heading to the couch for a lie down after lugging all those suitcases from the baggage carousel to the car.
Um, welcome home, darling…and TomO,
And by the way, where’s my present, I did get one didn’t I?
By the Billabong – Trilby Station (Outback Australia)
It has been quite an intense period in our “down-under” household over these past couple of months.
Surgery on my leg, the passing of Janet’s father, Archie, after a long innings stretching almost to his 100th year, and presently the terminal illness my father, Brian, is suffering and that will take him from us in the not too distant future.
Archie and a favourite motor-cycle
Mind you, Brian is comfortable and at peace, and even quipped to me the other day that we’re all dying from the day we’re born, it isn’t how long you live, but how you live it that counts. Of course, his only real concern has been for the love of his life, his partner for over 50 years, Fay.
Courageous words indeed I thought and his faith has kept him, both of them strong…
Brian and Fay – 50th Wedding Anniversary
But I wanted to drop a note to thank you for your kind words of support over these past couple of months, and to be honest, I haven’t caught up on all the news and stories that many of you write on a daily basis, but rest assured, I’m looking forward to getting back into the routine soon.
The Shed – Font of all knowledge (and my daily training ground)
And speaking of routine, I have stepped back from my usual training regime to avoid “running myself down” during this difficult time, but I’m looking forward to a return shortly, and of course, back into the mountains, back on the journey to the summit of some of the world’s highest mountains.
Baz – Climbing in New Zealand
Oh, sorry, what of the jet-setters. I hear you ask?
TomO swanning around in the south of England
Strewth, TomO and Janet are having a “whale of a time” over in the south of England, but I must confess, I’m missing them and look forward to their return in about a week’s time.
By crikey, I’m sure they’ll have some news and tales of adventure that will be sure to cheer us all up!
Good luck out there, and remember, those that don’t think it can be done shouldn’t bother the person doing it!
Today marks the first day of TomO’s mid year break from school, and let me say it seems like only yesterday the school term had begun.
Crikey, why wasn’t school like that when I was a young whipper snipper?
Hell, hang-on I’m still a young whipper snipper, at heart…
Janet and TomO aren’t ones to waste a moment of living, so today they will jet-set out of Sydney, accompanying Janet’s mother, Clare, on a visit to her sister who lives in the wonderful Devon area in the south of England.
For those who visit regularly you may recall that Janet’s father, Archie, passed away about a month ago after a long and wonderful life and not too far short of his 100th year.
Archie – Have Pith Helmet, will travel
Archie always had a passion for travel and seemingly with all the travel TomO has done over the past twelve months it is becoming quite obvious there is only a “sheet of tissue paper” between Poppa Archie and grandson TomO!
It’ll only be a matter of time before TomO will turn up in a Pith Helmet, for sure!
Of course, as many will recall we had all planned to be in Nepal later this year for my climbing expedition, but as I am still recovering from my recent Achilles tendon operation we’ve put those plans aside for the moment.
After all the mountains aren’t going anywhere!
Usually, we travel as a family to experience this wonderful world together…
Always together – Always smiling (Well mostly!)
But now is the time for both of us to spend time with our families. Janet in support of her mother Clare, and me with my family.
It would almost seem a cruel twist of fate, but having just lost a great mate in Janet’s father, Archie, my father, Brian, has been admitted to palliative care in his hometown on the Redcliffe Peninsular, suffering from an illness that will take him from us shortly.
Brian and Fay – 50th Wedding Anniversary
Mind you, he is a man of great faith and he is showing tremendous courage at this time. I said at the time of Archie’s passing that it was hard to be sad when we have so much to be happy about, to have shared our lives with them.
Life, you never know what it is going to dish out to you, but one thing for sure is all you can ever do is live the best way you can…and only one moment at a time.
The other day TomO and I got into a discussion that loosely revolved around what it was like being a parent.
It was an interesting choice of topic given he is most unlikely to become one anytime soon.
So I took the opportunity to tell him like it was; one of the most rewarding things you can ever hope to do. But added it was a bit like herding sheep sometime…
How do you mean, he asked, with a sly grin on the corner of his mouth.
He knew all too well what I meant.
Yes, sudden deafness when asked to switch off the iPod, or getting ready for bed at a reasonable time, and did I hear you say homework.
Yeah, herding sheep, I mused…
And too highlight just how hard herding sheep is I pulled out this great photograph of him doing just that a few years back!
With a long weekend in the offering and great weather, Janet, TomO, and I jumped into “The Landy” and headed into country New South Wales, the Riverina Area…
And we came across a quaint little town called Ariah Park, with a motto of Wowser, Bowsers, and Peppercorn Trees.
The main street is lined with old petrol bowsers and peppercorn trees, but we can’t vouch for wowsers as we didn’t see another soul!
And strewth, what a great old pub!
Out and About in “The Landy” hey – crikey you wouldn’t be dead for quids…
After seven weeks of rest, recuperation, rehabilitation, and a bit of hibernation I found it very liberating to be back up in the shed this week doing what I love, something that is part of my everyday existence, my every day ritual – exercise.
A little over a week ago I gave the rehabilitation boot, the boot, literally, after getting the all okay from the doctor, and strewth, how good was that!
Geez, you never want to take mobility for granted, it’s a bugger when you lose it!
For those that are new, having a seniors moment, or maybe just missed it, I had an Achilles operation on my left foot, and a spur clearance on my right ankle about seven weeks ago…
Yes, to legs out of action at the same time, lucky for me though I had Janet and TomO taking good care of me!
After climbing in New Zealand during January it became very obvious to me that if I am to continue pursuing my dream of scaling some of the world’s highest mountains, heaven forbid, maybe even Mount Everest, than something had to be done to fix these problems that had been progressively getting worse.
Baz – Climbing in New Zealand
The rehabilitation phase is well under way I am being extremely well cared for by my wonderful physiotherapist, Paula, from the Joint Health Clinic in downtown Sydney.
And can I just say this, crikey, how good is it to be back up in the shed.
The Shed
A bit of The Angels, one of my favourite Aussie rock bands, belting out of those little Bose speakers to get me motivated, the sound of free weights moving and some time on my new spin bike.
Even the neighbours are happy to hear that music signifying that I am slowly, but surely, returning to normal. Yeah, okay, maybe they could do with a little less of The Angels.
And on climbing?
Well it is far too early to return to the mountains, in fact I wouldn’t be able to squeeze on my rock climbing shoes, that is a hard task even under normal circumstances, but the swelling would make it an impossible task presently.
Baz – just stretch yourself
And what about those big mountains?
Well, if I were to be brutally honest with myself, I would most likely come to the conclusion that my trip to Nepal this year is slowly slipping away from me. Whilst the recovery is right on track, it was always going to be a very marginal thing as to whether I recover in time or not.
But in the true style of an eternal and ever optimistic Sagittarian I’m not discounting it yet.
But here is the deal, climbing mountains isn’t a bucket list thing for me that I can just tick off, but something I want to live, enjoy, relish in, and return from. So being in peak condition is key to my safety and that of those around me.
The mountains will always be there.
But there is plenty of adventure in my sights regardless, including this year’s Hawkesbury Classic Kayak Race, 111-gruelling kilometres down the Hawkesbury River, and if I don’t get to Nepal, I’m confident of lining up in next year’s Coast-to-Coast Race, a cycle, run, and kayak race that takes you 243-kilometresacross New Zealand’s South Island…
Baz – Terrigal Beach, Australia
Strewth, far too much fun ahead, you just wouldn’t want to be dead for quid’s…
Visit the Australian Outback in the warmer months, especially after rain and most likely a billion flies will join you.
And yes, I meant a couple of billion.
It is a funny occurrence, they turn up at the crack of dawn, literally, and as the sun shimmies below the western horizon in the late afternoon they disappear, seemingly from the face of the earth.
Mates hanging out in the outback – with fly nets (only girls wear veils!)
I’ve often pondered where do they go…
Personally, I try to ignore them, which is hard when they crawl all over your face, up your nostrils, and heaven forbid, don’t breathe through your mouth, lest you want some additional protein for breakfast.
TomO – Outback Australia
Strewth, I hope I haven’t painted a picture that turns you away from visiting, after all we do like to share the experience of the never ending outback!
A never ending sky kissing the parched red earth in the far off distance…
But don’t worry, we have a solution, a veil, a fly veil that you can put over your head, and bingo, they’re out of your face!
Crikey, speaking of veils and kissing, 29 years ago today Janet was wearing a beautiful veil and lovely dress as we walked down the aisle together. Talk about a radiant bride who has blossomed into the kindest and most beautiful person you could ever be lucky enough to meet… 😉
She was literally the girl next door, how’s that hey!
When traversing the harsh and barren landscape of the Australian Outback, Australia’s indigenous aboriginals used mound springs for their water supply.
Sunrise – Ourimperee Water Hole – Outback Australia
Recently I had an exchange of thoughts around the notion that “we all die but how many of us truly live”.
But what does “truly live” really mean?
Does it mean we need to push beyond what others are doing, or scale the tallest mountain, travel the world endlessly, perhaps run the fastest marathon or lift the heaviest weight?
Maybe it could just mean sitting with a loved one and watching the sun pierce the eastern horizon as another day dawns…
And with plenty of time on my hands as I recover from recent surgery I pondered this question, in between snoozing on the day-bed, of course!
Baz and MilO
I am strongly of the view there are no ordinary moments; no ordinary people; no ordinary lives.
Crikey, therein lies the key, I thought!
There are no ordinary moments…
Whether you are travelling the world, caring for a loved one, climbing the tallest mountain, putting out the garbage, or even eating brussel sprouts.
Treat all the moments of your life, whatever you are doing, as something special and then you are truly living.
Baz – traversing Mt Aurora, New Zealand
Being a climber and mountaineer, of sorts, I am inspired by Sir Edmund Hillary, not just because he was the first person, along with Tenzing Norgay, to summit and descend Mt Everest, but because he was a very humble man, a man that always had his hand out to help others, a man who truly lived his life.
And Sir Edmund had this to say…
“I have had the world lie beneath my clumsy boots and saw the red sun slip over the horizon after the dark Antarctic winter. I have been given more than my share of excitement, beauty, laughter and friendship.
Each of us has to discover his own path – of that I am sure.
Some paths will be spectacular and others peaceful and quiet – who is to say which is the most important? For me, the most rewarding moments have not always been the great moments, for what can surpass a tear on your departure, joy on your return, and a trusting hand in yours?”– Sir Edmund Hilary…
The “Old Bus” was driven from the city into the Outback by two fencing contractors who used it for their accommodation on Trilby Station, an outback property in Western New South Wales, Australia.
And it came well ventilated; the roof was demolished when they misjudged the height of an overhead bridge on the trip to the Outback!
The Waddi Tree (Acacia Peuce) is a rare and ancient species and is only found in small pockets in Australia near Alice Springs, Central Australia, and in far Western Queensland on the fringes of the Simpson Desert.
It can also be found in limited numbers in South Africa…
The tree is very slow growing, is extremely hard timber and will live to an age in excess of 1,000 years.
One can only imagine how old this one is…
The Australian Outback, full of interesting surprises, hey!
Now I know some of you might just be wondering when is Baz going to get Out and About in those mountains again and take us on that journey to the really big mountains.
Don’t worry, I’m with you on this one, I’ve been wondering the same thing!
I am missing the mountains.
Anyway, as I was telling you recently, I have had an Achilles Tendon problem that has not responded to conventional treatment, so tomorrow, Thursday, I will be going “under the knife” so to speak to have the problem surgically corrected!
Baz – Southern Alps, New Zealand
I’m quite positive about the outcome and can’t wait, in fact, I’m quite looking forward to it as it signals the road to recovery, another step forward on the journey to the top of the world’s highest mountains, heaven forbid, the aspiration I have to climb Mt Everest…
There is so much to learn, to absorb, and I guess I’ll have plenty of “free reading time” over the next couple of weeks while I rehabilitate from the initial surgery, which by the way is on both ankles!
Two for the price of one (Yeah, okay Doc, I know you never said that).
Baz – Climbing in the Blue Mountains
But crikey, bring it on I say
My lovely sister-in-law, that would be Janet’s sister, Leah, has suggested it is best I take a rest from my blog, Baz – The Landy (Out and About having fun) for a day or two. She reckons all you’ll be getting is a morphine induced rambling of strewth’s and crikey’s from the hospital bed. 😉
Good advice, perhaps!
Double Trouble – The Fawthrop Girls…Janet and Leah
Fair dinkum, she can read me like a book…
So see you mob in a few days, hey!
And hey, I’ll accept all “likes” as a hang in there and get better quickly, Baz!
Knife or Scalpel, the choice is yours, but the mere utterance of the word scalpel has me reaching for my head, the thought of being scalped sends a shiver up my spine!
A little while back I wrote about an Achilles tendon issue I was having in my left foot.
This has been a longer term problem, my Achilles Heel literally, that has plagued my training, at times, and climbing on other occasions. It has certainly become worse recently.
A course of treatment using PRP injections has been moderately successful, but not fixed the problem.
As it stands presently it needs to be resolved ahead of my climbing expedition to Nepal in November for two reasons, firstly I cannot achieve the level of training I need to undertake, and secondly, and most importantly, it will compromise my climbing ability, with a potential flow on effect to others.
Climb on
So the surgeon has booked me in for next Thursday to treat the affected area, by scrapping the bone, and “cleaning up” the tendon area. This involves a partial detachment of the Achilles tendon. The procedure on the right ankle is very straight forward; they simply chisel off the spurs which may have been caused by a sky diving mishap from a few years back!
And you can see from my clinical description of the problem that I’m no medico, but I’m working on the principle that the bigger the medical words, the bigger the doctor’s bill.
In all fairness though, he could have at least waited until I had left the clinic before upgrading his vacation flight to the South of France from cattle class to first class…
But I’m digressing!
Having two legs out of action at the same time will literally see me flat out on my back for at least for a couple of weeks, before I become more mobile once again.
Whilst not ideal to have both done at the same time from a recovery perspective, it will at least give me the best chance of making the expedition to Nepal in November.
At this time I have put the expedition to the back of my mind as I need to have this resolved before giving it any more thought. Although my surgeon is confident I can recover quickly and get back to training. We are hoping for a full 4 months of intense training.
Baz – heading up “The Hill” on a training run
Now I know that sounds disappointing and it may not come to pass, but if it does I am simply viewing it as another step in the climb towards the world’s highest peaks. So rest assured I won’t be beating myself up about it…that would just be a waste of time and energy!
There is only one way – forward; and only one speed setting – go!
Baz – Climbing Sweet Dreams
I told TomO I am buying one of those little bells you see in the Manor Houses, so I can give it a ring when I need something!
Like on Downton Abbey.
Crikey, not that I watch Downton Abbey (fair dinkum, I’ve opened a can of worms for myself, haven’t I)
I think I read about it on the back of a cereal box…(you do believe me, don’t you – no?)
Okay I watch Downton Abbey, but only every episode!
But back to TomO, his eyes rolled, and Janet chirped in with “in your dreams Baz, in your dreams”…
Janet and TomO on Fox Glacier, New Zealand
I’m sure they’ll take good care of me though and I’ll keep you all posted!
In the meantime, if all else fails, just remain out of control and see what develops!
This approach seems to work well for us, well mostly, broken butt’s aside!
It is always with great anticipation heading down the driveway, waving good-bye to the urban surrounds we are so familiar with, but long to escape, steering “The Landy” towards the bush, the outback and today was no exception.
Janet had finished packing the food into “The Landy” the previous night and now there was nothing left to do but jump in and head-off.
Taking advantage of some additional time off over the easter break we decided to make a quick dash to the outback and a cattle station in western New South Wales, Trilby Station.
Joining us are our good friends Bob and Annette and “the boys”, David and Stephen.
We travel together often and as it would be a long drive ahead, 860 kilometres to be precise, we headed off in the pre-dawn hours, 2:30am on the dot, which is early even by my standards.
The drudgery of the freeway to the north-west, the escape route from suburbia, soon gave way to the foothills of the Blue Mountains and as we settled into the dawning moments of our sojourn we began to reflect on what it must have been like for the early explorers as they made their way westward, journeying on foot, horseback, and bullock dray.
These days the trek over the mountains is done mostly in the relative comfort of a modern vehicle, although Janet was heard to whisper, under hushed breathe, something about there being little difference between a bullock dray, and “The Landy”.
“The Landy” crossing the Darling River into the Australian Outback
They say the journey is just as important as the destination, and we enjoyed the drive, passing many small communities we hadn’t seen for some time, arriving at Trilby Station, which is situated on one of Australia’s important river systems, the Darling River, in the early afternoon.
It didn’t take long to set up camp and the boys had the boat into the billabong and were off to explore.
The Boys out on the Billabong
Explore, isn’t that what life is all about, and fair dinkum, how good is the Australian Outback.
Touring the harsh environment of the Australian Outback is best done in a robust vehicle designed for the job.
Mind you, in days long gone people travelled the Australian Outback in old Model T Fords…
The Landy – Straight from the farmThe Landy – Straight out of the workshop
Our vehicle is a LandroverDefender 130 Twin Cab manufactured in 1995, and completely rebuilt from scratch in 2006. Up until the time we purchased the vehicle it had been used as a farm vehicle in the wine growing region of the Hunter Valley just to the north of Sydney. We reconfigured it for long-range travel and it can cover a distance of around 1,800 kilometres without the need to refuel.
Strewth, that would be 1,100 miles…
We intentionally chose an older vehicle so we didn’t have to deal with a “computer failure” disabling the vehicle in the middle of no-where. A rare occurrence mind you, but it is a long walk from the middle of no-where in the Australian Outback!
The Landy + T-Van
It uses solar panels for power management and has a High-Frequency Radio for long-range communication that enables us to stay in contact even in the most remote parts of Australia.
And it can carry 100 litres of water in a specially designed stainless steel water tank.
Inside the canopy we carry an inflatable boat and outboard motor for touring the creeks and billabongs we come across in our travels, has a 60 litre fridge, and we carry a comprehensive range of spare parts, tools and tyre repair equipment.
The Landy – packed ready for adventureThe Landy – packed ready for adventure
After all, in the event of a break-down help can be hundred’s of kilometres away. We also carry a substantial medical kit.
And to enable it to cope with the harsh environment we travel in, it has specialist suspension.
The Landy and T-Van, no show ponies here!
The camper-trailer, a Track T-Van, is every bit as tough as the vehicle and was designed by a company that makes trailer equipment for the Australian army. It doesn’t come on all our trips, but crikey, we need to find a good reason not to take it, as it makes for a very comfortable night’s sleep.
Our go anywhere T-Van camper trailer
Quite a change to a bivvy bag and sleeping bag on the side of an alpine mountain in the freezing cold!
Anyway, make sure you give us a wave if you see “The Landy” Out and About.
Landrovers, I love ‘em so much that I’ve got two (Janet rolls eyes 😉 )
This week marked the passing of another year in the history of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it turned 81 years old.
It was officially opened on 19 March, 1932.
Southern Approach – Sydney Harbour Bridge
An icon around the world, in more recent times it has become a focal point for New Year celebrations as Sydney-siders herald in another year with the bridge festooned in colourful fireworks.
Of course it is more than that, it is a life-line to those travelling from the north of Sydney to the south and whilst many years ago the Sydney Harbour tunnel was built, taking vehicular traffic under the harbour, it still doesn’t match a trip over the Coat-Hangar.
Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House
And New Yorkers’ might be just left wondering where you had seen our bridge before. The design of the bridge was heavily influenced by the Hell Gate Bridge in New York.
I drive over the bridge each day on my way to work in Sydney’s central business district and I always take in the view it gives of the harbour and marvel at the engineering feat.
Northern Approach, Sydney Harbour Bridge
Of course, for those who are inclined, make sure you take the bridge climb if you ever visit Sydney – the views of Sydney Harbour are spectacular…
Recently, I was approached by Christina from a Scribeslife asking if she could write a story about me, The Landy!
Of course I was rather flattered and Christina has put this story together and it appears in her blog.
But strewth, being described as Bob Parr from the Incredibles?
Just wait till “Bluey and the boys” down at the local footy club get a hold of this.
I mean, they’ve only just forgotten about the time I tripped on my shoelaces going down the aisle with Janet (it’s a long story, but I can’t tie my shoelaces properly!) and that was about a quarter-of-a-century ago.
Anyway, I guess it will be my shout again.
And while we are grabbing a drink, here’s a toast to Christina, be sure to check her blog out!
Bob Parr, hey? Umm, might get used to that…
And remember, if all else fails, there’ll always be “Bluey and the boys” to bring you back to earth!
The Cooper Creek winds its way through the Australian Outback after the rains from Northern Australia swell the creeks and river systems and move slowly down into the wonderful area they call the “Channel Country” providing a haven for water birds and bringing life to the surrounding country…
TomO, Janet and I travelled in our inflatable boat to this remote spot, sat back and enjoyed the solitude that the Australian Outback brings, and not another soul in sight…!
And lucky for us, Janet rustled up one of those great dampers of hers in the camp oven for us to devour, how good is that…
One of my passions is travelling the Australian Outback, the rich red soil kissing a vast blue sky in the far off distance, in the never-never…
Rest assured the never-never is a real place and the term was often used to describe the vast uninhabited inland region of Australian. But in reality, Australia’s first people, Australian Aboriginals, inhabited much of this vast land, the never-never…
The term never-never has appeared in many poems, writings, there is even a novel, “We of the Never-Never”, authored by Aenas Gunn. The book is really an autobiographical account of her time on Elsey Cattle Station in Australia’s Northern Territory.
I’ve visited Cordillo Downs many times over the years and it is truly big-sky country out there. Standing in its shadows I try and picture in my mind’s eye the people who worked here, how they arrived, where they went.
For you see, Cordillo Downs is in the middle of no-where and there is something very appealing about that.
And you’ll be hard pressed to find a tree in the “gibber country”.
Stores were transported from a town approximately 600 kilometres to the south by Afghan Camel Trains and workers frequently rode bicycles across an arid desert landscape to seek work in the shearing shed.
The Never Never, Outback Australia
Hey TomO, there’s an adventure for us, riding our mountain bikes up the Strezlecki Track to Cordillo Downs…
Outback Australia, truly full of surprises and if you aren’t carried away by the magnificent landscape, you’ll be carried away by the flies, that’s for sure!
Taken as the sun was dawning on a new day in the outback, the woolshed is located within Currawinya National Park, near Hungerford, in far western Queensland.
January was such a whirlwind of fun, mountaineering in the Southern Alps of one of the best countries in the world, New Zealand.
Of course, it wasn’t all mountaineering and there was plenty of family time doing some crazy things together.
Now I do have this rather audacious plan to climb some of the world’s highest mountains, heaven forbid,Mt Everest does beckon, but of course even contemplating that is some time off just at the moment.
My next major expedition will be to Nepal in November of this year. It sounds so far away doesn’t it?
Baz – Pack-walk up Heaton’s Gap
I have much preparation to do ahead of it and I suspect time will fly past very quickly. I need to increase my fitness with plenty of long-distance pack walking, as well as hone my climbing and rope handling skills; after all as they say practice makes us perfect.
Baz – Boar’s Head, Blue Mountains, Australia
And of course, climbing to altitudes in excess of 6,000 metres will require some new equipment, so plenty of gear reviews and shopping lie in the months ahead.
Shoosh, I might just not let on to Janet about that just yet!
But anyway, I’m starting to rabbit on a bit now, so I’ll get to my point…
Many people have asked about how the trip went and did I get to the summit of Mt Aspiring.
Mt Aspiring viewed from Bevan Col
Unfortunately the answer was no. The weather conspired against us about halfway up and we decided to turn back, to continue on would have been dangerous…
But none-the-less, it was a successful climb.
It would be easy to think of it as a failure…but I had a great smile on my face!
Not hard to smile in this spectacular place!
Failure is a word I’ve never been comfortable with and I’m sure it doesn’t sit well with many others. But for many, not achieving a goal you’ve set out to achieve often leads to despair, feelings of not succeeding – of failure.
It can be deflating…
For me, not getting to the summit of Mt Aspiring was not a failure; in fact I found it a great learning experience. Turning back involved taking account of many factors; of course the most important was weather, which was pretty much a no-brainer as the wind was raging in excess of 100 kilometres per hour over the summit.
Weather closing in
Assessing the situation, making the correct decision at the appropriate time, and of course acting on it was an important lesson in “human factors” especially as we stood on the mountain, exposed to the elements; to the increasing wind and sleet…
All too often it has been found that people have identified that a new course of action needs to be taken and whilst they’ve understood what it was they needed to do they’ve failed to implement the new plan until it was too late.
The experience highlighted the importance of being efficient and proficient whilst remaining safe, especially at a time when external factors were having an adverse affect on the undertaking.
Baz – upwards and onwards
A very important lesson, especially given my rather audacious plan of climbing high mountains!
So should we get rid of “failure” from our vocabulary?
No, I think it has a place.
After all, Janet did highlight to me the other day that I had failed to take out the garbage, and for sure it could count as a learning experience, but failure summed it up perfectly…
The garbage truck had just passed our home and wouldn’t be back for another week and those words “you failed a very simple task” are still ringing in my ears…
So next time you haven’t achieved your goal will you use the“Fword?”
I know you won’t… Just think of it has a learning experience on your way to success…
But mind you, if all else does fail, justfeel free to remain out of control and see what develops…
Whilst we were holidaying and climbing in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, we took time to skim across the Matukituki River with Wanaka River Journeys.
It was a great trip and as well as journeying the river we took a walk through a fantastic Beech Tree Forest and marveled at the many waterfalls and cold mountain streams.
Anyway, grab a life-vest and jump aboard…if you’re game!
A flight in a Tiger Moth from a by-gone era sounded far too good an opportunity to pass up.
On a recent visit to the South Island of New Zealand and in between climbing in the Southern Alps, I did just that, accompanied by my adventurous son, TomO…
And TomO, being a bit of a military buff, relished the opportunity to chase his father around the skies over Wanaka, while Mum, Janet, watched from a vantage point on the lake foreshore below.
TomO and Baz over Wanaka
The Tiger Moths are owned and operated by Peter Hendriks at Classic Flights, Wanaka.
Peter, along with his flying partner, Andy Hailey, who recently left the RAF after trading a seat in the supersonic Euro-fighter for something just a bit slower, expertly piloted the aircraft.
It even had me reminiscing over my own flying days, another time when Janet and I flew the length and breadth of Australia in our own aircraft, a Piper Arrow.
Piper Arrow VH-FTH
TomO and I kitted up in the flight room, donning flying gear of the Tiger Moth era, including a silk scarf, and with the smell of aviation fuel in our nostrils took to the blue skies over Wanaka.
Anyway, why don’t you just jump on board with us and join the flight…don’t forget to strap yourself in, we don’t want you falling out when we do a loop!
After the climbing I have been doing in New Zealand, and the travelling that Janet and TomO have done whilst I was in the mountains, we decided today would be a good opportunity to all relax together in the beautiful town of Queenstown.
Well, when I said relax, I mean relax in our own special way…
TomO led the charge with a solo jump; doing a spectacular pin-drop, apparently one of the youngest to do this style. Janet and I followed shortly after, and in case you are wondering, we thought we’d chuck TomO off first just to make sure it all held together…
What chance did TomO ever have – with this pair as parents
And perhaps because we are just a little “insane” TomO and I took another leap together!
A chip off the “old block” ?
Yes – perhaps, I’m just not sure whether I should be proud or just a little bit worried…
Oh, don’t worry, we’re very proud (and just a tad worried!)
Anyway, pictures speak louder than words…Jumpppppppp!
There are no ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary lives; no matter who you are, where you are, or what you are doing…
I just thought I would put this out there today!
And talking about no ordinary people, this is a photo of me with a village elder from the village of Menari, in the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
He is one of only a few remaining “fuzzy-wuzzy angels” who helped Australian and American troops in the fierce jungle battles along the Kokoda Track and other places along the Papuan Coast during the second world war.
We have much to thank them for…
Yes, no ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary lives!
Ps: And remember, if all else fails – just stay out of control and see what develops…!
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