 Here we are... the top of the world! Ok. I know. It's only 1000 feet up, but it's as high as I'm likely to get for a while! The view is magnificent. Funny, isn't it? A barren plain, with The Olgas the only feature of any interest really, but from this vantage point it looks fantastic. There's something exhilarating about being high up like this. Want to be really exhilarated? Come over here, close to the edge! That really gets the heart pumping. I told you before, didn't I, about how you can lie spread-eagled on the edge of one and look like you're falling off the edge of the Rock? Great fun! If you look at it one way, there's not that much to do up here, but just running around, up and down the surface is fun enough for me. And sitting and gazing at the far horizon is breathtaking and relaxing at the same time... Come on, sit here next to me... and just gaze for a while...
As I sit here, my thoughts drift forward ( bit of poetic licence here...) to 1989. The place is North Island, New Zealand, and the only similarity is the elevation, and even that is quite dissimilar... but there is something about climbing which has always thrilled me, and the few times I have done it are all linked in my mind. My interest began when I was quite young... when I was about 8 I think, on a holiday to the Flinders Ranges. That was my most memorable childhood holiday, for several reasons, not all of which are good... but mostly it was wonderful fun. The Flinders Ranges are in the southern part of South Australia and very picturesque. We might go there later, on one of my flights of fancy. But for now, lets talk about New Zealand. Or should I? Will that just be an unwelcome distraction for you? I know - I'll give you an option. Hands up everyone who wants to hear ozEkoala's reminiscences about climbing Mt Tongariro... Ok, its unanimous (except for you over there with the bored look on your face...) We'll stay here for a while and have a climbing stories' swap session! I'll start off with mine, and then we'll see who else has a story to tell! |
