Monday, March 27, 2006

SELF PORTRAIT TUESDAY - THIS TIME LAST YEAR



OK Tuesday is tomorrow but I've got time to do this today and who knows tomorrow. Anyway...

The theme this month is time. I thought about that yesterday.

Yesterday afternoon Darryn and I took the kids to Kaitoke Regional Park. Elliot (and Darryn as parent helper) had been there recently on a school trip (picture 100 5 and 6 year olds in the bush - doesn't bear thinking about really). They wanted to take Caitlin and I to show us where they'd been. So we all did a one hour bush walk. It was an easy stroll - as Darryn described it - "Kind of like an after lunch walk". Caitlin stopped frequently to read up the signs about the different native trees. There was about one minute of uphill climb and the rest could be tackled by your grandmother. But the thing is here we were, the Thorns, outside in the bush having a walk. We would never have done this a year ago. Just shows you what a bit of weight loss and exercise can motivate you to do with your kids.

Now there was one bad bit. Right at the very end there was a swing bridge quite high up over the river. I confess to a fear of this sort of heights. I can get up on a ladder but a swing bridge - nup. Elliot ran across it first and I told Darryn and Caitlin in no uncertain terms that they were to keep off the bridge while I crossed. I put one foot after another and kept going. In the middle I nearly had a panic attack but thought "If I stop I will die". Irrational, I know, but I was totally freaked out (though determined not the let the kids know). Darryn wanted me to turn around in the middle so he could take a photo but I truly couldn't. As I got the the end I turned for a second (even that was hard) and Darryn got this shot.

I am not doing that walk again!

12 comments:

Donna said...

OMG! You are brave. I am the same on swing bridges & basically anything up off the ground, much to my kids amusement!
LOL a group of 5 & 6 yr olds in the bush!! Hate to be a parent helper on that one!

Lara said...

Well done - & good on you for facing that fear! Also admire that you didn't let the children know - even braver!

Anonymous said...

You are Too Brave :)
Good on you for doing something different ... and making the new part of your life.

Delys said...

WTG Mel I can totally relate to that experience...Im no good with swing bridges too ..much to my kids and Dh's amusement. Im proud of you doing that and not letting your fear show...awesome!
And thats a great pic and you look a mixture of stressed and relieved!

Ali said...

Just think babe - you don't ever have to do that again .. cause you've done it once (just like me and white water rafting lol)!

Anonymous said...

Way to go Mel - good on you girl. I had to chuckle reading this post, I have the very same sort of pic taken of me walking out in the Grand Canyon. I hate heights and not feeling safe.

Unknown said...

Good on You Mel for doing that despite the fear. I do recall a time I freaked on a snowy mountain and hubby left the kids and had to bring me down.
BTW love the photo you are looking good.

Kirsty said...

We've been out there a few times with our boys and just love it. Such a lovely spot. Well done for getting across that bridge. Just as well they didn't try to bounce you around like my boys do to me - luckily I don't mind heights though.

Mackey said...

The photos are wonderful Mel and HURRAY for you for 1) being fit enough this year for the walk 2) facing your fears! Way to go!

Rach H said...

Firstly Mel you look fantastic (as I have only seen your pics of you on your banner).......way to go!!
And I so relate to freaking out about heights!!! Good on you for doing it + keeping cool.
Rach

Anonymous said...

Mel

Go you for "feeling the fear" and doing it anyway. I hated that swing bridge as well and can certainly relate to the feelings you had!!! But go you!!! I love your comment that a year ago this is not something you would have done as a family. Good on you and Darryn. Look how far you have come in the last year!!! Go Mel!!!

Janine

Roo said...

Just reading about that swing bridge is "baaaaad' Good on you for going across, I would have refused point blank lol