Saturday 20 July 2013

1 2 3 Challenge - July


I know I have talked about conquering my fear of heights in a previous blog here but this photo is really where the challenge for me really began. We live in the west of Australia and decided to take a holiday visiting some of the rural towns in New South Wales then coming into Sydney for the last week. During the planning for this trip my husband expressed a wish to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge; he insisted that he would not do the climb unless I was with him even though he knew I was almost paralysed in fear doing something as simple as walking across a suspension bridge or standing on a balcony. I think he knew that I had gotten to a point where I needed to challenge myself as part of the recovering from losing our eldest son in the previous year. I decided that if he was going to insist there were a couple of things I wanted to do that I would insist on too. He had to ride a Segway with me and take me to see the stage production of Wicked.
I don't think I could understate how scared I was in preparation for the climb but every step is so carefully prepared for that it is almost impossible to fall. Absolutely everything is strapped to you in some way right down to the cap and sunglasses on your head to the handkerchief that might be needed to wipe the sweat from your brow. You are attached to part of the bridge by cable the whole way. We chose a twilight tour and I was put at the front of the line so that the guide would be nearby if I froze. We reached the top of the arch as the sun was setting over the Blue Mountains in the west and the full moon was rising over the Opera House below us to the right. It was one of the most awesome sights I have ever had the pleasure of seeing and having achieved the climb meant a great deal to me.
My husband later thoroughly enjoyed both the Segway tour and Wicked and we were both thrilled that we had experience all three things together.
Thank you for looking and any comments you may leave, best wishes.




http://123-challenge-blog.blogspot.com.au/


9 comments:

  1. So much detail in this page. I love that border pumch snd the distressing. I love that paper and it just fits so well with the challenge and the photo
    I'm glad that he was by your side to help you Halle he your fear. What an experience.

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  2. Way to go Susan, conquering a huge fear of height, it looks like you had fun, oh great page too.

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  3. Well done on your climb.. that is an extra-ordinary thing to do.. I love your layout and I have used some of these papers on my layout for this challenge too!!

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  4. I have used this paper before and it is a great denim themed paper to use. You are a 'paper layer' and you do it so well. It looks lovely.

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  5. You've done a fantastic job with the challenge! What a great photo too. Thanks for joining in with us at 123!

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  6. Such a brilliant layout & special achievement! I'm not sure if I could do it ;) Thanks for playing over @ 123 :)

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  7. Lots of lovely layers and so much detail....a really fab layout! Great to see you taking part in our challenge at 123!

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  8. Susan this is stunning. Love your layout.

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