Tuesday 17 April 2007

I did it !! I climbed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Yesterday was a weird day, so many mixed emotions. Finally I got to do the one thing I came here to do, and that was to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but to be honest the overwhelming feeling I had was loneliness, I felt very solitary being the only single climber in the group, and it hit me that I had no one with me to share that experience with, like so many times before I was on my own again.
I had a few tears before I left the base as I thought of Dad and how it was because of him that I was able to do something I’d only dreamed of before. And when I got to the top I whispered a “thank you”
Anyway off I went, there were 12 of us, all suited up…. Don’t even ask about the lovely ill fitting and boringly grey suits hahah.. Everything loose had to be removed like watches bracelets and necklaces, and it was suggested if we were likely to be hot that we walked without trousers- Good job I had my clean knickers on!!! Once suited we then had to have everything fastened to us, everything was fastened by special clips to us, hair scrunches, hats, hankies, parachute! Nooo it was a bag with a fleece in it, and all sunglasses had to be secured to heads… then we were given our headphones and radios. Out on the streets we looked like 12 aliens, heading to the base, into the inner workings of the bridge and onto the platform, to ascend. And off we went, connected to a wire by just a clip !! A few reassuring words and we walked in a group like a caterpillar, snaking our way over the metal frame, it was windy but it as such an experience you don’t really feel a chill. Along the route our guide gives us many interesting facts…. Did you know only 16 people died in the 8 yrs it took to build the bridge and of that only 3 fell off it ??…. More importantly do you care !.... anyway we stopped at certain parts to space out the walkers from each group, and the group before us seemed awfully slow…. Fact #2 did you know they replaced the flags and poles on the bridge to double the original height and size and they are now taller than the aircraft warning light? care yet?? From the bridge you get an amazing sight, its just a shame you can’t take photos but camera’s aren’t allowed, you could see the Anzac Bridge, the Homebush Bay where the Olympics was held and lots of little antlike people below….. Fact# 3 did you know that on the Anzac Bridge they fly the Australian Flag on one section and the New Zealand flag on the other ??...and do you care!...After commercial photos were taken by the leader you continue the ascend to the top, and it got windier up there and I could hardly hear the voice over the headphones and my glamorous suit was blowing like the flags on the poles. Cept I aint that thin haha
Last push and we make the summit, what a great feeling, we all clapped the young girl in our group who had cried all the way because of her fear of heights. I thanked Dad and stood arms stretched taking in the thrill of doing it, and gave a rendition of "Rule Britannia" haha… not a problem at all our group were mainly british (Brighton, Chester and this Lincolnshire Lass ) Once at the summit you swap from the east side to the west side and start the descent, seems a lot easier coming down but she said I was sure footed all the way up, that’s cos I love heights anyway. Banged my head on one of the supports as I came down, my fault, I saw it but forgot to duck, they are foam wrapped anyway so no major incident, just pride :( At one stage we are so close to the trainline that you feel the wind in your hair and the bridge vibrate. Then down through the tower at the base… Final fact#4 There are 4 towers 2 each side of the river and….they serve no purpose other than decoration, they were added to enourage the people to use the bridge by adding something they would feel people needed. Cost of these pointless towers at the time was 3 quarters of a million pounds…..it’s amazing what you listen and absorb when your on your own…….. slow walk down the street back to where we started, and release ourselves from the kit....oh and visit the souvenier shop... and yes..I bought the Tshirt haha

Verdict. Would I do it again….too bloody right I would !!!.

Got a certificate and a pic, but Libby doesn’t have a scanner, I keep it waving at her, as she couldn’t do the climb as she is a wooooose and scared of heights…(just joking Libs)

There wont be an entry tomorrow I shall be away in Canberra...and we are going to look for a cheap hotel and return Thurs. Hope you get the pics viewable soon Yvette!!
Night all