h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Went to Bluewater today with Roy and little . I'd promised little a trip so that he could have a go on the climbing wall. I also wanted a go on it, although I confess to a bit of trepidation and the thought.

In the event, we parked easily enough and made our way straight to the climbing wall. We paid and there was a wait of about an hour and a half, so we went for a pootle and for a cup of coffee.

He was fitted up first and had a go at the wall. He was quite scared and didn't get above head height really.

Then it was my turn. I drew a deep breath and started on up. Looking for footholds was a bit of an issue. I could see hand holds, but not necessarily footholds. Sometimes the handholds came as a pleasant surprise, with somewhere to really hold onto and sometimes they were just fingertip holds - much more difficult. I got almost to the top before deciding to come down.

His turn again. Same experience - quite scared and not really willing to go higher and frightened to stretch for holds.

My turn. This time I got fully to the top. Hands and wrists starting to ache.

His turn. Again, not a great success.

My turn. Saw his little face looking disappointed, so I gave him my last go. He had someone different on the bottom this time and she really encouraged him and he got almost right to the top. I knew I had done the right thing, as he had succeeded. We left on a high note.

Good for you ZSF! How did Little look when he almost did it? Has he stopped talking about it yet?

I think he is INCREDIBLY intrepid (and you). I can't go above my head before severe vertigo sets in. I am full of admiration for such bravery and achievement.


Frenchbean

Thank you F/b!

I have to admit I was a bit worried about failing and looking an idiot! I'm not as fit as I once was and I know my arms are weak. However, I needn't have worried.

The great thing about these climbing walls is that you are well looked after. There's a system in place so that if you fall off the wall, you will just hang. You get a harness and a rope - a bit like abseiling, only you go up as well as down.

The second time was easier.

I'm definitely going back for another go, though!

And little ? Oh, he started complaining about wanting more goes on the climbing wall. Was he grateful that I'd giving my third climb to him? Not a bit of it!

Ah BlueWater

I used to go 'exploring' there. Before it became retail. It used to be all blue circle cement and carp fishing.

One day he'll know how good you were though We only know as adults just what our parents did for us as children.


F/b

Roy took some pictures. Little looks good. I haven't seen the ones of me yet - I suspect my bum will feature largely in the picture!

Actually, DMT, it looks fairly spectacular at the moment. The quarry is a big feature in itself and with all the trees covered in fairly lights, it does look very striking.

Post it.

Hi ZSF

I have so many photos of my backside - or my face with my eyes closed and my mouth open... if there's one of me looking even vaguely 'normal' these days it's cause for celebration

I'm sure your bum will look impressive, simply because it's half way up a very scary wall...


F/b

It's not downloaded on the computer at the moment. I'll consider it. OK, I'll post it when I get a copy! Promise!

Fish-porn is so hard to come across.

Well done, Zarq!

Hi Trout, it's a long time since I've heard from you.

DMT!

Gnomon! Thanks. I felt good afterwards. I suspect it's one of those things you get better at the more you do it. It may be a good way of becoming fit. I did consider joining a climbing club at one time, however with little , it did pose logistical problems.

Hi Z



Hurray! Good for you and little !!! What an achievement!!! Sounds as though you had great fun, and I don't blame you for wanting to go back either!

Prideth

Morning, Prideth

For little it was a big achievement. A success after three failures! For me it was also a success. I had had a previous experience of trying to climb a wall. On a camping holiday near Corfe Castle, there was a ropes course and we did all sorts of things including climbing a telegraph pole and doing a jump to a trapeze, which I did. There, I fell off the climb wall (we were allowed to go on it at the end as a reward). This time, the holds *may* have been easier and the wall wasn't as high, but it was still an achievement.

I think it was wonderful that you gave your last go to little , and what a success!

Climbing is another one on the list of things I'd to do, but never having got round to . The usual reasons of lack of funds, lack of time, etc.

Abseiling, and whitewater rafting are other things on the list too. May be one day....

Prideth

....please let it work this time........the server's having problems!!!

It wasn't that expensive, Prideth .

It cost £3 for one go and £5 for three goes, so we each had three goes. Well, he had four and I had two.

People at work said that maybe seeing his mum get to the top was an inspiration for him. Could be. Who can tell?

I've a feeling there's a site somewhere which tells you the location of your nearest climbing wall. It's something I've wanted to do for ages. I think it's those images of slim fit women dressed in the gear looking really cool. Now I'll not get to being as slim as them - even if I got really thin. I've got what they call 'childbearing hips'. They've all got no bum and long legs. Mind you, I do have a small waist, so it sort of makes up for it.

Whitewater rafting - yes that sounds fun. I want to climb Kilimanjaro and visit Machu Pichu - and New Zealand. Now what were you saying, lack of funds, lack of time, plus presence of small child. But one day ...

Hi Z

Yep! A definite inspiration I'd say!

"those slim fit women dressed in the gear looking really cool" I have got the "childbearing hips" too, but without the small waist . I'm getting there though, lost nearly 2 stone in the last couple of months.....Yay! About another stone would do it.....

Machu Pichu: spectacular! When I've seen people there on the telly, they've been reduced to tears at the sheer majesty of the place!

New Zealand: also spectacular! Of course, I'd to visit the LOTR film site there as well as all the other fabulous locations.

Kilaminjaro: spectacular again! (I get the feeling I'm repeating myself, *lol*). I've seen it so many times on wildlife films, etc, but I've forgotten what the name means,

I hope that one day you'll be able to get to these wonderful places, and climb Kilimanjaro.... I have the feeling that you will! I think you do really well when you've got a small child to care for too

Prideth

P.S. I *really don't* like using excuses, but, unfortunately, being on disability benefits, it severely restricts what I can do.

No need to answer this if you really don't want to, Prideth , what's the nature of your disability? How does it affect you?

Thanks for the good wishes about my wish list. My hips have been spreading over the last six months and I'm not sure why. Possibly to do with the ageing process, or as one of my friends has put it, maybe it's because I'm happy with Roy. I have a third possibility (or maybe even a third and fourth). Gaining weight may indicate that there are things I'm subconsciously holding onto, which manifest in the body. I know Roy likes me to be slim. Maybe its an unconcious sabotage on my part. And Roy likes 'goodies', so when I'm with him, I tend to eat them too. Oh, and I've thought of more - it could be that I don't receive that well (a bit like the Chinese 'hungry ghost' starving amongst plenty), so my body hangs onto all it can!

I do know that it's now reached a stage where i can't ignore it. My clothes aren't fitting properly any more and I *feel* fat, even if the people in the office say I look slim. Hold the mince pies!