Back to page

Stairs to Stirrups.

  • Day 39

      1 April 2019
    Main image

    reflection....

    Its wet outside and while it was showers at the moment the forecast was for rain and possable thunderstorms .

    I had no choice , this challange had begun to feel like i was three days past wanting to be home ...

    So with timing going to see me competing in the gridlocked rush hour traffic on my way home ....i hopped on the scooter and yup , the roads were greasy so I backed up my normally aggressive riding style and headed to the mountain..

    6.00am , the climb always hurts and while one might get faster some climbs hurt more than others ....I'm looking at my age and guessing that fact isn't going to change now , accept and adapt .

    Theres a lot of foot traffic moving both ways and lights pass frequently....I'm in no hurry this morning , this climb is all about

    * git er done * even so , at the bottom divide I'm paying my dues and remove a light shower jacket...

    The top arrives to quickly emerging from within the darkness and my thoughts and reflection time is over ....troubled by yet another loss of life as I as part of a team did this challange .

    Grateful for being part of a team with Gemma , it took a lot of pressure off as personally I battled first calve muscle sprains and then concussion from a fall . Gemma's contribution to the team was a huge part in us completing the challenge....

    But what really troubles me most was my inability to raise funds ...for me , that was the real challenge . I am extremely thankful for you who have helped with donations to make someone's world just a wee bit better .

    In my challenge I feel I've failed .

    Never say never ....when the dust settles and emotions cool...

    maybe I'll try again next year ....

    There's 11 days left to help me make this world a better place .

    https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/stairs-to-stirrups

    Thanks for listening.....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 36

      30 March 2019
    Main image

    ending .....

    Its 21 degs C , 10.40 am Friday morning and the trail is steady with people climbing , all have their reasons or goals and many differant feet have tread the path beneath me .

    I tell myself to take it easy and enjoy the moment/s , life is precious and sometimes we just take it for granted there will be tomorrow.

    That sentiment lasted up to the stretching tree therein the flag dropped and now stripped down to shorts I thundered up that mountain grasping life in close embrace to whisper .....

    like me if you care....

    catch me if you dare....

    Climb 37 completed with but one left to go before team Stairs-to-stirrups challenge is completed.

    Thanks ....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Meet Finn

      29 March 2019
    Main image

    Just before Finn was about to start school his immune system attacked itself in his brain, causing encephalitis which is a life-threatening situation. He was flown up to Starship Hospital and was put into intensive care for a couple of weeks until they managed to reduce the swelling. The swelling caused a severe brain injury and he was literally now like a newborn baby again. When Finn left Starship he went to the Wilson Centre in Takapuna for four months of rehab as he had to re-learn how to do everything, as he couldn’t talk, sit up, eat or drink, walk, or remember things and emotions. What he didn’t lose was his fighting spirit and he tried really, really hard during rehab, and through his hard work he has managed gain so many of his abilities back. His motto is to look at what he can do, not at what he can’t do, and he is now in year three at school and is still trying really, really hard at everything. RDA is helping Finn get his confidence back, especially when he is up off the ground, and it shows as he is now attempting to climb a little bit higher on playgrounds. Finn is not eligible for ACC as his brain injury wasn’t an accident, so he misses out on many programs that ACC provides for children with severe brain injuries. RDA has helped to fill this gap as it helps with Finn’s fine and motor skills along with lots of sensory input.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 33

      26 March 2019
    Main image

    top gear .

    I guess I should be observant of the temp , the ute said 26 degs C in Tauranga so I'm calling it.

    The sea looked scruffy with the nor-wester tossing peaks into turmoil . I'll not be swimming tonight ...

    For the first time in a long time I feel injury free...so I chanced it and changed up a gear ....the track was quiet going up but I wasnt and thoughts of locomotive breath became relative as I huffed on and puffed , I,m determined to leave nothing in the tank and I guess I must of looked a sight flailing on up that mountain. People where giving me passing room long before I reached them such was the din I guess I was making . I never heard much as I had Deep Purple cranked full tit . Hit the basterds and my legs were all but shot but I've never yet stopped going up them and while I could swear lusterly at them I wasnt going to today...faster became stuck in my head and the running started ....till the top then I looked at my watch and swore again , ol Murphys final trick was that I didn't set my stopwatch and although I know I broke under a mark it doesn't count given the variables....bugger!

    Angry with myself I glided effortlessly into overdrive on the descent .....and the mountain became a beach ....

    Eventful 35 , done and dusted .

    I'm back on top of my game and keen to smash this challange outer the ball park ...

    3 ter go....

    Is that your wallets I hear?

    Thanks for listening.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 32

      25 March 2019
    Main image

    last call.

    The temp they say is 24 degs C but my body doesn't believe them as I stand once more at the foot of Mt Maunganui. I guess its the ride over but I have to convince myself to leave the hoody behind . Walk with me Mick and my ears fill with the Rolling Stones ....as I walked the boardwalk I mused what a difference a week can make . The summer vibe is all but a pale shadow of its former self and where once the sea was a temptress, today it looked a foreboding shade of green ...I didn't need to see that so I cast my eyes to the path beneath and walked ....then climbed. Wild horses played , the sun came out and I remembered fondly a soul taken far to soon .. and I dont know , maybe it was nothing but the mountain started demanding her toll . It felt like we were entwined in the last dance , the dance of the desperates as we strove to rekindle our love affair with summer. I changed up a gear and the price rose , my shirt had been cast minutes before and from the wooden bridge I ran every stair to the top ....and down to the boardwalk. Thoughts of running around entered but i shut them down .....for now .

    34 , done and dusted ...

    Thanks for listening....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 31

      24 March 2019
    Main image

    my world lays in slumber as I join the the restless and begin my climb ...its early and now I wait for the world to catch up with me .

    The numbers a rolling into each other with alarming frequency as team Stairs-to-stirrups strives for that majjjic....number.

    We started in the height of summer in temps at times of 34 degs C , this morning its 18 Degs C.

    The track this morning is again wet underfoot and even though I left the house having had no nourishment I'm doing ok ....panting a little more than I would like but hell , glad to still be able to suck air ...

    This morning I had a picture I wanted to try to take so I climbed out to the edge ....probably wasnt the wisest thing I could go . My glasses had fogged up and the footing was dicey enough but I reasoned if you carnt see the drop in the darkness then everything becomes a little easier and it did .

    Again , I'm still up here posting this so guess climb 33 is not completely finished but.....and heres the kicker , unless I trip you can take it as given I'll reach the bottom .

    Thanks for listening.....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 30

      23 March 2019
    Main image

    Gloomy Mountain.

    Its 11.00am ish and on my second attempt I've arrived at the base of the Mount on the Vespa . .

    Its bleak and matchs my mood perfectly as I hit the button and invite David Gilmore, David , walk with me ....together set off and walk within the drab ...

    Although not raining the path is wet and wee puddles have formed on the outer edges on some stairs....

    The mountain is subdued and with acquiescence of summers passing demands very little of her due , I would have gladly given everything I had to feel the touch of summer .... again ...

    First climb this year I have needed to keep a shirt on for warmth ...it seems my last finger has lost its grip and I'm plummeting into a clutchs of autumn.

    A bird joins me atop and together we look into autumns grip .

    Climb 32 almost completed see , I've yet to descend ....

    Ever wondered what you see when you do reach the top ? That's todays picture ...

    Let's make this world a better place , tomorrow, together....

    Thanks for listening...

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 28

      21 March 2019
    Main image

    I wasnt really going to quit and I knew that , I think you did as well....

    So 5.00 PM ish and I'm looking for a park with no success, theres a surf club competition being held here so parkings a problem. I eventually parked up on the berm by Pilot bay and set off adjusting things as I headed for the Mount . I had been listening to meditation/ massage music these past three days , I believe this has helped immensely in my recovery from concussion....so I hit the button and let my mind ignore the vibrancy which abounds here and become caressed by peace....

    I also though convention away , took the path up though the camp ground , past the stone stair case I'm a chugging up there like theres no injuries and I'm feeling great ...hit the divide and right on que the mountain demands it's due which I gladly relinquish . The teasers fall behind me as do the heartbreakers.....this rigs rolling . Even the basterds fell swiftly behind as still I climbed , for me and for you.....but mostly for folks less fortunate than we are and we , you , me can make a difference....a little background on this years charity from their spokesperson.

    * Our wonderful riders come from all over the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty District. They range in age from 2.5 to 64 years old. There are many different abilities that we cater for at the Tauranga Riding for the Disabeld. We help those that require intensive and remedial therapy for those with neurological, orthopaedic and muscular disabilites, those that live with autism, mental health issues, intellectual disabilites, accident and stroke victims. Our riders are diverse and each rider has their individual programmes to attain their goals.*

    Kind of puts it all into perspective.....

    The season is changing, it was cool descending at 5.30pm ish .

    Climb 31 was a good one .

    Thanks for listening....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 27 -Part 2

      20 March 2019
    Main image

    Gemma is on fire and smashes out another climb .

    Awesome day for the team as we a just 8 away .....soooooo close.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 27

      20 March 2019
    Main image

    its 3.30pm and I start my climb . Hit the button and Hotel California plays though one ear peice ....bugger !

    Still , the suns shinning and its 24 degs C ....so I trudge my way to the summit, the body and mind are protesting loudly and I'm wondering if this is how it ends ....

    I'll see how I pull up in the morning but more than a little disappointed to be battling so hard at this stage .....

    On the up side big thanks to a Gem from Auckland for donating $20.00 , thankyou very much ! It's why we are doing this so together we can help someone else.

    Thanks for listening...

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 26

      20 March 2019
    Main image

    Gemma finishes the grind , by that I mean from climb number 10 though to 28 I call the grind . The reason is 38 is a number so far away at 10 so you've really got to just keep those climbs going and grind those numbers out . Why 28? Because its here the countdown begins .....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 25

      18 March 2019
    Main image

    and it 6.00am , I'm battling yet another headache so I decide to pull the pin on work for the day and go seek medical advice . Seems thinking I should be over the concussion in 6 days is unrealistic....and running! That's a big no no ....

    Bugger...

    So I headed to my happy place and climbed, funny thing , while exercising all the symptoms disappear and the same if I hit the surf . Guess ol Murphy still has a part to play . The good news is I am getting better just not at managing it ...soooooo...no more running till I'm over this inconvenience.

    10.00 am and it 22 degs C , the mountains moody today which fits perfectly. By the divide my headaches gone and I'm feeling whatever normal feels like . I take it slow and steady , relax grasshopper....with *Peace , 80 mins of relaxing * playing quietly in my head I'm almost wishing I had some tye dye on ....

    A lot of people on the track today , mums whose children are at school , the retired and theres a cruise ship in.

    Reached the top and took some pictures for an Australian couple then named the islands we can see ...

    I walked down giving concession to the head injury , something I'll need to manage better from now.. .

    Climb 27 done and dusted ....

    Together, how about we make this world just a little bit better ?

    Thanks for listening..

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 24

      17 March 2019
    Main image

    12.30 PM and it's bad boy Harleys time in the sun . I park in my normal spot and look at the ocean ....like a temptress the surf is enchanting and theres a lot of surfers enjoying her charms ...what's this got to do with climbing the Mount you ask ? Not much 😉.

    I stretch at the bottom and begin my ascent and it's not long before my legs are shot , by that I mean wobbly and my calves are tight. .I stop , stretch again and continue. The tracks quieter than I expected so I had plenty of room to wobble upwards...man was I glad to reach the top today ...not as hot as yesterday but still hot enough to fatigue....photo , stretch , wipe down and next thing the big rigs in full flight running down that mountain like a spring chicken . Surprised the hell out of me but once rolling I wasnt stopping myself , its make or break time, ol Murphys in hiding and I'm picking the odds are getting better for team Stairs-to-stirrups for smashing this challange out of the ball park .

    That's my story and I'm sticking to it 😁.

    How about we raise the stakes and you , me , the horse AND a donkey make this world a better place ...together.

    thanks for listening....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 23- Part 2

      17 March 2019
    Main image

    A beautiful evening for climb 25 completed by Gemma .

    Team *Stairs-to-stirrups * is holding at two climbs above the days used thus far and that's a good thing . It gives us a buffer of 14 days if required and you just never know , weather , illness or injury can all play a part to stall us as we strive for 38 . Fingers crossed none of the above occurs and I can see us reaching the target in a couple of weeks hopefully 👍 .

    You , me and the horse...together, let's make this world a better place !

    Thanks for listening....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 23

      16 March 2019
    Main image

    Helloooo Summer ! Parked the scooter by the changing shed/toilets on the main beach and immediately removed my singlet ....its hot and I knew it would only be minutes before the Mount would demand her toll.

    Hit the button and brought 27 club member Amy Winehouse to life ...let's walk .

    The boardwalk is busy the beach not so much but the vibe is here and it's real....sweet oh so sweet Summer....

    11.00am and I climb up into this glorious summer... by the divide its sweltering, up , more steps , the teasers....my legs are complaining and fatigued....yet up....and the heat rises within me . By the time I reach the heart breakers I'm thinking of beer .....a 3 ft glass of Peroni would work just fine ....and still up , stairs ...the bastards ....until the bridge and then , thankfully, I'm immersed within the foliage, the temp drops and I get that second wind but in those heated moments I told myself , Dave , your fatigued....no running mate .

    So I ran , damn the fatigue and damn the heat ....I thought I was quite graceful but I guess others had a different opinion as folks were giving me PLENTY of room .. and it's busy , mum , dad , kids and aunts, uncles, grandparents....tourists ...poke a stick and they were all here ....

    The big rigs on a roll , Ol Murphys running scared and I'm crunching the numbers ...

    Quite enjoy these challenges.

    24 folks , done , dusted and released to history .

    How about together , we make this world a better place.

    Thanks for listening!

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 22

      15 March 2019
    Main image

    as I looked up into a grey sky i thought of the tragic waste of life in Christchurch and how different ideologies should be something to embrace and learn from, not as we constantly find , an excuse to slaughter the innocents ....

    So with a heavy heart I invited Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band into my head and started the ascent. 5.00 PM and 25 degs , even though the sky was a pale shade of grey there was enough light from the sun filtering though for sunglasses . The sea looking ohhh soooo tempting and the youngsters from the surf club were frolicking in the surf and looks to me like they were having a lot of fun .

    The track was quite busy! Guess there a lot of dedicated people ....of course the shirt only stayed on till the top of the stone steps then once I reached the teasers I found myself awash in sweat as the Mount demanded her dues .

    At the top I took the obligertaty photo, stretched and then looked ol Murpy in the eyes and whispered " keep up if you can " .

    I needed to get back on the horse after first the leg injury and then the head injury so I put the big rig into 2nd and eased it down the Mountain until it started feeling good , really good . I figured Ol Murphy couldn't keep up so I started shifting up though the gears and ran down to the surf club at the bottom.

    Climb 23 I'd like to dedicate to Christchurch.....

    Thanks for listening and folks if ever , now's the time to make this world a better place , together .

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 21

      14 March 2019
    Main image

    this climb was all about trepidation.... I'd managed to injure myself and was suffering from mild concussion so i had no idea how this was going to go .

    It went great ! I hit the button and invited Moby to a quiet wee walk up ....a lot of people on the track at 10.30 am weekday . Took a few photos for people and had a yarn with a young mum who had carried her toddler up on her back . She was also on climb 22 .

    Decided to take the 4wd track down so I could bore people with a few pictures ....great climb , cleared the head and a swim in the surf to finish...

    Soooo....22 done and dusted .

    Thanks for listening.....

    Together , how about we try to make this world a better place ?

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 19

      12 March 2019
    Main image

    - climb completed by Gemma . Being part of a team is proving to be great for when one is unable to climb the other team member keeps those numbers ticking over . As good as that is the real stars of the show are the folks that run Riding for the disabled and my hats off to them.

    Thanks for listening .

    Let's make this world a better place , together

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 18

      11 March 2019
    Main image

    10 + 10 = Climb 20 .

    5.00 PM and the dash says its 25 degs C , I hit the music button and Six60 come to life in my head laying some sweet sounds .

    The walk up to the bottom divide was mixed with a couple of stretches and the calves feel a bit crampy today . Carry on up and another stretch before the basterds then predictably I feel fine once atop of them.

    Busy track tonight ....

    Coming down the big rig started straining at the bitt....I gave myself a little freedom and ran a few stairs then some inbetween and it felt great!

    FACT OF THE WEEK: The Tauranga RDA cares for 17 horses who are all involved in the therapy programmes. The littlest are Biscuit and Lily and the tallest is an ex-racehorse called Turbo Scotty (he wasn’t very “turbo” on the racetrack). All have a vital role in helping riders gain confidence, work on their physiotherapy and educational exercises, and give and receive bountiful amounts love (and lots of cuddles).

    Soooo number 20 is done and dusted , thanks for listening and how bout together, let's make this world just a little bit better for all.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 17

      10 March 2019
    Main image

    5.00 am and my dash is telling me its 15 degs C outside , another finger is prised off summer and I'm thinking of chasing tequila sunsets sitting at a bar on a Caribbean Island as I gear up . Maybe I'll own the bar and if I tip back one to many I'll just pretend to be Irish, heh heh .

    It's dark, really dark so the headlamp casts a pool of light in front of me and each step , every rock or hollow is like seeing an old friend, I no longer need to look up to know where I am on the Mount.

    Again my thoughts drift to that tequila sunrise and I can almost feel a soft warm breeze stirring admidst bamboo shutters so again it's a surprise to see I've reached the stretching tree.....BB King playing in my head and the bodys feeling good , the physio has done a great job .

    Only saw one other as I was going up , he/she passed me as I was stretching and I didn't see them again . Upon reaching the top I had the place to myself for the short time I was up there... coming down the track at first it was just the odd person then the close I got to the bottom the more people i passed . ....

    This mornings climb number 19 marks the halfway point in this years challange for team stairs to Stirrups, man that came around fast !

    Thanks for listening!

    Together, let's make this world a better place for those less fortunate than ourselves.

    Dave....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 16

      9 March 2019
    Main image

    challanges within.

    A real autumnal feel in the air this morning, with sadness I can feel myself losing my grip on summer one finger at a time . For the first time I put a Jersey on and headed for the Mount. Upon arrival the place was humming , theres a surf competition on and parking was scarce , I got lucky and found a park outside Dixie Browns .

    Another funky morning so I invited Courtney Barnett for a walk and together we looked up at the Mountain with trepidation.

    Niggles are one thing but an injury takes this climb to a whole new level and it's one I dont like . No longer can I push myself hard in pursuit of personal fitness or goals , no , now it's all become about commitment and the end goal .

    That said I set off after stretching and every twinge brought forward a wince or grimace as I expected the worst .. thankfully the worst never happened and as I climbed higher my confidence grew. I was taking it slowly stopping to take pictures or I had a yarn with one young lady , she was one her 3rd climb for the morning and intended to do another 3 climbs this evening, W0W.

    Upon reaching the top I asked some young ladys if they would like their photographs taken , the declined but offered to take mine . Nice people and all from different parts of the world , Londen , somewhere and Auckland ( Hi ).

    Going down was even more challenging as the weight of the big rig landed with each step .. hard to take that easy ?

    Quite a memorable climb full of challanges as I fought to hold myself back ..

    but you know , when I took this on I made a commitment to you , my teammate and myself that I/we would succeed and that hasn't changed . What has changed is how I now go forward....

    Soooo....geeze that was bloody long winded.

    If ya see some ol bugger getting into all sorts of weird stances on the Mount it's only me...going forward.

    Climb number 18 completed , Stairs-to-stirrups next climb will mark halfway....

    Thanks for listening.

    Together , let's make this world a better place.

    Dave....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 14

      8 March 2019
    Main image

    Day 14 - team *Stairs-to-stirrups * continues its climb towards 38 . Climb 17 completed by Gemma .

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 13

      6 March 2019
    Main image

    Day *13 *.. bout sums it up !

    Sprained calf muscle.

    That's the bad news , the good news is I'm allowed to climb tomorrow if I do my stretches, take it quietly and eat my veggies .

    Then it's back to the physio for assessment on Friday.

    This business is waving fees if your injury is covered be ACC and your doing the Mount Everest challenge or you can pay what you want to which is donated to the charity. .

    I thanked them!

    Like them , let's make this world a better place , together .....

    Thanks for listening...

    Dave....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 12 - Part 3

      6 March 2019
    Main image

    Another successful climb by team *Stairs to Stirrups * , this one by Gemma .

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 12 -Part 2

      5 March 2019
    Main image

    I park and look at the 28 degs C displayed on the dash , I'm thankful our tenuous hold on summer remains , just one southerly whisper and this wonderful time will be but our memories.. .

    I invite Karen for a walk , Karen Carpenter that is and I'm thankful she left her beautiful voice and music with us to treasure and enjoy .....

    I set off along the boardwalk tucking the singlet into my shorts and as I look upon New Zealands number 1 beach I'm thankful , I'm thankful this is my beach , my home and where my heart smiles .

    I think of my teammates effort today in climb number 14 and I'm thankful Gemmas on the mend ...

    Sense a theme ?

    I can walk , run and do pretty much anything I want to even at this advanced age of decay .. and believe me .....

    I'm thankful..

    Others are not so lucky and I'd like to help them , will you help me ?

    Share , donate or support is a great way you can help me make this world a better place ...

    As always, thanks for listening.

    Dave ....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 12 -Part 1

      5 March 2019
    Main image

    Climb 14 completed by Gemma.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 11

      4 March 2019
    Main image

    climb 13 for *Stairs to Stirrups * .

    Funky day that just kept getting worse so it was a great relief to tune into Deep Purple and crank the volume up . You'd think my phone would know me by now and realize that that little warning it gives me everytime i exceed its sensible volume would be a waste....it is . I enjoy the privacy the earphones afford me and allow with ease that quick effortless transition into pump mode ...

    It's still warm , shirt only lasted till the divide and then once again sweat began to run off me as the mountain took it's due.

    Quite busy!

    And it seemed a lot were people doing the challange .....

    Again I ran down , faster....

    You know , this riding for disabled is a wonderful cause and I'm very proud to stand up and support them as well as I can ...

    FACT OF THE WEEK: There are 147 riders per week at the RDA that enjoy their therapy sessions with the horses and 170 on the waiting list. Our money goes towards decreasing that waiting list!

    Together , let's make this world a better place for those in need .

    Thanks for listening.

    Dave .

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 10 , Part 2

      3 March 2019
    Main image

    Day 10 part 2.

    To say I was disappointed at this mornings effort would be an understatement and like most things that act like a burr under my skin .....I knew I couldn't settle for that .

    That said it 1.30pm on a hazy summer's day at the mount . It's going off with the beach being the star of the show . I parked the scooter and decided to go for a walk with Etta , Etta James that is . The heat was intense so I stripped to barely legal and with a look at Ol Murphy set of too atone for this morning .

    I'm literally floating up the stone staircase at the bottom and my breathing is not to laboured at the top of them . The walk up to the junction is hot , stifling hot and the sweat is flowing from me ....

    I guess I lost myself in thought because I would reach points in the climb and be surprised I was there already ...such was the fluidly...

    Nek minute I'm standing atop and Number 12 is conisigned to memory ...hold up ! I havnt got down again ...and I did , running , really running down and along the boardwalk to the surf club .

    No longer am I pounding though the pavement like larger folk like myself tend to do ....no , I'm running atop and it feels like it did all those years ago.

    Redemption was my prize as today would have been my late wife's 52nd birthday , this ones for you Gaylene ...theres times ya just need to be alone .

    That's my story and I'm sticking to it ...

    Let's make this world a better place ...

    Thanks for listening!

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 10

      3 March 2019
    Main image

    Day 10 , lucky 11 and I say lucky 11 because I felt it was lucky I made it to the top .

    A rest day yesterday and I thought this mornings climb would be easy , it wasn't. The tank was empty at the bottom and it didn't take long for the legs to really start hurting . The upside is it was dark so I was able to literally stagger up unnoticed for the most part as I battled .

    So now the challange gets tough ....

    Once at the top however I enjoyed watching and taking pictures of this mornings sunrise.

    Nary a soul did I see climbing up , quietest I'd seen the track for many a year.....

    The trip down had it's own huddles and without painting to vivid a picture of the discomfort I was in ....I really should have gone to the toilet prior to the ascent , lesson learnt !

    As quiet as it was going up it was the complete opposite going down , literally a continuous caravan of people climbing.....thankfully with the endless river laying sweet sounds upon my soul I was spared all those brief snatches of conversations as I passed ...

    Again , this challange throws up the big ifs .....take nothing for granted folks , wer,e only at the beginning.....

    Thanks for listening!

    Together, let's make this world a better place .

    Dave....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 8

      1 March 2019
    Main image

    Day 8 .

    With but a touch the beach boys were telling me all about summer . I grasped that with both ears and sent that message to the universe, I'm not done with Summer just yet .

    With that thought in mind I turned to look at the mountain and told myself today was about taking it easy , enjoying the climb , Dave , it's the end of the week mate ....

    yer right ... im surprised at how well the bodys holding up ! So here I am , chugging up the heart breakers

    ( a nasty set of stairs 🙄)

    when oops! A real ripper did I let out ....mental note , before farting loudly pause and check behind ....to the couple behind me , man , the way you passed me and took off up those stairs was bloody impressive...well done !

    With that bit of excitement out of the way I have to say apart from being quite exhausted at the top the rest of the climb was uneventful....one step after the other .

    Once at the top though I paused and to a moment to appreciate the efforts of team *Stairs-to-stirrups *

    Today was our first double digit climb and now we get into the grind ..

    A run down , a swim , viva la summer .....

    Thanks for listening and hey ....how about together we makes this world a better place .

    Dave....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 7

      28 February 2019
    Main image

    Day 7 ....they say today is the last day of summer , with that in mind in invited Pink Floyd into my head , turned er up loud and set off with Dark side of the moon laying cadance to my pace .

    Buggers wernt that good lolol as although I thought I was pumping, I was a couple of minutes of my personal best ...

    The track was a little quieter going up I thought and once at the top I met some fellow participants in this years challange, took their photo and they returned the favour as I looked at summer , I'm far from ready to give it up yet !!

    Funny though , the run down I smashed it as i put the big rig into 3rd and let gravity take the wheel ....few worried folk coming up but they needn't of being concerned, the ol sidestep is only a pace away ....number 9 done and dusted..

    Thanks for reading and together....

    Let's make this world a better place.....

    Dave

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 6

      27 February 2019
    Main image

    Day 6 , hello climb number 8 ....

    Today is a good day , I got away early , grabbed the scooter and headed for the mountain with a grin . Parked then put the earphones in and brought Moby into my world . Set off along the boardwalk with a spring in my step and as soon as I started climbing I new the adjustment to my shoes had worked ....enough that I start running up to the junction in the the path . Dear oh dear did that get the lungs going ....and it seems it played out later as the tank was pretty empty when I reached the summit. Mind , 25 degs and under a summer's blazing sun....

    The reward awaited at the bottom as the surf was nice and lazy , just rolling in without a care or fuss .

    One of the better days .....

    Heres a challange for you , guess what card I'll be holding tomorrow ? Donate 10 bucks and call it your lucky day 🙂

    https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/stairs-to-stirrups

    Thanks for listening.....

    Dave.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 5

      26 February 2019
    Main image

    Day 5 , climb number 7 ....the challanges within the challange became apparent . After circling the roads a park becomes available, never would have thought late arvo and being midweek it would be hard to find a park but then ....theres a whole lot of people wanting to do the same as me .....to enjoy .

    I put my earphones in and cranked up the volume, todays sounds is a new happy place album I've just discovered , Zanaka by Jain and it must be quite a sight seeing someone seriously trying to put some pace on and trying not to groove out and doing both badly , at the same time . Thankfully im focused on my breathing which very quickly resembles a runaway Steam train huffing on up the hill .....

    24 degs C and the track is busy , sweat laden steps endlessly test my verve as niggles start to show . .

    At the top of the bastards as always, they disappear to become a memory....and the summit becomes now .

    Let's make this world a better place , together ....currently team * Stairs to Stirrups * has raised a smidge over $200.00 .👍

    Thanks for listening. ..

    Dave.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 3

      24 February 2019
    Main image

    Climb number 5 for team

    * Stairs to Stirrups * .

    As I plugged in my earphones , selected Pink Floyd's final album ( The endless river) I started climbing...a rising son ( sun) .

    First stop was not needed but rather demanded by the sheer beauty of nature.

    It's in moments like this where a heart smiles, all is well within us and a soul just like a mirror....

    only sees truth .

    Now....I had told myself this was to be a quiet stroll and I was looking for photo opportunities, click your fingers?

    About how long that lasted as I powered up those stairs and even at this early hour of the morning it wasnt long before I was scaring the world with my shirt off and drenched in my own sweat ....the track was relatively quiet this morning although there were a lot of folk at the summit .. .man....did they see something special as like a peacock in full bloom , nature really had all her feathers on display. ..

    5 down 33 to go ....if you,r inclined please donate to a very worthy cause and let's make this world a better place .

    Thanks for listening.... .

    Dave...

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 2- part 1

      24 February 2019
    Main image

    Fourth climb on a Saturday night , buzzing on how lush , and swift the sky was changing .

    Gemma.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 2

      23 February 2019
    Main image

    Not sure what I'm going to do when I run out of fingers lol...todays climb was tough , brutal in fact. Now ....I know I've been pushing hard this week but I wasnt expecting just how fatigued I felt ...and into the mix the steamy day that had me leaving a trail of sweat in my wake . I made it in good time though , took pictures for tourists and had a chat with a couple from England explained the various islands one could see...

    Day 2 and team * Stairs to Stirrups * is ahead of the game being three climbs completed . ..

    I am museing over something though and that's how to illicit donations...after all that's what this is about , our ability to make a difference in someone's life ....

    I wellicome suggestions....

    Thanks for listening.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 1 -part 2

      22 February 2019
    Main image

    With a very light drizzle falling I set off on my first climb of this challange , something had changed and there was a real point of difference. I was starting out a lot fitter and for once had no minor niggles ....the ascent was powerful as i strode up with purpose .

    That feeling at the top never diminishes, the joy of accomplishment and hopefully encouraging others to reach out and grasp their goals .

    A run down then swim in the surf completed my climb ...

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 1 - part 1

      22 February 2019
    Main image

    The tahi is done-

    Grateful as for the cloud cover this morning! 🔥

    Gemma

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Day 1

      22 February 2019
    Main image

    And the flag drops , today marks the start of the challenge.

    588 stairs up and 588 stairs down ....

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment