Back when I first started dreaming about this quest to climb 40 volcanoes by the age of 40, I spent an age on Google getting whipped up in the excitement of rugged volcanic landscapes, bubbling lava, snow-capped cones, and wilderness and vistas as far as the eye could see. I put together a grand … Continue reading A new approach to #40by40
#40by40
Volcano number 3: The erupting volcano
That moment I got up close and saw my first active erupting volcano will stick with me. I was in the Aeolian Islands, just north of Sicily, gorging myself on quite possibly the world’s best pizza, when suddenly everyone in the restaurant went wild, turning and pointing behind us. Paula, beside me, ferociously grabbed my … Continue reading Volcano number 3: The erupting volcano
Volcano number 2: The muddy volcano
The jungle on Nevis Peak “That was your warm up. Now you climb.” Those were the words of our buff 57-year-old guide as we stood in a scraggly jungle of moss-covered trees, vines and ferns, staring at a criss-cross ladder of tree roots that ascended heavenward. We’d been walking up hill for the past 20 … Continue reading Volcano number 2: The muddy volcano
Volcano number 2 update
Lizard Point - most southerly part of the UK It’s all rather busy at the moment. My folks from New Zealand are currently visiting the UK. After a delightful week and a half of entertaining them in Londonthey have gone off on a road trip of England. I decided, right at the last minute (after … Continue reading Volcano number 2 update
The tentative plan – and how it all changed
It has not passed me by that we have already entered March and I have yet to tick off volcano number 2, let alone have any constructive plans in place. I have no excuses for my woeful expedition planning. But shame on me all the same. Last year, I had a brilliant strategy. Mt Vesuvius, … Continue reading The tentative plan – and how it all changed
The year that was – highlights and lowlights
It’s that time of year – taking a look back over the past 12 months of 2015. And it’s been an interesting one. Highlights A New Year’s midnight swim to enter the year I got to hang out with one of my besties for a warm New Year’s at Orewa beach, one of my favourite … Continue reading The year that was – highlights and lowlights
Facing negativity
Some people – namely the boyfriend – would say I have a negative mindset. I would argue I’m just realistic. But when I came up with the stupidly ambitious idea to set myself a quest of climbing 40 volcanoes by the age of 40, I think I was neither negative nor realistic. I was in … Continue reading Facing negativity
Baby steps
Here is my attempt at getting my A into G to achieve my #40by40 quest to climb 40 volcanoes by the age of 40. The start of a list of things to do. Apart from the fact there appears to be heaps to do (think overwhelming), this is at least progress. Have I forgotten anything? … Continue reading Baby steps
Time to stop making excuses and just start
Right now I should be getting excited about what should be an impending trip to the tropical island paradise of Tenerife, one of the seven islands that make up the Canary Island archipelago off the west coast of Morocco. There, I was intending to make an ascent of volcano number two, Mt Teide, in my … Continue reading Time to stop making excuses and just start
Volcano number 1: The volcano virginity taker
Woohoo, I have lost my volcano virginity. First volcano climbed before the age of 40 in my #40by40 quest. Tick. Mt Vesuvius, Italy It feels good to be able to say that. It would feel even greater to say I strived against the odds to reach the summit (cue violins playing in the background). But … Continue reading Volcano number 1: The volcano virginity taker