“Are there any questions? Does anyone have other plans for tomorrow?” the hut warden Sally asked the motley group of trampers as we huddled in the Mangatepopo hut on the skirts of the Tongariro National Park in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island. Outside the wind was buffeting against the hut’s wooden walls, whipping … Continue reading When the weather scuppers your volcano-climbing plans
volcanoes
Here’s the plan for the trip to New Zealand
So, the next lot of volcanoes in my #40by40 quest have now been lined up as I head off back home to New Zealand for a month in a little over two weeks’ time. Woohoo can’t wait! The original plan had been to fit in five volcanoes but trying to also fit in a friend’s … Continue reading Here’s the plan for the trip to New Zealand
Why having patience when achieving your goals is important
Last week I blogged about my goals for 2017 – 15 things I essentially needed to do (or not do, in the case of watching TV) this year to upskill, up my personal development and help progress my #40by40 quest. There were a couple of things I didn’t include on the list, such as investigate … Continue reading Why having patience when achieving your goals is important
These were my highlights from 2016
In my last blog, I listed all the mishaps, lows and hilarious misadventures I had experienced in 2016. Now I turn to the highlights and good times. At this time of year, with a spangly new year full of promise on the horizon, it’s good to remember the positives and to be grateful for the … Continue reading These were my highlights from 2016
Volcano number 4 and 5: The opposite volcanoes
It was only about 11:30am and it was stinking hot. The yellow sun pierced through the clear blue sky and scorched both me and the earth as beads of sweat started to gather on my brow. For what looked like a relatively easy 390m high volcano to climb, Gran Cratere on the Aeolian Island Vulcano … Continue reading Volcano number 4 and 5: The opposite volcanoes
A new approach to #40by40
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
When not to give up
Say you’re running a marathon. You love running, you’ve trained hard and you’re running for a good cause, yet about halfway through you hit a wall – not literally but figuratively. Your energy levels slump, every movement creates a shockwave of pain radiating through your body, and your heart wants to leap out of your … Continue reading When not to give up
Experiencing self-doubt
Almost a year ago I quit my editor’s job to go freelancing. That was a big decision; it was tough. But equally it was liberating. And now I can’t imagine having to step foot in an office everyday, let alone share a commuter train twice a day with stressed-out lemmings. But this almost-year of freelancing … Continue reading Experiencing self-doubt
Help: Could my trip to Sicily be in danger of cancellation?
So does anyone want to spend £1000 and come on a trip to Sicily with me – April 10th to 17th? It appears that Nigel No Mates (that’s me) has been the sole person to book a tour for these dates and the trip is at risk of being cancelled unless three more people book. … Continue reading Help: Could my trip to Sicily be in danger of cancellation?
Volcano fitness regime – death by spin class
After completely embarrassing myself on a climb up a small mountain (more hill really) in Spain a couple of weeks ago – wearing inappropriate foot attire (damn those plimsolls) and proving to be woefully unfit – I’ve taken it on myself to increase my sprightliness and lung capacity. I’ve started a spin class – after … Continue reading Volcano fitness regime – death by spin class