A climbing wall. As you can see from the lead image even children can climb this wall.
Little tiny children.
Yesterday my daughter suggested going to a climbing wall in Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand. She said: Give it a try. I said: I am too tired. She said: But you must. I said: I have no shoes. She said: They hire them to you. I said: But they will be smelly. She said: I will buy you some socks. I said: But I am at a good place in my book. She said: Fine then. Stay at home. I said: Wait for me!
At the climbing wall she hired a harness for me (she has her own) and shoes (she has her own of those too). A man came and gave me a deeply mystifying talk on holding the rope properly and parlaying it out and winding it back in and hands over hands and feet just so and it slowly dawned on me that I was to hold the rope as my precious daughter climbed up the more terrifying advanced wall of the building. I felt sure there must be some mistake and wondered if maybe one of the children next to me might not be better qualified.
But it was good, we worked as a team, she climbed – I did not drop her.
Then it was my turn.While she waited, I was clipped on and then she held the ropes and I looked up at the little children climbing the 50 foot high wall next to me and wondered about things. Climb, called my daughter gently. Follow the blue rocks.
And so I took a deep breath and with my daughter reeling the rope in as I ascended, I gently and gracefully climbed the wall. Right up. Then even further. My feet found the toe holds and my hands found rocks to tuck my fingers around and I hoisted myself straight up the wall. It is a little like chess or apple picking. You are always planning ahead, testing the holds, using each muscle to its fullest. Using your mind and your body together – actively. Overcoming fears and testing your strengh. I felt strong and successful and grateful for all the fence climbing and bucket carrying that strengthened my legs and fingers. Then I stopped.
Just stopped. I had two feet firmly on two blue rocks, my hands were resting into comfortable holds, my muscles were not stretched or tired but I could see nowhere to climb TO. I was about four feet from the very top, far away from the ground and I knew for an absolute fact that I was not going to make it. I looked down at my daughter and instructor far, far below and they both nodded encouragingly to me, I looked back up to the top and felt the very real dissapointment of failing.
Use your feet! My daughter called from far below. Her voice whispering up in a curve. Your feet will lift you up. Step up with your right foot. I looked across to the side she was nodding to (she had her hands on the rope ready to catch me if I fell), it was too high, and the rock was tiny how would my foot stay on that and carry my weight and it was impossible to reach – in close approximation to my ear actually. Are you sure? I called to the wall- not willing to risk another look down. Try it, she said.
Try it.
So holding on very tightly to my two blue rocks with my fingers, I raised my foot high up off its safe ledge, clicked the toe onto the new tinier rock and pushed myself up so my right hand could let go of its hand hold and reach for the next blue rock. And once again I was off, the switch had been thrown, I was no longer beaten and I streamed precisely up the last of the wall and touched the top.
A tiny victory with such a strong message. I think rock climbing should be mandatory for everyone. Life as a wall. 
Maybe abseiling next. They have lots of cool jangly gear.
In four more sleeps I will begin to wend my weary way home. But not yet. Soon I will go around the corner to stay with the new bride and groom.
It was a perfect day for a walk around the Bays today.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend in New Zealand.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
51 responses to “Life as a Wall”
I love the thought of having a friend in New Zealand! A beautiful place. Rock climbing would be a challenge for me! It does sound like fun. Give me a small mountain!
Your climb is so cool! You can add rock climber to your long list of accomplishments! Oh, and adventurous mum! 🙂
Oh Celi – after all the climbing whilst lifting you do on the farmy you must have known this would be a piece of cake for you and you do it without harness there and without someone watching your every step 😀 !!! Glad you took that step also tho’ and if that is a photo of Sophie she surely is a beautiful, beautiful young woman! We have a number of those ‘climbing walls’ here and I have a lovely oldtime beau who is still doing them every week at 86!! Personally am sorry you are already practically on the way home but January is not too far away! And whoppee: fine skies in Wellington and some lovely pics! Enjoy Milady!!!!
yes that is my Sophie.. she is a beautiful girl indeed.. c
Yes she is! 🙂
You are on the Good Husband’s page. He is passionate about climbing. A two hour drive and he climbs in one of the finest climbing areas. This summer was so splendid he managed to climb several days a week. Now the rainy season is upon us it is off to the climbing wall. He says “well done Celi. We are proud of you!”. XX Virginia
Tell Good Husband .. thank you.. I loved it.. c
I’m going to have to get over to LinkedIn and endorse you as a “Rock Climber”. That’s a rarity out here on The Plains.
Glad to see your daughter is making sure you’re getting the most out of your time away. You may be coming home with one less suitcase but you’ll have a head chock full of memories, the best kind of souvenirs.
There was a day I’d have loved to do that rock climbing, alas, no more, between a bad back, rotator cuff injury and very bad knees it’s not something I’d try now. Glad you made it to the top and that you’re enjoying your visit.
Am so enjoying this vacation to New Zealand! Such a gifted storyteller and photographer! From someone who won’t get there,in this lifetime, thank you so very much for doing this. P.s. Had such a chuckle over the “middle sister/straight back” comment. Being the middle sister, I’ve seen that so many times!
I know you probably don’t have time to read this, but it sure sounds like a similar experience to mine:
Beautiful daughter, brave woman and a great message. So glad you’re having such a good time!
I have long contemplated ‘the wall.’ I used to be terrified of heights, but as I age, less so. Go figure. Lovely images, wonderful memories no doubt! xoxo
I am not surprised you climbed right up that wall, goodness, you have been training for it for quite some time! (And didn’t even know it!)
Aah New Zealand. Climbing walls and abseiling…I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned bungee jumping yet Celi! 🙂 Glad you made it to the top, but then again, I never had any doubt. A women who held down a barn in a gale wasn’t going to let a wall stop her. 😀
Well done you. Your daughter is beautiful. 🙂
So many wonders! (and yes, all should climb the wall – there are several here and I happily drove my daughter and her friends in middle school to play on one.) It is very important to dare.
(and blue is such a nice encouraging color for rocks)
There you have 2 things to tell a “Dear one” about life : dare and always jump up and say “wait for me” (giggles….I do need to actually get that letter started on paper instead of in fuzzy head)
Enjoy all of it – enough to hold on to until next time!
Impressive! I would like to try, but I would definitely have to start on the infants’ wall, if there is one!!! 🙂
K