Brilliant! Fantastic! Marvellous!
No, no, no! It seems as though as hard as I try, I just can’t find the right word to describe the experience that I have had today. Standing 134m over one of the world’s most beautiful and diverse cities, on one of the world’s most iconic structures, is not as easy to describe as you would like to think. However, I’m going to tell you all about it and hopefully, by the end of my post I will have the right word for you.
We were introduced to our team, a collection of people from all over the world, and asked to give a reason for our bridge climb. I told everybody that you (Year 4) had challenged me to do it so I couldn’t say no. Other people had many other reasons for scaling the bridge such as anniversaries, birthdays and some particulary brave people thought the bridge climb would help to cure their fear of heights. Unfortunately, due to safety requirements, Barnaby could not come with us. To say he was disappointed would be an understatement, but he understood and waited patiently at the bottom of the bridge for our return.
After being kitted out in our ‘beautiful’ suits – they were not up to my usual fashion style guys but they were necessary- we were taken for some training. Bec, our bridge guide, taught us how to scale the bridge laddders carefully, using a harness and pulley system. Then after attaching our radios (and rain jackets) we were off!
The climb up the bridge took roughly an hour. Plodding over a knotted steel structure, that was built by hand (each of the 6,000,000 rivets that hold the bridge togther were heated and hammered in to the bridge by the worker) in the 1930s was awe inspiring. However and perhaps even more amazing, was the fact that at any one time there were 1,400 people building the bridge, without any safety equipment. During 8 years of building the number of fatalities, due to quarrying, steel working and falls from the landmark itself reached only 16. Amazing, when you consider the danger of the build.
The view of Sydney, almost 150m up, was breathtaking. Unfortunately, this is something I will have to describe to you in more detail when I arrive back in England, as I was unable to take my camera to the top.
When we reached the summit, we celebrated with a team photograph and were then promptly dumped on by a giant rain cloud – which I’m sure followed me all the way from Manchester!
Then we returned, soaking but proud of our achievements and with a greater respect for the talented workforce, who put their lives in danger everyday to create one of the world’s most recognised structures.
Thank you for the challenge, Year 4. It is something that I most certainly will never forget and something I hope you will challenge yourselves to do in the future. Oh, and the word……SPECTACULAR..
P.S. I am having a little difficulty uploading pictures from the cling, but will get them on here as soon as I can.
spectacular
Today was a very special day as I was able to attend the ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Day Dawn Service. ANZAC Day is an extremely important day in Australia as this is when Austalian’s remember the soldiers who lost their lives in one of the most vicious battles of World War I.
Holding the ceremony at dawn on the 25th of April is significant because this is the day and time the ANZAC Troops landed at ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915. During this bloody encounter, which lasted until December 1915, total allied casulaties, including Imperial Forces, reached over 200,000 and total recorded Turkish casualties reached 250,000. Thus, Resulting in the loss of almost half a million brave soldiers, in a battle that ended in stalemate.
The battle is of great significance to the Australian people as this was the first war that they fought in as an independent nation, rather than a colony of the British Empire. The loss of life, for a country with such as small population, was enormous.
Now, ANZAC Day is a time for Australian’s to remember the brave troops who put, and who still put their lives in danger on the
battlefield to protect our way of life.
Lest we forget.
Wow! Today has been an extremely exciting because today I arrived in Australia’s largest city, Sydney.
The length of the flight took me quite by surprise as it took us 4 hours to get here! However, I suppose that it’s hardly surprising as Australia is 31 times bigger than the UK. It’s like flying from London to Moscow.
Within minutes of landing I was on the train. It was a double decker – I’ve never seen anything like it before. It would probably be a good idea to get these in England as the trains are usually so busy. They were so clean and very efficient, getting us in to town for our ferry to the beach in plenty of time.
As soon as the ferry arrived we made a dash to secure the best seats – much more difficult than it sounds with a 22kg backpack on, but I did it. My seat was at the very front of the ferry and gave me the most spectacular views of Sydney’s most iconic buildings: The Harbour Bridge and The Sydeny Opera House. I was speechless, as I had only seen these buildings in movies and books. To see them beneath the Australian sun was breathtaking.
After a day at the beach, I am on my way over the Blue Mountains to a small country town called Mudgee. Barnaby and I have been invited, as special guests, to the town market tomorrow, which we are both very excited about. Keep your eyes on the blog for pictures!!!
Oh, before I go. Year 4, I bet you can’t guess what I have booked to do on Wednesday at 10am……… I’m climbing the Sydney Habour Bridge!!!!!!!! I’m not scared yet but wondered if you could send me any advice to help me in case I get scared before my climb.
Today has been a fantastically warm and sunny day in Perth (27 degrees). Barnaby and I decided that we would make the most of it and head to meet some of Australias’ unique animals at Caversham Wildlife Reserve. We were both very excited and learned lots about the animals. I think my favourite animal was the wombat (Neil – not particularly an imaginative name but it suited him). He was so much bigger than I imaged, 30kg!!!!
Barnaby didn’t agree with me, his favourite animal was the koala. If you look closely, you may even see him hanging out in a eucalyptus tree with Shirley!
Barnaby and Miss Wiggans Meet Australia’s Amazing Animals on PhotoPeach
Wow! What a day. Mr. Mitchell was right- Dubai airport is something else. It’s huge and there are lots of people there from many different countries, who are travelling all over the world.
My flight is nearly over and has been pretty good overall. I have been spoiled with movies, video games and all the music I could ever need. Plus, I have made 2 new friends.
I think as I land (it’s 4.30pm in England but 12.00am in Perth) the FA cup games will be well under way so come on United!!!! And, for all the loyal Bolton fans at Heathfield, come on Bolton…. what a final that would be!
I’m just about to disembark and begin my Aussie adventure. Keep your fabulous ideas coming and I’ll keep you updated on how truly amazing and diverse Australia really is- well I’ll maybe have a little rest first.
Hi Guys,
I made it to the airport in plenty of time and am currently enjoying a cup of hot steaming coffee in the new and improved Manchester Airport- it’s certainly posher than I remember! However, Mr Mitchell tells me that Dubai airport is something else. I”ll let u know……
Anyway, better go because I’m due to take off in an hour. Remember, I need your ideas for fantastic things to see in Perth. Enjoy the weekend guys, I hope the weather is sunny:)
We’re not sure when this session will happen yet but it will. Keep an eye on the blog for updates as to when the live chat with Miss Wiggans will take place. A text will go out to your parents to update them so that you will know exactly when to be online. Please ignore the dates and times in the window below as they will be updated when we know exactly when the session will take place:
This blog will soon become a live interactive environment where Miss Wiggans will be sharing her experiences from her travels Down Under.