Friday 9 December 2011

Sydney Birthday Treat

My Big Birthday Treat


 When we came to Sydney I knew that I wanted to climb the Harbour bridge, so to make it special we booked it for my 50th Birthday. 
On the day of the climb we walked to the bridge as our climb was at 11.15am, making sure to have breakfast first which is one of the rules of the climb, as we will be out here for 3 hours in total. The girl at the desk checked us in and said " you could climb now at 10.45" we looked at each other and decided no, it would be a rush and we needed to chill before we went (Having just walked there!!!) "No worries" just go to the gate at 11am to get kitted out for your walk.

We climbed the stairs and waited outside door 1.  A very friendly girl called Shelly our climb leader opened it and welcomed us in, we had to fill out a form with our details and have a breath test..(no alcohol breath allowed on climb) we all passed that one. Then through another door, there were about 11 of us in our group and we had to introduce ourselves and say why we were there, I proudly told them it was a birthday treat!! other people had their reasons too. Our suits were given to us and as the humidity was 80% they advised us to strip down to our underwear and then put on the suit!!
We were then kitted up with all the other stuff needed to climb, utility belt with safety cable on which was also clipped, a radio, fleece, waterproof jacket, Our own sunglasses were attached, a hanky and most importantly our free hat. We put our other stuff in a locker and we were ready to go...just had to do the simulation test for the kind of ladders we would be on and how to coax the safety cable through some places. 


Still feeling a little apprehensive we walked through the tunnel which lead us out to the first part of the climb, with one last safety check down to make sure we had everything attached Shelly lead us out.... our first part was walking under the pylons above the road, this was not too bad..next we had to squeeze and duck through some tight bits then had  to CLIMB up 3 sets of ladders which were small narrow steps and vertical then we could start the CLIMB!!!


This is the start of the climb up the bridge, still enjoying it!!!



Halfway up, great views Circular Quay behind and Opera House to the right


Nearly there!!!!
Getting ready for a group photograph!!!
When we were at the top everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to me it was fun, even on a cloudy day the views are brilliant!!



Across the top and start of the way down.



My other Special treat was this...........


Yes a Tattoo its great!!!!
Small and pretty, 


It was something I wanted to remind me of my Birthday and this great time that we are having travelling together.

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