I sit here this morning writing with a slightly tired and aching body, but with a glow in my heart with having achieved a long held goal. This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be able to walk The Tongariro Crossing situated in the World Heritage, Tongariro National Park where parts of The Lord of The Rings were filmed. The walk is 22 kilometres up a volcano, across its crater, around its lakes and down the other side. With the 500 or so people doing it this day I certainly was one of the oldest. I thought maybe with a knee implant and my other knee being twice reconstructed this goal may bypass me. But with training, a strong belief to succeed, with no buy-in to ageism and with family support, my dream became reality.

The outdoors enlivens my Soul and uplifts my energy and I always look forward to the many clear thoughts that arise as I enjoy Mother Earth and all she has to offer. This day provided to be bit more of a challenge however, with a number of what appeared to be never ending steep staircase and track climbs. The only thoughts that were surfacing were of just getting to the top. Once beginning on this walk there was no turning back, there was no bus or helicopter out, I just had to stick to the task at hand and get it completed. My walking poles provided great support and with timed short rest breaks I made it and was rewarded with the most incredible vistas. Red craters, moonlike terrain, steaming vents, green and blue lakes and some snow to put the finishing touches to it all. The struggle and the shortness of breath were all worth it. It would have been easier to allow my son to carry my pack when he offered, but as in life the hard yards are the most valuable and where the greatest lessons are learnt. When we set our mind to it and with preparation, belief and discipline you can accomplish many things.