Sorry it has been a while. I have been sick, and beyond busy reading, writing, and going to training seminars. So, I decided to have a little break. On Saturday, I usually walk to a near by town about a mile away, however this past Saturday, Halloween, I did a little more walking than 2 miles. I met up with an old flatmate from Dundee and she and I, along with her boyfriend headed up to a small seaside town called Newcastle to the Mourne Mountains. Now, if any of you know me, I have a horrible relationship with rock climbing. We are talking panic attacks, high anxiety, and just plain fear. So, as much as I wanted to catch up with my mate, I almost let fear get the best of me. Turns out, we were just going to walk around a few mountains. (Sounds easy, huh?) So, anxiety left and I was thinking bridges and rocks, fun, peaceful, simple... yeah, not so much.
We pulled up to the mountains, and needless to say, my anxiety came back.
The view at the top of the mountain! (550 meters). I was in tears due to the wind slapping me in the face. But it was also tears for the accomplishment. As I climbed higher the air became crisper and felt thinner. My lungs were becoming colder. However, I managed not to fall on the way up, which I was sure I would do. I did manage to fall on the way down, twice, but I did manage to keep my face intact, so I am pleased. :) I wish I could post more photos, but the computer is not allowing me to do so. :( If you put yourself in this photo, to your right is Northern Ireland's Highest point. It you care brave and climb to the top of it (which can be done), you can see Scotland from there. Like the blessing pictures says...nothing is so bad that it couldn't be worse...It wasn't as bad as I thought climbing that mountain...but I know it would have been worse if I traveled up that highest mountain! :) To the left, we continued to climb around the mountain before heading back down. I am quite proud of myself. I am not a hiker, a mountain climber, or an athlete...and I managed to climb 550 meters and then some. It was wonderful catching up with my friend and meeting a new person. After our hike, we went to the pub, so I got to go to my first official Irish pub! :) As far as today, I am sore. Not as sore as I thought I would be, but let's just say I wish I didn't live up 4 flights of stairs. :) My arms are sore, my back, and lower limbs are sore, but the worst part is this odd pain on the bottom of my left foot. My poor left foot. I have torn ligaments in it, twisted it in Scotland, and now something weird going on with it...this is when I am so glad I have a podiatry major for a flatmate! :)
So, Halloween was a wonderful day! (Which is a major holiday over here...I am talking about school children getting a week off for school and restaurants only serving alcohol at night, and the campus cafe dressing up). I loved catching up with Amy. It was nice talking about the fun times we had in Dundee. She and Brian also pointed out some places in NI that I need to go and see, so those places are definitely on my list!
I hope to post again soon, and hopefully I can figure out is going with the photos soon. Until then, I have a busy month coming up, filled with seminars, training, and hockey games! (Can't take me away from that wonderful sport...I hear they fight just as much too!) Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween...and Happy November!
congrats on the climb, Nat!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike! :)
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