Scaredy cat has left the building

Perhaps I was always a timid child but watching Mum freeze crossing a rickety wooden bridge over a polluted river in China (and then doing the same myself) might be the clue to who started it.  But my sister reminded me there is a statute of limitations on these things, so we'll just move on!


At school I wasn't very coordinated, so I was always afraid of being hit by a ball. I was scared about my loved ones. I have vivid memories of being so worried at a family lunch when my Poppy accepted the offer to go horse riding and being convinced that Dad's summer holiday project to paint the house would result in him falling off the ladder.

Physical activities might have been scary but I jumped at travel opportunities, including a year in Denmark as a Rotary exchange student after school. Perhaps I let fear get the better of me on occasions  - like never learning to ride a bike - but I am relieved that I was able to have fun on my overseas travels - and live to tell the tale. 

In my late 20s and 30s during my first overseas posting, thanks to friendly peer group pressure, I discovered skiing and diving. My lack of balance and coordination (perceived or real) and my fear of hurtling down the mountain, plus a fear of dismounting from the chairlift have probably limited my skiing success. But its an event with friends and family and so I persevere. Having lost weight and found fitness, I look forward to my next ski trip and I may even take my husband's advice and let some speed propel me down the mountain. Something I have realised might help my bike riding. 

Diving was also a bit scary, but the instruction from a well qualified instructor and a good friend (an emergency doctor) as my dive partner and the distraction of the amazing underwater scenery off the coast of Philippines hmade this an amazing experience. 

However, these new adventures weren't able to conquer all fears, so while helping a friend with her 7 year old son's birthday party, I had to endure the (very loud) taunts of scaredy cat when I refused to join them in the "Freefall" exhibit at Questacon.

So by now, it is probably fairly obvious I'm not really up for physical adventures. And yet, in the last few weeks, I ran my first 10 kilometre race and then last weekend, on a girls weekend away, I went kayaking and rock climbing. I had talked myself into both activities and bragged to so many I would do so really, I had no choice. An enthusiastic instructor and some peer group pressure helped. Kayaking was way more fun that I expected and my only real fear was tipping the kayak and losing my new phone, which I'd insisted on bringing to take the - "see I did it" photo!

View on Halong Bay from our kayak

Rock climbing was still scary. Perhaps it was the height or the fear of falling (although the safety standards and instructors were awesome) or maybe freezing and being too scared to come down. Watching one of my friends, I think I was scared how long she was up there and that I'd just be exhausted but our guide found us a smaller, kinder route and continued to tell us it was just like climbing a ladder. I slipped on my 1st step but by then, there was no going back, and thanks to some encouragment, and a new more determined mindset, I climbed a about 10-5 metres - almost to the top of the route. There were a few times where I thought it was too hard, and a few times when I didn't think I could make it to the next step, but I did it. I probably could have climbed another meter, but I've also realised that there really wasn't anything to prove. I'd had a go, done a pretty good job and coming down (which was way more fun than I expected) while I was still smiling wasn't a bad idea.

Rock climbing - just like climbing a ladder!

I'm probably not going to rock climb for fun but if a group activity arose I'd probably have another go. Kayaking is something I'd consider - and while a leisurely paddle in a twin kayak isn't the same, I think I'll look at something like dragon boat racing or rowing as a fun activity back in Australia. 

Realising that I can push myself that bit extra, together with some new found confidence and competitive spirit has also helped me set the goal of running a half marathon before the end of the year.

More importantly, I'm hoping that as the mother of 2 very active boys, I hope can set a good example for them to enjoy sport and outdoor activities. I want to be able to lead by example when it comes to the balance between adventure and stupidity - and hopefully, when they start playing sport, Mummy will actually watch instead of hiding behind her hands or the weekend paper!