Greetings from Sunny Singapore!

Today is a special day as my father turns 70 years old. Happy birthday Jack! What a celebration of a life lived fully and happily.  At the age of 70, Jack is still running over 12oo acres of steep hill country sheep and beef farm in Matau, Taranaki, New Zealand.  He is one of the lucky few who has found something in life he truly loves doing.  With four children, 10 grand children, 5000 sheep, 500 cattle, 10 chickens, 6 dogs, a few hundred goats to look after, he celebrated today in the place he knows and loves, on his farm.  What a privilege it has been to have him as a father.

On a much lesser note, today also marks the date of 30 days before I return to the hills. In one month I head to New Zealand to attempt a route in the Southern Alps which I have dreamed about for a long time.  It’s very high, very steep and very icy and as any serious climb has me crapping my pants at the thought of it.  The build up is always hard, and I try to channel my fear in a positive direction and use it as motivation to train and prepare.  When the alarm goes off early in the morning, the thought of being on that huge exposed ridge with hundreds of meters of air underneath my feet, is fantastic motivation to get me out of bed and hit the gym or pound pavements.

It’s also a busy week also for ‘Axe On Everest’ presentations, with a talk to 200+ audience on Tuesday night from the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales) for their annual ‘Celebrating Excellence” dinner, a talk in Phuket on Saturday for a corporate retreat arranged by UFIT and Monday morning will see me sharing my climbing experiences with 90 school children.

Wishing you all a joyous and wonderful weekend ahead,

Axe

Jack at home on his farm where he has spent his entire life

Presenting ‘Axe on Everest’ this week to ICAEW. Photo ICAEW/Tommy Lobinhoot Low