Tag: Personal Development

The real story of Bill and me

After a fortnight which included our Authentic Leadership Course and two workshops on Authentic Leadership I was ready for lunch today with the Finance Minister. That sounds very grand for a minion like me and yes, there were about 120 other people there. But sometimes you just get lucky and I arrived in my little panel-beaters loan car about the time the big silver BMW arrived and we walked in together.

Not being one to let an opportunity go amiss, he Continue reading “The real story of Bill and me” →

Thanks Uncle George, I remember Daisy

I last stayed with Uncle George and Aunty Joan about 40 years ago. They were dairy farmers. I think that they had about 150 cows and the images of the milking shed at 5.00 am have stayed with me since then. I see Uncle George and his cows when I pass a dairy farm even now. The warm unprocessed milk with porridge at 7 or 8. The implement shed.  The raging bull that we chased on the other side of the fence. Driving for the first time as he put the hay out, across the paddock with the accelerator on the Bedford truck stuck on what felt like breakneck speed. Rapidly (to my eyes!) approaching a narrow bridge between paddocks. The big arm leaning in to check the steering  You’re fine, just keep it dead ahead. Dead I thought, yes, if the bridge doesn’t widen up real soon!

Running into Mum and Dad in Farmers on a trip to the city. I need to go to the loo. Uncle George corrected you mean lavatory. Such responsibility to my care, even in the face of my parents! Funny how at the tender age of 5 I could sense my parents discomfort.

He died this week, aged 96. He had strong beliefs that he will join Aunty Joan. And probably Daisy. One of those 150 cows he knew by name. The only name I remember, but he had them all off-pat as they walked to the dairy. Remarkable.

He let me learn by trusting me and letting me have a go. Thanks Uncle George.

Stephen

Lighting a torch

Tim and I went shopping this weekend in preparation for our 6 days camping on the Essentially Men father/son retreat. We bought polyprop tops, camping lights, a new pocket knife (as instructed) for Tim and torches.

My good friend Nigel phoned from Christchurch this afternoon to suggest that one of the most valuable pieces of equipment we could bring was a head lamp: “when it’s dark on camp it’s dark, so you can do whatever you want with a torch strapped to your head”.

This retreat has been a long-time coming and Tim has been very brave in agreeing to go into the unknown with me and a group of other guys.

I’m excited and apprehensive. My hope this week is that Tim sees the way forward from boy to young man. It’ll be big for me too I’m sure.

We’ve got those head lamps ready.

See you in a week.

Stephen

Offside with Hillary

“You won’t be needing that much” were the words that began my adventures on the Hillary Trail several weeks ago. What followed was a dumping of half of the contents of my newly acquired camel pack on the advice of a trusted running colleague, Froste. I had to trust Froste, he had claimed after all to be at school in the same year as my father. If he didn’t know what he was talking about, who would?

The Hillary Trail is a spectacular 74km “tramp” stretching from the Arataki Visitors Centre near Titirangi through the Waitakere Ranges and follows the coastline from Whatipu near the Manukau Heads north to Muriwai. The first attempt at the trail started with a group of about seven – three determined to run the entire length in one day, me with a “50ks or five hours – whatever comes first – hoping to get to Piha” and a group who were doing 11 out and then back.

The trail has incredible views and it is not easy! It is steep – so much so that language not used in polite society was heard on occasion. The trail takes in the peak of every mountain between Arataki and Piha. There is gorse and more gorse north of Bethells. At times the gorse gives way to Thistle. Lovely relief. Michael Simons knows that if you scratch your legs after gorse all hell breaks loose.

And the fluids? Well I ran out at about 15km. Amazing how all the usual hygiene rules go out the window when you’re dehydrated and you’ll happily slurp on anyone’s camel pack.

Arriving at Whatipu (22km) in 6 hours it was pretty clear that all ambitions for the day were seriously in doubt. I vaguely recall assaulting Michael in my dehydrated delirium. Sorry Michael.

I seriously considered pulling out – having met my pre-conditions for the day but after drinking about 3 litres of water and filling my camel pack, I decided to do another 10k to make it to Karekare.

Karekare took another two hours and I called it a day. The remaining pack continued on for another two hours to Piha.

The following weekend we ran the Piha to Muriwai leg (32km) in a total time of six hours. Again, we ran out of water – there is a horrendous climb out of the forest supposedly near Muriwai, but fortunately Froste and Michael found a friendly resident who offered her scarce, so I found out later, tank water. With Froste and Michael having replenished (or so I thought) their camel packs I proceeded to rinse my cap thoroughly and fill my pack. Little did I know that with the tank water at low levels they had taken a quick slurp, which explained why they waited 700 metres up the road to share on mine. Bad luck boys, I’d drunk the whole lot by then!

Michael declared it was 2km to Muriwai but the GPS proved otherwise – 7 in fact – and on arrival we were met by Julie M and Mrs Froste with drinks, muffins and good cheer.

For reasons that escaped me at the time, I agreed to go and do the last 32km again today, with an anticipated 6.00am start – “be at Froste’s at 5.30am sharp” was the command (news has got out that I’m not always on time). Sunrise is much later guys! Get with the programme – but we got started by 6.40am.

Rolled my right ankle twice and my left five times going off the trail today – fell over 3 times (though others say it was at least 5).

Would I do it again? You bet. The views are stunning – rainforest, black sand-dunes, waterfalls, surf, bulls, sheep, other runners looking even worse, trampers, babbling creeks, rivers to run in (with roads parallel that “you can’t use – that’s not on the map”). It’s a lot of fun. Plus there’s the 10ks I haven’t yet covered in the middle.

And it builds resilience – reslience that stays with us beyond running, whether that be in managing a family, running a business, leading others or caring for someone.

Thanks to Michael Simons, Mike Frost, Julie McMillin, Mike Dickie, Danny Baker, Michelle Garrett, Carol Bielby, Simon Clendon, Penny Kirkwood and Liz Frost for being part of my journeys on the Hillary Trail. I have a feeling I haven’t got everyone’s name here so forgive me – you have your own stories too so feel free to share.

Kodak moment? Running next to Froste on a wide stretch of track. Suddenly without warning he appears to be sliding in for a try next to me. Picks himself up. No ball. Offside Froste it’s clearly a penalty. Don’t bother bringing out the drink bottles mate – you won’t be needing that.

Stephen