#2 Hot Stone Massage

#2 Hot Stone Massage - Completed 23 October

This one was Kerry’s idea originally – and normally would be a great one, unfortunately not this time because of place we went to and the fact it was a package spa treatment at a cheaper rate.

While the massage part was great the “hot stone” wasn’t, all they did was put stones on my back for 10 minutes (over a towel) to warm the muscles. Very disappointing, Kerry had one previously where they used the stones to massage you which is what we wanted. Never mind certainly will give it a go again and will go to the place that Kerry went to.

Ten down, 30 to go.

#35 Pole Dancing

#35 Pole Dancing – Completed 19 September

Janine and Kirsty joined me on this task – certainly was a laugh. We caught a glimpse of the people doing a class before us and decided based on their moves that we weren’t allowed to watch each other once we started.

It was way harder than I thought, but I did find out that the poles actually turn! So that makes it easier to get around.

Can’t begin to describe the sore muscles over the following days but well worth it. The three of us had a ball and it certainly gave me a new appreciation for what pole dancers can do!

Nine down, 31 to go.

#4 City to Surf

#4 City to Surf - Completed 8 August
OH MY GOD. This was so much fun to do!! have never seen so many happy energetic people from all walks of life and what funny costumes.

Up at 6am on a Sunday is not fun, however it turned out to be an absolutely beautiful sunny day - couldn’t ask for anything better.

Only thing that was a bit sad was the amount of people walking on behalf of sick children or people who had passed away from illness - seeing the different t-shirts/costumes was quite inspiring.

Only down side to this whole thing was trying to get out of Bondi at the other end, I joined a very long line of people waiting for a bus but it just didn't move, it was then I started to feel sick, so a nap on the grass was in order (I think my body just realised that it had walked 14kms and was having a late freak out). Felt 100% after that, so rejoined the line and headed back into the city.

The end results was 2:32:50 – This task was so much fun, to be part of the 40th year (started in 1971 the year I was born - how ironic!) I will certainly do next year and hopefully rope some others into joining me - hey I may even wear a costume myself!

Eight down, 32 to go.

#11 Spit Bridge to Manly

#11 Spit Bridge to Manly - Completed 24 July
So here we are its time for the third walk on my list and next to the City to Surf, the longest at approximately 10kms. I decided that walking from the Manly side was a better option, so Sarah and I parked at The Spit Bridge and caught the bus to Manly to meet Sophie at Manly Wharf, our starting point.

To stand at the wharf and look out towards where we were going realising just how big distance was, for me was quite daunting (especially considering how tough it was doing the blue mountains last week). Surprising this, while long, was a great walk and I just can’t put the views into words, you really have to see it for yourself. I’m beginning to think this bush walking may actually be a new hobby for me - who would have thought.

We got to the other end, while I was a little tired and looking forward to our picnic lunch, I had this sense of accomplishment - high 5’s around! Writing this I still can’t believe I did the 10kms, roll on the City to Surf! I got up on Sunday morning still amazed that something so beautiful was in my ‘backyard’ all this time, oh and one good thing, for the first time in a month NO SORE MUSCLES!!!

Seven down, 33 to go.

#29 Blue Mountains Bush Walk and Picnic

#29 Blue Mountains Bush Walk and Picnic - Completed 18 July
Sarah and I headed to Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains, we had chosen the Valley of the Falls as the walk we wanted to do.

The weather was beautiful and it was certainly a great day for a walk. The start of the walk was just stunning the view of the mountains and seeing the blue haze across the horizon is beautiful. We then hit the stairs... see when you choose a walk that involves a valley and waterfalls... just remember when you go down stairs you will probably need to come back up. OH MY GOD. I knew was unfit but really this was crazy. It has been mentioned to me that one of the walks is nicknames 1000 stairs, well I think we found it! Lucky for me Sarah was very patient in waiting for me to get my breath back!

Although it was very hard on the way up, the walk over all was quiet beautiful.

Once we got to the top, it was time for a well deserved lunch, chicken and vegetable pie, raspberry and apple loaf, chicken pâté and crackers(all homemade) and hot a cup of tea. Heaven.

*Mental note: remember to stretch after a big walk...trying to wear heels to work with painful calf muscles not good!!*

Six down, 34 to go.

#33 Build a Paper Mache of my head

#33 Build a Paper Mache of my head - Completed 16 July
Once again this was a great idea of Elise’s. We started the project on the 26th June at my place and had decided that doing my head really wasn’t a logical option so paper mache my face was the answer. Starting with covering my face with Vaseline, wrapping it in cling wrap and cutting a hole for my mouth so I could breathe, Elise and Mendo then proceeded to covering it with the flour/water/paper mixture...hairdryer to make it dry quick was certainly a laugh! how much fun was this!

A couple weeks later and its time to paint - We came up with the idea of having a Phantom of the Opera type look - spilt down the middle, I got blue and silver paint and some ‘bling’ stones and with the help of Elise and Mendo we got it finished. I had forgotten just how much fun this craft stuff was.

Five down, 35 to go.

#26 Gold Class - Sex and the City 2

#26 Gold Class - Sex and the City 2 - Completed 11 July
Met up with Jesse in the city - it’s really hard to imagine going back to normal theatres after experience gold class, god those chairs are comfortable! We had a great time and a lot of laughs (how good was that movie!). Looking forward to going again for sure!

Four down, 36 to go.