courtesy Colin Mathers 2010
(7 photos) My brother’s achievements are many both in his working career and in his sporting pursuits. The pinnacle achievement was for him reaching the summit of Mont Blanc (4808 m) in 2010. Another, more recent, climb can be seen here. I was never going to be there to witness this or any of the other summits he has reached. I was however present when he achieved a silver medal in the Billy Cart Grand Prix.
© irene waters 2014
He had arrived from Switzerland with his family a couple of days earlier and thinking it might keep the children amused we travelled to the small town of Cooroy where the race was taking place. Despite calls for children to make up spaces unable to be filled in the age races my brother’s children were adamant they were not joining in. Not so my brother and his wife when a similar call went out for a couple of seniors to complete a team. They volunteered with his wife as the smallest and lightest in the cart and my brother and another man pushing.
© irene waters 2014
The circuit was gruelling with the contestants having to complete three laps. The first leg was uphill and by the third lap the strain was beginning to show. The distance between carts spreading.
© irene waters 2014
More terrifying was the other side of the circuit. Once up the hill and round the straight it was a downhill ride with the only difficulty being a corner needing negotiation at the bottom. The cart gathered speed. The pushers tried to act as brakes but only as much as necessary as this momentum would help with their ascent up the hill. First time down my sister-in-law described her fear. I knew I had been right not to volunteer.
© irene waters 2014
The crowd cheered.
© irene waters 2014
Crossing the finish line second was an achievement to be proud of as they stood on the truck receiving their well-earned medals.
© irene waters 2014
In response to Weekly photo challenge
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Hi Irene: I’ve lost your email – can you send it to me? This looks like a lot of fun – good on your brother for taking on the challenge!
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Will email you Noelle. Despite being over 60 he is always up for the challenge.
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I love this sort of madness; it gets me every time I see something like this, the urge to defy the years almost always regretted
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I know. My brother is over 60 and still doing it. Me I have the urge but not the inclination.
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It was supposed to be YOU, you know, you wicked woman ! – but one’s beloved family is the very next best thing !! 😀
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Today I’m sick of me and my brother is the next best thing. (for me anyway) At least he has exciting photos.
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And I am nothing more than a pain in the (_|_). I give you full permission to spit at me.
[grin]
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Oh I like that M-R. I can see where the old English from the German arsch and dutch aars (meaning ears of corn) became the meaning in modern English. Now it is your turn to spit on me. [grin spreads from ear to ear]
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I am the pain.
You are the smart.
[grin]
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Such a thrill! The photos capture the excitement.
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Great merriment was had by all. I’m just glad I was neither pushing or sitting. A happy spectator.
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What fun!
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It was. A real hoot.
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Oh I love events like this and I love how proud you are of your brother. I wish you were my sister 🙂
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Yes I am proud of him. I don’t have a sister so I am now officially adopting you. XD
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Yay! Now we are sisters 😀 Thanks for adopting me Irene. I’ll try to behave and not get you into too much trouble 😉 ❤
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Great post. It is fun to take part in such things. It brings out the child in us again, and that is not a bad thing. 😀
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No it is definitely a good thing to just let that child loose and have fun. 🙂
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