Same view…different eyes

Updated on February 26th, 2025

So, last week was my final one in Australia and what a week it was! After the triumphs of a fantastic trip to Tasmania, my final week back in Sydney did not disappoint.

My main objective was to eek out the last few opportunities to spend quality time with my family and friends.

The highlight of the week was climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge to celebrate my youngest niece Harriet turning 21. It’s something I have long been a fan of myself, experiences over things. And after treating my eldest niece to a hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia in Turkey for her birthday, I felt it was only right to find something equally epic for Hats.

And it was.

We had a perfect day. Sunny but not too hot. Almost but never quite raining.

I also had the perfect company. We laughed constantly, recognising the similarities and differences between us all. The gradients of nerves, excitement, fear, love and hate of what we were sharing.

It was the 2^nd time I have climbed this iconic bridge. The first was with my husband, Terry, around 20 years ago. The whole activity hadn’t been running for long when we received the experience as a gift from my sister.

^nd

There were so many similarities to the first time around:

The big preparation before even being allowed to put one foot on the structure, for example. The outfits, the training, the long list of things you can’t take with you and the way in which everything you do take needs to be somehow attached to your body.
The safety briefing also was similar. This is a key focus, thankfully, to ensure every climber is protected along with all the traffic below, safe from items being dropped from a height to cause all manner of chaos below.

The big preparation before even being allowed to put one foot on the structure, for example. The outfits, the training, the long list of things you can’t take with you and the way in which everything you do take needs to be somehow attached to your body.

The safety briefing also was similar. This is a key focus, thankfully, to ensure every climber is protected along with all the traffic below, safe from items being dropped from a height to cause all manner of chaos below.

Getting up onto the bridge was as scary as I remembered too. Climbing a set of four ladders where between the steps you can see the cars below streaming towards you.

Getting up onto the bridge was as scary as I remembered too. Climbing a set of four ladders where between the steps you can see the cars below streaming towards you.

But once up on the arc of the structure itself, it is simply like climbing a set of stairs.

With one of the world’s most iconic views.

And that hadn’t changed either. The Opera House below looking resplendent as ever in the Sydney sunshine.

It got me thinking about my life as I enter the 10^th year after losing Terry. On the outside the experience was the same. The steps I took, the suit I was wearing, the view I was enjoying.

^th

But on the inside, I couldn’t be more different. The life I lead, the way I feel, the experiences I have had, the person I am now, are unrecognisable in comparison to the woman standing next to her husband in a photo with the exact same view taken 20 years earlier.

Same eyes. Same smile. Very different perspective.

So, can you relate? Have you ever revisited a place and had the same experience but seen it through very different eyes? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Hit reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn) to give me all the details.

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