{"id":15602,"date":"2024-07-25T12:25:47","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T01:25:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/?post_type=article&p=15602"},"modified":"2024-07-25T12:25:47","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T01:25:47","slug":"the-duke-of-edinburghs-award","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/article\/the-duke-of-edinburghs-award\/","title":{"rendered":"The Duke of Edinburgh\u2019s Award"},"content":{"rendered":"

Don\u2019t judge half empty glasses<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Whenever I get to this mid-point of the year, I\u2019m reminded of the clich\u00e9 question \u201cis the glass half full or half empty?\u201d, and the consensus thinking that we should all be positive and focus on the half full that remains – there is still time, there are opportunities remaining, the potentials are not all gone. And yet I sometimes regret that this disguises the notion that the first half was wasted, of lost value. I like to appreciate that first half \u2013 on a hot day, those initial huge gulps of a cold drink are as welcome as greeting an old friend. The empty space in a glass can be rejoiced, a reminder of how well things are going.<\/p>\n

The year so far has been a wondrous mix of hot weather and swimming, cold nights by camp fires, huge valley panoramas followed by closed-in rainforest canopy, high humidity and sea breezes, over-cooked noodles and wagyu burgers served with chips at a caf\u00e9 at the end of a hike. There\u2019s been some uproarious laughter hollered, some wise new insights uttered and some words of frustration were muttered. Like fossicking, there can be a lot of dirt dug for a few gems, or treasures unearthed all day \u2013 that\u2019s the nature of hiking (and living through the teenage years.)<\/p>\n

So, a few reminders of what\u2019s coming up, what to expect. Firstly, winter is definitely not over, and nights will remain cold for a few more months \u2013 don\u2019t skip on your sleeping bag or warm clothes unless you have a weather forecast that permits. Bad weather can mean an expedition gets cancelled or re-organised at the last minute, so keep an eye on emails and texts that communicate a change in venue or times. Remain flexible and agile, accepting change with an open mind and the positivity that\u2019s required during adventure. If you have the chance to undertake an expedition, don\u2019t waste it, as later dates can be lost to cancellations, personal injuries or unforeseen events. Carpe Diem.<\/p>\n