I said we could do anything she wanted for her birthday. (Actually I said we couldn't take the whole family to Laos and when she suggested a party I kind-of sighed and said ok.)
After a little thought Jesse said the thing she wanted to do most was for the whole family to climb Mt Ngungun - the smallest of the Glasshouse mountains.
I am not sure whether to be suspicious or flattered that not one of my family members - all of whom except Peet have climbed it before - thought to tell me it was really a bit out of my league.
I sent them on ahead and went on at my own pace. I made it - but it was a quite a climb. For me anyway - some of the kids actually ran up!
Jesse got her wish and successfully turned 18 with presents of a ticket to the Union test, vintage blue topaz earrings*, a book of course, Jane Eyre on DVD, a wallet from Lee & Joan and a bracelet from Anne.
(On the way down the mountain Thomas and Peet ran, Roger jogged, and Jesse and Louisa raced Max and Alec - through the bush. I was wishing I had sent them all with whistles and imagined how embarrassed I would be if we had to send out a search party.)
* Jesse does not approve of new jewelry -'no African is going to die in gold or diamond mines so I can look tizzy' were I believe her exact words. And then there's the water and energy issues - we can go on and on. Anne's bracelet is plastic which is preferable to precious metals and gems in Jesse's eyes.
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