Limb-it-less Shaz Dagg

Following on with the day....

So we started off to the location of the clues, which was Sunrise Hut in the Ruahines, a 1hr 45min drive from Feilding. As you will see from just a handful of the photos we took, we started in the overcast and spitting conditions, thinking we may have to turn back.....
Are we all so glad we didn't have to do that as what followed, topped all expectations....
Snow ❄️ 🏔 we could not have asked for better. This topped the whole adventure off.
The evening was a special time for us all to reflect and have some great laughs, and there were plenty of those. I dont think I stopped smiling the whole time we were together. Of course, there was a slight little bit of antics accur involving a colour of pink! The hut was filled with so many warm emotions and such a relaxed, caring atmosphere with laughter in every corner. I could never thank this bunch of beautiful humans for being part of my life.
I wasn't brought up in a loving family where you were told you were loved or you were given hugs or any emotions were shown. In fact, it was pretty cold! I've never really felt part of a family, but I can say these ladies are more than friends they are my family, and I will never be able to thank them enough. 💗❤️🧡💜

In Gemma's words...

There are friends, there are family, and then there are friends who become family 🥰

This has been the absolute best Birthday I have ever had in my 60 years. My cup is not full. It is overflowing.
Thank you to each and every one of you special ladies for all your efforts and incredible generosity.
Words can not do justice to how I am feeling.
Gemma McCaw
Kathmandu

The day had arrived to finally figure out if I had worked my clues out right, I must admit I did have to use chatgbt to assist with 2,
I was given instructions to be at a local cafe at a certain time and not any earlier! On arrival I thought I had spotted Kelley's car, and I mentioned this to Owen with no response from him🤫 (he too was completely involved in all of this and denied he knew anything when I questioned him) It couldn't have been her car as she was with me and Desiree doing a silly idea of a 32k event down in Wellington the day before and left to travel back home to Hastings, will thats what I was lead to believe...
Unbeknown to me, these two were also involved in the adventure and not giving anything away at all, and Kelley was, in fact, staying at Desiree's house.

I arrived at the cafe to be greeted with a big warm hug from Gemma and Sara and taken upstairs where I walked into this beautiful bunch of ladies waiting. To see faces I hadn't seen for a while and friends that had gathered to be here with me to celebrate this weekend was something I will never forget. I can't believe how all these ladies kept me in the dark, honestly I'm lost for words, and that doesn't happen often I know 😅
To be continued in another update tomorrow.....
Its pretty epic. Trust me 😉

Rito....

The day has arrived for the Birthday adventure. Let the fun begin.
It's definitely going to be a wet one, but this makes the adventure more exciting.
My strict instructions are to be at a local cafe at 9.15 and from there I presume I will be informed where I'm heading. 🤔
From the clues I have a thought, but knowing me, I could have completely misread it. One thing is for certain, Gemma will be up the front like a energized bunny that she is and I'll be huffin n puffin behind 🤣
Let the fun begin and knowing Gemma she will have thrown in some pain cave moments, but how friggin privileged to have such great mates for going to so much effort to stump the ole Tart. 😅
No doubt there will be some photos as we go along.
Here's to another adventure, and this been my very first overnight hike.
Exciting!
Gemma McCaw Sara Wills

So apparently, I'm turning 60 in a few weeks!
This was one of many conversations that popped up while Gemma and I trained together for C2C.
It started with Gemma asking....

What are you doing for your 60th this year, Shazzy?
Me... absolutely nothing. It's just another day.

That was clearly the wrong answer to reply to Gemma😅

Gemma being the amazing caring and kind hearted person that she is, then clearly gets something ticking in that head of hers and starts plotting unbeknown to me until I get told I have to block 2 days out in my diary. I then get told by another good mate that Gemma has enlisted her to help plot whatever mischief Gemma has planned, and I'm not allowed to ask her any questions at all.

Forward to last week, and I get a message from Gemma.

Your first clue will be on its way to you in the next week or so in the mail. Each week, you will get another clue 🤣

Then this weeks clue was..
You will get a packing list the week of and then picked up on the Sunday...

Ooooh, geepers, Im feeling completely in the unknown zone and have no ideas as to what mischief Gemma is up to, but I do trust her and know it will be lots of fun.

Help me out her guys and give me your thoughts on what you think Gemma has in store for me???

I will keep you updated with her clues each week
🫣🫣😅😅🤫🤫🤣🤣😝😝😂😂😀😀

It's been one week since the event that has taken a good 10 months of my time, Would I turn the clock back...heck No, it's been such an incredible and unbelievable journey with so many highs, and yes, some lows if I'm been honest. Stumpy doesn't always want to play along and has had some serious harsh words given to it, but that's what's made this journey even more special. We worked through all the constant nerve pain firing and especially the times when I didn't think it would ever calm down.
How could I not push through to have the amazing Gemma McCaw beside throughout. Her constant calmness and incredible friendship have made this such an unforgettable journey. There have been so many highlights in the build-up that I could go on forever but they are only part of this journey. It's the people and support that has been with me thoughout, to many to thank but just a few to mention, first and foremost my amazing husband Owen, all the times he was been deserted so I could go and train, Sara for all her company on many long trainings and for been part of the best support crew along with Helen who also tripped me around the South Island in her camper. for also traveling up and assisting on day 2, especially at the end of the kayak leg. Then my great mate Kelley, along with Kenzyie who made the trip down to be there to cheer us on.
who sponsored this journey, thank you, I've absolutely loved been a part of you and your brand.
Never say never!
Dont let challenges limit you, you challenge your limits

A quick update to let you know we knocked it off! Will do a final post once we recover.
Special thanks, though, to Helen Worboys, Sara Wills and Richie McCaw for all your amazing support crewing and everyone who supported us along the way. Without you, this would not have been possible.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu Coast to Coast Gemma McCaw
Mr Smith's Coaching
Kelley Waite

Day 1 done and dusted!

Team Gem&Shaz
The time has arrived! Lets go!
Going to be plenty of great banter with Gemma along side of me.
Feeling grateful for all our support and extremely lucky to have an incredible support crew of And Sara Wills along with and family who have made the trek down. They will do their best to keep you posted as we go over the next couple of days.