. our father our brother our friend Sir Edmund Hillary passed away this morning .

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. the book of New Zealand closes one of its largest and most interesting chapters .

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. weird to think hes not around anymore … just yesterday i was pondering what his thoughts might be when he saw his own honest mug on a $5 note .

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. RIP Sir Ed .

^{. 1919 – 2008}

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. Edisms – some great ones here

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* “We knocked the bastard off” – announcing he and Tensing had reached Everest’s summit.

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* “I like to think that I am a very ordinary New Zealander, not terribly bright perhaps but determined and practical in what I do” – at the 50th anniversary

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* Nepalese, he said, did not ask for poverty while New Zealanders lived in affluence: “The fact that we do is a blessing, and with it comes responsibilities.”

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* On becoming a knight: “It was a tremendous honour, of course, but I had never really approved of titles and couldn’t really imagine myself possessing one”

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* “In some ways I believe I epitomise the average New Zealander. I have modest abilities, I combine these with a good deal of determination and I rather like to succeed.”

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* To an Indian reporter who asked him if he knew he was seen by many as a god: “Well I know I’m not, so it doesn’t bother me.”

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atop Everest
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* From Hillary’s diary, published in his ‘Nothing Venture, Nothing Win’:

“I continued on, cutting steadily and surmounting bump after bump and cornice after cornice looking eagerly for the summit. It seemed impossible to pick it and time was running out. Finally I cut around the back of an extra large hump and then on a tight rope from Tensing I climbed up a gentle snow ridge to its top. Immediately it was obvious that we had reached our objective. It was 11.30a.m. and we were on top of Everest!”

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He describes the landscape below them and continues: “Tensing and I shook hands and then Tensing threw his arms around my shoulders. It was a great moment! I took off my oxygen and for ten minutes I photographed Tensing holding flags, the various ridges of Everest and the general view. I left a crucifix on top for John Hunt and Tensing made a little hole in the snow and put in it some food offerings – lollies, biscuits and chocolate. We ate Mint Cake and then put our oxygen back on. I was a little worried by the time factor so after 15 minutes on top we turned back at 11.45.”

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^{_{cheers Stuff}}

merry Christmas from myself and nephew Connor – look at that drool go

” check this clever thing.
i think it’s a thing. ”

courtesy of Ants Jackson… oh, ^{and Adobe}

[flash http://www.adobe.com/jp/events/cs3_web_edition_tour/swfs/perform.swf]

click on the vid fer some more action