Attn Kiwi Ladies-Sir Edmund..

[solobiker]

Just heard the news. Truely inspiring man.. RIP

[MillieNZ]

Couldn't believe the news when I heard it on the radio.........
He had been sick for a while, but I guess everyone hoped he'd just live forever as he seemed to have done..... Such a national hero

He was a truly amazing man who remained so modest....... and we should celebrate his life and what he achieved ...

[kiwi girl]

Its really hard to explain the place Sir Ed has in New Zealanders hearts - not just for climbing everest and driving a tractor to the South Pole but for all his work in Nepal. I think that such a humble and down to earth man who acheived so much gets to the nub of what we would like to think we are about as a nation. I was watching the tennis on tv and when they announced it to the crowd there you could hear the gasps (I'd seen about it on the net earlier.)

The pub where I normally drink has quite a few links with Antarctica (it was where Scott had his farewell dinner before heading down to the ice and a lot of people from the US Antarctic program drink there when they are passing through Christchurch). There is a picture of Hilary at a Scott commeration dinner that was held at the pub on the wall. Even though I am still on holiday I feel a strong urge to go into town and popping in. Some of the people I know from there have actually been to Antarctica with Hilary in recent years. (I'll need to check if BF can make it for a drink - he works for the local paper and I expect they are racing to do a whole bunch of tribute stuff).

[sbctwin]

Sorry to hear of this great loss and especially for you NZ'ers....