We live in unusual times. It all gets a bit much some days. So each weekday we’re bringing you a much-needed dose of positivity to remind you that there’s inspiration, kindness, and quirkiness out there too.
‘French Spiderman’ and son scale first skyscraper together
Scaling skyscrapers is not a new thing for 60-year-old Alain Robert, who is dubbed the “French Spiderman”.
But on Saturday, climbing one of the highest skyscrapers in Barcelona, Torre Glories, marked a special milestone for him. His son, Julien Robert, joined the adventure for the first time.
“This time is different. My son is not a climber, so I feel responsible somehow,” Robert told Reuters before the climb.
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“I know he’s a big boy, 34. It’s his own decision, but at the end of the day I am his dad.”
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Alain Robert and his son, Julien Robert climbed one of the highest skyscrapers in Barcelona, Spain.
The father-son duo climbed the 38-story Torre Glories – a glass-covered office building that is famous for its illuminations at night – in less than an hour.
“I feel very stressed. I’ve never been so scared in my life,” Julien told Reuters while preparing for the climb.
“I’ve done scary things in life, but this is… I’ve never been so afraid for my life. Fortunately, I have my father who will talk to me, will guide me,” he added.
The pair were greeted by Spanish police at the top of the building, but luckily weren’t arrested.
Alain Robert is famous for scaling buildings with no climbing equipment except for a small bag of chalk and a pair of climbing shoes.
A pawsome headshot for this year’s schoolbook
The joyous golden retriever, Meg, is all smiles as he takes his year book photo at Goshen Middle School in Ohio, United States.
Meg is a facility dog who spends her day at the school helping teachers and student feel supported.
Goshen Middle School principal Wendy Flynn told People she providea hundreds of students and staff with love, comfort, and affection.
“We have a QR Code posted in every hallway that can be used to schedule some one-on-one time or a class visit with Meg.”
Meg’s instagram account shared her pawsome headshot along with the caption, “Results are in!!! I think I nailed my yearbook photo!! What do you think?”
‘Animals if you want to bring your humans forward’
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
On Sunday, Auckland’s St Matthew-in-the-City held their annual blessing of the animals. A celebration of the patron saint of animals, St Francis of Assisi, the service recognises the importance pets hold in many families.
On Sunday, a myriad of excited dogs, many dressed in their finest, trotted into Auckland’s St Matthew-in-the-City for the annual Blessing of the Animals.
The aisles in the central city cathedral were almost full as the dogs waited for the blessing to be bestowed upon them.
The service has been taking place for over 20-years, but Covid-19 had caused the ceremonies to be cancelled for the past two years.
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
Cavalier King Charles spaniels (left) Phoebe and Rosie excited for their blessing.
Flood survivor koala joey back in the wild
Raine, a koala joey who was rescued in February during the devastating floods in Brisbane, Australia, has made a full recovery, Nine news reports.
Marilyn Spletter, a koala carer at Brisbane’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, nursed her back to health.
After almost 8 months of care, Spletter found Raine a new home. Watch above her journey as a flood survivor.
Nearly $1m raised for Christchurch’s highest peaks
Sam Barrow/Supplied
The view of Te Ahu Pātiki from Rāpaki.
Christchurch’s highest peaks now have new guardians.
More than $950,000 were raised by 3000 generous donors in order to oversee native regeneration and maintain public tracks across Mt Herbert and Mt Bradley.
Last year, New Zealanders bought a hill. In just over nine hours, Stuff and The Press helped the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust crowdfund the last $120,000 it needed for its Te Ahu Pātiki project.
The charitable trust had been raising $1.5 million to buy a 500-hectare block of farmland between Mt Herbert (Te Ahu Pātiki) and Mt Bradley and bring it into public ownership.
ALDEN WILLIAMS/STUFF
The Press’ Buy the Hill campaign is in support of the Rod Donald Trust’s vision to buy Christchurch’s highest peak to secure public access and the regeneration of native forest. (First published May 26, 2021)
The title deed to the block has now formally transferred from the Rod Donald Trust to the newly-formed Te Ahu Pātiki Trust – made up of members of the Rod Donald Trust, Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke, and the Orton Bradley Park Trust.
