David and Goliath

Standing shoulder to shoulder, wide eyed warriors prepare to do battle with the Goliath that lies dormant not far from where they stand to attention in front of their two Generals.

With the war briefing not yet over and heads unturned, the combatant’s curious eyes suddenly snap right as devilish high pitched screams from nearby caverns draw their attention away from their masters and drain the colour from their faces in the process.

Barked orders quickly bring all eyes back to the battleground; a narrow, deep and steep sided ravine. Snaking down from high ground to low, it stretches as far as the eye can see and quickly fills with a deadly torrent.

Oh yes! The beast has been unleashed and awaits them all; ready and able to devour one by one or the entire battalion in one foul swoop.

Moving in single file, the warriors shuffle forward until they reach the point of no return. There they await the signal to march headlong into whitewater to test their metal against the foe that’s vanquished others like them.

Armed only with recent knowledge, helmets, lifelines from ashore, vests and stealthy bodies they’re optimistically prepared to take on David’s swiftwater Goliath.

The signals given, the race is on to stay alive! With state of mind all important, no military board will save them now. With limbs working furiously to stay atop of this giant, breaths taken whenever possible, any thought of staying on course shot to ribbons, eyes are constantly searching for any kind Eddy to rescue them from the abyss that awaits them.

The battle rages! First objective just ahead! Most make it, but a few are lost, as lifelines miss their targets! Picked up downstream they rejoin the others.

With the battle almost over, one last objective awaits them all. The final push will surpass all others as all and sundry will be needed to slay this widow maker.

This time around, jaw dropping chasms overflowing with ravenous spawn from this near beaten Goliath await the intrepid warriors to overpower, crush and send them all to Hades.

Knocked from pillar to post, bollard to bollard they make their way down to still bloody waters. Arriving battered and bruised but alive, they meet up with their Generals who stand firm upon dry land. Finally, thankfully, the beast is defeated! Victory is theirs!

As the slain Goliath lays motionless and bleeding on the ground, the last warrior to make it through gives thanks to his guardian angel and to his God for letting him and his comrades live to savour another day Downunder.

This story is based on a course I just (survived) completed.
Can you put a name to the course?

To be continued…