It was worth the risk....

January 30th 2009 was the day that I took my life into my own hands and did the scariest thing that I have ever done in my life.... but... I live to tell the tale... and it was FAB!

It was with some trepidation that Pam drove me to Motueka and a tiny airfield... if you can call it that... on a balmy, clear day. I was feeling more than a little nervous as Pam's experience of this event was not a good one... lets just say that she wasn't able to open her eyes AT ALL and thinks that I'm more than a little odd wanting to put myself through this. Actually, this is one of the things that I had on my 'To do' list whilst I was in New Zealand. I had told everyone at home that I was gong to do it and so I just couldn't go back without trying!

This little field is the airstrip and where it all begins.....

Here I am, all kitted up, being filmed... just in case I didn't make it... no not really, just kidding...

Final wave as we set off.... do I look slightly nervous or is it hysterical????

Yup, you've guessed it... that's me in that there plane, squashed, very tightly... if you know what I mean..... being strapped to a big burly Kiwi!.......

... and this is the moment that I was literally hanging into thin air... aghhhhhhh!!!! The guy on the right had a digital camera strapped to his head and a small bit in his mouth that he had to bite on the depress the shutter and take a photo... he also has a video camera attached to the side of the helmet... which means that I now have a short film where I am the main attraction!!!! Not ever likely to happen again!

.... and we're off!!!! .... to me it felt like an out of body experience... that's the only way I can describe it..... I wanted to stay calm, not think about the possible consequences and enjoy every moment. It's an amazing feeling, dropping from 13,000 feet and free falling for 50 seconds... feels like an eternity! The views were awesome!

... Bye bye plane....

... f..a..l..l..i..n..g..g..g..g..

Still falling at 200mph! But, look at those fabulous views... 3 mountain ranges, the sea, the Golden Spit.... A.W.E.S.O.M.E..

Hey Mum... look, I'm flying!

Actually, I think I look like a bug with that green helmet and goggles on!

Breathtaking....

Coming in to land about 5 minutes later....

Legs up, get ready to run.....

Touchdown....

Slightly wobbly legs, but safe.... can I go again... can I? Can I????

Thanks so much for giving me an amazing ride and for bringing me down safely... 'sweet as'!

I am thrilled that I had the opportunity to do this... I would dearly love to do it again! It has taught me so much.... if I hadn't taken the risk I NEVER would have known how amazing, stunning, brilliant and awesome it would be .... it's an attitude that I apply to life now... that if we don't take the risk we will always be wondering what it would have been like; missed out on SO much; and, what's the worse that could happen anyway? If you're toying with something... give it a go, take the risk, jump out of the plane and enjoy the ride.. you might just love it!

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On another note completely, I have had a wonderful day today too! It started with a fairly early drive across dartmoor to Princetown.... what a perfect day for the journey. We had a powder dusting of snow this morning and it had lingered on the moor... it looked like some one had taken a sieve full of icing sugar and dusted the surrounding countryside. The sun was out, the sky was blue ( I feel a song coming on!), the bracken was golden and my heat was singing... truely perfect!

I stopped to take a few photos on the way home but they really don't do the colours any justice....

Once in Princetown I went to the Duchy Square centre for creativity where I was booked on to a PMC taster session..... it was really inspiring and great fun. I have come away with a pendant and a pair of earrings... will have to show you tomorrow as the light has gone now for photos. I have to say though, the best bits of the day were driving to and from the venue across the moor.... note to self... must go there more often.