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.

South Island....

So, here we are in the South Island of New Zealand..... This is a stunning island, and although I love the whole of the country, the South Island is my most favourite of the two.... It seems a lot more rugged and varied in scenery than the North... I am sure there are many of you who will disagree!

I decided this time to put a collage together of some of the places that I visited and activities that I undertook whilst in the south ....

From left to right, top to bottom the photos are as follows....

Picton, Malborough Sounds; Whale watching at Kaikora; Dolphins at Kaikora; the coast line between kaikora and Christchurch; Tranz Alpine train journey; Mount Cook National Park, Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo; pier at Akaroa; Departure sheds for swimming with dolphins, Akaroa; more Akaroa; backpacking hostel in Akaroa....

..... can you tell? ... Akaroa was my favourite place... it's stunning!

On this day last year I arrived in Nelson ....

.... and was met at the bus station by this lovely couple, who thoroughly spoilt me and gave me a wonderful week in nelson.....

Steve

.... and Pam

Hopefully, the story will continue tomorrow!!!!.... Don't hold your breath, I've not been good at this blogging for a while now... I do have great intentions, but life and work just gets in the way!!!!

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On another note, I have been very busy this last week... lots of sewing (and mess making) which I will show you tomorrow.. (not the mess though... you'd throw your hands up in horror!!) My back is beginning to feel better although it feels very fragile. One of the changes that I am going to make as a result of having spent a week on my back is to take time to look after me!!!! It's not an easy thing to do... everything and everybody else usually come before me, but, I can't take anything for granted now and I definitely don't want to go through that again. So, I have enrolled in a pilates class and am also intending to try to swim several times a week to strengthen my core muscles. You can ask me how it's going if you like just to shame me into keeping it up!!!!

Hope to catch up with you again tomorrow..

Keep warm and snug xxxx

Bay of Islands

I was hoping to have put this post up yesterday but, since the only other computer in the house died just before Christmas, my computer has not been my own and I was unable to get any where near it yesterday... facebook and all the other social network sites were taking up all of Harriet's time!!! I have ordered a new battery for the laptop but it has not arrived yet... how frustrating!! So, having taken down the Christmas decorations all by myself, cleaned the house thoroughly and made some wonderful hot 'Bottle Green' spiced berry drink ... highly recommended... I am hogging the computer until this task is completed!

January 4th 2009 was another fantastic day. We left the hotel in Auckland, travelled over the Harbour Bridge and said goodbye as we headed North. I really had no idea what to expect, I just knew that I was going to love it... that's an understatement!

We travelled up Highway 1 until we arrived at Matakahoe. On the way here our driver was telling us all about the Giant Kauri trees that are native to New Zealand and were a source of work for many men for many years. they are now protected, but the kiwi's are obviously proud of their heritage and association with these trees.

Here we are inside the museum... the plank of wood on the right is cut from one tree and is at least twice as along as you can see. The markings on the end wall show the girth of the trees as they grow. They take 2-4000 years to grow to maturity ( compare the rings to the size of the chairs against the back wall... this gives you an idea of the true size of these giants!)

The photo below is of a small church also on this site... all the wood work that you can see is made from Kauri wood. It really is stunning! It was built in 1867 and was used as a church, community building.

Here is the school house, used between 1878-1972!!

I just loved all the satchels hung up on the wall... I remember having a satchel... do you?

I wonder what today's teachers would make of these rules???? I think it would provoke a national shortage... don't you??!!!

From this amazing place we moved on further up North, climbing mountains that were covered in tree ferns, Kauri and pine trees... such a tropical landscape. At times I was afraid that the coach might veer off down the mountain, but we had a skilled driver who kept us on the straight and narrow... literally!

We made a stop to walk through the forest to view one of the oldest, largest Kauri trees in the forest today... You really get no perspective of how huge this tree really was from this photo, but you can just make out the top of a mans head in the bottom of the photo.. this will give you some idea.

After travelling up and down mountains for a good part of the day, we were told to shut our eyes until we rounded the corner at the top, and this is the view that surprised us all as we opened them again! So, so different to the green luscious hills we had been looking at... this is Hokianga harbour.....

It is so awesome.... the colours that you see in the picture are true colour, I've not doctored the photo in any way!

As you can see, we were able to jump out of the coach, into the heat (mmmmm), and take some photos.... I still can't get over how beautiful it is...

Our final stop, before going to the hotel, was at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands.... this is where we had a tour of the Treaty house and grounds. The Bay of Islands was initially discovered by polynesian settlers and later by European explorers, Cook and Du Fresne in the late 18th century. Eventually, whalers, and sealers settled followed by Christian missionaries. James Busby was sent from England to mediate with the local Maori chiefs, as there were reports of 'lawless behaviour'. On February 6th 1840 a treaty was signed by 43 chiefs and British officials, it was then taken around the country until 500 chiefs in all had signed it. It was an 'agreement between two peoples to live and work together in one nation.....'

Waitangi Day, 6th February, is a National holiday in New Zealand and I was fortunate enough to still be in the country then.. will tell all on February 6th 2010!

The Treaty house...

The flag pole marks the spot where the treaty was signed...

Within the grounds of the Treaty house is a marae... this is a communal meeting house for Maori's... we are not normally allowed inside, unless invited, but this one was a little different...

The carvings are stunning, and will tell a story or be the symbols of particular tribes or Maori families....

... the Throne...

After the fascinating cultural tour it was tome to relocate to Paihia where our hotel rooms were for the next couple of nights.... and here is the view from my windows....

Jealous????....

This was a beautiful place to stay... the sound of the waves lapping on the shore, drinks on the veranda.. what more could I ask for?

Goodbye to Waiuku

So, today we carry on with my adventure in New zealand. January 3rd 2009 was the day that I had to say goodbye to Margaret in Waiuku.... we had such a fantastic time together, it really didn't feel like we had only just met each other, more like we had been friends for years. It was therefore a very sad parting when Margaret left me at a hotel in Auckland at the beginning of my tour.

This was taken just before we set off to Auckland......

.... and here we are in Auckland... This was a fantastic view point at the top of Mount Eden. For those of you who don't know, Auckland is built upon the site of 48 volcanoes.... the crater edge of Mount Eden can clearly be seen in this photo.... as well as Sky Tower and the Harbour bridge. Don't be fooled by the clouds however, the weather was very hot and sticky!

Today was the day that I was to embark on my tour of both the North and South island... off to the Bay of Islands tomorrow......

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Now that Christmas is over and presents have been exchanged I can show you some of the many things that I made for family and friends.....

Journal covers.......

Photo collage of Porthcothan for Dad.......

...... and a wreath for the front door.......

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You'll be pleased to hear that I did manage to crawl out of bed at 4am this morning to take Josh to the bus... I also have to admit that I shed a tear or two as the bus pulled away... do you think it ever gets any easier? I'm hoping so!

Oh... I could really do with your help... it's Josh's 21st Birthday on Sunday and I would like to send him a cake.... any ideas on how to get it there safely and still edible..... I did think that I might send cake, a pot of icing and a packet of candles so that he has a DIY cake!!!! Any ideas would be very gratefully received.... please.... help !!!!

Thank you xxxxx