As part of my commitment to do something daft, dangerous or outrageous every month, I took Maisie indoor skydiving at Airkix in Manchester.
The flying is done in a wind tunnel about 14ft across with winds of up to 120mph lifting you up. My heart sank a bit when I saw that it was surrounded by a viewing gallery so everyone waiting for their turn, or their families could watch you!
Due to technical problems we had an hours delay and we all sat around the tube watching other people flying. The fact that they were all young and tiny did nothing for my confidence and it did cross my mind that there might not be enough wind to actually lift me off the floor!
At that point, if they said that sorry they had to cancel, I would have cheered! But they didn't so we got togged up and went for it. The outfit is boiler suit chic, complete with orange helmet and goggles. Mmmm, nice!
Our instructor for the session was a lovely young man called Matt who was very patient with me and the 5 children who shared my group! Although it did cross my mind that if I did something wrong and landed on him, I would probably break him!
Anyway, after safety and communication instruction we were off. Assume the position, lean into the tube and let the wind do the rest.
So I did it and here is the pic to prove it. Before you comment on the fact that I look like I have my lunch squirrelled away in those cheeks, let me mention tight fitting googles, 120mph winds and G force!
The manic and near hysterical expression is because this hurts. My back is not designed to bend in that direction and the handsome young man (think Sam Winchester for all you Supernatural watchers) keeps throwing me around the goldfish bowl. He kept signalling me to relax. Not much chance of that! (The man seated behind my feet seems surprised that I got airborne too)
You get to do 2 flights and for your second you are offered the chance to be taken spinning right up to the top of the tube, about 25ft. As I was there, I guess I just had to go for it. Quite a thrill although I couldn't walk in a straight line for a moment or two when I landed.
Maisie did really well too, she seemed to enjoy it and I think she would be up for doing it again, now that we know what to expect.
So, am I glad I did it? Yes. Will I do it again? No. An experience, but not as much fun as the zipwire, which I would definitely do again.
So daft or dangerous activity for February? Check.
March? Bring it on!
Best part of the day, Maisie saying that I was cooler than all the other parents there because they all sat round watching their kids rather than going in with them. High praise indeed from a teenager!
Lessons Learned: I am not as flexible as I thought I was and I struggled to bend backwards as much as needed. Also you are fighting to hold the position against the wind and my arms are certainly feeling it the next morning!
If it makes my daughter proud of me, there is nothing that I won't have a go at!
Diet Diary: Had a few setbacks recently and have lost the mojo a bit, but haven't given up and will be back on track after half term.
Rambling Record: This is still going well. Over 160 miles so far. Finding every opportunity to walk. After the flying we went to the Trafford Centre and as Maisie shopped, I just walked up and down it for an hour and covered 2.5miles!
Work and other commitments recently have meant that I've not been able to venture too far afield. Have managed to keep the mileage up, but mostly locally. However, yesterday managed a full day out and headed for the mountains.
Been a while since I have tackled Snowdon and the weather was just perfect, bright, crisp and dry.
I followed the Miner's Track. This is my preferred route as it is quite forgiving. Most of it up to the top lake is proper path and although reasonably steep in places, it then levels out letting the slightly less fit amongst us get their breath back.
I think what I love about this walk is that every time you go round a corner, a whole new vista opens up and it just looks completely unreal, almost as if it were a painted backdrop on a movie set. Especially when you get the sun breaking through the clouds.
There is still a lot of snow around on the mountain so I made the decision just to go as far as felt safe. No point in risking injury to either myself or the unlucky folk sent to rescue me.
Anyway, so far so good.
Up to the first lake Llyn Llydaw, no problem. Had a bit of an explore around the water authorities hut. Looks a bit derelict so not sure if it is used for anything anymore. Just gave a bit of a different view to somewhere I have photographed many times.
It is very bleak and dramatic here. Very little colour so the challenge is to try to make the composition of the photo as interesting as possible. I am looking for layers here. Foreground, middle and background just to add some depth. This actually is probably my favourite photo of the day.
This next photo shows the path between the 2 lakes. It is steeper than it looks and very uneven, being made up of rocks of varying sizes. It was also starting to get a bit icy. I followed it to the top of the waterfall you can see to the right of the centre. There is a little bridge there. But although going up wasn't causing me too many problems, I knew that going back down wouldn't be so easy, especially as I didn't have my hiking poles with me. Plus the clouds were starting to drop.
So reluctantly, I turned and headed back down. Snowdon isn't going anywhere, and I will have plenty of opportunities to go back when conditions are more favourable.
On the road between Capel Curig and Snowdon is a layby with a few huge rocks in it and this is my favourite place for a view looking back towards the mountains.
The sun broke through the clouds again for me, illuminating beautifully one side. I think it looks very dramatic and imposing.
I clambered down to the edge of the lake where I came across 2 other photographers. They had a lot of kit between them, tripods, filters, light metres and were discussing the virtues of different aperture settings, making it all sound very complicated.
One of them even remarked about the fact that I was "travelling light", the assumption being that if I didn't have a truckload of equipment, then I was obviously an amateur.
My photography has never been technically thought out. I am trying to learn more about the functions of the camera, but to be perfectly honest, I am a bit lazy when it comes to stuff like that. I do think that sometimes it would be nice to go out with a fellow photographer and just chat about what you are seeing and how best to capture the image. But I have a rough idea what I am doing and the photos do seem to generally come out ok. Don't they?
Lessons Learned: Owning a lot of posh equipment doesn't necessarily make you a better photographer. It makes you the owner of a lot of posh equipment.
In amongst the madness and the reckless abandon I am currently experiencing, I have found that I have actually retained a shred of common sense. Yay me!
Diet Diary: I had actually lost my first camera bag (10lb) but a minor wobble blipped me back up again slightly. But still very determined.
Rambling Record: Really doing well. Bit of a slow week this week due to work and other stuff, but so far I have walked around 144 miles with a target of 120! I actually think I am going to manage this 1000 mile challenge which is completely mind blowing for me!
