2nd February 2007


I have just figured out that the pictures of skydiving are very good quality and therefore take ages to upload onto here. I might have to take some time to make them smaller and then I sould be able to get them on no worries....... Might take me a few days though


Having trouble getting the pictures to upload but I will get them on when I get to a place with decent internet! Promise. I might even pop one on of my toes.(see comments on the last post)

I am alive!!!!



What a fantastic rush! Not the skydiving but the rush to get Scott to stop brushing his hair before we set off! Having seen that there was a weight restriction of 100kg, both Scott and I made sure that we jettisoned any excess cargo in the toilets before we left. Who would have thought that between us we could lose a stone? We got to the airfield and had our briefing, which consisted of watching a DVD of other people skydiving, and then got suited up! That was it! I suppose having a professional strapped to your back negates the need for too much in depth training! A guy called Dan was unlucky enough to get the Worlds tallest skydiver to carry! It looked as though I was going to be the first onto the plane as we jostled for position and therefore the last to leap. Suited me fine! But then all the rest began late manouvres, including Scott, making me the last on. The first to jump! Sneaky buggers.

As we were flying up, having both taken the 15000 feet instead of the intended 12000 feet dive, Dan was telling me what I needed to do. We got to 12000 feet and hit some kind of air pocket making the last 3000 a bit of a struggle. If only the other divers had had the colon forethought of Scott and myself! At 15000 Dan opened the door and we shuffled to the lip of the plane, Lake Taupo shining gloriously below. It didn't seem that high but only because the view just didn't seem really there in front of me. Our cameraman climbed out and after a quick check Dan gave the signal that we were going. No nerves. Just pure excitement. I can say without doubt that at this point I had no sign of nerves, just anticipation.

One last chack and Dan threw us both out of the plane. I cannot honestly say that I didn't swear in the first couple of seconds, but it was just so amazing. Apparantly you can see the whole of the North Island from 15000 feet but the clouds stopped us from seeing the whole lot. But what a view! And the feeling of the wind rushing past is phenomenal. Dan had us spinning around and I could hear him giggling as I was shouting all kinds of stupid things! The cameraman was swooping in and out from us and focussing on us, obviously expecting some top drawer acting as I am sure he recognised me from Shortland Street. What kind of faces and poses would you pull at that height, plummetting towards the Earth at a million miles an hour? I tried some of my cool looks but I suspect that if the velocity didn't make me look dodgy, the biggles style helmet did! Very Fetching!

A minute or so later the Dan signalled our cameraman that he was going to open the parachute and drifted away. Dan pulled the cord and we were jolted into serenity and drifted slowly back to Earth. As we were chatting during the slow descent, Dan didn't bother to warn me that he was adjusting the harnesses ready for the landing. We were still a good couple of thousand feet up and I suddenly dropped about 4 inches! That was by far the scariest bit!

Dan steered us to a relatively smooth landing and my feet were back on terra firma. My landing wasn't brilliant as when I tried to stand up on Dan's instruction, I was suddenly aware of the 13 stone man still attached to my back. Luckily I didn't fall over but I win no awards for grace! Unshackled and untethered I thanked Dan and watched as Scott swooped in, slightly more gracefully than me. I was reminded about his comment during a discussion on what to do if the parachute didn't open. Scott had stated that if there was a problem, he was going to spin the instructor around and use him for cushioning, as, in his own words, "imagine how far my nose would dig in if I landed on my face!"

I seemed to be the only one who didn't have any tackle grief when the parachute snapped us up on opening for some reason. There was some discussion that this might be something best not to brag about, but I am convinced it is related to my great packing skills. End of discussion thank you.

We waited for the DVD and photos and zoomed on to Subway for a well earned lunch!

This was a fantastic thing to do, possibly the highlight of my trips so far. Even if you never go to Lake Taupo, New Zealand or anywhere......have a go at skydiving! It is totally brilliant!


Retro Bowel check = alright thanks.