Reflections of falling down

A week has passed and I've been through a range of emotions.

To start with, elation, that I'd done it.  The experience was awesome - as in 'I was full of awe'

• for the team that do that every day with hundreds of people of all shapes and sizes.  They were so reasssuring throughout, accepting that people would have different issues with the activity.  So skilled and professional.  So well prepared.  So thoughtful. 

• for the views from the plane before we jumped, and for the views from the ... well, sky, as we were descending.  Truly a birds eye view.  I've always wanted to fly - this is about as far as I guess I can go.

• For the patience of my husband, who did his best not to show how nervous he was.


• For the amazing feat of landing without a bruise or bump.  A few grass stains on the seat of my boiler suit.  No broken legs, coccyx, burst blood vessels, ruptured lungs, altitude sickness...  I still can't believe that I came off so unscathed.

• And awesome was the name for my instructor Nick, who managed to manhandle me and connect me and basically stop me from doing anything that would hurt myself.  Wow.

Some photos arrived on Wednesday.  You may have already noticed some of them...

I was a little dismayed about some of the bulges - but I knew that the boiler suit wasn't going to be flattering.  It wasn't the boiler suit anyway that caused the bulges, it was the straps on the harness.  And I'd rather have those nice and tight...

Still, I have some great pics to show just what it was like.

In fact, it was curious.  Of course the pics were of me, not from my POV.  So they show a different side of it than I remember.  In fact I had a 'moment' where it nearly got emotional.  Somehow, it was as though I had dreamt it, and as each day went on, the memory faded and I could no longer prove to myself that I did achieve what I did achieve.  Frightening really, how quickly memories fade.

The photos made it real.  There was the proof - I was there, up there, out there, down there.  I did do it, in spite of my inconsistent and decidedly flaky memory.

And yet as I've collected the sponsor money this week, people have asked questions, and I've relived bits of it over and over.  Each person asked a different question and got a different response.  Some of the points were a revelation to me as I told the story.  That was curious too.  I thought I would get bored of telling the story, but about 30 times later in a week has not proved it, as there is so much to tell (considering it was only 15 mins up and 5 mins down).  I kept swinging between anti-climax and re-living it all over again.  Rather a lot of highs and lows then.

So lots of reflections took place this week. 

I've nearly collected all the money now, and will total up when the last few people are back from holiday.  Then, and only then, can I truly relax.

And decide.... what next???

I did it!

In spite of my over active imagination running riot, I did it.  Jumped (was man-handled) out of a plane at over 9000 feet, free-falling for about 10 seconds.  Maybe longer - it went in a flash.  Then the trainer pulled the parachute and it opened successfully - landing 5 mins later on my bottom (as planned) in a crop circle.  In one piece.  All body parts intact. 

I can't believe I've done it - the whole thing happened so quickly and is just a memory.  Quite a vivid one, I have to say!

We had a short wait while others went up.  Three pairs had their jumps postponed due to bad weather at previous attempts, so they went first.  Two of us were new, - the other girl having only found out she was jumping at 7am when her partner woke her with her birthday present - 'you are doing a parachute jump today.  You need to get up.' She didn't have time to get nervous (but admitted she was an adrenalin junkie anyway...) - I did...  But I hide it well....

And even had time to blog a bit while we were waiting.

The weather was so perfect it was untrue.  Not cold at all at the top.

High points - Hanging - yep, that's what I meant - outside the door of the plane while my tandem partner got ready. 

Seeing the Isle of Wight through the heat haze.  The Solent.  Having Salisbury Cathedral pointed out to me, (but I didn't quite place it) and seeing Stone Henge from the airplane - all worth having on their own.

All systems go - and falling head over heels - and seeing the plane fall away from me upside down!!!!
Then stabilising, and assuming 'the position'.  No not that position you 'orrible lot - the belly to earth freefall position.  feet crossed and up backwards, arms out to the side - free to wave at the camera, and give the very definite thumbs up.  The noise of the air rushing past us.  Deafening.  And the feel of the air on my face, with air rushing around my goggles and making my eyes stream.  Difficult to watch (or fear) the earth rushing towards you when you feel like you are crying with exhileration.

Then holding the harness again and the chute opening.  Silence.

The peace. The weird sense of freedom - even though the harness will prob have left a bruise.  Difficulty breathing a little, so the instructor loosens the chest strap.  Actually, he asked was I (having difficulty breathing) and I realised I was - but hadn't noticed until then.

Then he handed me the control handles and showed me how to turn to one side then the other.  I did a spiral!!!  Purposefully.  I promise, it was...

And then all too quickly, we were approaching the tent and circle mown in the grass indicating our landing zone.  And we were down.  Nick (the instructor) disconnected the harness as we landed, and I was alone.

I can't believe it - 3 months of planning, all gone in a brief flash of time.  A wonderful, inspirational all-encompassing feeling of achievement.

The Skydive South Coast guys were wonderful.  Friendly, welcoming, reassuring and professional, but relaxed and funny.  Total support - I can't recommend them highly enough. 

I've got some photos coming shortly, so I'll share them when I get them.  For now all I have is the picture Nick (husband) took from below.  I'm the white spec at the bottom.

Oh, wow.  I was so nervous - and doing my best not to show it (although I bet some of you spotted it).  But it felt so very exhilarating - the extra risk is, I guess, what makes it have that extra buzz.

I've stopped shaking now...

:)

Calm

First few have landed safely with big grins. Off to get kitted up in a mo.
Calm.

The day

I'm here!!!!!
The sun is up,weather conditions are perfect apparently. Not a cloud in the sky and no wind. Could have spotted that - well, here on the ground anyway. The first flight has gone up and we're watching it as a spec upon the blue.

I just asked nick and cam what to write on my palms for the camera. Cam said "hi" on onehand and "five" on the other.
Nick said "www." on one and "GOCB.co.uk" on the other. Oh really!

First parachutes have opened now and they are sweeping down gently to earth.
I've had my 20 mins training. It sounds so easy....

And the first ones are down. Now they have to walk back. It looks about a mile. Still, the adrenaline should breeze me through that. I just have to check there are no injuries and I'll be happy. I think.