She flies like a bird In the sky....

I said in the last blog I wouldn't mention the scenery again but I have to because nature completely upped it's game once we left Wanaka & headed to Queenstown. The vista was amazing & to ensure we got the maximum enjoyment there were viewing points along the route for you to stop & drink up the views. We stopped at every one. I should apologise in advance to those of you who will be subjected to the compulsory viewing of our photographs (note: no doctors notes or lame excuses for not being able to view them will be accepted). We have taken so many, I fear that there is not enough fizz in the world to help you maintain (or feign) interest. I promise I will try to condense them but you have been warned!  After a brief visit to Arrowtown with its interesting history of Chinese immigration we continued on to Queenstown. As we headed into town We were stopped by the police & Mr L who was driving was asked to count to 5 into a device. There was no explanation & once Mr L had done it we were told we could go. I'm assuming it was some sort of alcohol or drug breathalyser,  or maybe it was a numeracy test. Either way he passed. The campsite we stayed on was 10mins from downtown – a real treat to be so close – & it was really lovely. Even better we had decided to stay for 2 nights. First job as always was to get our laundry done then we were ready to hit town – at 4.30pm !! Rather impressively the town was quite lively at that time of day & after a quick tour we stumbled upon the inevitable Irish Bar & called in. It would have been rude not to. We had a few drinks then went to have something to eat. We were back at the campsite by 8.30pm. Not exactly a wild night out but when a small glass of wine costs more than a decent bottle you can't go too mad. A plus side of this campsite is that it had great facilities – a big kitchen & a lounge area with sofas, a log fire & a tv. We had the place to ourselves so we chilled out & watched Phil & Kirsty's Location, Location, Location. The following morning I don't know what came over me but I suddenly announced to Mr L that I wanted to try paragliding. I have never previously entertained the idea. In fact when Mr L did it years ago in Turkey, I made it quite clear that I would never ever do something like that.  So we booked it. When the mini bus arrived to take us to our jump spot, before we entered the bus we were asked to get on weighing scales. What was this about? Are they going to measure me for a coffin next? Thankfully they didn't. When we arrived at The top of Coronet Peak, or Mount  Everest as it looked to me, I was paired up with My partner. I should make it clear this was to be a tandem jump I wasn't going to do it on my own. I'm not that crazy. I was to be strapped to Tom. He seemed quite a sturdy looking chap & unfazed when I voiced concerns about running off the edge of a cliff. Whilst I was being strapped into my harness and keeping myself under control, Mr L was ready to go. We had a brief  exchange before he ran confidently forward & was quickly in the air and away. I was next. As Tom and his colleague made sure the parachute and strings were in order, I photographed them, for evidential purposes. Just in case. Then we were good to go. Tom told me the plan. I was in front of him & I would run off the mountain &keep running until the canopy pulled us up into the air. Hmmm I wasn't sure I agreed with the plan but just as I was about to propose an alternative, one of the other instructors came over, stood in front of me, grabbed my harness and, as Tom said run I was pulled & pushed off the edge, with my legs moving involuntarily. There was a brief moment where I felt myself falling & let out some sort of sound in panic but then we were in the air flying, where the views (don't mention the views!) were amazing from this angle. The whole flight lasted no more an 10mins & apart from a brief moment where Tom did a tight turn that made my stomach lurch, it was a calming experience. Even landing was straightforward. I have often had dreams where I am flying & now I have experienced it in real life. It felt good . Mr L looked very concerned/relieved to see me alive & smiling. It's official – I am now a thrill seeking adrenaline junky!