Skydiving is the MOST amazing experience of my lifetime!!!
Out of all my dreams - this was one of my top ambitions ... and now I have lived the dream (Literally)!!!
After driving to Cheltenham yesterday evening with Ed, to stay with my friend Jo, I was starting to feel a little more excited and of course, nervous too!! The reality was beginning to set in ... But after an evening of going for a lovely meal at Harvester (I had a Steak - if it was going to be my last meal it would have to be a favourite :P), watching the new Doctor Who and an early night, everything just felt normal.
Waking up this morning bright and early (6am), we got up, got ready and checked the weather forecast - The weather was meant to be all good ... meaning we were actually going to do it!! Now the butterflies decided to make an appearance!!
We left Cheltenham at 7am to head to Hinton Airfield (Brackley) and started to chat about the days antics and really began to get excited!!! :)
When we arrived, we had to queue for about half hour and missed the first briefing ... But that was fine!!
Our Mum's arrived just as we were checking in and ordering our skydiving videos and the excitement really took hold!!
I was running around, dancing and just being generally happy ... I couldn't believe I was actually there and ready to do something I had only dreamed about since I was at least 11 years old!!!!
After chilling (excitedly) for a little while, it was time for our briefing!!! This put me at ease a little more (knowing you couldn't really lose your breath and the safety in place) but also made me go over and over the briefing in my head so I didn't forget everything - safety is key!!!
After the briefing we still had a while to wait - but myself and Ed played cards to pass the time - and towards 12pm everyone with me had drifted off to sleep ... So I sat watching the videos of previous skydivers and kept my excitement levels up ... Then it was time!!! Our names were called and we had to go and get kitted up and meet our tandem skydivers!!
Now the blood was pumping and my breathing had sped up a little :)
I put my jumpsuit on and met Dave (the person I was jumping with), he then strapped me into my harness and gave me my beautiful hat and goggles :P
After having a brief interview with my cameraman and myself and Jo having a few photos taken together all kitted up we headed over to the plane.
Walking towards where the plane would pick us up I couldn't stop smiling (both nerves and pure happiness)!!!
I was informed we would be first on the plane and last to jump - scary stuff!!!
Once the plane landed, I clambered in and got extremely close to Dave (if you like your personal space then maybe this isn't for you). He then started strapping me to him and we began to ascend!!
The views were spectacular but I couldn't think of much else other than my breathing and the fact that this was IT!!!
We dropped someone off at 5,000ft and continued to ascend to 13,000ft!!
As we got to 9,000ft they began to prepare us by strapping us closer to them, putting our hats and goggles on and giving us a quick briefing!!
Then it was time to fly :)
Jo went first and hearing her screams and watching her fall made me scream :P
As we shuffled towards the open door, 13,000ft in the air, I couldn't believe it ... my body was shaking but I couldn't stop smiling :)
I then got pushed out of the door and put into position - had a quick wave at the cameraman - and next thing I knew I was falling!!
As we fell through the air at 120mph, I struggled to breathe to begin with, but then settled in and enjoyed it!!
It is such an amazing feeling - you feel soooooo FREE!!!!
We did a few spins in the air and the cameraman caught lots of smiles and waves :)
Falling through the clouds is incredible!!!
Then my arms were brought in and the parachute pulled ... there was a slight jolt upwards ... the whole scenario then changed!! The noise from the wind and the falling disappeared and it became so peaceful and quiet and sooooo much slower - this was the time to take in the scenery and really appreciate the view!! :)
Dave handed me the controls and we started doing some brilliant turns in the air (these were super fast and a little scary - but so much fun!!!) and the adrenaline was really pumping!!
We flew down towards the ground with the beautiful views and I watched the Airplane and Jo land just before us!!
Then we floated gracefully down to the ground where I landed beautifully on my feet (Honestly - it was a really good landing - I am a little proud!).
After we had landed I just couldn't stop smiling ... I couldn't believe it ... The adrenaline was still rushing through me and I was ecstatic to have lived my dream!!
I wanted to go back up :)
This experience was absolutely incredible!!!
I loved every minute :D
I am so happy to have achieved my dream and will never forget my skydive!!
If you ever get the chance to skydive - do it!!
One of the most amazing times of my life!!
Living the dream!!
<3