19th September

I came, I saw, I jumped. I can see that sky diving could be seriously addictive. It was so exciting. I was nervous but not really afraid and it was so amazing. Four of us did the jump but it was one by one which I think is probably the best ay because then you have noone else around you to be nervous. I went second and I know I was really nerv ous because I was very quiet but actually mostly that was because I was trying to focus on being relaxed and taking in as much as I could. I didn’t even scream coming down unlike everyone else not that I suppose it really matters what you do as long as you enjoy it.

The whole getting out of the plane is the most scary bit but it all happens very quickly and you just have to have total trust in the person you’re strapped to which, for me, is never easy. Once you’re out, you are turning over and spinning around and you actually have no idea which way is up. Then you get clear of the plane and the feeling of falling is amazing but not really scary because there isn’t anything coming up to meet you (like the ground) so it’s just like whizzing through the air (and trying to remember to smile for the camera!). I free-falled for about 30 seconds and appreantly you reach speeds of abot 120 mph – which if you think about it too hard is really scary. Then the parachute goes up and it’s suddenly so quiet and peaceful. You get to pull the parachute and do swirly things and then all too soonthe ground is coming up to meet you and it’s all over. Apparently my landing was the most graceful which is jolly nice to know! My immediate reaction was that I wanted to do it again! I don’t know if I ever will and if I do it’ll probably never be the same as the first time but I am so pleased I did it, every time I think of it I can’t stop smiling.

The people who do it are so lovely. It was a Kiwi called Russ (are they all called Russ?) and his girlfriend took all the pictures. She was so tiny and had this enormous helmet with two cameras attached. Apparently they’ve been doing it nearly ayear and they leave next month to go to Cairns and do sky diving over there – what a life! Can’t wait to see the pictures and DVD tomorrow.