Ziplining in Snowdonia

Now I know that not all phrases or superstitions or the like will always ring true but in this case it certainly was 3rd time lucky!


Having booked the ziplining experience for February, it got called off due to the weather, and then again in May the Welsh weather got the better of us. So after 3 weekends wasted in Wales I was so glad that this time there was sunshine and no wind!


Going back 3 weeks previously I had also ziplined in Costa Rica, however this hadn't gone as smoothly as I had imagined it would. The normal ziplining technique of sitting in your harness and admiring the view as you went down was fine, but when it came to the forward-facing 'Superman' technique for the final 1km ride I freaked. I mean freaked!  My nerves overcame me, I had visions of breaking the wire, breaking bones, falling out of the harness.... plus being the kind person that I am, I had let others go before me as I was feeling guilty about holding them up! So I was left, almost stranded, up a 20m tower in Costa Rica with the staff there getting annoyed at me slowing down the flow of people and I was getting more and more upset because I didn't know what to do - would I find my way back if I walked to the centre? Would the others even still be there waiting for me? As it was, on the start of my walk back I was met by one of the employees at the centre who talked me round and offered to ride the zipline with me. His calm nature and patience helped me to change my mind and after a wait of 30mins or so I did it!


The above ziplining issue was playing in my head. Over, and over, and over again this past weekend before the big day.  Had I managed to ride the Welsh zipline in February or May things in Costa Rica may well have been different! But this was not the case. Come the Friday night and I got very little sleep. The Saturday morning was no better as I almost passed out in the kitchen. My head was reliving the Costa Rica moments again. But this time I realised this was my weekend, this was my ziplining goal and I had to do it!


So off to Zip World we went. Suits on, Go-Pro hired and instructions given. It was the little zipper first....


Then a 10min truck drive up the quarry. The Big Zipper was in sight. Convinced that the Welsh took safety much more seriously than the Costa Ricans I had complete trust in the people and the equipment and knew as soon as I stood on the platform that I would do it.  Speed calculating app on, phone tucked away, all strapped in and 3,2,1...


http://www.ustargroup.com/Hybrid/2016/08/27/129634_459218/MainVideos.mp4






Over 100mph and a mile later I touched down at the other side. Laughing uncontrollably I was heard to repeat 'amazing' and 'best thing I have ever done' over and over.


Now if we could just rewind the clock and take me back to Costa Rica, I think I would like to try that one again.....

Feed those monkeys!

Morocco. May 2016. Monkeys galore!


It was during our trip to Morocco that we stayed at Riad Cascades d'Ouzoud, near to the Ouzoud Cascades, not too far from Marrakech in Morocco.  As with our Oman road trip, Ali and I had pinpointed those places that were a little more out of the way yet equally as fascinating to visit as the major cities that most tourists visited this amazing country for.  The Ouzoud Cascades were at the top of our list having seen the amazing pictures on Trip Advisor and the like!


Our morning walk in the heat took us along a well-made path, past the top of the waterfalls, down to the base. We were certainly not expecting to see monkeys of any sort, though in hindsight the pictures on the walls at the riad should have given us a clue!


There were many, many Barbary apes along the path. Some were just minding their own business, others were getting up to mischief with their siblings and another group were intent on causing havoc with passing tourists!


It was one such havoc causing ape that I ended up feeding. With a handful of nuts from the man who we met on the path I had an ape eating out of my hand, climbing up on my shoulders and also stealing my sunglasses!


Cute, with powerful hands - a little claw like - they dug into my head with a vice-like grip! Thought of rabies or losing my Ray Bans to this little monkey aside, he took the nuts from my hands and made himself at home whilst feeding!