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/
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.....
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