Saturday, August 16, 2008

Bungy jump


When?: December 2006

In December 2006 I did a 10 day coach tour around the South Island of New Zealand. On the way to Queenstown we stopped off at Kawarau Bridge, home of Hackett's original 43m bungy.  I'd decided to do the jump in the morning and signed up on the list, but felt more and more nervous as we approached the site.  Rightly so, as it goes a little something like this:  

On arrival, you're asked to sign a disclaimer, you get weighed and are pointed in the direction of the bridge.  Your knees shake as you approach the ledge,and although the instructors try to be reassuring your heart is in your mouth as they strap your ankles together and attach them to the bungy cord. 

Finally it's "your time to shine".  You're asked to take "little baby penguin steps" to the edge of the ledge.  Then told to look at the camera and wave.  You hear all the gang from the coach cheer.  Then suddenly, "right then Jen, 1... 2... 3... BUNGY!". 

What??

You're expecting a bit more instruction about technique.  A bit more warning.  You stand, frozen.  "Go on girl, push forward withyour legs and jump." 

Err.

Another countdown.  You can't chicken out again, everyone is watching. So,"1... 2... 3... BUNGY!". 

And off you go.  

The initial fall is incredible.  A real rush, like the sensation in your stomach when you go over the top in a rollercoaster.  Except you're not in a rollercoaster.  You feel like you're free falling, with the river below rushing towards your face, you're about to hit it then... boing!  And a very gentle sensation pulls you up, slowly, back towards where you cam from. 

The successive falls and rises are much more gentle and not so thrilling.  Eventually you come to a stop, and two men in a little inflatable dinghy come and gather you up, giggling hysterically and shaking from the adrenaline. 

You make your way up to the balcony where your friends are waiting for you with a beer.  You've earned it!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Go To A Football Game


Sheffield United 2 - Norwich 0

When?: 15 March 2008

My first visit to Bramall Lane yielded a satisfying finish for the Blades, though the match itself is reported far better than I could do (not really knowing about football) here.

As for my experience, we met at a city centre boozer at midday for some pre-drinks and a bit of fodder, before heading down to the Kop where we sat and drank some sneaky miniatures whilst watching the action. 

Although I was a bit out of my depth with some of the songs, I gamely sang along to others that Andrew had taught me, and shouted and swore at the players as applicable.  

I was also very glad that I acted as a lucky charm rather than a curse and the match went in their favour! All in all a very fun afternoon out, which I'll definitely repeat again.

COME ON YOU RED AND WHITE WIZARDS! 

Attend A Red Carpet Event


When?: 28 May 2008

Many thanks to a friend who works at Sheffield's Millennium Gallery, I was able to attend the red carpet opening of the Vivienne Westwood exhibition, together with my friend Mary-Jo.

We were in the illustrious company of Dame Vivienne herself (left), as well as "celebs" such as Fearne Cotton, Toyah Wilcox, Lee Sharpe and Kym Marsh (pictures of some of them here). Woo indeed. 

We attempted to get our photo taken on the red carpet, but they were having none of it.  Mary-Jo and I did however manage to drink our own bodyweight in free champagne.

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