The Big Zip

Totally out of the blue this, but Clare and I got the chance to go on the big ZipWire today! After each of us having a pretty hectic day, we re-grouped just in time to join the last session of the day!

Before we really knew what was going on, we were dressed in red jumpsuits, goggles and walking over to the 'training' zip line.

We had to marvel at the operation. It was like a factory production line. Four people at a time, we were laid down on beds, while we were clipped to the lines. Then once checks had been made, the bed dropped down on hydraulic pistons.

Leaving you dangling in the air and ready to fly. On the count of three, the safety line was detached and off you went!

It was a very surreal feeling but had us laughing the whole way down. With Clare zipping along next to me, the scenery in the background, slowly moving past, had the look of a badly dubbed movie.

Having 'dismounted' (with I must admit was a much more civilized affair than the Ken Marlow classic set up of 2nd Rothwell Scouting days), we were herded into a bus truck and driven up to the top of the quarry. This was great as it gave a totally new perspective on the area.

Then it was helmets on and wait in line!

We accelerated away from the top so fast that it was hard to take everything in, however, once above the lake, apart from the wind in your face, things seemed to slow down a bit as there were less things to gauge your speed from. Clare went the fastest and beat me down by a few seconds - but she did have some sandbags as ballast strapped to her to make sure she made it to the end! Overall, the whole experience was great fun and incredibly well organised with lots of staff every step along the way. The only thing that slightly irked me, were the banners and slogans advertising 'experience adventure' as there was (in my humble opinion), nothing particularly 'adventurous' about any of it. - i.e we were never needed to make a single decision (apart from turning up) and the outcome of the ride was never in question. Still, it's great advertising eh! Brill fun and glad to have been able to have a go...