Hang Gliding Birthday

Hang Gliding for my birthday, who’d have thought I would do something like that. But there you go, it’s something that I have always wanted to do and thought yeah, well one day I’ll get around to that. Ya know that one day actually made it!! Thanks so much to Karl for a very special present.

The flight day changed a few times, but finally on Monday 2^nd Feb 15 (although it was raining in Sydney), it was perfect conditions at Bald Hill……we were on!!!!

Quick message to the boss at work – it’s on!! I’m flying see ya tomorrow, change and head off in the car to Bald Hill. To say I was a little bit excited is an understatement – I was sooooo excited there was absolutely no room for any fear.

Bald Hill and it’s really windy – perfect. Found the guys from The Hang Gliding Centre, introduced myself and then waited for instructions. Another lady was there flying off also and her hubby took pics (so I asked him nicely could he take some of me too). Paperwork done, instructions understood, then it’s “suit up” time. I could barely contain myself, I was so excited. More instruction now and we wait for the other flyer to head off.

Watching them take off from the edge of the cliff was so graceful and then they soared off into the yonder.

My turn, my turn now please…….

Chris, my flyer says “you ready” – “HELL YEAH!!!” A couple of steps and then two quicker ones and whoosh…..it was like stepping onto a cloud, then being lifted up on Angel’s wings. WOO HOO, WOO HOO, WOW, WOW, WOW, was all I could say (think I copy righted WOW for the day).

Ready for take off

We have lift off….

lift off

up, up and away

I’m flying like an eagle! How magical is it?

It’s AWESOMELY FANTASMAGORICAL!!!!

Absolutely breathtaking! You can’t even put into words the feeling of freedom, awesomeness, magical, exhilaration, excitement, I felt.

I couldn’t wipe the smile of my face. Climbing and climbing, then swooping down inland over the areas you can’t see from the road, then out over the sea again. Up and down, spirals and loops, figure eights, WOW WOW!!!

It’s amazing how relaxed I was and was chatting to Chris at times while we are soaring around the skies. At a point Chris asked if I wanted to take the wheel (so to speak), I thought he was kidding and said “are you for real” to which he said “you ride a motorcycle around the country, I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t think you capable”….WOW.

junior flyer Kimmie

With the controls (well the frame) in my hands, Chris instructed me on how to move the craft around and all of a sudden we were climbing and accelerating all at the same time – WOW! I AM actually FLYING…WOO HOO!!

I did have to hand back the controls and then Chris swooped us around.

Time to start descending for the landing down on the beach and we figure eight in close to the coast line before circling back around to the beach below for a landing that was like stopping on a cushion.

landing gear down

landing

Anyway, many many more WOO HOO’s let rip and a few fist pumps and a Toyota jump……no I wasn’t excited at all (as you can see) and would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

WOO HOO!!!!

We were in the air for about 35 minutes and Chris advised that the conditions were so good that we actually flew higher than he would normally…lucky me.

Are there pics? Hell yeah, Karl bought me the package with the Go-Pro attached to the arm of the glider which took pics automatically. Hope you like them (well I couldn’t help myself and had to insert some along the way).