Very few of you out there will realise quite what a feat this was for me and that's a whole other story but suffice to say I don't 'do' heights and moreover if I have to entertain anything above sea level I certainly don't 'do' looking down. What I do 'do' is that whole being sick, feeling dizzy and finding my feet strangely glued to the spot, completely motionless malarky!
So on new years ever I was treated to a trip up Portsmouths Spinnaker tower which stands 170 meters high. I have no idea how that compares with other structures but believe me, from the top it was damn high and the fact that the winds were high that day and the whole thing was tangibly moving and swaying made the height only more apparent!
Once up there I loved it, the views, even on a dull day were amazing but then the 'glass floor' was pointed out to me. You know the things...a thousand feet up and you are 'invited' to walk across a glass floor.
Ok, not in a million years would I have imagined I would attempt it but then over the last few months neither would I have envisaged flying, touching a spider or facing any of the other demons I have, so why not I thought. I know the psychology of this stuff, I'll give it a go. F**k! :o/
Attempt one was less than impressive and involved a very hot (Hmmm..maybe leathers wasn't the best choice of clothing) gemmak standing on the corner rooted to the spot unable to move. Attempt two was marginally better as I shuffled pathetically along the edge holding tightly to an outstretched and supporting hand.....attempt three I mustered all my 'I know the thought process in this' knowledge and walked the full length along the center! It wasn't perfect, I couldn't look down except when I was stationery but hell, for me it was quite an achievement.
Really, a few years back I wouldn't have contemplated it at all....who knows, maybe next stop a bungee jump. Ok, ok, maybe not!...but then again.....
*Thank you to my 'supporting hand'.
(Apologies for the image quality...they were taken on my phone)
1 Comments:
On 30th December I was looking at that very Tower waiting for Someone (aka Ellen Mcarthur) to get off the ferry after a rough 15 minute trip form the Isle of Wight (we spent New Year near Chichester.) What a song and dance.
Post a Comment