THE SKYDIVE

I must begin by thanking the wonderful people that helped me raise £411 for the Willow Foundation- family, friends and co-workers. I appreciate it, the Willow Foundation appreciates it and I'm sure somewhere in the UK so does a person or a family going through a hell of a lot and you've helped make their special day possible.

Giving back for me, was a way of saying thank you to the foundation that once was able to organise and part fund a weekend trip to Center Parcs with my aunts, sister and terminally ill mother. The trip is most definitely up with some of my happiest lifetime memories, especially due to the fact that my sister and I were so young when my mother passed and don't remember much of her, we therefore have special moments like the trip to reflect upon.

The Skydive experience was a cauldron of emotions, whirling round my brain, and yes my stomach!

The day begins bright and early as you must arrive (in the middle of nowhere) at 8am to ensure you catch the best of the British weather. Bearing in mind the centre was called the North London Skydiving Centre- it is definitely not in North London. Try maybe a litter further north in the region of Cambridgeshire! My dad, little sister and I left at around 6:30am, arriving just before 8am, and already there was a queue of three of four others. Once the centre opened I checked in and began the short training session. Once finished and kitted up, the nerve-racking waiting game began. 
Thankfully I was a part of the second group to be sent up in the air for my tandem jump, so unlike those in the ninth group, my nerves weren't given much of a chance to freak me out- too much anyway. Before I knew it I was apprehensively waving good bye to my Dad and dear little sister Alana (who was 3 years old at the time- thinking about it, I'm not sure how I would have felt watching my sister jump out of a plane at age 3...hmm). 

What's that? A hat? Crazy, funky, junkie hat? 

So once in the plane you are made to sit in two lines, in front of one another, with your instructor behind you. The plane flies up high, reaching approximately 13,000 ft in the air and then the real fun begins. (Not so) conveniently I was first. Your instructor clips you into the harness and then the two of you shuffle forward with your legs hanging out the door. Your instructor pulls you up onto his lap, moves a bit more forward and then proceeds by sticking your frail, tense and extremely nervous body out the door while he sits on the edge. This lasted for what felt like an hour but in reality was less than a minute. Oh, and yes when I say sticks you out the door I do mean the only thing stopping you from falling thousands of feet to (death?) the ground is the harness attaching the two of you together. I feel like that was the moment for me- the turning point in my relationship with humanity. How often do we put so much trust in complete strangers? Well I had only known this man for all of 10 minutes. We met on the airfield, shook hands and strolled to the plane. We sat close for the duration of the journey up, and finally whilst every inch of my body is hanging out of that airplane door he shouts, 'READY?' and that was it. We jumped. The adrenaline rushed to my head and next thing I knew I was free falling through the atmosphere...nothing could stop me, I was as free as a bird. 
Soon enough the instructor opened the parachute and we were caught within our fall. I then realised placing my trust in this 'stranger' was a very intelligent and well thought out move as he was actually my ONLY chance of survival. You see I sure as hell DID NOT KNOW how to open the damn parachute and therefore would have most definitely free fell to certain death. Thank you instructor stranger...
Some sickly skydive spirals later, along with the chance to soak up the sublime English countryside and our feet touched the ground.
Here's a quick video (that cost an arm and a leg- thank you student loan, haha!) to show you the best bit, although I must admit that my description goes into much more detail hehe.

I have to say it  is an experience that I would recommend to anyone! I would do it again in a heartbeat but it is a costly activity and I think if I keep doing Sky Dive fundraisers people will catch on to the fact that I'm no longer in it for the (money) charitable donations, hehehe. 

Peace&Love,
Willow

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DOVER & CALAIS DAY 1/2

Now, I L-O-V-E a good deal. Who doesn't?

To find the top travel deals (which also seem to miraculously cheer me up) I often look to deal sites such as Travelzoo and WOWCHER. On this occasion, I had hit the jackpot on Wowcher. An over night stay at the 4* Ramada Hotel Dover, including a three course dinner and buffet breakfast, plus inclusive return ferry tickets to Calais for two at just £89. Say whaaaaat?! No no no, not per person, for two!
Booked.

DAY 1/2

We were off again, this time for a petite weekend break. We left on Friday 4th March as after doing some research, I found that Calais was best to visit on a Saturday rather than a Sunday, this being many of the shops and restaurants would be closed. I, as usual, missed my bus ( I promise I try to be on time, the damn buses are always running early when I need to be somewhere important!!!). I ended up pulling over a local taxi that charged me the standard (overpriced) rate to the underground station. 
We made our way to Victoria, the station where our mainline train would depart to Dover Priory. The journey from Stratford through to Dover totalled to around 2 hours 45 mins, this was due to the fact that we had got tickets for the slow train. Unlike the quick zippy London underground rides I'm used to, the mainline services that take a couple hours really show England off for what it is all about... beauty!

We arrived in Dover at 2pm. The station was located around 5 minutes walk to the town centre, so we decided to have a wander. I had contemplated going back to the hotel to check in and drop off our bags, but as it was located a while away it seemed logical to build up our appetite while enjoying the outdoors and then retire to the hotel later on.

Once in town, there were plenty of signs directing us to Dover Castle and The White Cliffs. I was hoping to see them at some point, and tomorrow we would be in Calais, so why not! We continued on. First we walked up one hill, then another and then along a tiny roadside path that we mistook to being the final leg. We turned a corner to then see an enormous roadside hill that lead directly to the castle. The problem was, it was SO steep. The two of us had been walking around 25 minutes and already we were feeling it. There was no way I was allowing us to stop because there was actually nowhere safe to stop.
After about 10 minutes of steep incline, we had made it... and the castle was closed. It was a Friday afternoon and the castle was closed to the public. Humph... we sat, surrounded by sheep, catching our breath. At least The White Cliffs will be open. I opened google maps and typed in 'White Cliffs'... walking time: 1 hour. You've got to be kidding me. That was the last straw, we were calling a taxi!

From the Castle to The White Cliffs the taxi cost £5 and took around 5 minutes to reach. As we hopped out it was fair to say we were blown away (quite literally) with the incredible views before us. It was very windy, but being 350 feet above sea level during early March, it was to be expected.
We took a stroll along the cliff edge, taking in the views before us. The English Channel seemed so serine... rocking back and fourth, and every so often colliding with the rocks that lay below. In the near distance we could see the ferry port, unfortunately, this vital trading hub for the UK somewhat disturbed the serenity.
When you're on a cliff edge the extraordinary realisation that you, ultimately are in control tends to home in. Cynical it may be, but it is the truth. One brave (?) move and you could be done for... finito. You could become one with the sea...How many times a day do you face death... and walk away?

After a living on the edge for a while and now freeeezing cold, we decided to make our way to the warmth of the hotel. On arrival at the Ramada the staff were very friendly and made check in quick and easy. We booked a table in the Olive Tree restaurant for 8:00pm and went to relax!
8pm came around quickly and we went to feast on our 3 course meal. The food was great, all three courses. As I approached the final mouthfuls of the Creme Brulee I ordered for dessert I realised I couldn't go on. It is very rare that I go to a restaurant, have 3 courses and fail to finish the dessert. 
We left the restaurant looking 4 months pregnant, and ready to K.O.

Peace&Love
Willow 

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