Skydiving vs Bungy Jumping

When I wrote my 30 Before 30 list last November I included a bit of the extreme - 'Skydive or Bungy Jump'.

When I wrote it in my head it was always going to be a Skydive for the following reasons:

• The thought of Bungy jumping from 40 metres freaked me out more than a Skydive from 17,000 feet. Even when watching The Amazing Race I would question how I would feel if someone was forcing me to bungy jump
• I'd read that above a certain height you have no depth perception. The ground just doesn't look that close so it was supposedly easier
• With Skydiving I figured if something went wrong it would all be over pretty quickly. If a bungy goes wrong chances are you're going to be maimed for life
• Skydiving requires someone to be strapped to you and throw you out of the plane. Bungy jumping - you have to throw yourself off that platform - AJ Hackett staff won't push you.

It was an easy first win and so Skydiving with Skydive Auckland was the first item crossed I crossed off my 30 Before 30 list last November.

 BUT THEN...

Someone at work decided the Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb was an excellent team building idea, and that Bungy Jumping should be optional. So while I'd never have paid to do it, the combination of work footing the bill, a bit of friendly peer pressure from colleagues and general FOMO meant I threw myself off a perfectly good bridge last week.

Seeing nine colleagues deal with pre-jump nerves in different ways was amusing - people who normally won't shut up go quiet, normally friendly colleagues retract into themselves and don't want to talk to anyone and even the over-confident 'I've done this three times before' scream while going over the edge.

But it turned out to be so much fun!

Learning to surf at Te Arai

Item number 15 on my 30 Before 30 list was to learn to surf. It's a skill I've always wished I had and as I'm a bit of a wimp around cold water there is no time to learn like the summer.

Google led me to New Zealand Surf Tours. They operate day trips and longer tours, picking up and dropping off from a number of spots in Auckland central. Booking online cost $120 for four hours of surf lessons (with a break in the middle), transport and board and wetsuit hire.

On Waitangi Day we surfed on the East Coast at Te Arai Point near Mangawhai. There were 10 of us on the trip and two instructors - Brett and Phillippe. Some of the group had surfed before but we were all beginners.

Te Arai Point

When we arrived at Te Arai we learnt there was a Tsumani Alert due to an earthquake in the Solomon Islands. The threat of a 1 metre high wave wasn't something I was too sure I wanted to deal with on my first day out surfing but in the end it didn't eventuate to much more than some slightly rougher waves.

The first half hour of our lesson was spent on the beach learning the basic skills - surf safety, parts of the board, positions ('the sweet spot' and 'prone') and then getting up into kneeling position and finally to stand. We had a quick warm up and then we were in the water.

The instructors gave everyone heaps of individual attention and I found I was having some success (ie. regularly catching waves and springing into the crouched position if not standing in an unbalanced way for a second or two) by the end of the first two hour session.

After a break for food and water we were back. During the second session I had the basic skills but I was so tired from being bashed around by waves and continually putting my body through the motions that my arms were struggling and getting from the prone position into a crouch was a big ask. I still had so much fun though.

New Zealand Surf Tours had a voucher on GrabOne the next day offering the same trip for $60. I purchased a voucher to do it all over again.

I was hoping to surf on the West Coast on my second visit, but New Zealand's first fatal shark attach in 37 years and larger than ideal waves for learning meant a return to Te Arai.

Surfer Sarah

This time Glenn was Brett's co-instructor. During our first session the waves didn't seem quite right for beginners - we were getting hammered by the waves and the threat of actual surfers not much further out meant I missed a lot of opportune waves.

But after our lunch break the tide was heading out and the rides were longer. By the last hour or so I suddenly had it! I was catching broken waves, springing into a standing position and riding the waves in to shore. Such an achievement!

Not owning my own board or wetsuit I will probably continue to head out with New Zealand Surf Tours while I'm still a beginner. They offer an $80 return rate for people who have taken a lesson and return to practice.

Two Thousand and Twelve - End of year meme

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Quit my job and left the country, lived in London, attended an Olympic event, waved to the Queen, went Skydiving, traveled to places I had never been before.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I wanted 2012 to be a year without goals to see whether I was happier without putting pressure on myself to achieve things. Turns out I am lost without a bit of direction in life.

I think small steps are better than life changing affirmations - I will continue to chip away at my 30 Before 30 list and learn some lessons from The Desire Map.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope

5. What countries did you visit?
The USA, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Croatia, The Netherlands and Hong Kong (in Transit).

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

More time with people in Wellington and Hawkes Bay. Being overseas most of 2012 meant this was lacking.

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

March 15th - leaving NZ. October 27th - getting on a plane and coming home.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Just being proud of a chapter which was essentially a failed experiment in pushing my own boundaries.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting a job in London.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No

11. What was the best thing you bought?
This cruise.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

I had the best time at Kiwi House in London watching the NZ Olympic Team compete. Meeting the equestrian team the day after they won bronze, and seeing our rowers win was one of the best days I had in London.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I really can't think of anyone who fits this bill...

14. Where did most of your money go?
 Travel, and general survival without a full time job.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Visiting Miami.

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Stronger by Kelly Clarkson - I saw her perform at Wembley Arena with my friend Clare in October.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder?
Sadder - just coz I was in a really good place a year ago, but huge things will come again.
b) Thinner or fatter?
Marginally thinner - fewer takeaways, more running
c) Richer or poorer?

So much poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise, travel.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Job interviews.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
In Wellington with my family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Nope

22. What was your favourite TV programme?
Made in Chelsea for the high-life, London scenery and fast paced drama.

23. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn’t dislike this time last year?
Well yeah, there is someone I am no longer in contact with but that's the way it is.

24. What was the best book you read?
50 Shades of Grey

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Spotify!

26. What did you want and get?
A job, eventually. Though it ended up being in the city I consider Plan C right now.

27. What did you want and not get?
A job in London. I also really wanted to see Spain, Portugal and the Greek Islands but that will happen some other year.

28. What was your favourite film of this year?
Nothing has really blown me away, but I did really enjoy Pitch Perfect.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 27. I ended up in Napier with most of my extended family sitting outside in the sun drinking bubbles and eating too many nibbles. Really nice.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Winning Lotto might have been nice.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Gym gear and no need for business attire.

32. What kept you sane?
Good friends in London, the availability of New Zealand flat whites.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Dan Carter is still way up there, but i'd also like to add Ryan Gosling to the mix.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The Obama campaign (if anything...)

35. Who did you miss?
NZ peeps when I was out of the county, UK based friends now.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

It's all been rather transient with people coming into and out of my life. Steve, my London flatmate prob wins the prize as my London summer would never have been the same without him. And while he'd be disappointed to learn this is the first time he's been mentioned I still hope he never does manage to find this blog.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012
Priorities change. Majorly.


38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year
'I think that life's too short for this, I want back my ignorance and bliss'.

Feilding

Far from being the most glamorous place I've been this year, Feilding has had the eyes of the world on it this month as Charles and Camilla popped in for a visit.

I was there three days prior, wondering how I was to fill in an entire day there while waiting for my Dad who was in the region for a conference. As it turned our Feilding has free WiFi so everything was ok.

I got my morning coffee fix at Focal Point Cinema and it met my Fussy Wellingtonian standard.

Charles and Camilla visited the Feilding Farmers Market but this was not operating on a Monday. Instead I walked around, got lost in Poppies Bookshop and numerous second hand stores before driving the short distance to Palmerston North to go to the movies.

#FMSphotoaday Challenge October 2012

I've wanted to do a photo challenge since early last year. October 2012 was my last month in London and I posted a photo on twitter every day in the month according to the daily prompts on Fat Mum Slim's blog.

Here is my photo journal (sorry about the continual evolution of photo aps throughout the month!)

October 1: Somewhere you stood

I stood in Camden Town playing promo girl for a local gym in the rain for two hours.

October 2: Lunchtime

I had lunch with my friend Hana on Oxford Street. We grabbed combo deals including drinks, chips and sandwiches and then hit the shops.

October 3: This Happened Today

Being the only one in a carriage on the Jubilee Line is rare.

October 4: Shadow

Hana had to stop to tweet for work purposes on our walk into Fulham where I took this photo.

October 5: What I read

I've read a lot of job specs of late.

October 6: I'm Thankful For

I'm thankful for London friends to share All Blacks games, coffee dates and random nights out with.

October 7: Light

I took this photo of the late afternoon light over the 'balcony' outside my window.

October 8: Angle 

Lots of angles on this iconic Aldwych building.

October 9: Red

I saw off Kyle (my now Ex- Boyfriend) to South Africa at Victoria Station. The Gatwick Express sign was red.

October 10: Emotion

I was having a rough morning. I thought a Flat White from Sacred would improve things but the fern only made me homesick for New Zealand.

October 11: Something Close Up

It rained all day and I stayed in bed all day watching movies. My blind was the closest interesting looking object.

October 12: On the Table

Lunch with Laura and Caitlin at IMechE.

October 13: Landscape

 Early morning by the river in Henley-on-Thames.

October 14: Makes you Laugh

I saw this TFL sign posted on a friends Facebook page. Everyone I know who has downloaded iOS6 cannot use maps!

October 15: Dinnertime

I checked out Ye Old Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street at the suggestion of my parents. Such a cool old pub! I had a pint of their cider and ordered Fishermans Pie.

October 16: Something you Wrote

I wrote down an affirmation I saw online which resonated with me.

October 17: Fruit

Sainsbury's Fruit Bag!

October 18: Made you Smile today

My friend Fleur and I walked up Primrose Hill and I loved the autumn view.

October 19: Letters

The reception room where I waited for a job interview had bold letters on it.

October 20: 4 o'clock

I'd just had my nails done.

October 21: Calm

This magic product calms me enough to sleep.

October 22: In my town

This is the Leichester Square Ticket Booth

October 23: The view from here

Looking towards Tower Bridge from London Bridge

October 24: Weather

Grey and Foggy.

October 25: People

Statue of a Guardian watching over the bathers, Bath.

October 26: Listening to

 Justin Bieber - Beauty and a Beat on YouTube

October 27: Morning

Brondesbury Station Platform 8.30am

October 28: Looking Back

Down the long corridor from Gate 44, Heathrow Terminal 1

October 29: Moon

October 29th did not happen for me.. I was crossing a date line!

October 30: Clothes

First washing dried outside since last Christmas

October 31: Whatever you like

A Pohutokawa tree in flower - summer and Christmas are on their way!

Bath

Bath was one of the final things on my to do list from London, along with Oxford and The Cotswolds which will have to wait for my next trip.

I caught the train from Paddington for the day which was expensive at £47.50 return. Another option would have been to book myself on a day trip (like this one) which start at £45, but I'd already been to Stonehenge and wanted enough time in Bath to explore everything I wanted to.

My first stop was the Roman Baths where entry was £12.25 and included an audio guide (which I found hard to follow - the numbers on the audio guide were not in any order and the signage dotted around the site telling you what number to press was not great).

After finishing my wander around I headed for Therme Bath Spa. I got a two hour pass for £26. The rooftop pool was a bit cold to hang out in for long at this time of the year but the view was very cool. I spent most of my time between the Minerva Bath downstairs and the aroma rooms which vary in scent and heat.

I visited Sally Lunn's (definite tourist trap) for Queen Victoria's Tea - tea with half a Sally Lunn topped with lemon curd and cream, and then finished my outing with a walk up to Royal Crescent and the Circus which were stunning amongst the autumn leaves.

Sally Lunn's Restaurant

Queen Victoria's Tea

Royal Crescent

The Circus

Cathedral

Henley-on-Thames

Early morning fog over the Thames, Henley

I headed to Henley for a weekend in mid-October to support friends who were running a 10km charity race I was nowhere near fit enough to run myself.

Due to the popularity of the event, accommodation in Henley was booked out so we stayed at The Beech House Hotel up the road in nearby Reading which quiet and very cute and English.

We had to be up and out before the serving time for the cooked breakfast so a continental breakfast was delivered to our rooms during the evening.

Hotel Room

Bathroom products

Breakfast and local magazines

We had a pub dinner at The Angel on The Bridge in Henley. Eating in establishments which have been in business since long before New Zealand's Treaty of Waitangi was signed has become a new thrill for me.

I had The Angel's Pancakes filled with roast vegetables and dolcelatte cheese with sweet tomato and red pepper sauce which was delicious and very different to what is available on your standard restaurant menu. The Cumberland Sausages and Rack of Ribs were also popular around the table.

I also gave their special desert for the day a go - a moist ginger and date pudding with a caramel sauce. I was so full by the time we left!

After a comfortable night, race day dawned and it was a frosty 2 degrees when we left in the car for Henley's Rugby Club. But the sun was out though and with the team all being fast runners they were back within an hour, with myself and Ross having just enough time to grab hot chocolates between cheers as the other three circled past us.

Brad and Hana had been billeted with a local Henley family in 2010 when Brad was a member of a New Zealand men's rowing team at the Henley regatta. We met up with them and had lunch at The Quince Tree - a venue which reminded me of Hawkes Bay eateries with their deli store, open dining room, glass walls and scenic gardens. Their menu featured fresh juices, sandwiches, bruschettas, risottos and the like.

Before driving back to London we took a short walk in Stonor Park just up the road. I loved getting out in the wide open spaces of the country, a real change from being couped up amongst buildings and people London.

I would love to see Henley in Summer when the rowing regatta is on. I will add this to the life list.

Manor House, Stonor Park