Boats and Planes

Dhows and Sky diving: thanks to everyone for your support

On Thursday 21^st May, a desert contingent came up to Abu Dhabi to cruise round the island on a Dhow we had hired for the occasion and generally have a good time. We all got a different perspective on the pace of construction around Abu Dhabi – the new Sadiyaat bridge is impressive. A good time was had by all – though there’s always a price to pay for over indulgence.

That price was paid on the next day, when my colleague Steve Crowley, his sister Susan and I travelled up to Umm al Qwain to the UAQ Aero Club to sky dive. The nerves of steel that were displayed in the car on the way, remained in tact right up until we got out of the car. An hour or so of watching other fool hardy folk survive did, however, help to dispel visions of impending doom.

Before not too long it was time to get prepared ourselves and go through the rigorous 30 second training programme. Strapped up in a harness, it was time to get into the incredibly small plane and begin the 20 min flight up to 9,000ft above the coast line of Umm al Qwain.

There’s something decidedly ridiculous, and quite terrifying, about opening an aeroplane door at 9,000 feet, hearing the roar and rush of air fill the cabin, then watching a travelling companion fall out and then another follow with a wave. It was leaving the aircraft that was the most difficult and exhilarating part of the the whole experience. Shuffling closer and closer to the open door with an adrenaline junkie strapped to your back. Eventually to stop, sitting, staring into the void, legs dangling into nothingness. I have to confess as the instructor I was strapped to began to rock us to launch us out into space, my mind went blank and I closed my eyes.

Suddenly we were falling and I had a voice ringing in my ears ‘open you eyes’, fighting back the fear of what I might see hurtling towards me, I managed to mentally prise my eyes open, and then things weren’t so bad. Marcus the instructor tapped me on the shoulder which was the signal for me to hold out my arms so we could make a few manoeuvres: spins and turns etc.

Then with a suddenness that must be like being hit by a bus, the parachute opened and the falling changed to floating. By this point I was beginning to enjoy myself, Marcus clearly sensed this and, asking for my hands, suddenly ratcheted up the fear factor again by putting me in charge of the parachute and starting a roller-coasting journey of loops and spins which was like someone playing football with my stomach.

Too soon it was time to prepare for landing which in the winds of late afternoon was no mean feat – as a result rather than the soft green grass we took a spill in the sand.

Thanks to all those who supported the dhow trip which made a total of AED 1820 for SWORDE-Teppa and all those who have sponsored me to jump which so far has raised £750, you can still support the cause by making a donation on the Justgiving page: www.justgiving.com/bernardsbigtrip and if you get the chance get up to Umm al Qwain for a sky dive – you won’t regret it.

Ed