Black Thursday
The passing storm was blasting showers of rain on the windows. All week I had only waited for the weather to clear. I was anxious to continue with my flying lessons. All the climbing, yoga and chilling amidst the skyscrapers in glorious Auckland just weren't doing it for me. Then I got an email from Kevin. We were supposed to meet up next week to climb the glorious Ravages of time. He said he could not make it. I sank into a gloomy dark place inside my mind. It seemed that my objectives of the adventure were chopped to tinder. First the paragliding and now climbing too. Had a few beers and contemplated on the meaning of life for a moment. We are so dependent on other people whatever we do. It is the joy and curse of life. I was feeling abandoned. After four beers I went to sleep thinking about doing the ravages solo...
Hope
After a big jug of friday morning latte, I decided to give the light another chance. I posted an enquiry on the Queensland climbing group on facebook, pleading for help in tackling the 350m climb at Chinamans Bluff. I had planned to fly to Christchurch on monday and take an eight hour bus ride to Queenstown on tuesday. Then an angel of the climbing gods sent me a message from heaven. She was called Winnie and told me to pick up my trad gear and join with her for the quest! The only thing I needed to do was be in Queensland on monday morning!
Without any sort of hesitation I took her helping hand, cancelled my flight, bus and accommodation in Christchurch and booked another flight straight to QT on Sunday morning. Cost be just about 100 euros, but it's just money eh? She seemed to be very competent too and we agreed to meet on Sunday evening to plan our mission. Maybe there is still hope!
The weather seemed to be clearing too and the paragliding school called me that Saturday is good for flying. I had fun day climbing with last years womens lead champion Sarah and went to bed feeling the excitement and energy returning to my body.
The art of Flight
Kariotahi beach was teeming with gliders when we drove throught the hills to see the endless ocean. I still felt a bit bad for missing the ferry from Auckland to Bayswater and having to ask the school staff to pick me up from the city. All this was soon a distant memory when I got to fly for the first time.
After an hour of ground handling and take off practice, Lucas was ready to send me off the edge. The training grounds at Kariotahi end in a steep sandy cliff 30 meters down to the black beach. The sand there is full of iron. I had seen the other pilots soar up into the air with the wind that was directed by the cliff. Now I had to give up self preservation and trust my mentor. He was convinced that I was ready for my first flight. Carefully laying down my glider and checking the lines for tangles I got ready to take on the challenge. Guided by my instructor I launched the glider into the air and felt it pulling back and catching wind. Up and over my head I steered the enormous kite in the blazing sunlight and cool ocean wind. After one missed heart beat I pushed myself straight over the edge...
The passing storm was blasting showers of rain on the windows. All week I had only waited for the weather to clear. I was anxious to continue with my flying lessons. All the climbing, yoga and chilling amidst the skyscrapers in glorious Auckland just weren't doing it for me. Then I got an email from Kevin. We were supposed to meet up next week to climb the glorious Ravages of time. He said he could not make it. I sank into a gloomy dark place inside my mind. It seemed that my objectives of the adventure were chopped to tinder. First the paragliding and now climbing too. Had a few beers and contemplated on the meaning of life for a moment. We are so dependent on other people whatever we do. It is the joy and curse of life. I was feeling abandoned. After four beers I went to sleep thinking about doing the ravages solo...
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| Chinaman's Bluff in the mist (photo from google) |
Hope
After a big jug of friday morning latte, I decided to give the light another chance. I posted an enquiry on the Queensland climbing group on facebook, pleading for help in tackling the 350m climb at Chinamans Bluff. I had planned to fly to Christchurch on monday and take an eight hour bus ride to Queenstown on tuesday. Then an angel of the climbing gods sent me a message from heaven. She was called Winnie and told me to pick up my trad gear and join with her for the quest! The only thing I needed to do was be in Queensland on monday morning!
Without any sort of hesitation I took her helping hand, cancelled my flight, bus and accommodation in Christchurch and booked another flight straight to QT on Sunday morning. Cost be just about 100 euros, but it's just money eh? She seemed to be very competent too and we agreed to meet on Sunday evening to plan our mission. Maybe there is still hope!
The weather seemed to be clearing too and the paragliding school called me that Saturday is good for flying. I had fun day climbing with last years womens lead champion Sarah and went to bed feeling the excitement and energy returning to my body.
The art of Flight
Kariotahi beach was teeming with gliders when we drove throught the hills to see the endless ocean. I still felt a bit bad for missing the ferry from Auckland to Bayswater and having to ask the school staff to pick me up from the city. All this was soon a distant memory when I got to fly for the first time.
After an hour of ground handling and take off practice, Lucas was ready to send me off the edge. The training grounds at Kariotahi end in a steep sandy cliff 30 meters down to the black beach. The sand there is full of iron. I had seen the other pilots soar up into the air with the wind that was directed by the cliff. Now I had to give up self preservation and trust my mentor. He was convinced that I was ready for my first flight. Carefully laying down my glider and checking the lines for tangles I got ready to take on the challenge. Guided by my instructor I launched the glider into the air and felt it pulling back and catching wind. Up and over my head I steered the enormous kite in the blazing sunlight and cool ocean wind. After one missed heart beat I pushed myself straight over the edge...
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