Sunday 11 January

Today Mark threw himself out of an aeroplane at 16,500 feet!

It was on his bucket list and where better to do it than in a country where everything is fast and furious and full of adrenalin seekers——albeit not many in their sixties!

He watched a preparatory video along with his five other thrill seekers. A young German couple, a Russian couple and a young Kiwi. Four, including Mark, opted for the highest jump and were then told that they would need to wear an oxygen mask on the way up in the plane but not during the jump.They were soon donning their gear and being introduced to their tandem partner in readiness for takeoff. 

Soon it was up and away

with Helen firmly rooted to the ground

When the door of this little aeroplane opens and you have to move out of the fuselage and sit on the step in readiness it is a little unnerving but very quickly one was into a 75 second freefall, followed by a large jerk as the main chute opened and then a gentle fall, with one or two spins and rolls thrown in to increase the thrill, and then a soft landing. It was good to “run aground” !!

Overall an awesome experience!

The German couple arrive back on the ground whereupon he fell to his knees and proposed——she accepted!

A more restful afternoon on the beach and then on towards Nelson stopping at Mapua. We found this lovely place by accident; a former wharf from where thousands of tons of apples were loaded and exported but now due to poor road communications a place with a few bars and restaurants and kids, young and old, jumping off the wharf into the fast flowing deep tidal water.

it even had its own brewery (Golden Bear) and fish and chip shop—what more could one want?