This year I have decided to do a few things that put me outside my comfort zone. Abseiling is way out of my comfort zone, heights are out of my comfort zone, leaning back over the edge of a building and trusting that people have fixed my harness and screwed up carabiners properly is out of my comfort zone…so what better way to start than a bit of terrifying abseiling off The Village Hotel in Ashton.
Last year I walked on hot coals to help raise money for Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton-Under-Lyne. They are proactive in their fundraising as they always seem to have different activities that are fun, a little bit daring and accessible for lots of people. When I saw that they had an abseil I decided to face my fears and go for it. I persuaded some team mates from work to sign up too. That was a few months ago, it seemed I had ages to prepare myself, but, oh Lordy, how time flies.
St George’s day galloped up like a knight on a charger and before I could dangle a carrot in front of my donkey the abseil was upon me. It almost didn’t happen for me, though. At the beginning of the week I tested positive for covid. The double stripe of doom threatened to curtail my first fear facing feat of 2022.
Remembering the outdoor convalescent wards for tuberculosis I decided that fresh air all day, every day was as good a treatment as any. Fortunately, the sun shone a lot, I have a summer house and I enjoy sitting and getting lost in a good book. After a week off ill I’m actually going to return to work with a great suntan.
I started the day with a cold water dip at Salford Quays. A friend sent me a text, “Only you would go open water swimming and abseiling days after having covid. You aren’t 21 anymore!!” I believe in the power of cold water. I believe in just going out and doing. I believe in positivity. I believe I’m a little bit crazy. Anyway, I went for a swim. They had a new sign and I couldn’t resist a cheeky photo. I wish I could have borrowed it for all my abseiling friends because they were all just frickin’ 100% amazing!!!
So covid wasn’t going to stop me from abseiling. With clear tests it was a go. Actually, that should have read….with clear tests, knocking knees, shaking hands and butterflies as big as fruit bats in my stomach it was a go.
I tried not to look up or overthink the challenge when I arrived.
No matter how many procrastinating poses in front of the hotel, the inevitable abseil was to happen. We grabbed our harnesses from the pile and stepped into them like a trusty pair of pants.
With straps tightened, carabiners clipped on and helmets fastened we were taken off in groups of six. Up the escalator, down the corridor and through the door to steps up to the roof. it was blowing an absolute hooley up there, but the view was great of the M60 and beyond. I just didn’t look down.
As we waited, nervously, I was having second thoughts. I probably couldn’t have answered a simple question like, “What’s your name?” I said I wanted to go first. I’d talked the group into doing it so I would lead the way! In reality I needed to do it before I chickened out.
We went out through the door two at a time, my partner was Victoria. Victoria is a swim buddy and not a workmate, but she was part of our abseiling team. I had told her of my fear facing challenges and she decided the day before to join in. Her face was a picture of pure What the hell have I signed up for as we stepped out onto roof.
The two fellas who clipped our carabiners and attached us to the ropes weren’t exactly the dynamic duo, there weren’t grand gushes of encouragement but I don’t think I could have coped with a conversation as I stepped under the bar and inched towards the edge.
Then it was a case of lean back and go. I didn’t dare look down. I just held the rope and went. I didn’t think, didn’t pause, didn’t wait for Victoria…didn’t fall! I did it!
I think I sort of enjoyed it in scary, nerve jangling way. As I touched terra firma again my legs collapsed in jellified mass and I could barely stand, but the buzz of achievement was amazing.
Being the first one down meant I could take photos of the others. My hands were still trembling but I managed to get some pics.
Janine was the most confident and used the rope the best and Laura B did the best SAS bounces down the building but we were all frickin’ 100% amazing!
Of course, every team needs people to cheer them on and support them. The two Laura’s brought their husbands, Linzi’s dad came and Sue, Pat, Lou and Karen came along.
Now I need to find the next challenge….I’m open to all ideas.
need2bleed 