Once on a school trip for Art, we were made to abseil off a cliff (no idea where the artistic link was here). I remember it well because I curled up in a ball and cried the whole way down. This was when I realised I am scared of heights
So why on earth I was super excited to go to Go Ape in Delamere Forest is beyond me but it has honestly been one of my best days out in a long time!
Before we got going, our lovely instructor Dan taught us how to use the safety equipment and broke the news that we'd be responsible for clipping ourselves securely on and off the different obstacles (eek!!). But we soon got the hang of it after practicing on much lower down versions of the course and set off into the woods, ready for our feet to leave the safety of the ground...
I won't lie, I did feel a bit sick and shaky at times but the views made it worth it. It really was stunning and it was lovely that there was only me and Kevin about so all we could hear were the birds...lots of birds!
If we did come across any trouble then we had a little whistle in our pockets and the instructors were always a shout away.
It was pretty tiring stuff, the hardest being one where all you had was dangling stirrups to get you across the trees and meant using all of your core strength. Happy hour was very much welcomed after that one!!
The course is made up of 5 sites which gradually get higher and higher, with the highest one being 12 metres high!!! I hear in Grizedale Forest they have one that's 18 metres!! It was great for people like me that are a scared as you get used to it by the end and I really did feel safe (after checking I was clipped in 15 times before tackling the next crossing!).
Each obstacle was different and fun! The scariest one was the big Tarzan swing at the end as you are then 100% relying on the safety equipment and having to take that leap of faith! I was close to tears but just went for it and felt so proud of myself after I did it. If you get jittery at heights then my advice is to just throw yourself into it and trust me you'll feel amazing afterwards!
If you're really not feeling it then they always have a slightly less daunting path when it comes to the harder obstacles so you can opt out :)
It took us around 2 hours to complete the course, including the training at the start and cost £33 each..which is a tad expensive but I had such a good time that I would almost say it's worth it!
Go Ape do Segway tours through the woods so I think that'll be our next sunny day adventure!!
p.s. I now have a facebook page which you can find here
Ah Go Ape has been on my list of things to do for absolutely ages! I need to book in.
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A Story of a Girl
My God I absolutely LOVE that tarzan swing. It's my favourite part! We were lucky enough to live near to one of the first GoApe courses before they spread across the country, and now we literally have one a ten minute drive away! I used to go every Easter Holidays with my Dad but he doesn't want to go anymore, and my sister is not as obsessed with heights/climbing trees as me haha! So I need to find another willing companion to join me again as I haven't been for about three years!
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