FREEFALL

As the Kylona left Coll, taking me to Tiree on the first leg of my journey south, Innes had few words of encouragement: 'Sponsor you more dear... If the parachute doesn't open! Have fun!' I flew from Tiree to Glasgow, then from Glasgow to Heathrow. Looking out of the windows of the airoplane there was a quick moment of self-doubt. The ground was a long way away and I hoped that I wouldn't be jumping from that height...

That night I settled into the hotel in Marlborough. There was a full breakfast in the morning which I was determined to eat, despite feeling incredibly nervous about the day ahead: a jump out of an airoplane flying at 12,000 feet was uppermost in my mind.

I arrived at Netheravon Airfield Camp at 8.30 in the morning, exactly as I had been instructed to do. Netheravon is a military airfield with a high security status and I needed my passport for identification as I checked in. In the Skydive International Hut I found the Ground Supervisor who suggested a cup of coffee whilst I signed the very essential medical forms. I was then left to watch a video of others doing what I was setting out to do. The adrenaline was beginning to flow...

Next I met Pete. my skydiving partner. I did a double-take when I watched him roll up our parachute with the same elastic bands that Innes uses for lobsters, but in the swift - i.e. 5 minutes long - professional training session which followed, I was quickly reassured and now it was up to the weather.

After being harnessed up as a final preparation on the ground, the final member of the crew arrived: Mad Taff the cameraman. Due to the wind speeds we were held back for a whole hour - I prayed that I wouldn't need the loo!

But all too soon, it was time to go. There was myself and Pete, another tandem jumper with a dubious look on his face (perhaps that was what I looked like!) and 4 synchronised jumpers. I put my Group hat and goggles on and Pete took my hand in a reassuring grasp as we made our way, shuffling, to the front of the plane. Then, a horrific realisation: first in, last out!

As we reached 12,000 feet the door was opened slightly to allow silk scarves to be thrown out so that wind speed and the direction and position of the aircraft could be determined. I found myself sitting on Pete 's lap being securely shackled to him. The 4 synchronised jumpers were gone, with the other tandem following close behind. All of a sudden it was me...

Taff swung neatly out onto the side of the plane. We shuffled towards the door. My legs were out. Pete said: 'Look left, smile, 1,2,3, GO! And I was out.

The feeling of accelerated freefall at 120mph was the most out-of-this-world feeling I have ever had. The slight restriction of the goggles on my nostrils emphasised the speed we were travelling at and air was being forced up my nose. It was reassuring to see Pete constantly checking the harness and myself. Suddenly, without any warning, the elusive Taff was in front of me, waving, smiling, making funny faces... obviously just adding to their effort to make sure that I was feeling safe and having fun.

It could have been hours that we were falling, but in fact it was only seconds. But descending at that speed meant that it wasn't only the clouds that were getting closer. The ground was too! The adrenaline was flowing - and other emotions too... ones that I can't even remember.

With a wave, Taff was gone. Then the parachute opened and we shot back up into the sky, but not with the jerk that I had expected. The silence that followed was amazing. I uttered a few choice words of relief that the parachute had opened (so there are other uses for elastic bands!).

The landing was a gentle plop to the ground. I had done it! There are no words to describe the absolute and total sense of achievement. I would like to think that if I were to do this again, I would have the same feelings of elation that I experienced on this, my first ever parachute jump.

I would like to thank the many friends, family and business contacts who sponsored me, enabling me to donate £519 to Arinagour Primary School.

Janice Henderson