After a 6h bus journey which was very quiet following last night, I was dropped off at the Barmy Army's hotel and the Lynford Budget Motel manager picked me up for free. Turned out to be a great place to stay - near the beautiful blue lake, clean, spacious and a much needed laundrette. I walked straight into town, having a bowl in the cricket net along the way, and booked two trips including........could hardly beleive I was doing it myself......a 15000ft tandem skydive.

I woke the next day and the butterflies had turned to eagles in my stomach but I was determined to skydive - its now or never I reckoned. I was due to go at 11am but on a cloudy morning it was postponed until 12.00 and then until 2pm, this just dragged the nerves out that little bit more! Finally I was collected by limo and joined three posh lads from Cambridge and much black humour ensued. We got into overalls and various harnesses and I agreed to buy a DVD, although I was so nervous it was very hard to say a word into the camera! Eight of us crammed into the tiny plane and it sped across a rough grassy field, after 10 minutes we got to 12,000ft way above the few clouds where the Cambridge lads lept out that left me and my Hungarian tandem partner to go a further 3000ft up. Nerves really kicked in then! Finally we got there, the red light turned to green the doors opened and trying to avoid clinging to the inside of the plane I put my feet out and under the plane, and off we went. Wow - the 70 seconds of freefall was amazing, thrilling beyond words. The air pushed the skin about on my face but I kept my eyes open for the stunning views. The parachute opened and we spun about a bit, the Hungarian let me have a go controlling the parachute and we glided down. A fantastic experience, I was glad I had listened to a couple of good friends who have dskydived which encouraged me to do it, particularly here.

Next day was more tranquil, well except for a half hour jet boating ride to see a Dam and the Huka Falls - great fun again. Later I went on a 2.5h sailing boat trip out to see the rock carvings. They were good to see and the cruise was very relaxing and I got chatting to a nice couple most the way there and back. I also had a walk then a run along the lake and through the gardens.

Evenings were quiet, my motel was very comfortable with a TV so I just got some supermarket supplies and stayed in. After the socialising in Wellington I enjoyed a quiet time, and no beer means less spent and no more weight going on!

Happy Easter everyone.