Thursday 9 August 2012

Facing fears in France.

In my twenties, I was pretty adventurous - I spent 2 years teaching in the Czech Republic; I abseiled, rock-climbed and canoed with my Guide company and I got married (surely one of life's greatest adventures?)

However, my son was born almost exactly 10 years ago and a decade of being the mother to a disabled son and 5-yr old daughter has caused me to completely lose my bottle. Staying out until midnight is now a decision  to be weighed carefully in the balance!

This week, I think I've been having a mini-midlife crisis. We go to Le Village Enchante, a nearby amusement park, every time we come out here and, every time, I say I'm going to go on the zip wire. This week, I did!
Well, actually I didn't. This photo was taken on the first section. I completely failed to catch hold of the rope at the other end and was left dangling in mid air. I had to be rescued by the good-looking young French instructor and did not complete the course. I was very cross with myself.

My second act of bravery / lunacy was to sing karaoke in public for the first time in 10 years. I can sing, but I wear hearing aids which means I can't hear myself when I use a mike, and I tend to only know the choruses of pop songs - not the whole thing. My rendition of Like a Prayer was not the best of the evening! However, the evening did have it's high spot when P sang Bette Midler's The Rose, which he sang to me at our wedding in place of a first dance.

To top off a week of facing fears, if not conquering them, I have also driven P's car on the 'wrong' side of the road in France. I like the idea of having a mid-life crisis. I have no plans to abandon my family and live on a Greek island, a la Shirley Valentine, but I want to try a few more 'firsts' 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

you're in good company, google 'boris johnson zipwire', next time take a couple of union jacks jsut in case!! xx
Rachel B

Sian said...

Love the Boris Johnson comment. Rachel's right!

Driving on the wrong side of the road - that's a great one.

Susanne said...

What fun adventures - I wouldn't be brave enough for the zip-lining or the karaoke, but I'd be all for driving on the wrong side of the road if it meant I was in France.

Amy said...

Fantastic Kirsty - I had to giggle at the Boris Johnson comment as well, yes, that made the news down here too! You are is good company this week.

And well done to you for sharing your firsts here - you should be proud of yourself!

Alison said...

You wouldn't have got me anywhere NEAR a zipwire...I'm impressed!
Alison xx

Maria Ontiveros said...

Good for you on taking the leap!
Rinda

Susie said...

I can't understand why you are not going to off to a romantic Greek island (just for a week or two at least!) very brave you are especially the zip wire and karIoke - hope the driving wasn't too scary

Susie said...

I can't understand why you are not going to off to a romantic Greek island (just for a week or two at least!) very brave you are especially the zip wire and karIoke - hope the driving wasn't too scary