Aching after Adventure

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Hello all. I hope you're all as well as you can be. I've come to tell you about my recent adventure. There is a place not far from me (about an hour on the train or half that in a car) called The Bear Grylls Adventure. I've been before with a friend, her son, and my boys. We got a deal on it (it was a bit of a pain organising it and I found it easier to book directly the next time) and did the base camp, archery, fear zone, and escape room. I enjoyed it all. The others enjoyed different bits and not other bits. I think that was last year (or may have even been the year before). Seeing that there were lots of other activities available, I investigated. My lovely husband had bought me a money box at Christmas 2018. He gave me some rules - one rule was that I had to put in at least £2 per week. The second rule was that I had to spend it on something just for me. The third was that I had to save for a year. As it happened, I managed to put aside quite a bit more than expected. I think there was about £400 altogether. There are a few things I'd always wanted to do, and I found that some could be done at Bear Grylls. They have a 'Big 5' package, which costs £190. It's a lot of money but it's a full day of activity, included things I'd always wanted to do, and was a perfectly justified way to spend my 'me' money! The package consisted of the base camp (which is an assault course that's included in all activities and packages) and five of their most popular activities. Archery - I enjoy archery anyway (although I never did get around to becoming a member of my local group). There were a lot of people, though. I'd gone by myself so ended up with whoever else happened to be booked for the same time (some I saw at more activities). As the group was so large, it was a little rushed and there was some waiting around but I didn't mind that. I'd already waited 2 hours as I'd got an earlier train than planned! High Ropes - the high ropes begin with a short trip down a zip wire. I really enjoyed that part. One person in the group was scared of heights. I just got there and said "it's not that high." The high ropes themselves were OK but I got quite cold up there! There are different levels so you can go as low or high as you want, and there are various platforms and obstacles to test your mettle. I admit I was a bit of a wimp and didn't do any where I couldn't hold on to something (although you're hooked to a harness and would just dangle from that if you fell). Climb - there are different parts and different levels that you can choose. I found it quite difficult because I lack arm strength and agility! I definitely decided that I prefer abseiling to climbing. The first part was a practice one with crash mat flooring. The second part was similar but higher and more difficult. I didn't make it to the third part - I thought if I couldn't do the second, I wouldn't be able to do the third. It did mean I had quite a while until my next activity, though. I spent some of that time wandering around the lakeside gardens across the road. There are shops and food outlets nearby as well as it's in the grounds of NEC and Resorts World. iFly - this was my favourite part of the day. While the whole thing lasts about an hour, you do only get a couple of minutes flying time. I've done a real sky dive before. Although I am glad I did it, I don't think I'd do a real one again but I did enjoy the experience so this was the next best thing. I paid the extra to do the high fly, which was quite close to the free fall feeling of a real sky dive. Afterwards, the instructor (who holds on to you while you're in there) said he'd let go of me at one point as I was doing well. I'd definitely do that again, and perhaps even see about a longer experience. You have to sign an additional waiver for this, and you get a certificate. Shark dive - the actual dive itself takes about 15 minutes but the full experience is about an hour. This is due to having to get changed, complete waivers, go through some safety information, etc. Don't forget your swimming kit and a towel for this one. Putting on a wet suit is a task in itself - wet suits and other equipment is provided. I struggled with the dive because I was a little anxious, and the discomfort of the breathing apparatus put me off. I couldn't finish the full dive due to my goggles filling up with water (the instructor shows you how to get it out in the water but they kept filling up so I had to come out). I only missed a couple of minutes, though, and got a PADI certificate to say I'd done it. I mostly went for the certificates This was all on Saturday. The scariest part was going on the train by myself! I wasn't too worried as I knew where I was going, and it's easy to navigate the area. My activities began at 11am, and I came out of the Adventure about 7:30pm I think. I was quite sore and aching when I got home. Yesterday (Sunday), I could hardly shut a door because my arms were aching and hurting so much. I'm still a little stiff today, and I have some bruises. I'm not complaining, though, as I've certainly earned them! I got a souvenir key ring, bought my son a 'bug pop' (a lollipop with a real bug inside), and had some videos of me doing things. I'm looking forward to next time when I try out their shooting gallery with friend and boys. That will be all of the activities ticked off my list for The Bear Grylls Adventure but I might do another shark dive just so I can say I finished it. So that's my weekend. How was yours?