March!!

My initial intention for these challenges were for my friends and family to suggest ideas, and challenge me to complete them. March was the first example of this actually happening, when my friend Charlotte (Charli), knowing about my fear of heights, challenged me to walk across the top of the Millenium Dome (or O2 arena). I accepted her challenge and got another 2 friends to join her in coaxing me across the bouncy walkway. 

Miriam and I arrived at the O2 15 years after we had been to visit it when it was the Dome, in very windy conditions and quite a lot of rain. We sheltered in a coffee shop waiting for the other two, and watching people in a previous group climb up the side of the building. It was really steep and looked pretty difficult. To distract me, Miriam engaged me in conversation about the rest of me challenges for the year, and instead of accepting June's response of "I'm thinking about doing a skydive", she persuaded me to e-mail The Lullaby Trust and sign up! (gulp). 




So now super terrified about my upcoming skydive, I had been distracted from the challenge directly ahead of me. We met Emma and Charli and went to "base camp" of the O2. We were told that the climb would be cancelled if the average wind speed over a 10 minute interval was greater than 35 mph. Luckily (ha!) it was a mere 34, so we were good to climb. After a briefing video we were presented with our super-sexy climbing gear: boots, waterproof jacket, trousers and a harness. We headed outside into the rain/snow/sleet and sheltered by the entrance for a final harness check and briefing. 

The climb started with a small flight of stairs and then photos. Whilst I was trying to smile and not think about how I could see the floor considerably far beneath me, Miriam enthusiastically declared we would like to go first in the group. So our harnesses were clipped on to the safety line and off we went! So I thought this challenge was going to be pretty easy, but trying to walk up a trampoline, sloped at 25 degrees, with epic sidewinds in the rain was really tough! We were pretty speedy, and had to wait for a bit at the top before the rest of the group joined us and we were un-clipped from the safety line and allowed to walk around the platform at the top. 

On a nice day, I can see this would have been a glorious view. As it was, we were actually worried about being un-clipped, as we thought we might get blown away! Although the average wind speed was 34mph, there were some gusts which were definitely stronger... At best, we glimpsed the Orbit in the Olympic Park through the cloud and dreamt of tea and warm baths. And then it was time to go down: again, easier said than done. The slope on the way down went as steep at 30 degrees, as there were no stairs to get you to the ground. If it hadn't been for the safety mechanisms, I think we would have all slid down on our bums and ended up in the Thames! 



Feeling very damp and cold, but accomplished, we were given back the clothes we had left at base camp and we headed off in search of tea... 

Thanks to Emma, Charli and Miriam, and don't forget - it's all for charity! I'm raising money for The Lullaby Trust in memory of my twin sister: to find out more and to donate go to www.justgiving.com/RADCC2015