This is the final entry of my sky dive saga because on Sunday I finally joined the many other CLIC Sargent supporters that have braved the skies…….

The whole family joined me as we left the house a little after 5 to get to the airfield for 8. The Dartford tunnel was unexpectedly shut so we had to do a major detour and got ourselves a little lost. By the time we arrived at the airfield lots of the divers had already signed in and I was pretty much at the back of the queue.

We spent much of the day watching the plane climb the skies in little circles until it became a tiny red speck that were almost undetectable. The plane came, the plane went and each time the sky filled with what looked like brightly coloured butterflies bursting, spinning and fluttering to the ground. It was truly a beautiful sight.

The time ticked on and it was getting late with no sign of my name appearing on the board. My children were getting bored and increasingly grumpy and I was beginning to feel a bit disheartened. Annoyingly the wind changed and flying had to stop for a while. The late afternoon was drawing close. Flight 5, flight 6, flight 7. After flight 9, I saw my son jumping up and clapping his hands- “you’re on Mummy”.

In a blur off I went to get trussed up like a turkey and receive some reassuring words from my family. We walked over to thelittle plane where about 10 people were stacked on the floor like tins on a supermarket shelve. I was the last one in and quickly realised that also meant being the first one out. The plane was off and up in minutes.

Climbing up and up, all there was between me and the sky was a flimsy Perspex door that allowed the most breathtaking views of the Kent coast, all the way to France. I felt surprisingly calm, beguiled by the sheer beauty of it all. 3,000 feet, then 5,000, then 8,000. Del, my Instructor, chatted, giving me last minute instructions. 10,000 feet- goggles on, arms crossed, door open. Three cameramen stepped over me and somersaulted out of the plane. Within seconds I was edged towards the door and jumped.

The wind rushed all around me as I hurtled head first and then within seconds there were two taps on my arm- the signal to spread my arms- and soon I was free falling through the crystal blue sky with the most vivid countryside spread out before me. The parachute went up, and up and up we shot before soaring like a bird. It was the most incredible and freeing experience, observing the beauty of the world below, from London to France, in true technicolour. The time seemed all too short as we starting to descend in a swoop, landing with little dignity on my bottom.

It really has been an incredible experience. The photos are proof of this. I just want to thank everyone who has supported me so generously both in sponsorship and encouragement, especially my lovely family. It really has meant a lot.

If there is anyone that has yet to get around and feels so inclined my just giving link is below.