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Saturday, 20 May 2023

Paragliding at dawn

 I went paragliding at dawn this morning 

And it was a breeze.

The wind in my hair felt exhilarating. 

Clothes flapping- teeth chattering.

Yes, it was freezing up there.

The Italian instructor -  as bossy as ever,

Instructing me to look up 

And enjoy the ride. 

Strange accents these Italians have

And what an attitude !

Could hardly understand him.

He kept asking me to smile for the camera

I couldn't- I was nervous.

I told him so, and I heard him grunt.

Who cares - I was paying! 

Have never been the adventurous kind

In the first place 

So not sure why I did this.

I do silly stuff at times

And then regret it.

It's not about spending the money

But putting myself in unnecessary danger

at my age is a tad foolish - isn't it?

With my back and knees and neck

And left shoulder, and whatever else

That often pains and begs for

dollops of balm ! 

Saw other paragliders floating by and waving.

Two of them holding flags

And one with her pet poodle.

Shouting , screaming , gesturing 

And obviously having the time of their lives.

Crazy things these millennials do

Without a care in the world.

Paragliding with a poodle ?

What next - your pet parrot ?

Give me a break .

The hills below mesmerised me

The sands seemed to change in colour

As the sun rose in the Eastern sky

And a dozen  camels- all in a line 

Like well behaved schoolboys 

Following a young lad

Probably a farmhand- or the son

Of their owner.

The scene was awesome 

And I actually began relaxing

And taking in the sights for posterity.

This would positively be a day to remember 

And something I'd  talk about for a long time.

I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment 

Creeping in.

What next ? 

Deep see diving ?

A parachute jump?

I could see the fast approaching ground 

Which was rising up to meet me

Would I land with a thud?  

I had been dreaming about doing   this for ages.

And then I woke and realized

I had in fact been dreaming.

Old men do have vivid dreams.

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