Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as
to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery?

I enjoyed two skydives at Weston on the Green this afternoon, in cloudless skies.

For the first, I floated out stable, looking up at the plane, before surveying from freefall the constituencies represented by John Howell MP and the Prime Minister. It’s a slightly flat landscape for my liking.

For the second, I exited sitfly before rolling onto my back. My transitions are still unstable and I back-flipped several times before spinning wildly upside down. Tunnel time required perhaps… I pulled high, 5500 ft, and enjoyed the view under canopy.

Not a bad way to relax – now to that email.

Steve under canopy, originally uploaded by stevenjbaker.

Shamefully, it took me until yesterday to jump at Weston this year.

The weather was superb, with the perfect wind for relaxed landings. Jumped two formations with people not previously met and discovered my fall rate much improved by losing a few kg.

Personal highlights included falling backwards from a Jetranger at 5000ft with the moon in the background, finding a stable position on my back, and a 12-way tracking jump from the Skyvan.

Highlights provided by other jumpers at the Boogie may be available on YouTube: I am not responsible for the content of their videos!
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Mum treated me to two skydives and a bottle of wine for my birthday:

Gallery here – blame digital zoom for the poor quality of some shots – and Beth and I are enjoying a delightful bottle of white wine this evening.

Thanks Mum!