Monkeying around

We all made it through the night, it seems the forecasts and our imaginations are always worse than the reality. We awoke to another glorious morning and bounced out of bed with a spring in our step. We hade some high ropes adventures booked in for this afternoon so that left us the morning free for one of our favourite Swedish pastimes, shopping at the Coop. We needed to stock up for one of the last times so luckily there was one not too far away, although Jess did feel the variety of their offerings was as varied as some of the others we had been to.
Once that was taken care of there was just enough time to have one of our regular picnic lunches before heading off to the adventure park. We were first ones there and so to start with we had the freedom of the place and after being briefed on the instructions we were off. Now there are three levels and we started off with a nice easy blue series although when I was 9 metres high off the ground it didn’t feel so easy. Tate though was finding it to be a piece of cake and was flying through it, and Allegra was doing her best to keep up. Jess and I were happy to go at our own pace. Then we did second, longer blue one and again it was fine, I was just putting my faith in the equipment and trying to focus on my feet rather than the ground way below, although there is absolutely no way to cross each section gracefully. Most of the obstacles involved wobbling supports and hanging on for dear life while trying to keep some sort of balance, and given the punishment I have put my knees through recently this was no simple task. But again we all made it through and now it was on to the red course. Tate was still flying through and Leggy was trying to keep up, Jess was encouraging everyone as always and giving me helpful tips to get through each section, I was just happy each time a zip line came round. Again, we made it safely back down to the ground. At this point, I knew I would not be doing a black one and Leggy was the same. Tate knew she wanted to and Jess wasn’t sure, so we watched some youngsters having a go and although they were managing it, it was a struggle. After a bit of this Tate couldn’t really be bothered waiting and so she just set off. Jess was a bit concerned about one of the challenges and had let herself cool down too much so decided not to so we all just watched Tate go around. She was having the time of her life, singing away as she made her way through and although she is only small in stature she is all muscle so whenever it seemed to be a bit difficult she just pulled herself through somehow. The last task was to jump off a plank 14 metres high and she just stood up there and did it, seemingly without a second’s hesitation. We were all mightily impressed at her strength, and not just her physical strength.
Anyway, we needed to get a move on to the campsite we were heading to for the night, it was only a two hour drive but we didn’t want to get there too late. On the way we very smugly had a conversation about how we had really made the most of the day by doing an activity before then heading onwards, we were content in the knowledge that the past few sites had been quietening down as it was the end of summer. We should have realised that we were tempting fate. We got to our destination to see a ‘full’ sign hanging out the front and on double checking this at reception it turns out it was indeed the case. A shame because it looked a really beautiful spot. We were all pretty worn out after our exertions, the adrenaline had well and truly run out and so this was the last thing we needed. But a quick check of the options around us and we located another spot just 30 minutes along the road and so we made it there where there was space for us. It’s a different type of setting but also not too bad, we had a bit of a stroll around the site to the water and then chilled back at our van with some chips and beer, before whipping up the most gourmet of gourmet meals possible with leftovers and smash. No one does it quite like Jess. Now though it is getting late and we are all knackered, perhaps a lie in is on the cards tomorrow.Read more