5 things we have done (admirable, illegal, amazing, unusual etc)

Whew! I'm so relieved. After reading the "I've never.." entries I almost lost hope re UK women. Far from being frightened of ladders & bicycles, you are an admirable lot, with all your adventures & escapades. Bravo! I did my second parachute jump on my 80th birthday, have visited 5 continents, driven round Australia, got 2 uni degrees, spent a year in China, &, best of all, have been married 57 years & have 19 descendants.

Wow. These are so impressive.

Well:

I moved house on my own. OH went away on business to Nigeria for 6 weeks and was out of contact. We hadn’t exchanged contracts when he left (my solicitor's was an absolute star) and when he returned home we had moved. I said that if we move again I am going away for 6 weeks.

I saw Hendrix at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970.

I rolled the best 5-paper joints on the back of a Pink Floyd album, back in the day.

Brian Nay came to my office twice looking for the Hreen Room when he was playing at the church attached to the Theological College where I worked. He is quite short in real life and has loads of grey curly hair.

I had a motor bike accident when I was 17 and broke my neck and arm. I have the best scars.

Performed in the Royal Albert Hall in front of a full audience

Kayaked in Antarctica with penguins and leopard seals

Rode my sister's bicycle when I was 4. Had to stand on the pedals as I couldn't reach the seat

Passed my motorcycle driving test and rode (and crashed) a motorbike and sidecar

Crossed Canada from east to west without flying - by train, car and ferry.

Had a book of 300 crosswords I compiled published
Met 2 murderers; one I knew was one and one I didn't at the time
Danced with Wayne Sleep round the foyer of the theatre where I worked
Touched a basking shark that swam alongside the ferry I was on in Cornwall
Can't think of a fifth!

I had a poem published in my 60s. Only one and I'm not well known.

Interesting, inspiring and sometimes devastating experiences here.

My 5 :
Took part in a beer drinking competition.
Completed a half ironman (1.2 miles swim, 56 mile cycle, 13.1 mile run) when I was 60.
Started my own business and ran it for 26 years.
Punched a guy who groped my bum.
Did a bungee jump.

1) As a student, I once spent hours trying to catch a cockroach. Managed to catch one and brought it to the biology class.

2) Married DH who was my penfriend

3) Set up a website in my spare time and as a result, we sold and shipped vintage collectibles worldwide, mostly all over America.

4) Attended garden party at Buckingham Palace twice and a Christmas Party and concert at Saint James Palace.

5) Stopped a man from breaking into our hotel room. He was drunk holding a beer bottle and on drugs, muttered through the door that he would like to smash my face in when I told him 'You got the wrong room number’ and tried to kick the door down.

6) Was involved in a road accident once but my DH was able to control the car before it hit the stone wall and there was no incoming car at that time. Pure luck.

7) Paranormal experiences. Run in my family, my siblings had them as well.

Sorry 7 things instead of 5.

1) Travelled solo through several middle eastern countries (Syria, Iran, Jordan, UAE and Turkey)

2) Worked on a chat line (where I talked dirty to men)

3) Worked as an online debt collector

4) Flew over the Himalayas in a helecopter

5) Gained a Ph.D in my late 40s

I had a collector's book published in an area of antiques where I specialise and numerous articles and research papers in academic journals.

My life seems remarkably unmemorable compared with others but here goes:
1. Learnt to play the piano, violin and viola - also recorder and organ to a lesser extent. Taught the first three and was a professional accompanist.
2. Played the organ for my Dad's funeral.
3. Organised many concerts and private exam centres.
4. Been locked in Hyde Park as a student - escaped by climbing over the fence.
5. Been in several newspapers for different reasons - none of them bad, I hasten to add.

I’m amazed by how many of you have had things published. Without revealing your identity, are any of you well-known?

Pranced around on stage in a basque and fishnets for an Am Dram production. Nearly died of embarrassment the first night, but by the time we'd finished show week, I'd have gone shopping in Sainsbury's in that costume. Acted in another Am Dram production (lead role) as a cougar opposite a young lad the same age and name as my son....
No longer doing Am Dram and miss it.

Got a degree B.Sc. Hons
Had three babies
Made many articles of clothing
Passed five karate black belt exams
Walked the whole West Highland Way

Kamj and Wyllow65, I have no words to help but I really feel for you both. 🌺

Kate1949

Yes more please. I'll cheekily add a few more.

I have appeared on Desert Island Discs (the people's version).
I have been to the top of The Empire State Building despite a fear of lifts.
Been asked to be a go-go dancer on a TV show where I would have met several big stars, including my idols. My lack of confidence stopped me.
Been called 'A bit of a one' by Tom Jones when I asked him for two autographs, one for my friend.

That’s the ticket, Kate!

Won a beauty contest

Skied in my 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s

Gained brownie points from GC having flown over Optimus Prime’s hiding place in a helicopter (Hoover Dam)

Had one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time.

Travelled to six continents.

Wow, what a brilliant post, so interesting. Well done Ladies!

My five being worked as a volunteer for well known charity for 25 years.
Hitched around Europe and Wales many years ago.
Looked after my dad in his final years as best I could
Went on a 3 week trek to Nepal and made Everest Base camp two years ago
Walked a challenge walk of 56 miles in 23 hours on the North York Moors

How sad for you Kamj and Willow65.

I’m absolutely loving reading all these! Fascinating stuff. Thanks so much for sharing and making Skydancer’s thread so interest!

1. I have taught Art on over 20 cruises including the Cunard ships 🎨
2. Had 3 lives….a family of 5, 20 years on my own and now very happily married again 💍
3. Scuba dived on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Maldives (with sharks) 🦈
4. Survived the death of my beautiful daughter aged 28 💕
5. Visited over 70 countries in a variety of ways from camping, motor homing and staying in lovely houses or hotels…..oh and on a ship! 🚢

Mine are pretty sad really ☹️

Held my dead grandchild in my arms at the hospital to keep them warm.

Fostered a young child for a year, never did again as couldnt cope with the leaving.

Help birth a calf and a goat

Told everyone and anyone about the local pedophile who lived across the road from me also told him if he ever looked at my children let alone speak to them I'd kill him (he'd been done for downloading child porn) he was finally jailed for abusing 2 children down my road.

Worked for an armed robber as a nanny I was only teenager at the time. I was under surveillance for 6 months without my knowledge.

Romola

Thanks for starting this great thread, Skydancer. I'm in awe of so many.
Do you do aerobatics, by the way?

Ha ha. No. The name is the nickname for a bird of prey, the Marsh Harrier. (I’m a keen birdwatcher).
I’m so glad I started this thread. People have done such incredible things! I’m truly amazed.

I have met the King and one Pope
Had an article published in an academic journal
Been interviewed for Radio 4
Paraglided off a mountain
Been on Danish TV news after someone in our group had to be air lifted to hospital with a broken leg and we had all been snowed in on Boxing Day.

1. Have donated over 100 pints of blood.

2. Been involved with a raid on the bank where I worked.

3. Fallen out of a moving car.

4. Was May Queen at my primary school when I was 7.

5. Have met and spoken to Alan Bennett when out walking in his home village.