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

Accepted my degree from Ted Hughes (the poet)

Had 5 poems published.

Was proposed to in the Sistine Chapel.

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

Worked in UAE in 70s things were very basic
Hot air balloon ride when I’m sacred of heights
Safari in Serengeti
Survived the death of my 2nd Baby
Going on to have 2 amazing daughters and 6 fantastic grandchildren

1. Married for 41years, two wonderful children and 4 beautiful grandchildren. My greatest achievement.
2. My uncle was in The Guiness Book of Records.
3. I have met and have Bjorn Borg's autograph.
4. I survived 39years in teaching!
5. I have been confronted with an alsatian guard dog who should not have been off of his lead. Very scary.

I met 'Len Fairclough' in our local market. He was doing a meet and greet. I was 14. I had my first child at 19. My last child at 44, he was a little suprise baby. I have 4 amazing children and 6 equally amazing Grandchildren. I qualified as an adult nurse at 46, after spending 3 years at university. Yes, I had my last child during my training. Im now 63 and looking back I wonder how I managed it all. Im very proud of my family.

1. Gone up in a hot air balloon
2. Had poems published
3. Won a teaching award
4. Climbed a rock face and abseiled down
5. Stuck to an eating /exercise plan. Now need clothes 2 sizes smaller and no longer pre diabetic.

Had my appendix removed by Enid Blyton's husband (I was 6).
Was a (non-sexual) groupie for Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.
Dated three famous men, an actor, a philosopher and a TV producer, all before they were famous.
Have had 125 books published so far.
Have sung in a choir in the Barbican, Festival Hall and Snape Maltings.
Bonus achievement - been with my husband for 55 years.

Won a writing competition and went to the recording of my play for radio. Was asked to adapt it for television and met the (fairly) famous actor who was going to direct it. Didn't like him but was pleased with the TV play.

Survived very risky surgery, having said "No" twice to one of the nursing staff who tried to persuade me (twice) to "let nature take its course" and die.

Danced with my small daughter and Black Annis, an all-female Morris dancing side. Exhausting.

Married a man from a different culture despite strong opposition from his parents and some other relatives. They got used to me in time and I think his mum got quite fond of me, but his dad was never really happy about it. We've been married for 48 years now.

Confronted the man who assaulted my young teenage daughter and told him to his face that he was a child molester. When he told me to stop saying it or he would sue me for slander, I told him you can't be sued for telling the truth. (This might not sound very remarkable but I am normally quite a timid person.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! 🚢

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

How sad for you Kamj and Willow65.

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

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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