Some days one really wonders about himself (or herself in this case).

Just turned 41 last month and decided to take up snowboarding. For once in my life I was happy for those extra few pounds on the right places to make landings softer.

And today, I decided to go for the Maigmo run, Nick was going to stay with me and guide me- a real luxury, only possible when there are no clients around requesting his attention.

So there I went: perfect take off, in the beginning a bit of hoovering to find the thermals but off we went, my beautiful red hook and me. And up we were with all the local daily flyers, so hey I am ready. But none of them took of direction Maigmo and Nick was just asked to test the gradient Avax RSE, an offer he couldn't resist.

So there I was high up . Should I? No no no, better wait for Nick maybe the winds are not favourable enough, it's a bit off, might be tough getting back, maybe ... Stress is supposed to be work related only, no?

So there I stayed just flying around, parked once in a while waiting in the sky. Moving here and there a bit, but always making sure I'd get back ok. And then Nick's voice over the radio, 'getting out the artik now, be there in a sec and then we'll go'. So I waited and tried keeping my height when he finally signaled let's go ! I had lost some height but figured, ok if anyone knows ... and as a good woman I followed my man --- but hoho he's not going up he's going down, maybe I should turn and get some more height ?¿ And I did what I shouldn't have, I turned to look for another thermal while Nick already caught one, but hey I gained a few meters and there's Rafa well below me and he's with a Ozone Vibe. So I must be able to make it as well with my newer Niviuk Hook no ?¿ So I went chasing after Rafa, but we're sinking again ! He's still lower and going, and there's Nick right in front of us, higher though, so we only have to catch the right lift, that's all, I thought.

But we didn't. We both found some lift on the hill but not enough to proceed so turned around and really head back this time, now ! But a little too late, I hit sink and kept on scratching just hoping, praying looking at the hill the trees and .....

......where am i going mamaaaa...

......ssst stop whining, relax and concentrate, where's the best spot ? the track ? There between the trees there's like a small clear no ? ok let's S it off, I don't want to be near the other hill, I'd be under the wind, no stress, easy on the commands....Is this the spot where... ssst stop thinking - just fly, trust the Hook, she'll be ok

I zig-zag around trees, overshoot the clear spot, head towards the road avoiding trees again, finally landed in a tight spot, luckily on both feet. Waved to Rafa and Nick to signal that I was ok.

Then I started packing my baby, she landed me safe again !

When I walked back along the track I am laughing at myself "woman what's gotten in to you, you're 41 not 21". On a sunday afternoon you should be preparing paella and have some wine -but hey I read something last week that struck my mind.

'El mayor riesgo en la vida es no hacer nada' = 'the biggest risk in life is doing nothing'

and I'm alive and kicking!

Kathe,

me and my baby