It’s hard to believe I’m actually scared of heights.
The view from the Vegemitevixen's flight on the London Eye
What with all the flying I’ve done (in airplanes and helicopters etc, not with my wings!) and all the climbing of mountains and stuff, like Hellvelyan and Mt Ngaruhoe. I often tell people I cope best with my fear of heights with a cup of coffee in my hands.
I lied.
I didn’t really mean coffee, I meant alcohol.
So when London City Mum, invited me to meet up with members of the illustrious Vegemitevixens on a Champagne Flight on the London Eye, of course I threw caution to the wind and said yes, yes, yes. I’ll do anything for a glass of champers!
Last weekend we took our flight before a mad cap night in London town that saw the Vegemitevixens in fine form. By the end of the evening we’d even pulled – two 60 year old Irish gentlemen who even serenaded us over our late night Pinot Noir. But first the champagne flight…
I could have mistaken South Bank for Brisbane’s South Bank, it was such a peculiarly warm night. Londoners had flooded the South Bank determined to enjoy the balmy climes, and the place was jumping! There were kids, and grannies and trannies and cops and even some Nigerian drumming and a busker with wind pipes. A fine market was humming with activity and as we passed on our way to rendezvous with the other Vegemitevixens (Muddling Along, London City Mum, me and Note From Lapland) at the London Eye, we breathed in delicious smells of falafel and shawarma. By the time we reached the circus wheel itself we were practically drooling. The perfect mood for champagne at 200 feet!
I’ve always thought the London Eye looked a little out of place in London town. It’s too round and new and well… it looks like too much fun! London is an austere old town, full of crusty old buildings and don’t-be-silly monuments or images of lions. Laugh and I’ll growl. Even the new buildings are look-how-big-we-are phallic symbols -The Shard, the Gherkin! The London Eye looks out of place, as if someone should be really selling candy floss and balloon creatures at the gate.
They’re not of course. Instead the entrance to the London Eye is usually blocked by a long snake of punters all desperate to have their turn or their ‘flight’ as it’s called. We, of course, walzed right past them, the unwashed masses to the ticket office where an attendant popped along in due course and escourted us to our waiting..?
I’m not sure what they’re called? A chair? A pod? A capsule? It felt very much like a bubble and as we stepped on board I felt the anticipation I often feel as I wait for a plane to take off. And was relieved. There isn’t any great woosh, or broom, or stomach-lurching, instead you simply glide higher and higher whilst the cheerful attendant passes you a glass of champagne.
In our bubble we had three birthday boys, as well as a young couple of lovers who spent most of the time entwined. Her skirt was so short and revealing I was relieved on her behalf that no one could see up it, at the height of the flight, for I fear she was not wearing any knickers! A thought that lead me to speculate on what naughty behaviour had been achieved on the London Eye…and whether there was a London Eye mile high club…
If there has been it certainly wasn’t alcohol fuelled as the lovely attendant only served us the one dry, very nice glass, and no other alcohol was allowed within the bubble. I was a tad thirsty after my snifter, but I guess not all members of the public are as keen on champagne as this Vegemitevixen. I believe you can order more the excellent Pommery champagne if you so desire, but it was probably best considering the rest of the evening’s antics that I only had the one at this stage.
That was my only complaint really, aside from that the flight was lovely – serene and romantic (If I hadn’t been with a bunch of my girlfriends) and the perfect opportunity to toast new ventures, or new unions. The perfect place to receive wonderful news or offers, or simply to enjoy the sunning views as the sun slips into the horizon leaving the glowing face of Big Ben lighting up the sky.
What: London Eye Champange flights – go here for more information
