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Post by viv on Oct 6, 2006 11:03:40 GMT
I have just read Moya's post about the road passes in the Lake district. I am seriously going to try and get some help for my fear of heights as it is stopping m from planning trips where there are mountain roads or passes!! Ridiculous I know but I can't help it, I remember the first time I realised I had a fear of heights and it was when I was about 12 and I went up St Pauls cathedral and stepped outside onto the stone gallery outside (around the dome) and the shock just froze me to the spot I remember just standing back and clinging to the wall behind me unable to move. I have tried on many occasions to overcome it, I have done a parascend over land, I have had two flying lessons, funnily flying does not frighten me, gone up in a (tethered) balloon, I walked up the Eiffel tower - don't know how I got up but when it came to going down I followed two French women who politely offered me to go first I had to explain in school girl French that I wanted to follow them down (I looked at one of their backs all the way down), I went up in a cable car in Italy, I went up the Campanile in Venice, I even went in the London Eye this Spring, I always try and control the fear but it is impossible and I get quite overwhelmed and have no enjoyment at all. I did notice on the EYE that there were a few of us who were uncomfortable. I am now the sole driver and I need to manage this fear as it is ridiculous having to avoid the roads with the little arrows on them!!!!!!!!!!. Lucky I can touch type!!! Viv
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Post by wendy on Oct 6, 2006 12:09:49 GMT
I can't really help much on this one, but I wondered if having to concentrate on the driving would help to negate the scary feelings on some roads. Can you find some that are not too bad and gradually work up to really steep ones?
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Post by Graham on Oct 6, 2006 13:18:10 GMT
I know exactly how you feel Viv, I too have an irrational fear of heights. I hate those really high bridges in France, I have to look at the road and daren't admire the view to each side.
Don't talk to me about cable cars, Pauline persuaded me to go on one in Grenoble and I thought I was going to pass out!
I hate ladders, anything above step ladder height and I am shaking with fear, no chance of painting the upstairs outside we have to get decorators.
I don't even like going to the back of the stands at football matches because some of them are so high up.
They say that you have to confront your fear, our youngest son went to France for his honeymoon and he jumped off a mountain side with a Frenchman strapped to his back and did one of paragliding things he said he was terrified but he managed to take a camcorder with him and record it, I was frightened just watching the recording!! ;D
Graham
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Post by Pauline on Oct 6, 2006 15:39:41 GMT
Here's a tip, assuming your van has a tape player or CD player that is: Make a tape or CD of some of your favourite songs, ones that make you feel good. Only listen to it when you are doing something nice i.e. sunbathing (yes I know there's not much chance of that now!! ) or just relaxing, maybe while eating a nice meal, whatever makes you feel good. Do this for a few weeks then, when you plan to go on a steep hill play the same tape. Because the only experience you have had previously to the music is being happy and relaxed then you should begin to feel the same feelings as you drive. Ever wondered why shops play music? It's because many people are relaxed by it and when relaxed will feel good and shop more!! Hope it works for you. P.S. Wish I'd read your post here before posting in 'mpg' thread and telling you about my experience on a mountain pass!! Sorry don't want to upset you! Anway it was a long time ago when cars were not so reliable.
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Post by yamaha on Oct 6, 2006 15:48:33 GMT
Pauline said " Anway it was a long time ago when cars were not so reliable. " Blimey - that was an adventure, back in the roaring 20's, Pauline!! ;D Mike
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Post by Pauline on Oct 6, 2006 15:54:24 GMT
Pauline said " Anway it was a long time ago when cars were not so reliable. " Blimey - that was an adventure, back in the roaring 20's, Pauline!! ;D Mike Hey Moya I need your help - I need a 'slap' smiley to deal with this cheeky monkey!! ;D One thing I do remember about it Mike, it had a starting handle to get it going!! How's that for a dinosaur camper!
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Post by viv on Oct 6, 2006 17:30:25 GMT
Hi Pauline Our posts crossed in the ether. but I will do as you suggest and will let you know if it works.
Hi Graham I remember the cable car in Grenoble it goes over a huge nothingness doesn't it and it is only a tiny bubble if I remember rightly - did not attempt it. We had a worse experience in this lovely town, far more terrifying:......................I was busting for a wee and the only one we could find was a door in the side of a high wall and inside was an asian loo. That was fine but the last person had left something quite unsavoury on the floor - no prizes for guessing what. Anyway as I was standing there the automatic flush went off washing everything that was on the floor all over my feet. Viv
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Post by Derek on Oct 6, 2006 20:07:42 GMT
One thing I do remember about it Mike, it had a starting handle to get it going!! How's that for a dinosaur camper! Take no notice of that old Yamaha, young Pauline, was it one of these, a Bedford Dormobile, my very first camper. Well sort of, bit like a Bongo, six seats or two bunks. This pic would have been when you were still in pigtails ;D Old Derek
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Post by Pauline on Oct 7, 2006 11:37:27 GMT
One thing I do remember about it Mike, it had a starting handle to get it going!! How's that for a dinosaur camper! Take no notice of that old Yamaha, young Pauline, was it one of these, a Bedford Dormobile, my very first camper. Well sort of, bit like a Bongo, six seats or two bunks. This pic would have been when you were still in pigtails ;D Old Derek Yes that's the sort of thing, thanks Derek. We also had one with a sort of flash down the side, surrounded in chrome I think, with a contrast colour in the flash. I'm afraid all these memories seem to blend into one so that might have been a different model or make. I'm sure one of them also had a raising roof. I've got some pictures of the Dormobile but unfortunately our scanner won't work at the moment so I can't put them on. If we can get it going I'll post them. (They are particularly amusing as there is a picture of Graham in one of them when he was a long haired youth and me at just sweet sixteen!! ) Ahhhh memories!
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Post by moya on Oct 7, 2006 15:36:06 GMT
Pauline said " Anway it was a long time ago when cars were not so reliable. " Blimey - that was an adventure, back in the roaring 20's, Pauline!! ;D Mike Hey Moya I need your help - I need a 'slap' smiley to deal with this cheeky monkey!! ;D One thing I do remember about it Mike, it had a starting handle to get it going!! How's that for a dinosaur camper! Is this any good Pauline? I think a certain person is getting above his station just because he is getting a Bongo!
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Post by Pauline on Oct 7, 2006 16:25:48 GMT
Is this any good Pauline? I think a certain person is getting above his station just because he is getting a Bongo! Perfect, thanks Moya!!!!!! Although perhaps I'd better just use it to box his ears - don't want to send him home with a black eye!! ;D
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