...empty promises

It was one of those empty promises you make, not ever expecting to have to follow through.

"OOOh, can we go on the big wheel?" she said, one day last summer. 'Sure' we said, driving past, thinking about what I was going to make for dinner, and now, fast-forward six months and they hadn't taken the blasted thing away, as I'd always hoped they would.

My wee folk had pestered us about it, on and off since the summer, each time, I had a reason ready, we were in a hurry, it was closed, it was too busy...

Last night we were down in Belfast at the Christmas Market, which I have to admit, is getting to be quite interesting, tho' not a patch on Salzburg, but that's a tale for another day.

And there it stood in all of it's floodlit spectacularity.

It was a monster I hoped I would never have to face. All of my favourite things rolled into one tiny swinging capsule. Suspended at height above unsuspecting onlookers.

If you're guessing I'm afraid of heights, you are right. You get extra points if you spotted the claustraphobia.

Add on the peril factor. Plus the multiplicative nature of my brain and all of a sudden I'm imagining that the structural engineer must surely be nuts if the thinks those bolts are going to hold my little family safely, 20 stories in the air. No way. I wonder did they check the structure today? That attendant looks a little tired, I wonder if he's the 'safety guy'?. How do they get you down if you have a heart attack. At this point we're in the queue.

My little, bigger, daughter, who really, REALLY wants to go on the 'wheel' wants to hold my hand! Oh dear. Back out now before it's too late. My Brother is with us. Not much phases him. I take comfort from that and reason with myself that thousands of folks have shuffled through here, had a 'go' on the wheel and safely shuffled off again, completely safe.

Wait a minute!!! Thousands of folks have shuffled through here, had a 'go' on the wheel and safely shuffled off again, completely safe. Oh no! surely it's 'due' a breakdown!!! think of all the wear and tear those thousands of folks have inflicted, why didn't we go last summer when it was still fairly new, in prime condition, instead of waiting for a damp, cold, night in the Belfast gloom.

A light went off in my face. A millisecond later I was glad i resisted the urge to throw myself bodily under the walkway ramp, when I realised it was just an attendant taking a photo of our 'big' moment as we boarded the swinging gondola.

The voice in the back of my head screamed GET OFF NOW. My five year old looked up and smiled, delighted at the thrill ahead.

The attendant closed the door.

UP.

I will spare you all the liquid details and move quickly to the point where I'm on my feet, in a swinging gondola, 50 feet in the air, gasping for breath, fist jammed into the emergency stop button! Thinking "NO! I DON"T WANT IT TO STOP! I WANT IT TO GO DOWN!"

Three little pairs of eyes agog, mouths open. DH shaking his head, eyes rolling up in amused incredulity. Brother actually rocking with mirth.

Littlest daughter was the first to speak. "Close your eyes mummy, and hold my hand."

I did as I was told, one finger still on the emergency button.

The attendant opened the doors, out I shot into the night like some crazed vampire escaping the dawning sun.

The ride went on without me. I regained enough composure to take some pics for your viewing pleasure but this morning I still feel quite ill. LOL. I have reached that stage in life where i now know my limits and I will never, voluntarily, cross them again!