vt1977

The aircrew gloves are fleece lined on the inside and leather on the outside – I have no problems gripping anything with them and even when wearing the liners underneath I can feel everything ok. I don’t know I’m afraid – I haven’t jumped at Hinton for years, I just went there to get gloves – because after having looked everywhere, these are definitely the smallest skydiving gloves that can be bought in the UK! Maybe give them a call and ask. Have fun! Vicki

I have very small hands too and I found some fantastic winter gloves and silk liners at DZ Sports who are based at Hinton. I have the thermal silk under gloves and air crew winter gloves – both in extra small. They’re great! Check out: http://www.dzsports.com/gloves.html hth!

Totally gross – couldn’t do it, even after a beer or 16! Smoking is the foulest, most anti-social habit there is! Vicki

A couple of drops of Lavendar oil on my pillow usually works for me. Vicki

Another thing – January is out of season for Empuria, so expect a fair number of the bars and restaurants to be closed although don’t worry, there will still be plenty of places to eat, drink and be merry! Empuria really is wonderful – excellent DZ, close to the town and beach – just the perfect mix of everything you want on holiday! Vicki

Awesome! You'll have a blast! There are cash machines all over the place and the DZ accepts credit cards, cash or travellers cheques. Almost everywhere accepts cards too - so how much cash you choose to carry really is down to personal preference. As a guide, I normally take approx 20 euros a day (but this is entirely dependent on what you're planning to do, of course!) to be on the safe side, but I pay for most things by card and draw more cash if I need to. There is even a cash point at the DZ. They certainly do! The weather might be a bit hit and miss at that time of year though... It's well worth making sure you do get to jump there though, as the views from altitude at Empuria are absolutely breathtaking! Don't worry about any of that stuff at the DZ - the dropzone is run in English and all the staff speak excellent English and the DZ is part owned by a Brit. If you want any tips about good places to stay (also not to stay! I've stayed in at least one flea pit there before... ), eat, shop etc. at Empuria, then drop me a PM. You're gonna have SO much fun! Vicki

:0:0 Bloody British weather... But only 3 1/2 weeks until I'm in Eloy!!! Vicki

Sorry to hear about this but sending you huge amounts of healing vibes from across the pond. Vicki

You mean the hotel are letting you back after last year?! What about the passing out in reception thing?! Looking forward to it already! Vicki

Absolutely! That is if I can avoid the bar for long enough not to be chucking my guts up by then like at Nethers ball! Adam says all the slow ones are his though... Vicki

Any UK jumpers out there who are on the Christmas Day flight to Phoenix (I know there are quite a lot of us) and currently having the “oh sh*t how am I going to get to the airport on Christmas Day” problem, I think I have found a fairly easy solution! There are 3 Holiday Inns located near to Heathrow and if you book on line you can get a room for the night of 24the December that sleeps up to 4 people for around £50 if you book 21 days in advance. All the hotels have a shuttle bus that runs between the hotel and the airport at a cost of £3 per person. Hopefully that is helpful to someone! Vicki

QuoteMeeting loads of people new and old, drinking beer, dancing, eating expensive food (in the hotel part) loads of retailers & gear in the hall on the Saturday, and drinking once more....what more could a guy want ? Quote Er… Adrian… I think you forgot the bit about drinking beer until you pass out in the reception of the hotel and then having to be poured into a taxi! Keep this man away from the free beer at Eloy! Adam and I have our room booked for the AGM already too, together with our dinner tickets. Are you going to the dinner?

Nice one Trig! So I guess you’ll have plenty of money for more travelling by the summer – pretty cool!

Absolutely! Oh yeah, and for the VERY best rate, make sure you tell them that you will be the only one staying in the room! Vicki

Alana, Colin is right the AGM is an absolute MUST! If you want to go to the posh dinner, I suggest you contact the BPA early to get your ticket! (You don't need a ticket for the rest of the AGM) Check out www.bpa.org.uk for contact details. Vicki

I live about half an hour out of London so anytime is good for me! Are you going to the Holiday Boogie at Eloy? If so I’ll see you there and there will be loads of others from the London area there as well. Vicki

Definitely - the Dali museum in Figueres is really cool and when the Tramontana blows, you will find half the DZ there! Another "must see" near Empuria is the Greek and Roman ruins at Empuries. It is across the bay from the DZ and about 10 miles away by road and it is just about the most breathtaking landscape I have ever seen. There are signs in English next to all the ruins and that is fairly interesting but I would go again just for the absolutely beautiful views over the bay. More details here: http://www.cbrava.com/empuries/empuries.uk.htm Cadaquez, which is on the north side of the bay (although a good half hour drive over some mountain roads) is also worth a visit if you get a bad weather day. There are some gorgeous coastal walks and more beautiful scenery. Finally, the old town of Castello d'Empuries is also well worth a vist and it is only a short distance from Empuriabrava. It has a beautiful old Catalan cathedral and loads of history tucked away. More info here: http://www.castellodempuries.net/index_a.htm and here: http://www.castellodempuries.net/ang/vila/home.htm hth! Vicki

That is a beautiful and very tiny rig! Only 14 weeks until I get my NJ! Vicki

I’ve been getting them for the last few years. I get mine free because I am asthmatic and am therefore considered high risk. I did get flu this year, but about a week before getting the jab! Vicki

I don’t really have a choice in the matter, the BPA says we have to! Not that wearing a helmet is a bad thing – I always wear my full face even for hop and pops. I did one jump without a helmet when I was last in the states and it took me hours to get all the knots out of my hair – I’m not in any hurry to do that again! Vicki

I’m only about 12 (I think) away from 900 atm, and I’d like to get there before Eloy, but I’m in England, it’s winter and the weather is starting to really suck so maybe I’ll just have to do it at the boogie and come celebrate with you all! Having said that I did 8 this weekend, so I might just do it! Vicki

Just wondering where you did the night jumps and how well lit the landing area was? I have done a few night jumps now – most recently at Nethers which is not only blessed with a HUGE landing area but they also have good lighting around the pit and so far I haven't had a problem judging flare height - mainly due to the good lighting around the pit I think. Glad to hear you’re ok now though and that it wasn’t any worse. Vicki

Congratulations on 4,000 jumps! Awesome! Vicki

This will only really be relevant to anyone in the UK, but I bought my gloves from DZ sports: http://www.dzsports.com/gloves.html I have the air crew winter gloves and when it gets really cold I put a pair of the thermal silk under gloves on underneath them. The silk liners are great actually – really thin but really warm. Vicki

This from today's Sun may be of interest: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003520559,,00.html Vicki