Now some of you that know me will think I have finally cracked … yes I am petrified of heights but yet when asked if we would like to review Go Ape at Sherwood Pines in Nottinghamshire I couldn’t help but try and make out I was brave … However I have been making myself feel sick with nerves since I signed up and dragged Ollie (hubby) along for the ride!
We turned up on Sunday 24th November to finally face my fears …. It was too late to run the staff knew we were there!
OK so the lovely Sam got Ollie and I into a harness and we were off to training wires at the beginning to learn the most important rules, while on the ground first off to make 
sure we get it before taking to the tree tops!
Its very strange .. having to put all your trust in a harness and clips …
The first station the staff stayed with us and again went through the safety aspects again and again! I was guinea pig and I went across first .. followed by Ollie
Then it was off on our own to visit the 6 stations. I wont lie .. I have never ever been so scared in all my life, I was shaking and freaking out but I knew if it got too bad the fantastic staff were only a shout away! I do have to say they all knew I was so freaked out that they were super patient and supportive and it really did make me feel so much calmer .. although I am not sure how calm a petrified person of heights can be up a giant tree!
Once Ollie and I were off round the course we were coping .. by that I mean not loosing limbs, falling off or even outwardly crying, although I fear the same cant be said for internally!
There was one particular station that I really couldn’t do and I even freaked out so much so I had to climb back down but after after finding my inner fool mojo I was back at another station and climbing to join the birds.
Ollie did an amazing job, other than telling me he hated me through gritted teeth he was super quick at crossing and took to it like a duck to water!
I personally found it slightly intimidating when people who were super quick were backing up behind me, although we let them move ahead which did help elevate any pressure I felt under.
So with rope swings, slippery logs, and barrels to cross followed by some amazing zip slides (to which every one I went down I laughed hysterically when hitting the mud at the bottom) I had the most AMAZING time .. I am not sure If I would of ever got round to going had it not been for this review, however I am shocked to be saying this but … I so wish I had been sooner .. although I am still terrified of heights this activity really did push my boundaries and I loved it. I really want to make sure my daughter (who loves heights) gets to go as she will LOVE it! I even think we might do it with her! … and I didn’t think I would be saying that before Sunday!
My top tips for this activity would be .. take gloves (not too thick) you need to open and close clips and if they are too thick you cant do it easily.
Last but by no means least … take spare clothes, being rubbish at zip wires means this happens! .. although thankfully we did take spare clothes!
We really did enjoy this activity and loved the fact it wasn’t too crowded (off peak) and that we got to spend some time together doing something testing ourselves.
Disclaimer: We were admitted free of charge for the purposes of reviewing, although all opinions were independently formed by members of The Oliver’s Madhouse.
WOW! Looks amazing! x
Thanks Kerrie it was an amazing experience x
Wowsers!! You are braver than me, I can’t do heights at all. Taking my proverbial hat off to you both! X
Not sure how I managed myself I get shakes looking out my bedroom window!
Good for you – I hate heights, not sure I could do it!
I detest heights lol
It all looks so big and high and ..high! Well done to you for braving it, that’s such a big achievement especially when you’re scared of heights. We have a new one of these near us. I must check it out!
I felt such an achievement when i finally finished it .. fantastic x
Oh very well done to you. My younger ones did the junior one and my older ones will do the big one next year so thanks for the tips.
I have no doubt your older son will love it!! xx
I love Go Ape – we did it for our 2nd wedding anniversary!
you almost as crazy as me … i love it 🙂
Well done! It looks like loads of fun 🙂
it was amazing!! xx
Oh well done you lol. You was dead brave. I’d never be able to get up there lol lol. Really enjoyed reading about all your adventures
I am not sure i was brave or stupid! lol lol xx
Oh that looks sooo much fun! 🙂
it was amazing!! x
Go Ape sounds like great fun, I’d love to go and I’m sure my girls would too. x
it really is amazing 🙂
Great photos, it looks amazing..my son would love this..i think i would be abit scared lol xx
i was terrified honey but it was an amazing feeling completing it x
OMG you are a braver woman than I!!! #MagicMoments
i fear i just maybe crazy not brave lol
lol i think i am nuts lol xx
Looks like so much fun honey. Good for you for conquering your fears, lots of respect coming your way xx
awww thanks honey xx
You are braver than me, no way I would have done it! Great to see that adults can have fun at Go Ape! as well as the children!
i think i am slightly crazy .. in a good way 😉
That course looked like such good craic! And hahahah to the muddy bum! Great job you guys!! #Magicmoments xx
it was immense Debs x
What fun!!!! Would love to do something like this.
it really was amazing x
I hope you took a change of clothes! 😉 #Magicmoments
sure did my lovely .. i know myself so well 🙂
Ooh, this looks like so much fun!! I would love to do this kind of thing, and it looks like you not only got to push your boundaries a bit, but you guys got to have some lovely bonding time together too. Tick tick tick! Well done you for facing your fears! xx
lol awww thanks zaz it was amazing and i would love to do it again x
Gosh, you are brave. It looks so much fun, but not sure if I could do it!
Kate i was shaking like a leaf and fabbering random nonsense lol
Wow, well done! I have seen go ape elsewhere and want my kids to have a go when they are old enough as it looks amazing! I don’t like heights either, so not sure if i will be joining them, however, you did amazingly well!
Karen they are starting to install smaller courses for children in some of them, i have no doubt your boys would love it .. although i was scared i love it too 🙂
Looks like fun, although I too am scared of heights!
im normally afraid of looking out my bedroom window! lol
Looks like great fun, although I am a teeny bit scared of heights
I am terrified of heights so not sure how i pulled it off x
Wow, you are very brave xx
or just daft! lol x
Looks like you had great fun despite the scary heights! Pinning your review 🙂
awww thanks Kriss, I loved it 🙂
It does look good fun and Well Done for giving it a go. Not sure I could give it a go. We have a Go Ape very near to us and Lec’s always talking about it when we’re in the woods. Lucas would love to try it but I don’t think the company are ready for that!!!! Great post #magicmoments
lol Cathy I could just see Lucas on one, he would own it!! x
This is something I would love to do. However, I am no longer allowed to!
Well done you! xxx
its certainly an experience and a half x
We did that in France last summer-soooo much fun!Although my arms were aching for days after!
I have to say for a couple of days after i was in pain with achy arms and legs lol x
You did very well for confronting your fears, well done!
awww thanks honey xxx
Well done you for facing your fear of heigts! xx
Aww thanks my lovely xx
It looks so much fun, I’ve never been to, but I’m sure I would love, what’s not to like about climbing on trees? 🙂 x
Lol the fear of heights lol I am patting myself on my back at completing lol