We started our theory lessons with Dale, one of our instructors. Dale sported a very fashionable mullet, and proceeded to teach us physics, aerodynamics and the rules of the air.

Our practical lessons started with Lee, our other instructor - ground handling and the art of the reverse launch. Our training area was a smooth grass hill, unfortunately also the grazing paddock of fifty cows and covered extensively in cow patties. To the beginner ground handling is a daunting task, struggling to control a huge canopy that fights, wrestles and throws you around. I had more then one dragging experience, and more then one unfortunate incident with a still steaming cowpat. My glider still has stains and several t-shirts were permanently discarded.

Still unappreciative of the zen of kiting we were eager to fly. We advanced to the training hill under the watchful eye and cheeky tongue of Lee. Practising inflations and little launches I took another demeaning high speed dragging. Next a successful take off and landing, it was only a metre of the ground but it was first Flight!

Our instructor took some of us on a tandem later that day, to teach them inflight controls (the emergency exits are located here, here and here...), unfortunately the weather had faded by the time it got to my turn.

The next day dawned and we woke to Jerzy boiling eggs and bacon in several centimetres of oil. We ate and then waited, the weather soon turning to a light south west breeze. Gear packed we drove to Middle brother arriving at the small takeoff there. With only 10 metres of launch space before a sheer 1600ft drop it pumped the adrenaline, understatement÷it terrified. Setting up Chris launched then Rachel and then my turn, my first solo flight÷.

I was petrified. Dr Lips, a doctor kept checking my pulse, screaming as it steadily increased from 110 to 140, with every increment scaring me more. A couple of snags on the chute started traumatising me, but finally I pulled it overhead, turned and ran÷

Whoosh, leaving the ground I caught the updraught and soared skyward, the chute whistling and taut above my head. Shifting into my harness I was all over the place, with a radio cackling behind me I tried to come to terms with this new sensation! Every flutter of the chute had me in a panic; a little wing tuck made me cringe in fear, but nervously settled in. Under radio guidance I began to soar back and forth along the ridge, finding rising hotspots of air to further carry me up.

With the ground beneath me like a fairyland I looked left and saw beside me a wedge tailed eagle, looking around to the right I saw another soaring beside me as well. Wow.

That night was an excited babble of adrenaline and excitement. We slept well.

The next day had a nice north east breeze perfect for a launch of North Brother. A popular lookout spot we had quite an audience as we set up and took off. With five paragliders and several hang gliders in the air the radio was a crazy babble of static and commands. I flew for some time, soaring the ridge and playing in some thermals, deciding to land I turned around and flew over the landing area.

Dale stood on the landing field, with his soothing voice he made an excellent air traffic controller. Flying downwind in the radio jumble I heard Dale's voice "Do a 360 to wash of some height÷ and another one÷excellent". Thinking it was for me I circled, losing height considerably downwind from the landing area. Watching the ground beneath me I began to see considerable detail in the trees, birds, leaves, I was coming down fast and into the headwind I was not going to make the landing field. To my left a river the right a lake, with a grassy strip in the middle. The radio cackles and I hear "Is that you over the back there Mark? Find a clear spot to land mate÷. Shit Lee's gonna kill me÷.". I get closer to the ground and set up to land÷. Flaring I touch down÷.promptly sinking to my thighs in thick smelly swamp goo. A kilometre wading through knee deep goo with harness and a bundled up chute I finally emerge, to jeers, cheers and a new name "Swamp Bond".

Another great day dawned with a nice north easterly wind. Launching again from North brother we had a great day of flying, this my third flight catching a thermal underneath a white puffy cloud to cloudbase. Heading up into the clouds, with it's wispy tendrils floating around me I felt like Icarus, flying to the sun. It was turbulent though, and I soon retreated from the clouds to land safely in the landing zone.

I had taken my Toyota Hilux up, very handy with so many people on the course. Lee drove a Nissan patrol leading to some intense 4wd rivalry. Being an urban 4wdriver I was happy to cover my car in mud, dirt, grime and grit, while Lee stressed how he liked to keep his car clean, very proud he had kept it spotlessly clean for some weeks. On the last day I didn't fly, offering to take Lee's car back. Driving down I had a mischevious thought, and took a slight detour ÷. I emerged at the bottom to pick them up, a smile on my face and the immaculate white Nissan now covered completely in swamp mud. I thought it was hilarious, Lee didn't quite agree. I did however concede that his car performed well.

We sat our tests, and passed, it was a great feeling and a real sense of accomplishment. There is much more to learn, and I look forward to the adventures it will bring.

This is a sport where overconfidence can result in injury (As I know from personal experience!), I will always keep my mind open to constant learning. I have been fortunate to receive ongoing advice from a large number of instructors and pilots. It is this comradery and nurturing nature that will advance the sport far, making it safe and fun for all involved.