Wednesday 19 August 2009

Reach For The Sky!

All photos are copyright of Maggie May




Normally I like to keep my feet firmly on the ground as I am prone to vertigo. However, I recently shocked Harry by asking if he would like to have a ride with me on the Weston Wheel. After he got over that shock, he naturally jumped at the idea as he had intended to go on his own anyway .


The wheel is not as big as the London Eye, but is about 100 feet above the ground. Strawberry Ann Jam used this wheel in her recent post Sky Watch Friday and I was quite amused as I had most of this post in draft form on Blogger. I was waiting though, to go up in the wheel and kept putting it off, so when I read Ann's post, I decided it was now or never.



The first two pictures were taken through glass so are not the best of quality. We were in a pod on our own and there was a great view of Weston Super Mare below us. I sat and took the photos right in front of me but there were magnificent views to my left, as far as the coast of Wales across the other side of the bay.



You will notice that one of the pods in the picture above is black and stands out more than the others. This is a VIP pod and costs between £35 and £50, depending on whether you have champagne. It is for parties of important people and it was empty on the morning that we took our ride, so we were obviously all riff- raff.

I am so glad that we went on the wheel as it was a real thrill even though I don't normally like heights. I am surprised that most of the photos came out almost monochrome. They weren't altered in anyway though.






Footnote: We will be away for a few days while we go and visit our daughter on the east coast. I am having a little break from blogging until we get back.

32 comments:

Jeni said...

Whoa, Maggie! That is one heck of a ferris wheel! Normally, I dislike ferris wheels immensely -mainly because I am terrified of being in an open car on one and having it stop when the car I am in is on the very top! Good for you for taking a spin on this and for getting some really great shots too!
Now, go visit your daughter and have a nice stay there too.
Peace.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Great post and photos Maggie - hope you enjoyed the ride as much as we did. We saw the VIP pod too, and decided that £8 for the two of us (as OAPs) was a bargain. Enjoy your days away. A x

Suburbia said...

Great photos Maggie, I had no idea that the wheel was there, ages since I've been to Weston.

Hope you enjoy time with your daughter. Looking forward to your return.

Hilary said...

I'm not great with heights either and would rather photograph this from the ground. You did a great job with the angles and it is indeed interesting how it came out monochrome like that. Have a great holiday!

larkswing said...

WOW - great shots, and glad you stepped out of you comfort zone and stepped onto the wheel! hehe Have fun with your family!

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Wonderful photos, Maggie! Have a great time away...Hx

Valerie said...

Brilliant pictures. I haven't been on a wheel since I was a kid and my Mom and I were stuck at the top when the whole thing came to a halt when the works gave up. We had to be brought down by ladder. Hope you had a good break.

Irene said...

I have fear of heights too, Maggie, but I might have gone with you if you were brave enough. What a wonderful view you had. I would have liked to have seen Wales too. I guess that was a bit scary.

Maris Modesto said...

What a huge ferris wheel! I used to be so enthralled by them as a kid, but as soon as I stepped into my late 20s my stomach began to act up every time I take a ride. Luckily, the last time I went for a ride I had my meds with me (I purchase them regularly at http://www.ordermedsonline.ca/soma.html) which kept me from puking in the car. Good thing your vertigo did not act up, and you were still able to take pictures.

Thumbelina said...

Fabulous shots Maggie! And well done you for going up there. I didn't know Weston Super Mare had it's own big wheel of pods!

I saw at Sam's blog they are in Tokyo. You must be missing them terribly.
Enjoy your break.

Mickle in NZ said...

safe travels down to your Daughter's home. Have a lovely time there and please take an "update" shot of her front garden by the chain fence - I'm sure it will be doing well.

Care to all five of you down there (up from here, as is most of the world, lol)

Working Mum said...

It's the same as the Manchester one! Although we've never been in the VIP pods.

Enjoy your time away!

Akelamalu said...

MWM is desperate to go on the Manchester Wheel and keeps trying to persuade me to go with him - no chance! I really do not like heights and especially if I'm in something that swings. :0

Good for you though for overcoming your fear and you got some great shots. :)

Have a good break.

Unknown said...

Once again, great pic's Maggie. That thing looks awesome! I would LOVE to ride on it! And really? A VIP pod?? I have NEVER heard of such a thing. How long is the ride? I mean, is it long enough to even drink champagne???

Nessa said...

Those are wonderful shots of the ferris wheel. When I get up high, I feel an incredible urge to step off into air.

Deb said...

I think of all of the photos I have seen by you - these might be my favorite! Creative and I love the monochrome look! You are one brave lady to go for a ride on that ferris wheel - the older I get, the more I don't like rides like that! Happy, safe travels!

Mya said...

Great pics Maggie - glad you managed to get over your vertigo.Have an enjoyable visit to your daughter on the east coast.
Mya x

Brian Miller said...

wonderful shots...been a long time since i was on a ferris wheel...i think the first is my fav! love your perspectives...

SandyCarlson said...

That is a work of art. I love the Ferris wheel and the freedom and roots that it offers.

That one intimidates me, though!

Novice Writer said...

Nice photos! Hope you have a lovely holiday..

Anonymous said...

Great photos! I'm not sure I would be brave enough to go in a pod though. Have a terrible fear of heights!

CJ xx

Helena said...

Well, Maggie, for riff-raff you certainly had a good eye for the camera! Lovely snaps.
The Weston Wheel is big enough for me. My daugther's been trying to get me up the London Eye for nigh on 8 years now.....maybe one day (ahem)....

nanatrish said...

You always amaze me with these wonderful pictures. You are a brave girl.

david mcmahon said...

Great angles, Maggie.

Granny Smith said...

What an enormous ferris wheel! I have always loved ferris wheels, ever since I was a five-year-old riding with my father on one on the boardwalk of Santa Cruz, California, and looking out over the beach and bay from the apex of our ride. You took lovely photos, both inside and outside of your pod.

Enjoy your visit with your daughter!

Hugs!

Cheffie-Mom said...

Great photos! Congrats on the Post of the Day Mention!

Zuzana said...

Beautiful pictures and a true adventure.;))

Joanna Jenkins said...

Fantastic pictures! Thanks for sharing.
I stopped by from David McMahon's to say hello and congrats on your award!
I'll be back again son.

Sandi McBride said...

I want to ride the wheel!! Great shots these...congrats on Post of the Day nomination Mags!
Sandi

Eddie Bluelights said...

Very good photos Maggie - loved them - and congratulations on POTD ~ Eddie

Maureen said...

Oh Maggie you are far braver than I. I get dizzy just WATCHING rides from the safe ground.

Hope you had a great time off!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your POTD nod! :)

That's quite a wheel and look to be a wonderful ride. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.