On the count of three and with no time to ponder the consequences of a nosedive from so far up, we were off and before I knew it, I was flying – or the closest to it I’d ever get. Like a bird I circled for about 20 minutes. The view was amazing, although with Lake Thun and Brienz glittering below I was a little worried about a soggy landing. Perhaps reading my thoughts, Farmer told me he had complete control and, with his go-go-gadget-arms camera stick, he even managed to take a few snaps.
As we flounced around in the air, at times almost hugging the cliff-face, my fears gradually evaporated. My mind was on other things, like the surrounding mountains, miniature villages and the rush of being so high up. Bring on the bungee, I thought. And for the icing on the cake – unlike that star-crossed day about 20 years ago – I landed safely, feet first and grinning from ear to ear, on a soft meadow in the town centre.
“So, you’ll be up for doing it again?” Farmer asked. Absolutely. •
• Kim Smith flew to Zurich with Swiss International Air Lines 0845-601 0956; www.swiss.com.uk. Return tickets from London start from £91
Famous movie mountains
Scilthorn mountain, Interlaken
This is where the bad guys chase James Bond around On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The restaurant on top of the mountain was Count Blofeld’s (played by Telly Savalas) headquarters.
Mellweg mountain, Salzberg
The hills are alive! This is Maria’s mountain in The Sound of Music, located near the Bavarian village of Schellenberg, about six miles from Salzburg.
Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Perhaps one of the most famous mountains in the world where Cliffhanger star Sylvester Stallone, who plays a mountain rescue professional, hangs as casually as if he were gripping monkey bars.
Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada
A cluster of mountains around this protected park provided the backdrop for the steamy campsite scenes in Brokeback Mountain. Giddy up.
Buachaille Etive Beag Glen Coe, Scotland
You can see this mound (and Sean Connery) at the beginning of Highlander – it’s where the opening battle took place. Some scenes from Braveheart were also shot around here.
