NEWPORT 24

With the wind on my front, a bag on my back, my home for the next twenty four hours above me and a light on me from below; I waited for a gap in the traffic and then climbed the cold metal rungs of the ladder as quickly as I could.

Removing myself from the protection of the cocoon like layers of sleeping bags and bivi-bag, feeling groggy and windswept, far from the beauty of a butterfly, I soon found that the beauty was in my surroundings.

I was far more visible than I originally thought I would be. I rolled and crawled like a caterpillar to get to where I wanted to shoot from, staying as low as possible at all times.

Distracted by the squawking birds, I never noticed it approach. When I did, it was too late to get back to the safety of cover. Hovering, buzzing, threatening like a hornet, the helicopter loomed over head. I was in perfect view.

For about three hours I lay awake. I tried to escape by sleeping, but anxiety and adrenalin wouldn't allow it. Trapped on this platform with only my own thoughts for company.

In the protection of the darkness I once again enjoyed my surroundings. Sitting alone, with just my face exposed to the elements, I watched what seemed like all of Middlesborough go by. I was aware it would soon be time do descend back to reality.

I was left feeling numb.Being up there trapped in my own company, my emotions became hightened. Fear became terror, happiness bliss, hunger starvation, it was all magnified. To be back on solid ground led to normality, I was left feeling like up there was a dream. The proof that it was not was on the back of my camera as a scrolled through my takings. For that to be real meant down here must be the dream. Numb to reality, numb to emotion and numb due to the cold, I began my long journey home.