[lettie]

I have a fear of heights, I wouldn't call it a phobia because I have climbed mountains, but it is becoming more of a problem. I think I am turning into a wuss with advancing age. I was in Skye a few years ago and walked/scrambled up a pinnacle known as the needle. When I got near the top I found myself on a ridge with a horrendous drop all around me and got a dreadful attack of vertigo. I was shaking, sick and dizzy and had to lie down on the ridge. I must have been lying down for a good half hour being eaten alive by midges before I could muster the strength to stand up again and move. I never used to get vertigo until a middle ear infection a few years ago left me unable to balance for a few weeks. Now I don't trust my ability to balance in high places on my own two feet and am definitely a bit wobbly on ladders. I have no qualms about flying and have been on some wild roller coasters so I think that it is probably the balance rather than the height with me..