Find a wide open space and let one go

I DON”T care what your doctor says. If you’ve got wind, I’d recommend you get yourself a kite.

Just go out into the open air and let one go and I guarantee you’ll feel much better. It’s one of the most natural things you can do and I don’t mind admitting I find it pretty enjoyable.

In the good old days when people used to make their own kites, all you needed was a bit of tissue paper and a couple of sticks. But modern kites actually fly.

The traditional shape is still a diamond with a little tail and a bow but now you can buy almost any shape and style you want. And there’s no shortage of wind about either.

Most famous is the silent but deadly brand, renowned for sneaking up unexpectedly and hitting people in the face.

There are noisy, hurricane-like gusts which can come as a shock to everybody, and then there’s wind that lingers in a persistent, unforgiving manner. With a modern kite, this will do fine because what you’re after is a smooth, steady breeze.

Whatever kind of wind you’re dealing with, the point of release is crucial. I’d recommend you do it in a location where you have enough room to run. This means confined spaces with lots of people aren’t ideal although some people are happy to have a go wherever they are.

So, find a wide open space and get a glamorous assistant to hold your kite up for you. They have to really stretch, like they want to ask a question at primary school.

Let a bit of line out and then wait for some wind. It may take you by surprise but generally you’ll sense it’s coming.

And you’re off! Let the kite fly away from you a little, then pull in on the line, let it out and pull it in again until it climbs up and up to the highest height, dancing majestically across the sky as it tussles with a tempramental and teasing force of nature. Awesome.

My favourite place to fly kites is at the beach. When there’s miles of open sand and a strong and true sea breeze, you really can’t go wrong. Unless you happen to leave your little cousin in charge of a 6ft stunt kite shaped like a dragon.

I have to say, the coastguards were very understanding when they picked him up somewhere near the Shetland Islands.

The first thing he said when he was back on dry land was, “I won’t be eating that again.”

Next week… The Art of Saying Sorry