Thrill-seeking gran took on the world’s fastest zip wire aged 91 in a viral clip

This adorable video shows the moment a thrill-seeker gran took on the world’s fastest zip wire – aged 91. 

Margaret Carroll, from Portishead, North Somerset, has swum with stingrays and abseiled 100ft down a mountain cliff.

The retired headteacher has flown in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon and climbed the Great Wall of China, as well as flying in a hot air balloon.

Margaret also took part in the Holms Race in a sailing boat around the Bristol Channel, and climbed Mount Snowdon, as well as swimming in the Dead Sea.

She says age is just a number and has no plans to slow down.

Margaret Carroll, from Portishead, North Somerset, has taken on the world’s fastest zip wire – aged 91

The retired headteacher said her grandchildren got together and organised it, and she just turned up and did it

Margaret went on the Zip World Velocity 2 at Penrhyn Quarry, Wales, on March 25 and said it was ‘wonderful’.

Great-grandmother-of-one Margaret said: ‘I don’t really see them as adventure activities, they are just things I have done.

‘I haven’t gone pioneering or done anything on my own. When it was my 90th birthday I made a joke about doing a zipwire.

‘My grandchildren got together and organised it, I just turned up and did it. It only took a few minutes, they have to be very careful about safety.

‘It’s a wonderful view at the top. It’s a wonderful experience and very safe.’

Margaret retired aged 55 at the same time as her late husband, who was older.

She has spent more of her life being retired than working.

Margaret went on the Zip World Velocity 2 at Penrhyn Quarry, Wales, on March 25 and said it was ‘wonderful’

She said the zip wire only took a few minutes and it’s a wonderful view at the top, she admitted it’s also very safe

Margaret also took part in the Holms Race in a sailing boat around the Bristol Channel, and climbed Mount Snowdon, as well as swimming in the Dead Sea

Margaret was pictured riding on motorbike a few years ago after she retired at 55 at the same time as her late husband

She said: ‘My husband had Alzheimer’s so I wasn’t really able to leave the house.

‘When he died I started to do things, about 15 or 16 years ago. I have been to work and brought up a family and not had much time to myself.

‘When you retire you have got time and a bit more money than when you are bringing up children.

‘I swam with stingrays in the Caribbean about seven years ago. They were the most beautiful, gentle creatures, they swim all around you.

‘It is different from doing things on your own.’

Margaret travelled to China on a group tour and visited the Great Wall as well as other sights including the Terracotta Army.

Margaret said her family think she’s a ‘bit crazy’ but she’s ‘very lucky’ because she still got her health

Margaret said it does take an effort to stay active as she has been retired longer then she worked 

Margaret loved the experience and said there was a lovely view from the top – but next she wants to do a skydive 

She also rode a horse in the Grand Canyon although it was her first time trying equestrianism.

She flew over it in a helicopter, which landed and the tourists had a picnic.

Margaret added: ‘I would like to do a skydive, I don’t know if that is going to happen.

‘That’s the only thing that I’d like to do. I also sailed on my son’s yacht around the Bristol Channel, in the Holms Race.

‘My family think I’m a bit crazy. I’m very lucky because I’ve still got my health which is quite unusual at my age. I’m not struggling like some older people are.’

But she said it does take an effort to stay active.

Margaret said: ‘Covid put a stop to a lot of the things I do. I’ve been retired since the age of 55, longer than I worked.’