'You're late', but then that is the standard greeting!  Certain members prefer to do flight plans at home on the computer rather than in the deafening noise of clinking mugs and slurping coffee. 'Anyway rhs isn't here either'.

The plan was Old Sarum.  Why Old Sarum, well there is plenty of historical interest around there, good distance for an away flight on a winter's day, oh and of course Flyer had a Free Landing Voucher for it!  So the group sorted themselves into the pre-planned and the planners.  The former were out clearing the aircraft of ice and then clearing it again as the remnants re-froze, whilst the latter suddenly found that they had to huddle in the warmth of the clubhouse writing flight plans.  Fuel up was done and the ice removed again.  And Nick commented on so many owing so much to so few.

The few, hard at work.

Gradually people sorted themselves into their aircraft. 

G-ASUD had Steve R at the controls with Bombardier Rob ready to deal with aliens that might get in the way.  He might have done some nav as well as chattering on the radio.

G-BZDH had Richard lording it over us all, beware young man there are others who covert that lhs.  To keep him company was Steve M and friend Stuart

G-BXXK checked how many wheels it had to start with as it allowed chameleons Shane and Nick to enter its portals along with Matthew, Stuart's son, as tailend Charlie.

G-JIMH was pleased to have the company of Jane as P1 and Diarmuid, although Diarmuid was wont to complain about the width of the aircraft.

G-UFCC, a delightful Europa based in Rayne joined us with Ian at the control.

Essex, Kent and Hampshire

The big boys opted for the easier more scenic route round the south of London and Gatwick. (See pix)  They had to show off to each other by overtaking.  Matt got a little concerned as neither Shane nor Nick professed to know how to fly the aircraft.  They had to check what the pedals were for and whether the control column actually worked like a steering wheel.

Portsmouth, harbour and Spinnaker Tower

The C152 felt that, with a head wind, distance and timing had some importance and opted the for the shorter north London route.  So find that M25/M11 junction and turn right, mind Stansted zone.  Aim for Elstree area but keeping north of it.  Smoke coming out of the ground over on the right, must be Hemel.  OK Diarmuid we'll aim for a beacon if you really want.  Turn left at the Stokenchurch mast.  Hey we are a bit far east as there is Calcot Savacentre.  Essential to orbit over my son's flat.  Bet he's not up yet, it's only midday.  His car is there and amazing, only one motorbike on the drive.  No Diarmuid, I do not think it would be a good idea to land outside the flat even if you are desperate for the loo, anyway it is a tip.  Now to wriggle up and down and around those controlled areas.  Whoops we are meant to be north of Winchester not heading south of it.  Salisbury on the nose so a tad to the right and there it is.  We can't be that late as we can hear the others doing their calls first to Boscombe Down then to Old Sarum. There are others around in the air as well.  Descend deadside to the circuit, crosswind, downwind.  Superb view of that pre-historic mound. That is a nice long hard runway over there, looks a bit deserted.  Oh all right I won't land at Boscombe Down but will continue the circuit for Old Sarum.  Am not the only one on finals.  Santa is Ho Ho Ho-ing just behind me in his Bulldog and Rudolf is breathing down my neck.  Runway vacated.  Where's the loo?

Old Sarum, Santa, Elves and Rudolph (an RAF Bulldog)

So all gather together to sample the bacon butties - Andrewsfield ones are better.  Ian has a plateful of something and sits down to tuck into it.  Santa and his sack are surrounded by lots of little elves, well that's what Nick and Shane thought they were - which all goes to show ...........

Next question was 'when is sunset?'  Just that little need to get back by then as one night rating between 5 aircraft is perhaps not a good idea.  Luckily night rating is in the slowest aircraft even if in the rhs.  So check out.  Hey Diarmuid, how's the fuel.  60litres, thought there should be more as filled up to the tabs.  But is enough to get back as there is a tail wind to help us trottle along.  No we do NOT need to ask for 10 more litres.  Gradually the aircraft settled the people into them.  Stuart opted to try out the Europa for something different.  Changes of P1 to rhs were effected with new P1s in operation.

Salisbury Cathedral and Lymington harbour

And so back along the London southside in a variety of directions.  A circuit of the Isle of Wight had been contemplated but would take too long.  So pottering along the scenic route, avoiding controlled airspaces but listening in to them.   Past Chichester  and head more inland to avoid Shoreham but looking out for the gliding sites.  Potter above the rolling hills.  No, we do not have to converge on the Mayfield VOR like bees to the jam jar.  Out into the sunshine past the bank of cloud. Head for Crowborough and turn left towards Tonbridge.  Alright you want to go over the QE2 bridge to Essex.  I'll let you.  Radio indicates that the big boys are way ahead of the C152.  So what.  Who cares.  It is glorious just being up in the air, looking down on world below us.  Let them get in first with Nick finding out where to go with his Pilot III.

Hardware, and hills

Big boys doing a race for who will be first.  Coming in first was DH.  However careful planning by XK ensured that a Piper Archer pushed in front of DH so that it had to go round.  Hence due to that little bit of holding back XK actually was wheels on the ground first.  CC went back to Rayne so that SM had to collect Stuart from there.  UD arrived in a gentlemanly manner.

Shoreham. The Thames

And then later on came the C152.  Fuel check again.  Hardly any fuel used, well we had that tail wind.  Thought, did you use the long range did stick at OS?   Ahhhh................  explained.

The mysterious Sussex monastery; Andrewsfield!

And so to gather round, look at pix - what is that big monastery style building in Sussex?  Review the flight overall.  And where to go next.  Perusal of Flight mags to see what January has to offer.  That northern Sweden one in Flyer looks interesting, bit far for the C152 in the short winter days.  Opt for Sun 22 Jan irrespective of where we are going.  Touched by a card from Jim's wife thanking us for keeping his memory alive.

As always it was a great day out with great company and even the weather did us proud.

[Text: Jaen] [Photos: Rob. Click here for the the photos]