At North Weald, there's a Catalina in the hanger! It is my intent to sell
the house and buy a flying boat as soon as I can find one with a
kitchen/galley big enough for the wife.
Scrape, scrape!. The Ideal Home Exhibition.
Meanwhile Bob's Two Charlies slumbers gently as it is wheeled out of the
cozy hanger. No such luck for Russell's Karaoke, it is rudely awakened by
scrapers attacking the iced up wings. Bob and Russell do the hard work while
the rest of us advise. Four days ago I was in the middle of a Chennai
winter, a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius with a cool breeze. Oh well,
everything ready, camera primed and all aboard.
The Edge of Essex. Goodbye Essex.
Dan in GASUD and coming from Andrewsfield is going via Wycombe to pick up
some friends, so the north and west of London route for him. Nick pilots Two
Charlies, with the intention of making a GPS approach at Shoreham to make
some of use of that shiny new IMC rating, taking the Thurrock and Mayfield
route. Mike, Shane and Jo, also from Andrewsfield dog Two Charlies on the
radio all the way down.
It's a pretty reasonable day, once again Bob has arranged the weather as
well. I suspect he has picture of himself in the attic flying through the
most violent storm imaginable. What ever deal he has with the gods, its best
we all leave well alone and not mention it too much or the spell will be
broken.
House!. Coast!.
A bit of rain and some cloud on the way down, but nothing bothers too
much and anyway, Nick is IMC rated. Pretty soon Nick is asking Shoreham for
GPS approach (don't mention the free landing voucher!). All eyes on the
G1000 as the little aeroplane follows the pink line. Are you doing that Nick
or is it Two Charlies? Why are we landing on the A27? You have got it set to
aviation mode haven't you? OK so Nick's landing is not assisted, and was
much better than the last one I made at Shoreham (but I did have an
audience).
Shoreham by the Sea. Nick lands on the A27.
Off to control to pay the landing fee. Voucher dispensed, everybody happy
and no money has changed hands! Woohoo! Off to the restaurant... hang they
don't serve food until 12:00. Can't we at least place the order now... it's
only 10 minutes to go. No. So we guzzle tea while, Dan, Russell, Mike and
Shane arrive. The body clock chimes 12:00 and suddenly the bar is surrounded
by starving HFC crews; that'll teach them.
The best reason for going to Shoreham!. Follow me!.
Food consumed; ribs tickled; and back to the apron. Fuel and oil dipped;
ballast installed (me); and ready to go. Bob is at the controls and takes us
along the coast past Brighton. Ooh look Sussex University. If anyone
mentions my name in relation to Sussex Uni - I just happened to know the
guys who were involved... it was nothing to do with me, honest guv. And one
of them is a lawyer now so you'd be well advised to keep quiet.
Palace Pier, Brighton. The South Downs.
Plenty of big houses on the way back to photograph. None of them named on
Google Earth though. Before too long we are crossing the Thames and wafting
gently on a winter thermal back across an Essex countryside that has only
recently cast aside its snowy winters cloak. (ah-hem).
Brook Street Junction
Before Mike. After Mike.
So back at North Weald and another trip in the bag already. Oh damn! I've
left the camera set up for taking pictures in balmy India; England looks
really grainy! Sorry...
[Text: Rob] [Photos: Rob, click for more]
