Continuing my mission of cadging a ride in every aircraft but my own, Bob and Nick are off to Le Touquet for lunch and I'm in the back. Actually I'm grounded, having just had a minor knee operation, and very very bored, so a circuit of North Weald would have been a welcome relief. Not many takers for this event, just Two Charlies. Everyone else is busy buzzing the major airports while all the jets are grounded by volcanic ash.

We meet at North Weald, the first time I've driven in nearly two weeks, and so far no pain, thankfully, or this was going to be a very uncomfortable flight. Bob has already filed the GAR report to all and sundry, even if they don't require it for France. The flight plan is pinned to the wall of the tower, the fuel is in the aircraft, and so "chocks away".

Stapleford, busy. Windmill, dormant.

Visibility is not good... is that the ash?... but the sun is out and we're all in good moods despite having to wear the ridiculous life jackets. Uh-oh! I've left my passport in the car. A quick think on what picture ID I have with me, a work pass and an AOPA membership card. Hope that will do!

Kent, Keep Out. Beached Boats.

We cross the Thames, and Farnborough hand us over to Manston. I guess they don't have much to do, but watch the GA traffic today. Dover VOR and then coasting out. Nick is heading straight for Le Touquet making maximum usage of time over water. He has a cruel streak. Visibility is not as bad over Essex and pretty soon the French coast is in sight. A mild panic while we try to spot the other traffic on the same course and location, but they turn out to be way below us.

Downwind. Le Touquet.

A downwind join and pretty soon touch down, and taxi to parking. Landing fee paid and we wait for a taxi; no cycling at the moment. The taxi drops us at L'Enduro, where else? And I order a beer (ho ho!), "Small or Large?" asks the waiter (en francais) "Large" says Bob. I could get used to this!

Le Touquet's lighthouse. L'Enduro.

Omlettes, steaks and chips consumed, a walk up the main street ensues. The taxi rank is empty, this means I am going to have to use my terrible French to ring for a cab. Fortunately some English is spoken and the controller manages to make sense of my pronunciation of the street names. Back to the airfield.

Squawking 7051. At Dagenham.

We depart and return to the Dover VOR. A quick call to London City 'TELS' gets no response. Why do we call 'TELS'? Because Vic is at work and if we can get clearance to fly overhead, he has his camera on standby to get some ground shots. We head for Detling VOR and then try again. This time Vic answers, some excuse about a hill being in the way before. Clearance received from Thames Radar and we fly up the Thames to London City.

The Woolwich Ferry. Canary Wharf.

On a day with very little to do, Thames Radar find themselves with a couple of sight see-ers in zone and they're both Charlie-Charlies. We sort ourselves out and fly down the Thames, over the barrier and past London City. A left hand orbit by East India Dock, and my office, and then back to the barrier and over the top of London City.

London City. Overhead.

We push north passed east London, the camera clicking, passed Chigwell and Loughton and back to North Weald. North Weald radio are a little surprised to have an aircraft inbound from Chigwell. Two Charlies under the control of his owner, Mr. Bob, makes his landing and gets put to bed.

East London. Chigwell.

I find myself with an hour to kill before picking the guitar player up for band practice from Hackney. So the day started with toast in Hatfield Peverel commenced to lunch in Le Touquet, and then fish and chips by the canal in Hackney. International jet setter or what? Bring on the next volcano.

[Text: Rob] [Photos: Rob and Vic, click for more]