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...or how I ended up flying with a Puffin from Lyon to Daventry.
Our annual fly-out this year involved two Taylorcraft and a Cessna 150 intending to fly to Scandinavia and Estonia. The lovely European weather decided otherwise, with horrendous weather forecast for our departure day in lower Scandinavia.
( Above: Arrow shows low pressure in Denmark & Sweden)
So we ended up aiming for Corona, Spain.
We crossed the English Channel from the Needles to Cherbourg (80 miles or so) in typical goldfish bowl conditions, so we used the airways-equipped 150 (yes, you read correctly) as the artificial horizon for the two lesser-equipped taildraggers. At times, we elected to fly low-level (250 feet) to maintain a horizon below low cloud.
We cleared customs at Cherbourg, enjoying the lunchtime hospitality of Luc & Edith.
( Above: Cherbourg)
The trip along Utah & Omaha beaches was sobering.
( Above: Passing the Mulberry Harbour near Caen)
( Above: D-Day landing beaches)
Heading inland & south, with refuelling stops at Alencon & Le Mans, we spent a night at Bergerac.
( Above: Formation departure at Bergerac)
Our Spanish plans turned into a ball of chalk in Bergerac, again due to the weather, so we headed east in France to Carcassonne, where we had a very pleasant few days.
Lots of little villages here from medieval days were constructed on top of hills for protection.
( Above: Bergerac region)
( Above: Final at Carcassonne over the Citadel)
What a wonderful place, if a bit over-touristified. Getting fed up with the crowds at the Citadel, we spent a lazy few hours watching the goings-on at the Canal du Midi, including the rather clever wireless-operated locks.
( Above: Original 1933 lockgates modified to wireless remote control)
Heading further eastbound, we were again failed by the weather in attempting to reach the Millau bridge by a mere 8 miles, so we carried on to the Rhone valley, where warmer & sunnier climes were to be found.
( Above: A lot of the Rhone is a canal to form hydroelectric head)
( Above: Me & buddy John enjoy the sunshine, for once.)
( Above: Everywhere in the Rhone valley is geared up for grape production)
Landing at a small strip just south of Lyon, I call a friend who lives there to see if he is available to come out for a beer. He asks if we happen to have a spare pilot among us to ferry a Supercub back to England, one which got stuck there a few weeks beforehand due to weather.
I reluctantly agree (!) and after a few hours, we are all final for Villefranche to collect said Cub.
( Above: Villefranche)
Of course, Adrian is on hand to provide breakfast coffee & croissants (thanks, Adrian!) and in short order, a three-ship becomes a four-ship. I get a rare opportunity to see both my Taylorcraft in the air at once.
( Above: Early formation flying experience)
After some 7 hours flying in one day (to beat the weather), we arrive home at Leicester...
( Above: Home!)
...and I later deliver the Cub to a temporary home at a nearby strip at Daventry from where the owner can collect it at his leisure.
( Above: Tucked up safe and sound with a Maule (which is hidden behind))
...
...
And the Puffin?
He was sitting on the coaming the whole trip, just making sure I did everything just right.
Our annual fly-out this year involved two Taylorcraft and a Cessna 150 intending to fly to Scandinavia and Estonia. The lovely European weather decided otherwise, with horrendous weather forecast for our departure day in lower Scandinavia.
( Above: Arrow shows low pressure in Denmark & Sweden)
So we ended up aiming for Corona, Spain.
We crossed the English Channel from the Needles to Cherbourg (80 miles or so) in typical goldfish bowl conditions, so we used the airways-equipped 150 (yes, you read correctly) as the artificial horizon for the two lesser-equipped taildraggers. At times, we elected to fly low-level (250 feet) to maintain a horizon below low cloud.
We cleared customs at Cherbourg, enjoying the lunchtime hospitality of Luc & Edith.
( Above: Cherbourg)
The trip along Utah & Omaha beaches was sobering.
( Above: Passing the Mulberry Harbour near Caen)
( Above: D-Day landing beaches)
Heading inland & south, with refuelling stops at Alencon & Le Mans, we spent a night at Bergerac.
( Above: Formation departure at Bergerac)
Our Spanish plans turned into a ball of chalk in Bergerac, again due to the weather, so we headed east in France to Carcassonne, where we had a very pleasant few days.
Lots of little villages here from medieval days were constructed on top of hills for protection.
( Above: Bergerac region)
( Above: Final at Carcassonne over the Citadel)
What a wonderful place, if a bit over-touristified. Getting fed up with the crowds at the Citadel, we spent a lazy few hours watching the goings-on at the Canal du Midi, including the rather clever wireless-operated locks.
( Above: Original 1933 lockgates modified to wireless remote control)
Heading further eastbound, we were again failed by the weather in attempting to reach the Millau bridge by a mere 8 miles, so we carried on to the Rhone valley, where warmer & sunnier climes were to be found.
( Above: A lot of the Rhone is a canal to form hydroelectric head)
( Above: Me & buddy John enjoy the sunshine, for once.)
( Above: Everywhere in the Rhone valley is geared up for grape production)
Landing at a small strip just south of Lyon, I call a friend who lives there to see if he is available to come out for a beer. He asks if we happen to have a spare pilot among us to ferry a Supercub back to England, one which got stuck there a few weeks beforehand due to weather.
I reluctantly agree (!) and after a few hours, we are all final for Villefranche to collect said Cub.
( Above: Villefranche)
Of course, Adrian is on hand to provide breakfast coffee & croissants (thanks, Adrian!) and in short order, a three-ship becomes a four-ship. I get a rare opportunity to see both my Taylorcraft in the air at once.
( Above: Early formation flying experience)
After some 7 hours flying in one day (to beat the weather), we arrive home at Leicester...
( Above: Home!)
...and I later deliver the Cub to a temporary home at a nearby strip at Daventry from where the owner can collect it at his leisure.
( Above: Tucked up safe and sound with a Maule (which is hidden behind))
...
...
And the Puffin?
He was sitting on the coaming the whole trip, just making sure I did everything just right.
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