Guess what I have been on holiday. First several week holiday in many years, well since1990 in fact, having been tied up to doing airshows since then. I did several shows this year the last one being Arlington, Washington State, apart from being out of pocket several hundred dollars the spectators just haven’t been there in the Ultralight come Sport Pilot area. And started to get worried talking to myself, a sure sight of old age, at the very least I get the answers I like, when this happens. So out of money for this year, I decided to give Oshkosh and ASC Nationals a miss and take opportunity to have four weeks.

The journey to England was very uneventful in a British Airways 777, very comfortable, oh the jet lag! Going that way is awful * (Knackered) for a couple of days. I was without transport for the first week using the local train service a bit pricey but very comfortable, and I had to keep a low profile as I was to be the guest of honor at my old companies one hundredth retires reunion, just as well, when it came to driving a car this cost a dollar seventy-five to do seven miles, gas over there is EIGHT DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS A GALLON. Bush and Blair are big buddies so stop complaining and pay up.

My sister “The Duchess” loves her drop gin like the Queen Mother did, being my elder and getting on a bit, I normally stay with her, but being four weeks decided not to burden her, and to feel fancy free staying where when and whatever, so my brother, my niece, a girlfriend, and with a buddy and his girl friend who stays with me every year for a month, put up with my company. Had some great food. One night my buddy who knows what I like went (** bananas), Mussels for Starters, followed by Rack of lamb, Roast potatoes and several veggies, Strawberries and cream, selection of Cheeses, Wine’s and Port to finish. So if I am getting to look like me mates Artie and Robbie I don’t care.

 The First of September was Reunion day I was picked up in a Chauffeur driven Hundred year old Renault 23/ 28 HP Landau and given the choice to sit in the back or by the Chauffeur, I thought I’d like to see how you drive a car like that so sat by his side, one hundred and twenty people where waiting to see the car drive up to The Marine Hotel forecourt, they had not seen the car before, what a shock for them when yours truly was sitting by the chauffeur. I had missed all the reunions since moving to the USA.

 We have the Fly In on the 15^th I hope you will turn up for a fun day, get there early if you want to see Powered Parachutes, I am told a few are coming, I would love to see a lot of children for the Candy drop I am hoping we can get someone to film it and I will get it sent to THE MAN  Gail Halverson himself, still well, in his eighties and living in Arizona for the winter IF anyone knows a good cameraman with equipment it would be a great help. I am sure it would make his day to receive a film showing we still remember his humanitarian acts of kindness, during the Berlin Airlift 1947-8. Lots of Children Please to make this worth while.  

• Knackered (English expression for putting a horse down shooting no hope for recovery)
• Bananas   (Overdoing anything)    I always wanted to do a Jack McCornack!