Sunday 24th June

We had a good evening last night, sitting around the fire and chatting. This morning I counted the Fly-UK aircraft at the airfield. Total 47. A really good turn out for the last day and one of the best. We had a group photo at about 9.30 while the breakfasts were being served and consumed. It must have taken two hours to serve everyone. it certainly took a very long time and was probably too much work for one person. I think the cafe needs turbo-charging. The first aircraft left at about 8.30 but everyone else left after breakfast. I went down to the beach for a swim, though it was only a quick dip. I waded out, swam a few strokes to get my head under then swam back to shore. It doesn't count if you don't get your hair wet! By about 1.30 I was on my way back to Plaistows airfield (St Albans) my home airfield. It was an uneventful flight and landing 1.5 hours later. Aircraft hangar rd, luggage packed into car, 20 minutes drive back. All over for another year. If you have followed this blog please consider going to our charity page at www.fly-uk.org Just hit the link to Support our Charity and put a few pounds in. We are aiming to collect £7000 this year. Currently there is £4633 including gift aid, and I know that it will exceed £6000. Just a few pounds from each of you will ensure that our target is reached. Thanks for reading my blog. Tom G-MWDB Shadow microlight

Saturday 23rd June

Took a taxi back to the airfield at 9.30. After a coffee and much packing and preparation I found that my exhaust had developed a crack. Made it safe and with permission to start, taxi, etc we had lift off at noon. Arrived At Bodmin 1.30 for a coffee and cake. At 3pm Michael at Bodmin took my exhaust for repair, bringing it back about 30 mins later all repaired. By the Capt Cogger had stripped his starter motor and washed the accumulated oil out of it, but it still would not run. Finally increased Spring pressure by inserting an offcuts of tie wrap behind the brushes. Take off for Sandown at 5.30. Here we come!

Friday 22nd June

After refuelling we departed Westonzoyland for Roserrow, a small strip alongside a golf course. A road crosses the strip with a significant bump. Fortunately I had enough speed to lift my nose wheel, otherwise it would have broken off. One aircraft belonging to Peter Palm, one of our German friends suffered minor damage hen the tail hit the ground. There is a very good restaurant there which we visited. Good food, but perhaps not quite large enough portions for hungry pilots. From Roserrow, past Newquay and on to St Mary's on Scilly. We took a taxi to the Garrison camp site and walked back into town. Our stop was not really long enough so we didn't see much of the town and didn't have a swim or even an ice cream. we'll have to come back next year!

Thursday 21st June

Departed Llanbedr at noon after a fine breakfast. Bacon sausage black pudding beans tomatoes toast - and that's two of everything. I must be putting on weight. Memo to self - check weight & balance! The runway at Llanbedr is about 2 km long so I taxied back only a few himdred yards and with the wind ahead took off quickly and climbed out northwards. Decided to visit Port Merion where the prisoners was filmed. I decided to touch and go on the beach, but the beach was a little softer than I imagined and I couldn't lift off. Meanwhile Adtian Jones who is also a shadow pilot was cicling above. He pointed out where ge could see former sand and I motored towards it and took off. Flew past the village and then past Harlech castle and onwards to Haverfordwest. The wind was just as strong at Haverfordewst and I landed on the runway, turning off before the numbers and parked at the apron. We had a meal on the cafe then made a couple of trips to the garage for fuel and 2 stroke oil. Departed at about 5.50pm - arrived Westonzoyland at quarter to eight. Met the others who were ahead of me in the pub. We have eaten so well this week that I decided on a light meal of scampi chips and peas. I was wondering whether the peas would count as one of my 5 a day. The other 4 were Mars Bars!

Wednesday 20th June

After a good breakfast here and fairly full tanks we set off for Sittles farm in the hope of obtaining some more fuel. No one was about so we had a coffee and left for Otherton where the flexwing boys had just landed. They managed to leave 20 litres for Adrian and me to share in our Shadows. With that we intended to route round the north Wales coast, away from the turbulence overt the hills. But as the wind dropped we changed our plans and flew to Chirk, Llangollen, Bala and direct to Llanbedr. Arrived just after 7pm. Got to the pub about 9 but they had stopped serving so we survived on a jam and cream scone, peanuts and crisps!

Tuesday 19th June

With the strong winds forecast we decided to keep flying south so as not to be grounded by the weather. First leg was round the Lincolnshire coast to Skegness for a shower and a late breakfast then with a top up of my tank from fuel still left in cans, then on to Cromer. Managed to pick up fuel there and a chat with one of the club members. Dropped down for a touch and go at Marshland on the way to Fenlanf where there is a great restaurant. Unfortunately it had already closed so we were given lift to the local pub for the night.

Monday 18th June

Awoke this morning to the sound of tents flapping in the strong winds. No breakfast here so when everyone was ready we headed out across the Firth of Forth. Crossing at about 4000' in a gap between the clouds was pleasant though there was a cross wind of about 20mph. Adrian Jones and I opted to go to East Fortune near North Berwick for fuel. Presently sitting in the local garden centre after a breakfast/lunch of haggis in a baguette with salad and crisps. Heading further south next to avoid the windier part of the U.K. Before leaving we went round the Scottish Aviation museum where they have a comet, Vulcan and Concorde as well as numerous other aircraft. Departed for Kingsmuir airfield, just north of the Firth of Forth. A great little strip with fine clubhouse. We even managed to get a wood fire going in the hearth. No tea tonight though, so I was glad of the large breakfast that I had for lunch.

Sunday 17th June

Today we waited for a gap in the weather then headed northeastward a to Easter airfield, near Tain, where there was a light aircraft fly-in. Dozens of aircraft of all types were parked beside the rinway and a hog roast was already mostly eaten by the time we arrived at 2pm. The flyin was in memory of a local pilot and instructor who had died this year. Mention was also made of James Prenderleith who we know from Culbokie airfield. He had also died this year. From Easter we flew south to avoid incoming weather over the next few days. Next stop was alongside in Fife. I took a direct route through the hills and rather regretted it with the string southwesterly winds causing some strong turbulence and rotor between the peaks. 500' per minute downward flowing air followed by a strong upcurrent kept me working the controls and wishing it would stop. Arrival at Kingsmuir in a fine shower reduced forward visibility so the approach and landing was mainly judged through the side windows. We stayed the night here as the weather had closed in. The club house was open and we were able to make coffee and have a biscuit or two. 5 hours of flying in the day, but it seemed much more!

Saturday 16th June

Woke at 6 to the sound of light rain. Joined the early birds in the restaurant until it opened at 8am. Full English breakfast of 2 sausages, 2 rashers, hash brown, fried bread, toast, beans, mushrooms, fried egg and a coffee. Sat waiting for the weather to motive. 10am and I couldn't sit around any longer so with full fuel and 30 litres spare in cans I set off for St Michaels. Cloud base at about 1200'. Arrived at 11.10 in slight drizzle. Waiting for improvement. Still here at 1.40 waiting for the weather to change further north. Thunder storms at our destination, Strathaven at present. 4.15 left for Strathaven. Climbed over the clouds to 6500 where the air was very smooth. Unfortunately over the Lakes the cloud tops rose up higher so I dropped down Dumfriesover Windermere. Running northwards over Bassenthewaite was very rough. Then over The Soleay Firth past Dumfries and across the Lowther Hills into Strathaven at about 7.30. Now at the Taal Indian Restaurant in Strathaven.

Friday 15th June

It's Friday morning and I'm getting my kit together. Clothes, camping gear, charts and GPS, radio and headset, petrol stove, kettle, emergency food. The list seems almost endless. I am hoping it all fits in the back of my Shadow microlight. I'm meeting a German pilot, Thorsten at Plaistows airfield after 1pm then we are off to Sleap near Wem, Salop, for the start and an overnight stop. Camping on the airfield. Watching the weather for later today and the weekend. Finished preparing the aircraft this morning. Arranged to wait for a German pilot, Thorsten, who arrived at about 1pm. I was ready to go by 2.30 and we set out together. Thorsten flies a CT which can fly at about 100mph and at its slowest at about 55. I fly a Shadow which flies at 65 max but is comfortable at about 55! We weren't quite compatible a flying buddies so he went ahead. I arrived at Sleap at 4.35. The approach is through the Shawbury military zone so permission as needed to cross it. That was given at 'Not below 2400 feet. As I was at 4000 on the approach that was no problem. Refuelled ready for the morning and had a hearty meal - steak and ale pie with veg and chips. I couldn't manage the pudding! Now I must pitch tent ready for the rain tomorrow. There are about 28 aircraft here so far with some more expected. Three have already gone on to Stratjaven so as to be ahead of the forecast weather tomorrow.

Pre-flight update

It's 2018 and preparations are under way at Fly-UK headquarters to bring you another excellent adventure this year.

Please remember that we collect funds each year for Children with Cancer. So far we have raised over £56,000 for the charity, and this year it would be excellent to add a further £5,000 or more. Don't forget to signs up for the Gift Aid as well. Thanks to everyone who supports this collection.

The route will be published to all participating pilots by the start of June, the T-Shirts and Fly-UK caps will be posted out at the same time. Get your aircraft ready aircraft for another solid week of flying fun.

Keep watching this blog for daily updates starting on Friday 15 June 2018.

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