( Above: Arrow shows low pressure in Denmark & Sweden)
Unexpectedly getting some Cub time in France 2007
...or how I ended up flying with a Puffin from Lyon to Daventry.
We enjoy a trip to the south of France...with an interesting series of coincidences....
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 say 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.