DUXFORD AIRSHOW AND MORE

Here we go for another 3 days of news. Friday we went into the Town Centre again for a further look around and ended up spending about 4 hours there. Luckily it's more looking than spending. The weather was a bit 'iffy' but did not cause us any problems. We are getting to know our way around (I think!) During this time we had (well at least Ann did) tea at Harriets Tea Room. As usual I had coffee. Very nice and a bit above BJ,s or Micheles. After that we went to the local supermarket and did a bit of shopping. Meat is about the same in British Pounds as it is in Australian Dollars at home, or maybe a bit more. Mince over here is as dear as fillet steak back in Oz. Fruit and veges are about the same as at home. One thing that has surprised me is bananas, as cheap or cheaper here than in Queensland! Work that one out if you can.

The Duxford Airshow was held this week-end. It is the 90th anniversary of the RAF and Duxford near Cambridge was one of many WW2 airfields. My childhood hero, Douglas Bader was stationed there at one stage in his career and I thought that I might take the opportunity to go to the airshow. It is expensive but I thought 'What the heck, this is a once in a lifetime chance, to hell with the expense." Entry (for seniors) was 24 pounds 95 pence. I headed off (on my own) intending to find the free park and ride at junction 11 on the M11. I followed the sings at junction 11 and never did see the park and ride but ended up at the airfield. What a great day!!! I have always been a bit of a Walter Mitty when it comes to aircraft and flying. I never thought that I would ever see the day when I would see 12 or 14 flight worthy Spitfires lined up on the apron, together with a Hurricane, a Messerschmidt ME109 (albeit with a Rolls Royce Merlin motor), P39, P40, P51 Mustang, F86 Sabre, Hunter, Meteor, Seafire, Nimrod, Four C 47 (or DC3, Gooney Bird, or whatever name you know them by) to name some. There was also a amazing flypast and demonstration of it flying capabilities by a Vulcan Bomber, (flown by David Thomas) built by the British to be nuclear ready and now out of service for some 10 or 15 years. That is just some of the flying aircraft, the museum displays were unbelievable including many of the WW2 bombers including ones labeled "Enola Gay" and "Memphis Belle", not the originals I daresay! There was the massive American B52 surrounded by many US Jet and older fighters, there was an F111 and what I never believed I would ever see, a "Blackbird". For those of you who do not know, this was the fastest aircraft ever built, capable of over 2000 miles per hour. I have read about the design, building, testing and use of this aircraft and it is an amazing story. I case you haven't guessed, I had a Wow of a day in spite of showers and threatening heavy rain.

This morning we went to church at Little Waldingfield, the village where my great grandfather was baptised. It was an 8 am service so that meant an early start. The Rector, David Mathews, who was to be leaving on transfer soon , (now cancelled apparently) was a lovely men and we were made very welcome by him and the whole congregation. By that I mean the other 4 people who came to the service. After that we came back to The Lodge and enjoyed a late breakfast. Then I went for a walk for an hour and half or so. As the weather was pretty ordinary in the afternoon we stayed in and listened to the thunder. It was also fairly cool so there was no incentive to do much else.

They are predicting a day or two of slightly better weather so we will play it by ear tomorrow. I have to go into town again for some business but after that, who knows.

Until the next post, Dave and Ann