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The Grumpy Gang

The Grumman Aircraft Pilots Association European Branch

Europe

by lan Matterface, Regional Director

This year's Annual European AYA Fly-In to Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, was perhaps the most challenging event ever undertaken by the European Region, with many apparent obstacles to overcome. However, thanks to the supportive effort of Selwyn Doran working almost alone, "Enniskillen '99" proved to be very successful. Maybe it was not the best attended. Maybe it was not blessed with the best weather. Maybe it was not held in the most central location. But this year's event certainly showed the best spirit of camaraderie I have witnessed within AYA.

I believe the main reason was that most of us had to make a special commitment to attend. Distance, weather, location, and moving the date away from the traditional European Pentecost weekend proved that the dedicated will make that little extra effort to support and meet their friends. Early arrivals included Danny De Brandt from Belgium, who flew out via Bournemouth on Monday and spent two days in Galway in southern Ireland before arriving at Enniskillen on Thursday.

James and Jane Allan from Scotland and Andre and Gilberte Everaert from Belgium also arrived a few days early to do some extended sightseeing, but poor weather during Friday tested the resolve of many trying to get through. Many had to turn back. Some were going to get through, whatever the weather, by flying commercial, including Michael Sherer from Fort Myers, Florida, who interrupted his business trip to Germany to be with us. With better conditions on Saturday, by midday we had fourteen planes, and 40 members and friends set off on the coach trip to the Marble Arch Caves. On arrival we were split up into two parties for the guided tour, which started with a short boat trip through the entrance of the cavern. The trip continued upstream alongside the river, which over thousands of years has cut its way through the rocks. At one point the path dropped onto the bed of the river, with side walls constructed to keep the water back. The roof at that point is so low that this is the only way visitors can get through without having to crawl on their hands and knees. We were told that the river started its life high above us on the peat bogs, and at times of heavy prolonged rainfall the caves still regularly flood.

The water was clear, but it's a rich gold in colour, from the peat above, and where it runs over waterfalls it froths up to give the appearance of Ireland's famous Guiness Beer, which made some of us long to get back to the bar

The cave tour was followed by a very pleasant evening cruise on Lough Erne,from which we alighted at the Inishclare Restaurant for our Annual Banquet. Our guests for the evening included Airport Manager Tony Harper and his wife and local Councilor Robin Martin, who gave the after-dinner welcoming speech and presented the annual awards. Longest distance went to Knud Thaarup from Denmark, who received a cut glass Tyron Crystal bowl donated by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. The longest distance twoplace award went to Paul Newton, also from Denmark, who received a Belleek Pottery Rose Bowl. The Most Determined Flight award went to Peter Marchant, who received a presentation plate both donated by the Fermanagh District Council.