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The Grumpy Gang

The Grumman Aircraft Pilots Association European Branch

The French island of Corsica is another of those rugged islands. Its stark beauty is awe inspiring and I can only suggest that you too, one day, take a flight over or better still, round it. It really is worth it. The eastern side of the island was the route taken by most. The afternoon clouds had already been generated by the high mountains by the time we arrived.

This precluded anyone taking a shortcut and 'jumping over the top' (a common aeronautical term I believe!) We went down the side and round the southern part via Figari and then back northward to Propriano. There was no ATC at Propriano so one took a guess at the wind and chose a runway.

Many of us even got it right!! (N31RB - again! Spent ages going round and round looking for the place - we were the only runway with five Grummans sat out in the open for 30 miles!! And they were circling directly over head (I do worry about these people!)

Basically we spent a lovely two days in Propriano, again, time spent watching the world go by, swimming, eating, walking into town, beachside café's, beers and such like - Oh! Life can be so hard!!

At Propriano we had a revolt!! Some wanted to camp, others, by now used to the luxuries afforded by soft beds and swimming pools wanted a hotel. We compromised. They camped. We hotel'd it! (But we did let campers borrow our hotel pool - FOR FREE!!

Wednesday 20th June - A small note discontent was heard from the camping element that morning. When the airfield shut down at night there was neither toilet facilities nor running water. On the first evening there Yogi, Johannes and Danny had found a length of hose and a water tap - ideal for a brisk wash down of their Adonis-like bodies! The café proprietor must have taken offence at this dastardly action as, on the second night our canvassing comrades found the tap handle had been removed so as to prevent such scurrilous methods of ablution. A bit mean we thought. No real need to point out to you dear reader, that we did keep each of them at arms length for the rest of the day until they had found a supply of soap & water!!