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The Grumpy Gang

The Grumman Aircraft Pilots Association European Branch

It was all worth it. Our flight plan route was via the north Adriatic Sea low-level VFR coastal route following the beach and waving to Trieste as we sped by. Very quickly we were into Slovenian territory and landing at Portoroz

A delightful airfield it was too. A 'meeter & greeter' was on hand to welcome us (She was a dark haired lovely who refused to marry me - shame!). The fuel was 52pence a litre (US$2.76/US gallon) - the cheapest fuel we encountered on the whole trip and they gave you a free drink of slivovitz as you walk into the terminal (Some of us walked in twice!).

For this stay, we elected to partake in the luxury of a hotel and it was here that we met up with Peter Romeikat and Klaus Hanicke who had been patiently waiting for us whilst we swam and drank ourselves into immobility in Ferrara

Our time in Portoroz was spent swimming in the hotel pool, visiting the local town (where we lost Danny & Yogi - again!) and simply relaxing in the hot sun.

On the second night we were given a display of nature's power - a magnificent lightening display accompanied by great claps of thunder - I've only been told of this event, as your scribe didn't hear anything! The evening before had produced many empty bottles! Oh! The dinner. I nearly forgot! The hotel patron had told us that scampi was on the menu. When he brought it in it turned out to be a plate (when I say plate I mean 3ft 6ins long by at least 15 inches wide) full of Langoustines beautifully grilled in oil and garlic - I drool at the thought of it even now I sit here writing this tale of a misspent middle-age!! It was all washed down with some very decent plonk