Paginatitel

The Grumpy Gang

The Grumman Aircraft Pilots Association European Branch

They had arranged hire cars, had moved out of their apartment to give us sleeping space and of course provided us with a warm welcome.

We had a lovely time at the apartment, taking the opportunity to walk and visit local places of interest

The sleeping arrangements were innovative, Bodies lay everywhere - Woe betide you if you had to go and visit the loo at 02:35hrs - trip.

Hazards abounded and one didn't know who or what one was treading on! The snoring was phenomenal - Sir Brian taking the award for the loudest and longest.

The apartment rests on the gentle slopes of a minor mountain. A few macho souls decided to walk up the mountain to see the view and 'Because it's there'. We were advised against it! After 45 minutes huffing and puffing, we were still only half way

The road got steeper and steeper - no one would give in and demonstrate his weakness and wobbly knees. Feeling like super humans, we finally attained the crest of the vicious mount (all without oxygen too!).

Imagine the surprise to find a courting couple, snogging away in the corner! They had driven up in their Porsche the lazy devils!

After acclimatising ourselves to the depleted ozone and taking a few photographs (which was about as much as our aching muscles would allow) we set off down hill - We will hide the pain and suffering that entailed but simply recount that our re-entry into the apartment was magnificent- the conquering heroes! It deserved a beer at the very least. The next morning at breakfast, we recounted our mountaineering exploits for the umpteenth time, only to be informed that Chris had just run up and down the darned thing in about 22 minutes - and she is such a delicate and gentle looking creature. I put it down to me being past my child rearing age!

Our time with Peter and Angela went all too fast - we had to move on - word was coming in from our Mad scouts - Castellon de La Plana was beckoning.After being interviewed and photographed at the Muchamiel airport by the local Costa Brava News journalist, we bid our sad farewells to a lovely couple. Our consolation was the news that Peter and Angela are buying a bigger house nearby - so they will be able to accommodate even more of us next time! That's right, isn't it P & A? Many thanks to the two of you for making us so welcome and for all your hospitality.

Journalists journal'd, flight plans filed and loins girded we set off for the short'ish trip to Castellon. This entailed a route within a special low-level VFR route through the Valencia TMA. You will remember the notorious problem one of our members had in transiting round Lisbon. Well, to prevent this embarrassment occurring again he went into 'stealth' mode and stuck next to our wing in close formation, so that, for all intents and appearances, we went through the whole route as one radar blip! It must have worked, as there weren't any complaints.

Castellon was a typical Spanish coastal town, with a mixture of tourist traps and industry. It was past its prime and had started to grow old disgracefully. The hotel was cheap and the people pleasant.

It was a good place to have a lay over, but a bit too quiet for most.