Paginatitel

As a final piece to this epic tale: on arrival back at Castres airport, we were told we'd been naughty!

Barcelona had reported us to the French ATC for not complying with their FL165 instructions!

The French were not happy that we hadn't called them! Oh! Dear, here we go again!

So much for European cooperation. A hasty phone call to the manager of the Toulouse Airspace was required and Tim did the business!. He asked the French Manager why we had to go at FL165 and the conversation went something like this:

Manager - "Because you were below IFR safety levels, monsieur".

Tim - "But we filed an VFR flight plan, Sir, We were VFR, the conditions were VFR, We maintained VFR. What's the problem?"

Manager - "Ah! Monsieur, Le Barcelona said you were IFR ".

Tim - "No Sir, we were all VFR, all the way across".

Manager - "Mon Dieu Monsieur, nobody flies across Le Pyrenees VFR!".

Tim - "Well we did".

Manager - "OK Monsieur, there is no problem, Merci Beaucoup".

Therefore, it just goes to prove that if Hannibal can get an elephant over the Alps we can get a Grumman over the Pyrenees!

It was a wonderful trip. My thanks must go to all the participants, who, without exception provided companionship, laughter and advice. Thank you for being persuaded to come! The weather had interfered a bit, but by being flexible, maintaining safe flight conditions and not bowing to peer pressure, everyone arrived home tired but safe. The whole event had taken 11 days. Days filled with wonder, new experiences, new ways of looking at life and new friendships. Days when our favourite airplane provided us with safe platforms upon which to complete the adventure and days which will continue to give us fond memories for the rest of our lives.

It's a nice feeling.

Ni Thomas

ps - Next year we invade Czechoslovakia!!