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The Grumpy Gang

The Grumman Aircraft Pilots Association European Branch

Saturday, 23nd. Gdansk to Hamburg and Eelde, Holland. 437 miles.

It took us over two hours to clear the airport formalities. Having been sent through the domestic departure gate, we were loading our bags into the planes when we were asked to go back to have our bags x-rayed again at the international gate. We had to make a third trip for some reason that we could not make out. It became a real farce but we saw the funny side of it, even the police were smiling.

Gdansk Lech Walesa Airfield.

A nighttime visit by spotters

The weather forecast was not good but we set off for Hamburg where Peter wanted to get a commercial flight to Munich. He told us that the fees were very reasonable, he was wrong. Once the heavy rain had cleared we set off for Eelde, André electing to stay with us rather than continue on home. We had an enjoyable evening in the town of Groningen, even if the taxi ride did cost more than the meal. At least we were able to make a toast to a very enjoyable trip.

Sunday, 24th. Eelde to Lydd and Turweston. 360 miles

We said our goodbyes to André this morning and followed him for the first hundred miles. As Turweston has no emigration facilities we decided to land at Lydd to clear formalities. Mid channel the cloud base came right down but we got in under a 500 foot ceiling with no problems.

We had to wait four hours for the front to move past us before we set off on the final leg. A few miles north we found the cloud base lifting and had an enjoyable flight. On arriving at Turweston we again found a 400 foot cloud base with a deserted airfield. Again this was no problem.
The memories that will stay with me of the tour were once again the friendliness of all the people we met, the great fun we had, the wonderful places we visited which twelve years ago were forbidden to us, and the level of service and courtesy we had from ATC. We stretched our geographic boundaries by reaching N61.50 and E026.23. Jörg who made North Cape, nine degree further north eclipsed even this.

As a footnote, having covered over 2600 miles in 30 hours, without mishap, I managed to trip over and break my ankle the next day and finished up in hospital for three days. No more flying or even driving for the next six weeks.