The Grumpy Gang

The Grumman Aircraft Pilots Association European Branch

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The Great Unplanned Ireland Scotland Tour  6/9--14/9/2009

After our exciting tours to Morocco (2007) and to the North Cape (2008), I took the idea of John Bradley to plan for a Great Unplanned Tour Ireland - Scotland. The GUIST 2009 was born! The plan was to meet in Welshpool without any further plans, except being at home after about one week. In Welshpool Dave Anderson got the idea to join us. He raced home, picked up his small leather luggage and joined the D-EDDO. For me it was great  to have him aboard, to see his happiness and to enjoy our friendship.

The other participants of the tour in the 4 aircraft were John Bradley (very sorry of the absence of our mutual friend John Collins), Chris Sellen with his wife Maureen and Ted van Dam Merrett with his well-known Co Hans. George and Mary Brown had indicated to join  but decided finally to fly to Alderney where the weather forecast was a bit better. We missed them.

On the 6th September 2009, the 4 aircraft headed to the North, but due to weather, unplanned counter clockwise. Our first destination was Perth in Northern Scotland. We found a nice,  but closed Sunday city. However, the *** B&B at the airport was just great.

The next day, the aircraft took individual routings to Oban.  My dream was to see Lossimouth again where I had a stopover as Tornado backseater some 30 years ago.  While our friends headed directly or with some sightseeing routing to Oban,  Dave and I headed North via Lossimouth and Kinloss to Wick, the last stop for many Atlantic flyers. We were a bit nervous due to a severe wind warning in the whole area, but In wonderful weather we enjoyed the seaside and landscape of Northern Scotland.  All our expectation became true. We were very, very North and also in Daves parents homeland.