Concorde comes home to TRA

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 15:48:06 -0000, Paul Sengupta
wrote:

Did you fly?

No. Appart from the TRA and variable cloud cover, the forecast wind was a
border line. 15G25, 30-40^ off centerline. I haven't flown for 6 weeks,
and there's no way I'd chance it in our wee taildragger.

Did you see it?

The best I got was watching it on Sky News. No other (freeview) channels
were broadcasting live (we're too far away to pick up BBC Bristol / South
West).

I went to LHR to see it take off. A sad day.

Was very tempted to drive down to Bristol, but I had to be at home for the
survayor "who will be with you sometime between 9am and 3pm". In the end,
she was away by 11.45, and I could have made it far enough down the M4 to
make it worthwile...

Will have to make do with everyone elses photos and my own memories.

1) Stuck in a traffic jam on the M25 when I was yay high. Pitch black.
We're just comming up to the centreline when there is a terrific rumble.
As we look ahead all we can see are the blue shockwaves passing in front
of us.

2) Morning Coffee Break at university, nr Swindon. Every morning at 10:55
she passed overhead. You could set your watch by her... Except when she
was late, and then someone would always comment on it! The best bits were
in the sharp mid-winter mornings when the sun would hit her at just the
right angle...

3) Flying down to Shoreham last summer with my girlfriend. As we passed
Reading at about 2000', Concorde passed a couple of thousand feet above
us. She was amazed and totally in awe. She said it was one of the most
memorable moments of that year - and that was her Graduation year!! (mind
you, a don't remember many of the good times at university either *hic*).

4) Watching "50 Things To Do Before You Die". I've done 10 of the things
on that list, including paragliding, parachuting and flying in a fast
jet. Appart from the "Fly in Space" segment, every single other "thing"
was achievable by Joe Average with a bit a spare cash. When Concorde came
up I cried.



--

....And so as the little andrex puppy of time scampers onto the busy
dual-carriage way of destiny, and the extra-strong meet vindaloo of fate
confronts the toilet Out Of Order sign of eternity...