[Rob P]

A couple of weeks back I needed to get over to France for a job and could, with a bit of juggling, take the aircraft (at my expense instead of the paid-for ferry)

On the day the Channel weather was awful in the morning and flyable in the afternoon. But in the afternoon there were thunderstorms forecast for East Anglia.

Weather prediction and planning has never been my strongest point, but I worked out a cunning plan to fly down to Lydd in the morning, and then sit out the weather to arrive in Calais late afternoon.

The OB > Lydd leg was no problem, landing in the drizzle at Lydd it still looks like the ****-end of the world, but the cafe is fine and by about midday it was dry enough to sit outside.

Eventually a huge smile spread across my face as the predicted clear blue sky and white fluffy clouds came sliding in from the west. I can tell you I was pretty pleased with myself as I walked out to the aircraft around 3pm for the twelve minute hop to Calais Dunkerque. I really have got this aviation lark cracked I thought.

Pity about leaving the master switch on

Rob P