Mixed fortunes today

I wanted to fly today because I needed a break after a particularly hard week and also because I wanted tomorrow free for sorting things to do with the house sale and move. But the day had a gloomy start and although brighter spells were forecast for the afternoon, there was a bit of mist around. Anyway, I decided to do a plan to take me towards the north-west and any incoming weather and thought I might see if I could get up as far as North London (Lippits Hill Reservoir) and back again.

As it happened, by the time I got to Stoke at around 1.30pm it looked as though the haze wasn’t too bad and with the wind from the north-west at about 8-10mph, I thought I’d give it a go. I was away at 2.35pm and all looked pretty good. However, by the time I got past the M25 in north-east London, it was pretty obvious that if I carried on, I’d be flying over a pretty densely built up area. It seemed silly to do that when I had no need to so I decided to turn back, head into South Essex for a bit and cross back over the Thames. I think it was a good decision. I got back to Stoke after just a bit under an hour so I thought I’d carry on over the Medway estuary and do a circuit of Sheerness.

I couldn’t believe the number of imported cars that were parked up there ready for sale – much more than in recent months so maybe a sign that the car companies think that the economic situation is improving. Unfortunately I couldn’t get to my camera so continued round to approach Stoke from the south over the estuary. Garry was doing solo circuits – well done mate, not too long now 😉 – so I joined downwind and slotted in behind him. Compared to when I’d taken off, the wind was now much more tricky on landing – gusting 15mph at 90 degrees to the runway – and I was surprised how skittish the landing was. But all was well and after taxying up to the top of the taxiway and switching off, I pulled MYRO through to the area next to the Club Hut where I got some help to pull it through the gap around to the tie-down area.

And who should then drop in with a student on a dual cross-country but my lovely friend Rosie in the C42 up from Clipgate. I was only speaking to her the other day about my French plans so it was a lovely surprise to see her at Stoke today. Hugs all round and she took a quick look at MYRO because it was the first time she’d seen it since the repair and indeed, since she did MYRO’s check flight nearly two years ago. My how time flies and now so must I to get ready for tomorrow 🙂