Planes

Jan 28

John woke up several times in the night. He knew that his body was adjusting to the new time zone. The house is situated on a lovely little street that is very quiet and provides John with a welcome break from the hectic pace he has been setting himself since starting off on this long odyssey.

The day started with a walk with the dogs down by the ocean and along paths between thickets of brambles. John and Alan had a great walk. It was cool and windy but the three dogs loved it. They also met many of their friends, also being walked by their owners. Rufus and Lara by their sheer size scare new people and other dogs even though they are gentle giants.

Alan asked John if he would like to go out and see the Spitfire and Hurricane Museum at Manston. John knew this was one of the most important bases from which the British sent their brave young men up in Spitfires and Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain in 1940. He was thrilled to go. Spitfires have been a passion of his for many decades.

The former base is now an airport called Kent International Airport. Anyway, they walked into the free museum and saw the two restored aircraft along with many, many artifacts of the time, including an old air force fire engine. John and Alan both put a donation in the box to help keep the museum going.



After leaving there, the two went to the local flying club. It was called TG Aviaiton and was a very modern facility. John got to speak to a pilot who had just completed a flight over southeast England to keep his licence current. Alan asked if they could see the planes in the hangar and after checking for security reasons, they were allowed to go out with a young pilot/mechanic. It was great for John to talk aviation with someone who knew the way things are in Britain. He found that, although there are minor differences, most of the regulations are exactly the same. One tiny point that John found interesting was in the way that planes identify themselves to the tower. In Canada a plane that is say, C-GBJU (will always leave out the C for Canada and talk to the tower using the last three letters, such as Bravo Juliet Uniform) while in Britain a plane that is say, G-XBJU (will always use the G for Great Britain and the last two letters (ie. they will use Golf Juliet Uniform).

Next it was over to Reculver to see the ruins of an ancient Roman fort on which had been built a church that is now in ruins itself. Reculver Church is now on the edge of a clff and is a spectacular sight though John knew the videocamera could not capture it well. All that is left are the twin towers. They also had a beer and some quintessential British pub snacks called pork scratchings.

Again the day ended with a wonderful meal that Alan cooked. It was seafood fettucine (aka tagliatelle). John was exhautsed after his day and retired early.

TRB