We got off to a great start today after haggling over hangar fees and filing flight plans etc
It was bumpy flying all the way, due to the 15-20 MPH tail wind that had picked up it's turbulence passing over the mountain ranges we had crossed yesterday. Beautiful green valleys and pasture land giving way to increasing desert terrain below. Very distinct border crossing between Jordan and Saudi Arabia some 5,000 feet below. I had a great time trying to fly a bit more accuratly in such bumpy and turbulent conditions, using a mixture of my compass and angle of bank; it is difficult at times to judge the delay in the compass reacting to violent changes in direction, along with th angle of bank changing some 15/20 degrees of bank in either direction at times. As I am unable to see the horizon, that is the key indicator for Richard in such weather, I have to calculate and judge the lag from both instruments, and antiipate and react to correct an over-swing, both in our direction and the bank on our wing; much more difficult than it may sound! My major hasle at such times was the busy radio traffic in the area, with very powerful radios drowning out some of my computer data coming into my ear, that lead to some interesting meanderings in the sky for a while, with Richar gently reminding me that we were only about 30 miles from the Iraqi border, and it was best not to go too close!
We received one of our warmest welcomes to date on landing at Arar, with the firemen immediately arranging accommodation for both the microlight and ourselves. The fire chief came out on his day off to greet us, and inisted we stayed in their VIP accommodation at the airfield, as the town of Arar, being only some 30 miles from the border with Iraq was not the safest place for two British guys to be wandering about without a strong police escort.
They gave us a wonderful Middle Eastern meal they had bought back from town for us. We sat on the carpetd floor in Arab fashion, leaning back on cushions, with a banquet fit for a king before us, with a series of dishes that represented the cuisine of this part of the world, accompanied by fresh fruit juice.
We took lots of photos and I showed them some video clips about the microlight etc, much to their fascination.
It is now 0121 hours on Saturday morning, with Richard and I sorting out photos and blog updates, and have just realised we lost another hour in flight, so think we should head for bed, full, replete, and feeling very welcome amongst these beautiful people. By their free hospitality, they have contributd to the restoration of sight to unknown people who will see again because o their gracious hospitality. We in the West can learn a lot from such acts of kindness.