Feeling strangely OK this morning; at aircraft by 8.30, and ready to depart by soon after 0900 hours; only one fleece under flying suit today and no balaclava; only flying at 5,000 feet; dripping with sweat getting dressed, but soon cooled off as we climbed. My computer system playing up initially; finally got all going but still not compass and angle of bank; received express delivery from Software Express yesterday replacements; not yet fitted.
Enjoyed trying to work out how accurately I could fly, relying only on track, bearing and heading info. from my GPS; not convinced I can fly well without compass and angle of bank still!
Long but lovely flight to Surat, wearing our life jackets, as much of our flight today over water; Richard continually pointing out "James Bond" Islands in varying degrees; apparently this is based on how steep the cliffs around the island, and how impenetrable it looks- I must have missed this in my younger life!
Flight nearly aborted by Bangkok ATC soon after take-off, as they observed our Transponder (the instrument that indicates to their radar exactly in the sky) was not working, and they made several growing suggestions that we rectify it first, but we were very happy without it for a few hours, knowing we were flying low with no other aircraft around, and they concurred with our judgement fortunately! Quite hazy, with bits of medium turbulence, but I felt very, very happy, just floating up there in the sky, knowing I was flying over some of the most beautiful areas of the world right now, and, best of all, I was feeling so much better, and was flying again…
After over five hours flying due to a bit of a headwind we landed at Surat, and were thrilled to see a fuel truck immediately head for us for a quick refuelling and departure once again- not to be- they wanted us to buy fuel by the 200 litre drum- and we only needed 40 litres!
Richard headed off with the ever helpful firemen with one of our detachable fuel tanks, and returned an hour later with all paperwork and fuel sorted. I spent the time in the sun, thinking that, although we had already been flying for over 5 hours, back home everybody was just waking up to nibble their Easter Eggs! Our short flight to Puket also great; more Bond islands, and a joy to be in the air in late afternoon, feeling the sun sliding towards the horizon.We were cleared to land in Puket straight after a Jumbo Jet had landed, and my nostrils were assailed by that beautiful pungent smell of burned rubber as we flew through the drifting rubber smoke where the giant aircrafts bogey wheels had burned rubber on impact- followed immediately by that also lovely smell of jet fuel from the Jumbo, still trundling her 200 tons to the apron. Quickly found parking space outside but safe, right next to the fire station, nestled up against a protective wall, and roped down to heavy tyres.
I had to push the microlight to her bed for the night, with Richard steering; I do so by pushing on the hub of the propeller; was amazed how much I enjoyed the exercise, and, with a shock I realised I must be feeling a lot better- could not have done so even yesterday!
Quick trip to nearest hotel to airport, and, hearing the beach and sea was just 100 metres away, told Richard we MUST go for a swim; dived into shorts, and, despite an impending heavy rain storm with accompanying thunder rumbles in the distance, we ran into the sea, desperate to get wet by the sea before the rain got us- a near thing!
Beautiful warm sea, by ourselves, floating/swimming/sitting just twenty metres out or so; small waves; ducked my head, washing all the heat and grime of the day out of my hair and face, and just revelled in it, with the heavy but passing rain plunking all around us in the water!
Lots to do I thought, but, then this also important! Spent nearly an hour, just floating in bath-temperature water, talking together- mostly Richard telling me how he filmed the only car to go through the sound barrier- he has a photo from his microlight above it as it hurtled under him at over 740 MPH I think; Richard even captured the shock wave travelling away from the car as it went through the sound barrier!Quick shower, then dinner, with me ONCE AGAIN phoning my food angel Tina to please explain to the waitress who did not speak English that I needed that special food again!
More listening to Richards intriguing and fascinating tales of his numerous adventures before coming to my room to write this Blog- just approaching Midnight, so will leave photos to tomorrow evening, so Richard can kill some of them for me!
Tired, happy, feeling better, and definitely ready for bed- off to another wonderful Thai island tomorrow!
People make the world go around, don't they? From all the wonderful SCB leadership and staff, to people like Richard, willing to drop everything to fly with a mad blind guy!
Reminded of a great quote from somewhere; not directly connected to above, but just for all of us this Easter Sunday;
"You may be only one person in the world, but you may be the world to one person!"
Happy Easter, everybody!