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Having recently visited
Bembridge we thought it was only fitting to pay a visit to Sandown. It was a
really great day with a light Southerly wind and good visibility. While
passing South of Popham there was a great view of the South Downs and beyond
so navigation on the usual route via Alton, Butser Hill and East of
Portsmouth was made easy.
With light traffic at
Sandown we joined downwind for a left hand circuit for 05 and parked up on
the North side of the field. After a coffee at an outside table we set off
for the long walk to Shanklin. The first obstacle is crossing the main road
that runs past the airfield, as the traffic on this stretch is always heavy.
Then it’s a trek along the bridlepath, through the caravan park and past the
railway station at Shanklin. From the station it’s all downhill to the sea
front and then West to the waterfront café at the end of this section of the
road.
Sitting in the sunshine
with the water lapping over the edge of the slipway the blue sea looked more
like the Mediterranean than the more usual grey English Channel. The scene
was further enhanced by a very large sailing vessel coming in to view from
several miles off the South Eastern point of the Island.
When it was time to
return we contemplated taking a bus but couldn’t find one that we were
certain would take us in the right direction. So it was the long haul back
up the hill to the railway station and along the bridleway again.
Back at the airfield we
went inside the Bistro for an ice cream and were met by Henry who asked if
we could take a passenger back. A young chap had flown over to Sandown and
was having trouble with his Microlight which necessitated leaving it there
for a period. We were happy to take him along and back at base he was met by
a friend who arrived in a Landrover, to take him home. We hope he solves his
problems with the aircraft and gets it back safely to the mainland soon.
This was a fantastic day
and probably the last hot day we will fly this year. |
