A few of The Few

Sadly I'd completely forgotten that a lot of Spitfires and Hurricanes were taking to the skies above southern England today but on a whim we set off for Brighton this morning (partly, well, almost wholly, because I wanted to go to Park's Camera shop at Burgess Hill). 

A big sea was pounding the shore on Brighton's sea front so we didn't let Pippa off the lead. I can't pass a Harry Ramsden's and I was just about to go and buy some fish and chips when I heard the aircraft engines. This was a snatched shot and I thought that was it. Then two more groups flew past when I came out of the chip shop but Gill had the camera and, no, she didn't use it. I think there were more than 30 in the air. After that we drove to Goodwood looking for them coming back but were too late. Never mind, at least we saw a few of The Few. 

Seventy Five years ago today people all over the south - in Kent, Sussex, Surrey - would have looked up and seen one of the most crucial air battles ever, perhaps without realising its significance. A lot of young men on both sides didn't survive that day and many of the other days around it.

I'm sure some Blippers were more organised than I was to record the occasion a bit better than I could.

We called on Jack and Jill as well (extra pic). I think this windmill is Jill.