Nose to nose

What a day, like all my wishes came true!!

B & I were at RAF Scampton to visit to Dambusters Museum and Heritage Centre. It was initially planned for two weeks ago, but postponed until today. 

We were delighted to hear that there was going to be a RAF Puma helicopter flypast celebrating the 50th anniversary of them coming into service. They landed for lunch and a display by the Red Arrows.

I was like a kid at Christmas and took the whole event as a gift to me for coping with this difficult past year and my early days as a newly wed at Scampton 50 years ago.

When we married B was stationed at Scampton working on the Vulcans. Life as a service wife was very different and hard at times. B was frequently away on courses in civilian industries for the development of the next new aircraft and only home at the weekends. I had a sister's post at St Georges Hospital in Lincoln and as B needed the car, I had to get the bus. We lived on camp in the furthest road from the camp gates and bus stop.....a long walk. Especially getting the 7am bus when on early shift or the bus that got me back by 10pm when on lates. Life was never quiet with the Vulcans taking off, we were alongside the end of the runway and the house would shake. When B was away, I knew that I was never alone!!!

I have included a number of photos as I was spoiled for choice. As photographs go they are not the best, but I have my own movie show in my head that I can rerun!!! 

The display was the added extra that we didn't expect. The actual tour was excellent. I've always wanted to get up close to a Red Arrow, well today  I touched one!! Would have been able to sit in it, if it hadn't been for Covid, but I've got a picture to prove it and will be back when the restrictions are lifted. I will get S to take me as he is 'plane mad'.

By the time we got home I was absolutely exhausted. A late lunch at 4.30pm, a nap and a visit from R  restored the energy levels ready to tackle the hundreds of pictures taken.

I half watched the football this evening and I'm pleased that England won and are through to the final on Sunday. But have mixed emotions because if Denmark had won, S and R would have been able to get tickets for the final at Wembley.