The Red Arrows

There was plenty of publicity informing us that the Red Arrows would be making a fly-past over the tattoo: the date, at what time and direction of approach all in the social media for us to make our plan for optimal viewing. Our thought was to go to the open spaces at Portobello, until we recalled a previous occasion, where the planes arrived almost invisibly and did not turn on the tri-coloured smoke until well out of range.

Thus it was that we collected Miss Flum and drove to Blackford Hill. Many braver - or fitter - folk took to the summit but, as Miss Flum is a little lame at present, we minimised walking and climbing and chose our spot with a view of the castle and Calton Hill, to await the display.

Before long the cry went up (by an excited young boy) 'They're coming' so cameras were raised, poised and deployed, multiple photos taken and...whoosh, they were gone.

I managed to take about six of the top view, about ten of a line of grey smoke, (a combination of the three colours emitted) and a couple of the bottom view, this because we were on a perfect level with the flight and the aircraft appear superimposed. The best view, way to out left, was as they turned to head back to Blackpool, from whence they had come.

Even so, we were pleased with our results and deemed the effort of reaching a good view worthwhile, celebrating by calling in at the chippy on the way back. Miss Flum was duly returned home after a thorough debrief of the occasion.