Strong Westerly
How strong the wind was that day has always been a vivid memory for me. Three of us took a Wessex Aldergrove-Valley-Chivenor-(Lyneham or Brize, can't remember without the log book to hand)-Benson. At Valley after the refuel we had 40 kts IAS indicated (safe single-engine speed) before we'd even left the ground.
Near the Cardigan Bay coast, despite routing well upwind of high ground because of the westerlies, we suddenly lost 300' height. The other front-ender and I looked at each other and said simultaneously "did you do that?"
At Chivenor, dropping off kit for our JEngO, it was noticeable that no TWU flying was taking place.
The approach into Benson was challenging, and when we started talking to VAS on landing the incident at nearby Abingdon was the first thing we heard.
Raising a metaphorical glass to all absent friends.