dublinpilot
18th Oct 2005, 13:21
Now that the VFR touring season is drawing to a close, I thought it would be nice to hear about your favourite flights this year?
So what was your favourite flight this year, and why?
And secondly, where have you been during 2005 (not necessarily your favourite flight) that you would recommend to the rest of us as an over night destination in 2006? And why would you recommend it?
Well to kick things off, my favourite flight was a touring trip I made with a friend, going from Ireland, down through Paris and on to La Rochelle, and then back via some of the Atlantic Islands off the French Coast. It was my first trip to Continental Europe, and was far easier than I was expecting. We spent the best part of two weeks on the trip, landing somewhere, and leaving the aircraft on the ground for 2 or 3 day, to go and explore the local area, before flying on to somewhere else.
Actual route was Waterford-Southend(Overnight)-Le Touquet (customs)-Lille (lunch)-Beauvais(Paris-Overnight)-La Rochelle (o/n)-Ile D'Yeu(o/n)-Belle Ille(o/n)-Nantes Atlantique(customs)-Guernsey(Lunch)-Swansea(o/n)-Dublin.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Base%2031%20Beauvais.JPG
Right base 31, into Beauvais
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Final%20Ile%20D%27Yeu.JPG
Final 33, Ile D'Yeu
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Belle%20Ile%205.JPG
Belle Ile, true to its name.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Bristom%20Channel%202.JPG
Bristol Channel
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Pigon%20House%204.JPG
Almost home now. Holding at the Pigon House Chimneys at Dublin. This is a commonly uses VRP for those routing into Dublin from across the sea.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Dublin%20Airport.JPG
Transiting across Dublin Airport, to get to the runway we need.
On the second issue, overnight destinations for 2006, I would recommend two.
First one, was one from the French trip. Belle Ile. It's actually not that far away really, only about 2 & 1/2 hours from London in your average spam can. The island itself is beautiful (at least when the sun is shining), and there's enough to keep you occupied at least for a weekend. I would strongly advise getting a hire car though. You will need it, if you don't want to get bored! If you're travelling with someone who's favourite pastime is lying on a beach, then they will love Belle Ile. There are lots of quiet secluded beaches around, that you won't have to share with too many others.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Belle%20Ile%2019.JPG
The island that lives up to its name. Belle Ile.
Second one, I would recommend is Sligo in Ireland. If you don't want to stay very long, then try a 15 minute walk into Strandhill. Walk out of the airport along that road until you come to a T junction. Turn left, and follow the road up by the church. At the next T junction turn right, and head into "The Venue". You'll get a lovely lunch. Sligo town isn't too far away either if you want to stay over night, and the place is full of history if that is what takes your fancy.
dp
edited to add pics as promised
So what was your favourite flight this year, and why?
And secondly, where have you been during 2005 (not necessarily your favourite flight) that you would recommend to the rest of us as an over night destination in 2006? And why would you recommend it?
Well to kick things off, my favourite flight was a touring trip I made with a friend, going from Ireland, down through Paris and on to La Rochelle, and then back via some of the Atlantic Islands off the French Coast. It was my first trip to Continental Europe, and was far easier than I was expecting. We spent the best part of two weeks on the trip, landing somewhere, and leaving the aircraft on the ground for 2 or 3 day, to go and explore the local area, before flying on to somewhere else.
Actual route was Waterford-Southend(Overnight)-Le Touquet (customs)-Lille (lunch)-Beauvais(Paris-Overnight)-La Rochelle (o/n)-Ile D'Yeu(o/n)-Belle Ille(o/n)-Nantes Atlantique(customs)-Guernsey(Lunch)-Swansea(o/n)-Dublin.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Base%2031%20Beauvais.JPG
Right base 31, into Beauvais
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Final%20Ile%20D%27Yeu.JPG
Final 33, Ile D'Yeu
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Belle%20Ile%205.JPG
Belle Ile, true to its name.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Bristom%20Channel%202.JPG
Bristol Channel
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Pigon%20House%204.JPG
Almost home now. Holding at the Pigon House Chimneys at Dublin. This is a commonly uses VRP for those routing into Dublin from across the sea.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Dublin%20Airport.JPG
Transiting across Dublin Airport, to get to the runway we need.
On the second issue, overnight destinations for 2006, I would recommend two.
First one, was one from the French trip. Belle Ile. It's actually not that far away really, only about 2 & 1/2 hours from London in your average spam can. The island itself is beautiful (at least when the sun is shining), and there's enough to keep you occupied at least for a weekend. I would strongly advise getting a hire car though. You will need it, if you don't want to get bored! If you're travelling with someone who's favourite pastime is lying on a beach, then they will love Belle Ile. There are lots of quiet secluded beaches around, that you won't have to share with too many others.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~dublinpilot/France/Belle%20Ile%2019.JPG
The island that lives up to its name. Belle Ile.
Second one, I would recommend is Sligo in Ireland. If you don't want to stay very long, then try a 15 minute walk into Strandhill. Walk out of the airport along that road until you come to a T junction. Turn left, and follow the road up by the church. At the next T junction turn right, and head into "The Venue". You'll get a lovely lunch. Sligo town isn't too far away either if you want to stay over night, and the place is full of history if that is what takes your fancy.
dp
edited to add pics as promised