Suggestions for a day-trip

[Halfbaked_Boy]

Hi all,

Well now that we are within the realm of light getting up early and retiring late, I would like to take some friends for a trip out somewhere as promised to them some time ago! Ideally I am looking for a location that involves an interesting flight there and back, with varying scenery, and plenty to do upon arrival. Unless I have good reason to deter otherwise, I would like somewhere outside of England (certainly not excluding Wales), which really leaves France as the current focal point of my ideas. Now, I've been down to Le Touquet in the past and thoroughly enjoyed myself and would not overlook a revisit, but I would appreciate something different this time, possibly Cherbourg or one of the Channel Islands. We are planning on an 0800 ish departure from Peterborough (Sibson), and as it is a club aircraft we will be using, must be back within licensing hours, i.e. 2000 at the latest.

Aircraft is a PA28 Warrior, will be 4 up.

Just a query - due to the Channel Islands being submerged in Class A, I take it that this is a straight Special VFR jobbie?

All suggestions gratefully received,

Cheers, Jack.

[troddenmasses]

Couple of ideas for you, especially if you are going on a Saturday. Head straight down to Dinard, then get into a taxi to the centre. There is a wondeful market there on Saturday mornings, until about 12:00ish. You could then drop into any of the cheapish restaurants in Dinard, or for a really pleasant experience, jump into a taxi again for about 15 mins to Saint Malo. There are a few rather nice pavement cafe's there inside the walled town.

Another idea is Guernsey. Very easy to get to - just make sure you have a transponder, and give them a call before you get to their boundary. You will of course have filled in a flight plan/customs form and light aircraft movement form for either trip, so they will be expecting you.

If you go to Guernsey, there is a rather nice restaurant in St. Peter Port, called 'Worlds end' I think - a few mins in a taxi, and your guests will have a wonderful time - just don't let them get too plastered.

Give it a go, you will be amazed just how easy it is, and it will open up a whole new world of aviation experiences to you.

[wsmempson]

The only point to remember is the weight and balance issue of four adults in a Warrior and the fuel load that it leaves. In the context of a long VFR flight accross water to France or the Channel Islands, the diversion you might have to make in the event of finding fog or mist on the other side is one back to the S/E of england.....

I flew from egtb to Caernarfon the other day, straight over Snowdonia and the scenery was unbelievable.

Good luck, it sounds like a fun trip.

[Guern]

Originally Posted by troddenmasses

If you go to Guernsey, there is a rather nice restaurant in St. Peter Port, called 'Worlds end' I think - a few mins in a taxi, and your guests will have a wonderful time - just don't let them get too plastered.

Hi we don't have a restaurant called "worlds end" but we do have loads of nice restaurants. PM me if you need details of good places to eat in Guernsey.

[Leezyjet]

You could always try Ostende in Belgium. Short 15 min bus ride from the airport into town. Nice beach, nice harbour and lots of shops and pavement cafes too.

You could also be mixing it with the big boys too as alot of cargo a/c operate from the airport.

Fairly simple flight - down to Manston and straight over the Channel more or less.

[troddenmasses]

Originally Posted by Guern

Hi we don't have a restaurant called "worlds end" but we do have loads of nice restaurants.

Sorry, My fault - have looked and it's called the 'Absolute End'

[Piltdown Man]

Day One: Head West, Snowdonia, quick zip around the hills, West coast N. Wales, drop down lowlevel, Wirall, sandbanks Morcombe Bay, slight climb, lake district, fly around the hills, North, stop Carlisle. Park. Refuel. Overnight. Day Two. Head North, West coast Scotland, lowlevel along lochs. Visit an isle or two. Lock Ness, Inverness. Stop. Refuel. Overnight. Day Three: Cairngorms, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Sunderland, Seal Sands, North Yorkshire Moors, Home.

Who needs to go to France!

PM

[niknak]

If you are going north try Oban - Barra - Benbecula - Stornoway - Kirkwall - Sumburgh - Wick - where ever.
On a nice couple of days you'll see some of the most spectacular scenery Scotland has to offer and it's a pretty challenging hack in terms of planning etc.

[hingey]

North Wales scenery is spectacular! Not alot in Caernarfon, but a nice trip. Would also recommend Cumbria or, if you're feeling adventurous, Scotland for scenery. But having not aviated in that area I'm not familiar with airfields and/ or attractions there.

h

[Halfbaked_Boy]

Thanks for the interesting suggestions everybody... I particularly like the idea of Ostende. Piltdown Man - whilst that sounds like a remarkable journey, I think it may be something more suited to when I have an aircraft of my own, so I can live without the pressures of meeting so many hours of flying per day, and having the aircraft back on time, which can not always be guaranteed due to weather.
I forgot to mention, somewhere with a nice, quiet, sandy beach would be perfect as well - I hear that Caenarfon can satisfy this somewhat?

All ideas gratefully received,

Jack.

[bookworm]

Ostend (possibly with lunch in Bruges) is nice.

If you're prepared to fly a little further, Antwerp is also an interesting city with a good GA-friendly airport.

Finally, Lille is well worth a visit.

(Links are to Nigel's excellent blog)

[Flying Boat]

I concur with Ostende, or perhaps Le Touquet.

Both perfect from Peterborough. How about both, they are only about 50NM apart, then you visit 2 countries in a day.

Holland/Rotterdam is close, if you want to go Dutch with your passengers.

If you want a little further, there is Rouen, beautiful & excellent Normandie Restaurants, including the world's oldest auberge (1394).

Or Deauville, you can visit the beach & casino or go to Honfleur.

Or Caen, home of William the Conqueror and site of one of the major battles during Operation Overlord, British were stuck there for a while.

Cherbourg, fly due south in the VFR Corridor from SAM to MP.

Dinard, yes lovely for St Malo, or at your limit would be Rennes, capital of Brittany (only 40 minutes from Jersey in a PA28).

Whatever you decide, it will be fun.

FB

[BRL]

Spanish Point on the west coast of Ireland is worth going to. There is a sandy deserted beach just over the road from there and a hotel nearby to get a drink if you wanted one.

Nearby are the Cliffs of Moeher and The Burren, (google them) also lots to see on the flight back too, well worth it.

[bookworm]

Originally Posted by Flying Boat

Holland/Rotterdam is close, if you want to go Dutch with your passengers.

Rotterdam is expensive (£100+) due to mandatory handling.