LAND-AWAY FOR LUNCH
 

I’m considering hiring a light single in the summer to take my wife up for the first time (yes, all this time as a pilot and not yet flown my wife - not had the money!).
Anyway, can anyone recommend a land-away in the south of England with a good place for lunch, after all it will on her 40th birthday.

Thanks to those splendid people that take the time to help me out!


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SixPin

[This message has been edited by HouchinCable (edited 24 March 2001).]

Try Compton Abbas airfield, (look in pooleys guide for details),it's a grass strip but well maintained, they have a thriving flying club and good restaurant, though I haven't been there in quite a while.

hope this helps.

Thanks Majorbyte.

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SixPin

You could try Dunkeswell. Not much on the airfield from what I remember (it was about 5 yrs ago so no offence intended!), but there is a nice village with a pub about 10 mins walk away.

Apparently if you land at Shoreham its only a short trip into town where there is a very good fish restaurant (don't know the name, can't afford to go there!).

Bembridge is also a possibility if you can land there.

Of course with what it's going to cost you to fly there and back you could afford to take her to a VERY expensive restaurant closer to home!! :)


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"Take-off is optional, Landing is mandatory"

Nice restaurant at Compton Abbas, with a nice view.
Easiest to find if you approach from the North. White flashing beacon at the field.

Friendly, families crowd at Old Sarum, just North of Salisbury, at the weekends. Tasty food. Nice atmosphere. A variety of different A/C, on the field and visiting.
WS

Hi HC, Fly into Goodwood and go to the Marriot Hotel and Country Club. I know its a Marriot, but its a good one, loads to do and only 3 minutes from the field. You could even arrange a couple of laps around the historic racing circuit to impress!!

www.goodwood.co.uk

If you like or play golf than this will be a result!!

Grass stips, good approaches, a good cup of tea, and if you need something a bit tasty, ask for alan.

Regards.!!!!!

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If it aint a Boeing, then, erm, its probably an Airbus

scoot over to sandown on the i.o.w. get a cab into town and enjoy good food at reasonable rates. Should you feel a little more confident shoot over to Ostend and stay the night enjoying good food streetside entertainment and an easy to find big runway.

Why not really impress her and wizz the wife across to Ftance.Le Touquet good and Deauville has a superb restaurant overlooking the apron.
Long summer lunches watching aircraft then flying home.Bliss.

If you're going to Deauville you'd be better to fork out the £15 for a taxi ride into Honfleur: Lovely old mediaeval port with reasonable proper French restaurants scattered around it and narrow cobbled streets. There is also a supermarket where you can stock up on wine etc to offset some of the cost of the trip. There is no shop on the airfield unless you are going to the Channel Isles, when you can get duty free. (At least that was the situation when I was there in December.)

Expect to be asked to report at the bridge over the Seine (Pont de Normandie) as a VRP. Good ATC service from crossing the French boundary and it's not REALLY that far single-engined across water!

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"Take-off is optional, Landing is mandatory"

'Do'Le Touquet!!

Moules et frites a la plage will surely impress her!!!

It is a lovely tree lined boulevard style walk in to town but takes about 40 minutes. Also large (crossed) runways and ease of access. Apron always full of UK registered aircraft!!!!

The "Propeller Inn", next to Bembridge airfield does a good lunch.

Equally, a very nice cooked 3-course can be had from the restaurant on Old Sarum airfield.

G

Late 80's used to fly into a farm strip called Keystone north of Bedford (UK) by about 20 miles or so. Excellent pub called The Pheasant (I think) nearby. Is it still possible to fly in there does anybody know? Foot & Mouth issues aside.

[This message has been edited by M.Mouse (edited 28 March 2001).]

Hi there

Try Bembridge in Isle of Wight. Very nice place. But check if it is still open!
There is a pub near the airfield (10 minutes walk) with nice aviation decoration with good luch.

Good luck and have fun.

What about Bodmin? Food is good at the flying club and you could take in the Eden Project in the same visit - well worth seeing!

All the above are excellent days out especially Compton Abbas and Le Touquet but don't do what a friend of mine did recently on his first flight with better half. He gave her a map to look at before T/O and then, 5 minutes after T/O asked her where he was. It may be some time before she goes again.

My wife will only fly with me if there is at least a good lunch promised and there's two pilots on board.

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"If you keep doing what you've always done, you will keep getting what you've always got"

Thank you all very much for your suggestions. I am giving them all consideration.
pulse1, thanks for the anecdotal note of caution.
I must admit, as it will be a major occasion (Wx permitting) I’m leaning toward France.
Once again thank you all very much and I welcome any more suggestions. :)


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SixPin

If you can't escape the UK, here is Compton Abbas' website:

http://www.airfields.co.uk/compton-abbas.html

Quite a while since I've done the run, but Le Touquet was always a firm favourite - plenty of choice in the town. Just to be different, go a bit further West to Le Treport. Short taxi ride to a nice spot by the sea and better value than LT.

I think Le Treport is sort of private. By this I mean you can't just file a plan and go. You need PPR. Pooleys/Delage will have details.

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"Take-off is optional, Landing is mandatory"