Today I saw...

BobClay

Well-Known Forumite
Been watching some junior pilots strutting their stuff on my lawn this morning. Tried to get a pix but as soon as the conservatory door opens (it's a bit noisy) they all go into 'full scramble' mode. (Don't know how @Gramaisc does it ?)

The take offs seem good, the landings still in need of work. Mostly spugs and tits and the odd finch (I think, I need a bird book.)

Reminds me of that old pilot's joke: "Take offs are optional. Landings are compulsory."

:teef:
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
The take offs seem good, the landings still in need of work.
In WW1, the Belgians had a pilot - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmond_Thieffry - who was quite good generally, brought down at least ten German aircraft, but his landings were legendary and used to draw crowds of onlookers.

He ended up flying fighters, as they were single-seaters and nobody else would fly with him.

He actually cost the Belgians more aircraft than the Germans, almost certainly.

On one occasion, he piled it up so spectacularly that the presumption was that it might be his last, and the crowd surged across the airfield towards the remains of the aircraft, then suddenly surged back, as he, in his haste to get out of the potential inferno, set the guns off whilst climbing out of the remains of the cockpit.
 

BobClay

Well-Known Forumite
I missed the young uns getting started this year due to the lockdown and Tamar Lake being closed. But this morning I saw a couple of families paddling up the lake. Last year two families stuck together throughout the raising season and I can't help but wonder if it's the same double act.

TamarJune2020.jpg
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
... these chaps, who would pose for me, but refused to smile.

View attachment 8782


On the other side of the bridge was a remarkably tenacious shrub.

View attachment 8783
... on the other side of the hedge from the black ones yesterday, these white ones.

I wonder if it's possible to teach cattle the rules of draughts?

DSCN8173.JPG



I also found a most impressive lightning tree at the top of the hill.

DSCN8171.JPG
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
... an improvised electricity pole.

To avoid interactions between tractor cabs and a slumped span.

DSCN8201.JPG


I would have liked a bit of plastic tubing around the top rung, but the cables are fairly robust, needing to resist abrasion over years passing through trees.
 
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