Hungerford Arcade “Come Fly With Me”

Hungerford Arcade is full of very interesting people like stallholder Liz Browne (Unit 26E) and her partner Colin.  Colin and Liz have an amazing microlite aeroplane.  They have been to France for lunch and holidayed in Mediterranean.  They take all their camping gear and luggage on this wonderful plane and are able to take off and go anywhere the mood takes them.

 

 

I was very lucky because on Tuesday evening I got a call from Liz asking if I would like to go for a flight with Colin on Wednesday afternoon.  I jumped at the idea and was thrilled to be asked.  When I thought about it, butterflies ran circles around my tummy.  I am terrified of heights and suddenly, I was very scared.  Nonetheless, it was an opportunity not to be missed so I psyched myself up and the next day, my husband Jeff and I travelled to Marlborough to meet Liz at her house.  Colin was already at the airfield preparing the microlite for the flight.

 

 

When we got to the Airfield, Colin was almost ready.  There are many pre-flight checks that have to been done which in itself is fascinating.  When I saw the microlite, it was so beautiful and I did not feel any fear at all, which surprised me.  Colin told me all about it.  It has a 1300 engine and can do 120 mph although Colin prefers to cruise at 100mph for comfort and the chance to see everything.  Colin knew that I was afraid of heights and was very re-assuring.  He said that there are many people who are afraid of heights but it doesn’t affect them when flying.  I felt great after hearing that.

 

I put on a warm jumper which Liz kindly gave me to wear as she said it can be very cold up there although its very hot down on the ground.  Next, I was helped into a flying suit which was very cosy and got settled in the plane.  I put on my helmet which was brilliant because I could hear Colin and also speak to him.  I was so well strapped in, very comfortably and I felt totally relaxed.

 

 

Colin got clearance to taxi down the runway.  As we waited to depart, the engine was roaring away.  Then came take off.  The speed was phenomenal!  I thought I would be sucked out of my flying suit (not literally)  as we climbed higher and higher.  I held onto the back of Colin’s seat with my knuckles pressing into his back.

 

 

When we straightened and out slowed down, what I saw around me was out of this world,  I felt only excitement and pleasure.  We could see the Isle of Wight and then the mountains in Wales and everything in between.  We saw where the ancient settlements had once been and I learned that Silbury Hill was once all white chalk.  It was an important landmark for the stoneage people who used it to navigate their way to Avebury and Stonehenge.

 

We then flew on to Avebury and saw the magnificent stones.  They look even more beautiful from the air.  I didn’t know, but the stones at Avebury were all locally sourced and as we flew around the area, you could see many, many stones lying on top of the ground  A lot of these stones were also used to build Stonehenge.

 

Everyone knows the White Horses of Wiltshire.  Well seeing them from the air is totally different.  They are magnificent and filled me with excitement.  I could not have been happier.

 

Towards the end of the flight, Colin flew us over the Hungerford Arcade owners’ house.  To my surprise, Adrian and Hazel (Liz is Hazel’s daughter) were in their garden waving at us.  We went around twice it was so brilliant.  We were so low, I was waving like crazy and calling out.  I must have deafened Colin (sorry Colin).

 

I couldn’t believe it when we next went to Hungerford and flew around Hungerford Arcade.  It looks stunning from the air.  My goodness, I was on such a high, I didn’t want it to end.  

 

 

Then it was back down to earth.  When we approached the airfield, Colin slowed the engine right down and waited for clearance to land.  The runway looked very small from up in the air, but I knew it was very big.  

 

Colin got clearance to land, lined up with the runway and down we came.  I think Colin said that we landed at 60mph.  It was fantastic.

 

When I got out, Colin said, “I don’t think you realised that when we went over Adrian and Hazel’s house you were sitting horizontal to the ground”.  Wow!  I was so excited I didn’t even notice.  That’s how great it was.

 

Colin is a first rate pilot and navigator.  Not to mention a fantastic guide.  He seem’s to know every inch of land.  

 

I would recommend this way of flying to everyone.  It’s much better than being in a closed in plane because you can see and feel everything.  The plane can slow right down to almost hovering over the sites then in a flash, you’re back up high again.

 

I didn’t get to take any photographs of my flight as I know that I would have dropped my phone and lost it forever!  However, I hope these photos taken by Jeff stir your imagination!

Thank you very much Colin for giving me the trip of a lifetime and thank you Liz for thinking of me.  Rita x