Ireland Day 16

I suppose I should change the name of the blog now that we are back in GB, however as the purpose of the trip was to visit Ireland and really we only had 4 days in GB, then I think the name shall stand.

Today was an early day, we were on the road early so we could try and beat the major crowds going to the Air Show at RAF Waddington. We started following the route mapped out by Google but as we neared Lincoln the organisers had signed planned routes into the base. We followed the signs came towards the base from the south and soon we were in a 5km long entrance line up to get in. Now shall mention that only Geoff and I are going to the Airshow, the others are heading off to tour a local "House". As this line was moving a foot a minute we looked for a better way in to get dropped off. We got out of line for regular entrance and followed the coach and handicapped  signs. We entered the park unchallenged and clearly they hadn't thought a lot about kiss and ride areas as there was no place to pull over. We finally met a marshal who directed us to stop anywhere get out and the others would follow on through the parking area and exit. So Geoff and I jump out, Alison takes over control of the car and off they go and we look for a place to pay. WE turned around and realised we have been let off in the middle of the static area and there is no one to take are money, we have just gotten in to one of the largest military air show in Britain if not the world for free.

Most of you know I have worked security for air shows for a number of years and let me tell you they certainly do things differently here. There is no sterile box, the roads around the base are open during all of the flying, (and the one road is at the end of the main runway and a lot closer to the runway than Robin Hill road is to the end of 15/33 in London), helicopter rides continue during the show,and  planes are roped off but there is no one to stop you from crossing the ropes. The other thing that was different was the number of concessions that were there was over whelming, shops, demo teams, food, drink, ( you can buy a beer, wine or mixed drink and carry it around with you) recruitment teams, new car dealers and mobile home sellers.

The flying starts at 10:30am and finishes at 5:00, there couldn't have been more than 45 minutes of pauses during the whole show. The aircraft that I saw static and flying were for the most part  a first time thing. I never thought I would see a UAV up close let alone a Typhoon or a SAAB AWACS plane. (the following photos are a quick snap shot of the show and are not necessarily the best of the 1289 pictures and video I took)

There were 78,000 people attending on the Saturday and there was easily that today if not 100,000. The weather was 29 by noon with open skies and beautiful for a show. Now not surprising I am typing this in the dark having the keyboard lit up by the glow off of my face and yes I had several application of a SPF45 sun cream on.

We left the show a little early to beat the crowds and Alison had a hell of a time getting to us as the police kept diverting way from the base and the road she needed to pick us up at. We did eventually meet and headed back to Crawley.


We stopped in Huntington for a lovely meal at the White Hart

then settled in for the two hour ride to Crawley. As we went over the Dartford Bridge we had a lovely sunset view looking up the Thames to London and down the Thames to the sea.

up to London

down to the sea

 Well it is late again and we have one more early start, need to be at Gatwick for 7 as we have a 10 o'clock flight out, fortunately it is only a 10 minute ride.


Cheers