A very brave soul.

[FLYING BANANA]

Today we done a round trip of 140 miles, furthest I travelled since March, to watch a brave soul throw themselves out of a aeroplane. Matt Darkes, aka Cable Tie, good lady Shirley took on the challenge of a sponsored skydive in aid of Dementia UK.

Allen, Val and I convoyed up in our two ZTT’s to Dunkswell Airfield near Honiton. It was a spirited drive although neither of us exceeded Warp Factor 3 (ish!). We met up with a couple of other friends plus Matt n Shirley’s family. Shirley’s group was the 5th lot to go up. We took the bus, tractor and trailer, to the aircraft take off point and landing zone for when the skydivers returned to terra firma. I had a camera with me, for a change. It took the plane 20 minutes to reach 15,000 ft.

First out were the camera team, 4 of them, then the tandems fell out. Shirley and her instructor were last out. We waited for the red, blue and white canopy to come through the clouds. They free fall for 5,000 ft before the cord is pulled. It seemed ages to Shirley to land, this was due to the fact that Shirley and her instructor were the lightest so they took longer to land.

But once down we crowded round our brave little soul. Shirley just said it was absolutely an amazing experience. The bus took the camera crew and instructors back first, then would come back for us.
Dotted around the ex-WW11 airfield there lots of units, where once hangers stood. Parked outside one these units was a Yellow bi-plane. Used by the wing walkers and a USAAF artillery spotter plane, make unknown. They both took off later in the day.

Once we was back at the cafe, we watched the official video of Shirley’s jump and collected her certificate.
We then went onto the Aviators restaurant to have lunch. Bloomin’ lovely jacket potato with chilli con carne and a mug of tea for me.

Then home time and another spirited drive home with the Bear leading Leafy.

Only took 195 photos, will post a few up tomorrow once the circulation returns to my body. Got to get some rest in as I’m due to attend the breakfast meet at Frimley tomorrow. And Bear will want a drink.

[Raven Black]

We all missed you today, best meet, but can see why you missed it.

[FLYING BANANA]

Originally Posted by Jnorris

We all missed you today, best meet, but can see why you missed it.

I will admit that yesterday drained me a bit. Not done any long distance driving since before the lockdown, and the Bear is a heavy car.

Glad you all had a good day. Will try and make the next meet at Frimley.

[i just got one]

can we add a few coppers only just found out lol

[FLYING BANANA]

Originally Posted by i just got one

can we add a few coppers only just found out lol

Pm Matt on here or on Facebook.

[trikey]

Brilliant, just brilliant.


Well done guys, I raise my glass to you.

[FLYING BANANA]

...................................... some photos from the jump.
1-Shirley posing.
2-With the family.
3-Being interviewed by her cameraman.
4-Walking out to the plane.
5-The taxi.

[It runs]

Fabulous where they using a parachute !
Drove 240 miles a week ago just after fitting new rad/ condenser and a regas couldn't imagine driving anything else

[FLYING BANANA]

........................................... The weather was very mixed.

1-Emerging from the clouds.
2-The sudden drop took her breath away.
3-Close up.
4-Legs up.
5-Grand kids giving Granny a hug

[FLYING BANANA]

.................................... I will find out how much she raised.

1-Couple of spectators.
2-Memorial.
3-Close up.
4-Image overlay by me.