Yes, I'm so happy, 2013!

[ashley]

We had a visitor today.

A bit more here.

[TC]

The aircraft does not need a 3000 metre runway.  Prestwick's is 2987 metres and the 225 was airborne at the 2000 metre mark.

I can remember the old TU104 taking off at Prestwick.  The only way they got airborne was by retracting the undercarriage.  I saw one just about taking the airport boundary fence off as it staggered into the air.  The golfers at Prestwick had to duck as it passed over !

[Martinr]

At the risk of boring everyone..............oh why not!

The required runway length includes the ability to stop should you abort the take-off at the critical speed, hence a 3000m runway with lift off at about 2000m is about right, leaving 1000m to stop the brute.

The required runway length is also a function of take-off weight for the mission to be flown, air temperature and pressure altitude (note pressure not geometric), these last two affecting the amount of lift generated by the wings and the available thrust from the engines. Oh yes and don't forget to account for any slope on the runway.

Are you bored yet!

[TC]

Boring some more !   - and also the wind speed down the runway..There is almost always a semi-gale blowing down the runway.

Talking about semi-gales , one of my meconopsis opened up yesterday, by this afternoon, half of the petals had been blown off,  This is in a sheltered site !

[David Nicholson]

Are you bored yet!

Yes. But I'm better informed

[Tim Ingram]

Now if someone could explain how to grow Eritrichium nanum so clearly! I'm most impressed by Maggi's birdwatching skills, but we once had a Spitfire loop the loop over our garden (actually over Faversham really); the most wonderful sight and sound!

[Anthony Darby]

The Mosquito, restored in New Zealand, is now flying at its new home in America. I saw it fly a few months ago just up the road from me. http://www.fighterfactory.com/de-havilland-mosquito

[Michael J Campbell]

A couple of visitors today.

[Maggi Young]

Less large and noisy than your last visitor, Michael! Two of my favourite people, Will and Fermi 

[angie]

Michael was it that two that hired that extra large plane that landed with you the other day 
Hope they have taken plenty of pictures of your lovely plants and garden.

Angie 

[Michael J Campbell]

Angie,believe or not but my garden is a mess. A mishmash of everything.

[angie]

Angie,believe or not but my garden is a mess. A mishmash of everything.

Yes I believe you  a mishmash of wonderful plants 

Angie 

[Michael J Campbell]

 

[fermi de Sousa]

Yes I believe you  a mishmash of wonderful plants 

Angie 

Angie,
It's a wonderful mix of wonderful plants -most of which we'd never be able to grow at home!
So nice to see a garden where plants are enjoyed so much. It was only a short visit but we saw so much. Thanks again, Michael, for your hospitality.
We then drove down to visit with Ashley and Helen in their idyllic country cottage and another garden full of amazing plants. More wonderful Irish hospitality - we've been looked after very well and hope to repay their generosity someday in Australia.
We're now resting up in Glengarriff and hope to get across to Garinish Island tomorrow.
cheers
fermi and Will.

[angie]

Fermi I can imagine that they both have wonderful gardens. Mr Amazing has so much wonderful plants I cant imagine anything else.
I loved our visits to Ireland and like you say the Irish are so friendly. I hope you like Garnish Island, when we were there is was a wonderful sunny day and the seals were fast asleep on the rocks.
Tried to look for the pictures of the seals but couldn't find in file.
Hope to see some great pictures when you are back home and find the time.
Here are a couple that I took.