Beefsteak 305 Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 I get up at 10 am telling SWMBO that we have to be in Northwich by 1pm (So that I have chance to park up , and set my camera up, for the BBMF Spitfire display at 1.20pm.) I then go to work on the back lawn. 20 to 1, I go inside to have a cool drink and load the family in the car , to find no one is dressed (Including SWMBO) So I go ballistic, reading them all the riot act. I get the kids upstairs to get them dressed only to discover total devastation in their bedrooms I leave them to tidy up and I have my drink, returning after 5 minutes to find they haven't done a thing, getting a little mad now, I get them dressed any way , only to discover SWMBO has now decided to put herself in the shower!!! I go and sit in the car !!! I go back in the house to tell them they have 1 minute and I am leaving without them, I finally get away at 5 past 1 for a mad dash up to Northwich . I find some where to park and grab my camera just as the beautiful and distinct sound of a Merlin engine gets to my ears. I pop my lens on and start firing away , taking about 90 shots including half a dozen of 5 Buzzards that came out to watch too!! Great display, fast passes , victory rolls , and even a wing waggle to finish, brilliant. I get home , down load my pics to the P.C. and horror of horrors, I had it on all the wrong settings !!!! so I had 90 odd shots of white screen!! I am going to either kill SWMBO for not having a good rush in her , leaving everything to the last second as usual. Or I am going to kill my little monsters for playing with the settings on my camera!! Failing that I am going to kill myself so that I don't have to put up with this cr4p again!! What colour tablets was it BIP?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fynger 841 Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 Oh dear.....eeeek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 Life used to be so simple when we used to get the 28 from carlton square, and head for 'the Fountain' Bridlesmithgate! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted May 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 That's (married / family) life Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bip 88 Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 The little orange ones beefy mate that make ones waters turn a vivid green... Had one of those noisy buggers fly over here today just as I was dropping off to sleep too, gave the pilot the victory sign. Sounds to me beefy mate one needs the dog whisperer in to teach your family a little respect and whos boss. Bip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 859 Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 I'm afraid I would have driven off, or never invited them in the first place. Liz's old man wants to come with me and see the Britannia Pacific next Saturday, but he's right well organised, he'll probably sleep with all his on clothes the night before. Incidentally, why was the BBMF displaying at Northwich. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bip 88 Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Family outing are fine but if the point of the outing is to satisfy one member’s interests then it doesn’t work. Just imagine how keen the kids would have been if they knew they were off to see Mickey Mouse or the wife would have been if she knew it was a cloths shopping spree at your expense, I reckon they would have been in the car before you had tied your laces on your doc martins…. Word of advice…next time don’t tell them your going somewhere just go… I do except payment but make the cheque out for cash….. Bip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rob237 89 Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Yes indeed...an assumption that a family share the interests of one member is invariably a big mistake. I know an old fool who now has his 40 year old children constantly remind him that they were, in reality, rather bored with cricket matches every weekend! Cheers Robt P. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted May 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 The little 'uns love "air planes daddy" I don't think SWMBO is that bothered but she still enjoys airdisplays. I didn't force them to go by the way SWMBO reminded me that they would like to see it too !! It was 'The Thundersprint' in Northwich . (Motorbike racing) We didn't stop around for any of that Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 859 Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Just a suggestion. I found that the best airshows going for all the family are the Shuttleworth Collection displays near Bedford. It's a fantastic place, the kids are free and there are so many other things to do as well. Their main summer display is 7th June, but the sunset shows are brilliant as well. It's very informal, you sit around in grassy areas with your picnic and the aircraft are really in your face, it never seems to be crowded. Admission also includes the Bird of prey centre, the Swiss Garden and the childrens adventure playground. The collection of flying vintage aircraft is the best in there is anywhere and has the oldest flying aircraft in the world, when they wheel the really old stuff out, it's awe inspiring to watch and the kids love it. If you've never been, it's hard to describe what it's like, probably the only experience of a typical pre war or even Edwardian airshow that you're ever likely to experience and so laid back, no razamataz or commercialism, even the bar is a garden shed, Charles Wells bitter too. I know that when I was a single parent, I used to take my son and his mates to various airshows, but Old Warden was different, they could wander about with impunity because it's very small, they had lots to do and they loved all the barnstorming and balloon bursting, apart from wondering whether some of these really old and unique aircraft would ever get off the ground. Even Bip might enjoy it, he'd appreciate all those women parading about in their Edwardian dresses!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 859 Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 I know an old fool who now has his 40 year old children constantly remind him that they were, in reality, rather bored with cricket matches every weekend!Cheers Robt P. I know the feeling, until we were short and my youth got the chance to play in my team and turned out to be a real star at 13, funnily enough the opposition kept calling him 'Arkle', he didn't understand that!!! He loved it, and was bloody good at whatever he did, batting, bowling and particularly fielding, but did the schools encourage cricket at the time, no-way, a waste of a good talent. Sorry about that Beefsteak, but I know you played cricket. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rob237 89 Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 The little 'uns love "air planes daddy" I don't think SWMBO is that bothered but she still enjoys airdisplays. I didn't force them to go by the way SWMBO reminded me that they would like to see it too !!... Sorry kiddo, but that seems to be the much-used classic defence... Just visualize, at your family Xmas Day gathering in 2037, when you are humiliated as your children - amidst much mirth - explain to your grandchildren how Grandad dragged them around to see aeroplanes in their childhoods !bored2! Been there, done that, got the whatever it is... Cheers Robt P. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted May 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 No honest. They love them, I have just been told by SWMBO that I have to take all of them to Cosford on the 14th of June.!!!as they would love to see the planes too. (Surprised me slightly!!) I am alo taking them to Southport in September and Lake Windermere air display too We have been working round the house this afternoon and the kids are in the garden , every couple of minutes one or the other has come running in shouting "Airplane daddy" and telling me whether it is coming from the left or the right ,whether it's a chopper or the spotter plane, etc, giving chance to grab my camera for a shot of the latest plane on finals to Manchester. (I even got a Jumbo today , first ever over the house (That we have seen) They always take a different approach for some reason. By the way , as we were doing the 'mad dash' to Northwich yesterday , I got my first glimpse of an 'Emerates' A 380 Airbus on finals , couldn't take a picture as I was driving. Don't know why it was going into Manchester 'cause I thought they were only flying out of Heathrow for now !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 859 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 How old are your kids mate, I'm just wondering how long it will be before the rot sets in, they're ok when less than about 8 or 9, then it gets difficult, especially when they're with mates. Mine loved Mildenhall Air Fete, mainly because once you went through the gate, that was it, you were in the USA and all that went with it, he really believed he was Stateside. He fell in love with the Snake Slide, that was it, sod the aircraft I have to go on the Snake Slide. 'Jack, the Red Arrows are about to perform', no, I want to go on the Snake Slide, strop........ I remember going to Finningley once,'Can we go on the Tornado flight simulator', OK, so in we go, unfortunately so did all the pilots from the 'Patrouille de France' just for a laugh, that was it, he ended up sitting with them and had a wonderful time. Unfortunately he expected all the other display pilots to turn up and have a go and wouldn't leave the damn thing. Fortunately the simulator was situated next to a parked up F-117 complete with ultra cool pilot wearing 'infinity shades'. What was so funny about that was that he was well into Star Wars at the time and genuinely thought it was something to do with the film, he couldn't believe it was a real aircraft. Pilot gives him a little chat and a signed photo of the a/c, what happens, 'Yeah, cool, but can we go back to the simulator in case the Red Arrows pilots want a go'. Taking him to football matches was a terrible problem too, he would really nag to go, then very quickly get bored, a Tesco bag full of Lego usually solved the problem, talk to him now, the football mad 23 year old, and he's horrified as to how he behaved, but thats kids for you, totally unpredictable, I suspect that you have it all to come. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mariag 4 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Forgive me but WHAT is the fascination of watching planes?????? The only time I like them is on one to somewhere nice and even that is boring....... Now being in a helicopter is good as you actually feel like you are in the air.... but watching one? No I don't think so... Praps beefsteaks wife is being 'a good wife' for his sake????? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Where's the fun of living in the desert ?? Each to there own I suppose !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mariag 4 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 OOOOOh..... are we getting all bitter and twisted???? Here for one thing and one thing only and no it isn't the desert...... WORK! I wasn't saying that there was anything wrong in your chosen pastime.... just cannot see the fascination????? a little like train spotting????? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Where's the fun of living in the desert ?? Come on now Ian it has its benefits... For example, If your egg timer ever breaks down? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I'm with you on the train spotting thing!! I don't honestly know what the facination is ,The cameradery, the speed , the colours, the pilots fantastic abilities, the noise, the beer tent!!, the challenge of getting that one great snap, and (particullarly at air shows) the smell of aviation fuel, put them all together and that about somes it up !!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poohbear 1,360 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Think I prefer deserts.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mariag 4 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I'm with you on the train spotting thing!!I don't honestly know what the facination is ,The cameradery, the speed , the colours, the pilots fantastic abilities, the noise, the beer tent!!, the challenge of getting that one great snap, and (particullarly at air shows) the smell of aviation fuel, put them all together and that about somes it up !!! Praps I need to go to a show - if only for the beer tent lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 859 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Mariag You are away from here, we have the 65th Anniversary of D-Day coming up, my father risked his life on the beaches and I can drive 20 miles up the road to Duxford and witness the flight of an actual Spitfire that possibly flew over his head and shot down a German aircraft on the day, in fact it flew over my house last week, most people in the street stopped and watched it in awe. It's a very emotive thing and it extends outwards from there. A few weeks ago our Aviation Day team stood a few feet behind a Lancaster Bomber as it ran it's engines up, the type of aircraft in which thousands of aircrew died to prevent us from becoming part of a Fascist Empire. I challenge you not to feel emotional in such close quarters to one, probably an experience that you have never had. Similarly, when I was a kid, steam trains ruled supreme, it was the way of things, to be able to go and see one of these snorting, noisy, smoking monsters running on the mainline today is something else. When I went to see one at our local station the other week, the station was packed with people, hardly any of them were spotters, it was local families that had seen the event on the TV news and wanted to experience something of a past age and, boy, did they love it. Sorry mate, I'm not having a go, what has the Arabic nation got to offer you instead, how to painlessly kill a camel perhaps without allowing themselves to become contaminated. There could be some 8F's lurking out in the desert though, perhaps you could look out for them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Messing around with my trusty by my side in the garden, and I get treated to all of this. > > > > > > > > And a couple of evenings ago, whilst out side having a crafty stogie (And I 'aint even got a pond) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mariag 4 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Yes we all have families that had done their time during the wars..... We can't all get excited about the same thing! I think you are focusing too much on my 'arab home' MATE! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poohbear 1,360 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Why all the digs at the arabs?? If I remember correctly agriculture first developed in the Middle East and our mathematical system.Egyptian and other Middle Eastern cultures were amongst the most impressive on the planet. By all means have a go at the ragheads with bombs tied to their waists, but don't tar all from that part of the world with the same brush. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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