Day 6, Leg 3 – Carlisle to Anglesey

From Carlisle we were manoeuvring around cells of rain squalls until St Bees Head where we chose to orbit to assess the weather situation, discretion proved to be the greater part of valour and a precautionary landing was made next to the lighthouse on the headland. After 15 minutes on the ground the inevitable farmer in a 4 X 4 arrived to demand money with menaces for a landing fee. Two years ago we were told that BBC had landed and paid him £150 for the privilege … he felt that with inflation this should be a worthwhile amount for his efforts. Having been shown numerous landing receipts at fully serviced airports to the value of £16 he was crestfallen.

Amicably we left fifteen minutes later without any money changing hands!

The remainder of the journey saw us past Sellafield, Morcombe Bay, the Golden Mile at Blackpool followed by the British Open Golf at Royal Birkdale. Charlie provided our “ferry across the Mersey” and the north coast resorts of Wales prior to our landing at Anglesea.

Day 6, Leg 2 – Fly like the Wind – Oban to Carlisle

Left Oban to see the Bridge over the Atlantic and then followed the Crinnan Cannal but with a 45 knot tail wind this meant a fly past at Millport to wave at the McDavids was earlier than expected. Arrived at Carlisle as the R44 was leaving for Denham. An hour at Carlisle allowed us to assess the weather for the next leg.

Day 6, Leg 1 – “Over the Sea FROM Skye” … to Oban

Awake at 5 am, rain gradually clearing, sun at Talisker, after flights for hosts, set off in bright sun for Oban and fuel. Once again a good reception, particularly from Paul who supplied us with tea and jammy dodgers and the weather. When we arrived at Oban an R44 helicopter was departing to Carlisle