The Red Arrows ………. in The odd entries from life …….

It’s a bit of a joke each time I go to Portsmouth, no mater what the forecast there is good weather in Perranporth and Old Portsmouth, so happiness at each end of the line; my waterproof jacket made me stand out a little! My outward trip was sunny but cool as I waited on the platform at Truro, and it looked the same as we passed through Cornwall and Devon, Somerset was over cast and raining; then as we approached Portsmouth the weather became more summery – still the air was cool!

All my photograph was dun on the Thursday, as all the really photogenic events were on the fifth of June, I was late arriving at the beach landing on Southsea Beach, Mum wasn’t in a good mood so I stayed longer; with out managing to improve he state of mind. I was with her until lunch time, then I left for the Beach, at the home all the activities are in the morning; after lunch things are quite quiet – just the sound of sleep and the television.

A large area of the common and the seafront were closed, so the crowds were pushed into groups on ether sides of the landing; but by the time I arrived the beach had been taken! My six foot one inch height was useful but no as useful has it was in the sixties and seventies, six foot one isn’t as high as it used to be, so there I was in the crowd standing on my toes and stretching my neck, a number of bright red bald heads were edited out.

I had agreed with my Sister to meet her on the high-ground near Clarence Pier, this was a long walk round the closed area, an arena area for films and displays ‘The Longest Day’ was to be shown on Thursday. A bout half way round I found the area where food outlets were, so I joined a queue, in five minutes I was my way with a burger and bottle of mineral-water; it was another tens minutes walking till I got to the high land – about 15 feet!

As I approached I thought some one waved, I waved back a little uncertain if they were waving at me, by then it was ten minutes until the Red Arrows were due. By then I was ready to sit down, there was a couple on a bench so asked if there was space on the end; and they kindly made room. I was ready for water more than the burger, but it was gone a minuet or two; then it was time to scan the sky.

It was near to a quarter after two when I saw the nine red jets coming low over Southsea, there were not going faster than sound as some one near by clamed, but they were fast enough so the sound only just arrived before them; making a suitable dramatic entrance for those looking over the Solent.

Waiting and watching ……

All over the sky.

Two Jets close pass ….

Over the Solent.

Forming up …..

The Rap …..

The goodbye pass.

My Sister walked up half way though the Red Arrows display, it was her waving! Some years ago she had asked the Red Arrows if they could do a pass over at a school end of year event, they say said they would do there best; on the day the flew over and retuned and gave the school a short display. We both though thought the Red Arrows display was the highlight of the day.

There was a nice meeting on my long walk, I walked passed an old gent with a chest full of medals, so I turned round and said hello, he seemed pleased to have a chat, he had been an Flight Engineer in the RAF. He had served in a reconnaissance squadron, working on the ground with Spitfires and Mosquitoes, and a few times he had flown in four engine planes that needed a flight engineer in the crew. It was good to talk with some one who was involved.