The Beyond Series and Mancunian Crime Tales: A Year Travelling the UK in a Motorhome - Cornwall - Gliding Experience - Newquay

Tuesday, 26 May 2015 Week 40

I said last week I'd include the glider experience with this blog, as we had a lot going on in week 39, and this week has been much more about rest and relaxation. At Eaglescott Airfield, a bright sunny Saturday and perfect gliding weather, I embarked on one of my life experiences I've always wanted to have a go at.

We arrived at a tiny wooden cabin and a huge field. I was told to go over to this glider, where Sue, the pilot, was already showing the first arrival how to control the glider and I got very panicky because when Del bought me this experience gift for Christmas I just thought I was going to sit in the back and be flown about by a pilot.

Instead, I was informed I'd be doing the flying and sitting in the front and the pilot would be instructing from the back seat!! Now I was petrified. However, after the first client had his gliding experience, the instructor went through the control panel again with me, and it seemed simpler the second time it was explained to me., The great thing about this day was that as a very small airfield, the spectators were dragged into helping out and keeping the glider wings level when on the ground... including Del, who had to hold the wing whilst I was waiting to take off.

Sadly, I don't have any pictures of what it was like whilst I was up in the sky because I was concentrating on my co-pilot's instructions. (So, I found an aerial photo from my memory of what it was like.) I did sit at the front and I did steer the glider, let the towing rope go, bank to the left and right and circle to descend. The instructor only took over the controls as we flew over some hedges on the approach back to the field to land.

The take-off was amazing, and I can still feel the butterflies in my tummy as we sped up along the airstrip. The glider lifted off the ground before the plane did, which felt odd and the feeling of floating just above the ground was so exciting I just wanted, to giggle!

I couldn't take photos up there, because we couldn't take anything in our pockets in case they fell out, so Del took this of me just as I'd broken the tow rope free and disappeared over the Devonshire countryside. As I couldn't take pictures up in the air, this is probably the best representation of what I saw from a thousand feet up. A lifelong dream over so quickly, I just couldn't stop grinning! We spoke to another small aircraft pilot, and he said it's addictive, and I have to agree. Considering doing it again... or maybe even as a hobby! One of the half dozen little planes at the airfield.

The flight path over Croyde, Bideford, Barnstaple and Great Torrington.

We headed down to Newquay to begin the Cornwall leg of the journey. We have had a very restful week, just hanging out by the Newquay Bay Holiday park we were staying at for the first half of the week. Del recommended Captain Jack's a pirate/Jacobian-themed restaurant, which I can now thoroughly recommend.

I had the Chef's special, a sort of Cajun spicy chicken, and it was delicious and really tender. Del had the most amazing rack of ribs. Shame I didn't take any photos.
Instead, I took a picture of one of the private dining tables all decked out in an old-world style. I love places like this.

There was a caravan exhibition at The Park Dean Caravan Park, and if you know me, you will be aware that I like all things purple and caravan/camping. When I saw this van, I decided if we did ever decide to buy and static caravan it would have to be the Atlas Heritage 2015 model... lol. Even the kitchen is purple and cream... oh, and the cooker is purple too - so cool! I also liked the interior of this van.

As we approach the end of our little jaunt around the British coast, we have decided we are going to start camping again. We will be downsizing from 24 foot Deluxe Rapido 7-series24-foot Motorhome to a Kampa Hayling 4!

It's big! And I can't wait to sleep out under the stars in it later on in the summer. We went to a camping exhibition and decided to get it because it ticked all the boxes.

It even has a porch so you can sit outside even when it's pouring down and not get wet... and Del can stand up straight in it! It was an enjoyable day, so we put it up to make sure all the parts were present and correct. We went for lots of nice walks when the weather was nice. This is one of the coves on Newquay beach. Very quaint.

And the harbour where we ate at one of our favourite seafood restaurants - The Boathouse. We had Lobster, Spider Crab and Mussels... Mm Yummy yum yum.

Del and I being silly whilst waiting for the Bingo to start at the Park Dean holiday Park. We bought the Sid and Lizzie mascots as souvenirs because I thought they were cute! Finally, this is a view from Holywell Bay Beach on the opposite side of Newquay, where we met with Del's Lifeguard friend and her family, as she has moved to Cornwall.

We sat on the beach for a while, then had a slap-up barbecue back at the campsite. I love lazy days and great company like these. The simple pleasures in life are still the best.

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