Wednesday, August 11, 2010

WOW!

I haven't felt like this since VE Day. At noon we watched in the garden as the Red Devils jumped - as if they were going to land in the garden. I stood on the picnic table - camera in hand with MTL grabbing my ankles. As always happens when I get excited my camera jammed so I just wallowed in the spectacle.

The Red Arrows were due at 3.30pm and I can't find the words to describe what I felt. It couldn't have been more emotional if they had been my kin. They plummetted and swooped - sometimes gone before one could find them but the display was generous and if anyone in Minehead didn't see them they must have been asleep. By then I had jettisoned the camera and it was a bit heart breaking - especially when they made a heart and then an arrow piercing it. Thankfully I had down loaded the photos but nothing beats the live performance.
Red Arrows and Red Devils I salute you.


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16 comments:

Anonymous said...

know what you mean about stirring the heart - and some MP is talking about disbanding them! Heresy!

Pat said...

Rosneath : yes MTL muttered something about health and safety but I trust he was joking:)

Kim Ayres said...

I saw them in Bexhill when I was about 5 and it made a huge impression. One of the few things I can remember from that age

Eryl said...

Wow indeed, and not just for the Red Arrows: you stood on the picnic table like an excited little girl! I have such a lovely image of the scene.

Sharon Longworth said...

We saw the red arrows recently at the British Grand Prix. I stood there for 20 minutes, head up, mouth open, wondering aloud to anyone who'd listen 'how do they do that, how can they fly that close, why don't they crash'
Stunning.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

This looks FANTASTIC...! I've never seen anything like this, ever! How thrilling, Pat.

Pat said...

Kim: Have they been going so long? I must do some reading about them.

Eryl: if I'd fallen off I'd have been a silly old woman.

Sharon: exactly!

Naomi: it really is breathtaking. Who knew anything to do with machines could have been so moving?

Denise Covey said...

What an exciting time and what beautiful photos. I've always been disappointed when I've tried to take pics of planes..:)

Kevin Musgrove said...

Not seen them in ages. When I was a tiny tot we used to spend a couple of days watching all sorts of interesting aircraft flying in for the Barton Air Show. Then we'd get the show day, including the Red Arrows (back when they were flying Folland Gnats). And then two days' worth of interesting aircraft flying home again.

And all buckshee from the comfort of our front garden, just a mile from the aerodrome!

Kevin Musgrove said...

BTW - I mentioned Allen Bruce the other day on FB. Do you remember him? Neither me nor my parents could place him at all.

mapstew said...

WoW!

And try not to scare MTL by dancing on the tables! :¬)

xxx

Kim Ayres said...

Apparently they were formed in 1964.

Wikipedia is always good for a quick check up on things.

Daphne Wayne-Bough said...

Oooh I love a good bit of throttle me. But why were the Belgian national football team jumping out of planes? It should have been the French team.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

The first time I saw this sort of *air play* was when we were celebrating a Caribbean arts festival here...and the Brazilians did a fantastic display over the sea and land. I was trembling with excitement. I saw it from our veranda.

They didn't jump out of the planes though, but they did all sorts of really scary things with those planes.

kenju said...

I've seen a few air shows over here with the Blue Angels and they are thrilling to watch!

Pat said...

L'aussie: welcome! I didn't take these fantastic photos I'm afraid.

Kevin: buckshee from one's garden is the best;)
No neither of us remember Allen Bruce.
In relation to what? I should look at Facebook but I've only got 6 minutes ta answer comments. You know how it is with we high powered execs.

Mapstew: he's quite cool about it - usually:)

Kim: thanks. I'll have a quick shufti when things quieten down. My cleaner is due at 9am and it's Taunton yet again today.

Daphne: down girl!

GG: just to clarify the Red Devils are a separate group and jump out of much slower planes - fortunately:)

Judy: I'm sure the Blue Angels are great but I've only room in my heart for the Red Arrows:)
Pathetic I know.