19-20 September

If you have dreams of piloting your own plane high above the rolling fields of Essex, then this was definitely the meet for you.  Boys and girls of all ages, from 6 to 60 and more, had a go at flying one of the model aircraft with the support, encouragement and assistance (via the dual control) of the instructors. Luckily they were easy to spot as they were sporting stylish day glow yellow reflective jackets. The weather on Saturday provided the perfect flying conditions being warm and bright with a slight breeze. The whole day had a very relaxed feel which meant that there was plenty of time for everyone to have a go. That evening we were all invited to the barn for a drink and a chat and watched some fabulous footage of model aircraft.

Thanks to Dawn and Paul for a wonderful weekend.

I think the only person who perhaps didn't have the best possible weekend was Cliff,  who as the previous editor of The Easterner is getting a special mention, and Dave and I will take heed the curse of the exiting editor  they say it happens in threes…

Firstly, he failed to spot a large metal cage that was protecting a tree while reversing his caravan and scraped his car; then his step gave way and he fell out of his caravan, we believe it was quite a “you've been framed” moment but unfortunately there was no-one there to capture it so we will have to leave that to your imagination; and after moving his solar panel into the sun he then proceeded to get into his own car and forget that he had moved it until he heard a crunch; so when you see him again, be gentle ;-)

Quote of the weekend goes to our chairman Duncan who said “The DA is just like looking after children the more members we have in the DA the less work I have to do”  so now you know the reasons for his expansion plans MWA HA HA HA.

And Finally…a special mention has to go to Clive who was limping around all weekend trying to drum up maximum sympathy with his crutches and tubigrip, and it almost worked, until he explained how he got the injury in the first place -  he was doing the splits at work and dislocated his knee  yes you did read that correctly!

There were 29 units there in total.  These comprised 4 from West Essex DA and the remainder from EEDA. Three of them were first timers and we would like to extend a special welcome to them and ask that if you do see them at future meets to go over and say hi:

Exton Family  Mark, Vicky, Oliver (5) and Mia (3) in a Lunar Premiere 415

Ferney Hough Family  Adam, Julie, Charlotte (6) and Isabella (3) in a Abi Nightstar

Wright Family  Steve, Pinday and Joel (10) who were the only tent on site

Nicky Gardner