They Are So Mine

Here’re my boys looking at Rochester Airfield. They loved waking around and seeing the planes. We were going to go on a river trip but all sailings were cancelled because the river was flooded!

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DC Day Six

My last day in Washington DC! I knew I’d be leaving for the airport at around 19:30 so I had all day and plenty more to see. Another sunny day in DC and slightly warmer than the last week or so.
Got up, had coffee and then prepared for another run. I hadn’t seen the World War II memorial so far and that was my destination for today.

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On the run I saw a coast guard helo. My helicopter total for the trip was as follows:

  • Black Hawk
  • Marine One
  • Coastguard
  • Park Service UH-1

Back to Georgetown and time to get ready for a busy day. I had lunch organised at midday and so I wandered in to town at about 11. I was planning to get the metro from Foggy Bottom and go two stops to McPherson Square but I had plenty of time and so kept going on foot. I got to 14th and Eye just on time and walked a little further to The Hamilton bar for lunch.

View of the Capitol

After a Hamilton burger for lunch I walked towards the Newseum. I hadn’t quite decided whether to go there or the National Museum of American History. I happened to wander past the FBI Headquarters building and didn’t blag my way in to that place. I figured if I wanted to see inside I could try and get arrested somewhere, although that would probably not be worth the effort. I like my body cavities as they are!
I saw a sign indicating Ford’s Theatre and so I walked to see that. There were many many school children waiting outside. I understand, it’s the place of assassination.
I decided that the Newseum would wait and so I walked to the Museum of American History. Half of the museum was shut for the year to be refurbished which was a shame. I saw the original flag that inspired the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner and some pieces of American History. Again, much like the Natural History Museum, I have a feeling that we do museums far better than the Americans and it all seemed a little “not quite the nation’s museum” even though it was.
I headed for the National Aquarium close to the White House and waited in line to be searched and pay my entry fee of USD10. I’m glad it was only a small amount of money as the Aquarium was pretty rubbish. The London Aquarium is far superior. Apparently there is a branch of this aquarium in Baltimore and I would hope that one is much better. Maybe another trip.
It was time to start wandering back to GT. I was feeling a touch peckish and thirsty and I wanted more coffee so I found a bar on M street in GT. Mr Smith’s saloon fed me coffee, buffalo chicken sandwich and a Goose Island beer.

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Much refreshed it was now cupcake time. There are two shops in Georgetown that feature in their own TV shows on some small time channels. I though it might be worth buying a cake from there however, the queue was around the block and I don’t like cupcakes enough to wait that long. Instead I had a muffin and coffee from Saxbys.
Packing my suitcase in Winfield Lane was methodical and calming and then I played some guitar hero Metallica while I waited for Rich to come home from work. The journey to the airport was uneventful and the flight home was boring. I tried to sleep but don’t think I managed it.

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It was great to see my boys and spend the next few days with them in the UK.

Quiet Skies

Here’s the skies over southern Scotland earlier today:

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And here’s the view a few moments ago (30 Oct 17:30):

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Much busier this evening. Spending a while in Cowdenbeath. Flying home soon. Sons loved the flight up.

Best Place In The World

Here’s a few photos of the best place in the world. When you are an aircraft geek there’s only the Smithsonian in Washington DC, all other places pale in comparison.

Space Shuttle Discovery

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Another of Space Shuttle Discovery

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The Lockheed SR71A Blackbird

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More Blackbird

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A Grumman F14 Tomcat

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Seeking Aircraft

Here’s #1 running to the fence to see the aircraft at Headcorn Airfield. We watched a helicopter take off and skydivers safely return to the home planet. It was most pleasant.

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I really like the sky in this picture. It’s a good contrast to the ground.

Plane Finder AR

Just installed Plane Finder AR onto the phone. Point your camera at a plane and it’ll tell you

  • what it is
  • where it is
  • where it’s going
  • how far away it is
  • whose it is
  • absolutely brilliant. I love it. Just right for an aircraft geek.

    Night time picture of screen! That’s what time it is here!
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