needles 1,013 Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 After a somewhat convivial episode in the Humarhúsiđ - (The Lobster House), in down town Reykyavik on wednesday evening, I realised that I was supposed to be meeting Jack at Egilsstadir airport to aquire the Baton, which in turn I was to get it to Joe in Stornoway. I was rather inebriated after falling in with a group of Icelandic fishermen, who had that afternoon, landing their largest lobster catch of the season to date. Feeling a little worse for wear, I had to get myself a quick flight over to the eastern side of Iceland to the said meeting. I managed to get an internal domestic flight with ease having disguised my condition with copious amounts of strong black coffee followed by several packets of mint imperials. It is the season of goodwill and joviality I kept telling myself. Anyway, suffice to say that I made it to Egilsstadir shortly before Jacks flight landed. After meeting Jack and taking safe collection of the well travelled Baton, I made my way to a quiet hotel for the night. I was informed that there was no flight from Egilsstadir to Stornoway but I could connect with a BA flight out of Reykyavik on friday morning. I now have to get a flight BACK to Reykyavik on thursday to make that vital connection with the BA flight. Bu**er it, I could have had the Baton sent to Reykyavik to meet me instead of all this nonsence back and forth. Ah well! A good rest and all may be well in the morning. As Thursday dawns, the weather doesn't look too bad for the time of year. I decided to take a good hearty Icelandic breakfast of hafragrautur (oatmeal), flollowed by more black coffee that was so strong you needed a trowel to stir it. So, wide awake I set off back to Egisstadir airport to try and get another flight BACK to Reykyavik. The only one I could get at such short notice was a single seat left in a ArcherIII full of Frenchmen on a whistlestop tour of Iceland for Christmas. Early dawn at Eggilsstadir. The French guys seem in pretty good humour and allow me to take a front seat next to the pilot as they were quite intrigued as to what, was inside the Baton. I informed them that if, I divulged that sacred information I would have to then dispatch them all. Ha ha ha's all round. As Thierry was going through his pre flight checks, I noticed that the avionics were not switched on. Pointing this out to him brought even more laughter from the other guys. Feeling a little perturbed by their frivolity I was wondering if I had made a wise descision to tag along. I am inclined to jump in with both feet and without brain engaged, before opening my mouth. All was well and Thierry had just informed me that he has his own way of initialising all the systems on board. Nothing to worry about. I couldn't tell if I was heavily hung over from my bout with the fishermen or whether I was hyper with the excess caffiene I had been drinking. Take off was as smooth as a babies derriere. We were off for a good early jaunt BACK to where I had just come from. On the switchback to our flight course I was asked if I would like to take control. 'Certainement, Merci' I replied. Having a smattering of schoolboy French. This brought howls of 'très bon', from the rear passengers. What a happy bunch they were. A few clouds building but nothing too much to worry us I thought. C'est moi, et le bâton Not too long before we arrived at Reykyavik and a good day ahead methinks. Thierry taking the reins before touchdown. 'Au revoir et merci beaucoup', I tell them. All parked up and my new found friends departed, I have to find out when I can get a BA flight to Stornoway. I'm invited in to the Icelandair offices for a little chat as they also want to know what is in the Baton. I am suspected of trying to smuggle out some preciuos Icelandic ash.:lol: If only they knew. After a short period in their care I was offered a coffee for my troubles, which I courtiously declined as I was as high as a kite already on caffiene. I was then informed that the next BA flight to Stornoway would be on Friday morning. 'That's not a bad thing really' I said, as that will get me into Stornoway for Hogmanay. Friday 31st December 2010. My French friends have long gone and I have woken to a not so nice day. The weather has closed in and it looks set for the day. My flight is in a BA BN-2 Islander to Stornoway. I reckon with this weather it may take us most of the day to get there safely. The sun has not even risen as I make my way to the plane. There aren't many people wanting to get to Stornoway so it's looking like a fairly quiet journey when..... ....I get a call from the airport to say that the scheduled pilot for today has been taken seriously ill with sea-food poisoning. A narrow miss, for me then. It transpires he was taken ill with an allergic reaction to shellfish. Something he had never suffered with before. Not uncommon but this has now put me in the captains chair for the flight. Oh dear! Not nice weather........I only like sunny day flying normally. But the Baton must get to Joe for the final leg, so I take up the challenge. As the sun decides to grace us with it's presence, it looks like I am about to take off on Mars. There appears to be a very red hue in all around. Leaving Iceland and Reykyavik behind, I'm not overly optemistic about todays weather. It looks like there is to be very low fog and rain all the way to Stornoway. Undeterred, I take my first flight in a BN-2 Islander and what a lovely little craft she is too. Flying out over the capital and on course for the outer hebridean capital. This red have is not great for my eyes especially after the session I had with the fishermen. It seems that I'm flying inside a firestorm. Ah! As I climb to my cruising altitude of 5000ft I emerge through the low cloud and precipitation to finally get clear of the red mist. Still over Iceland but looking more settled now. I just hope that thie mist and fog below me clear up before I reach the Hebrides. What a lovely day up here. Low sun, no high cloud, clear visibility, what could be better? After a pretty uneventful flight, I start my descent to the clouds again. Not looking forward to this, as I've been warned that there is very thick fog below me on the approaches to Stornoway. It's not going to be pleasant. The view from the rear. That looks pea soupy down there. I can just about make out the lights of two other flights descending in front. Better not follow them. I will have to trust my instincts and fly IFR. Oh lordy, this is thicker than I would have hoped. Well, I've surprised myself after flying IFR, I find myself on a pretty respectful final. Touchdown, Stornoway. A little to the left of centre as per my usual landings but not bad considering the conditions out there. I need to put this baby to bed because I have a date with Sharon,..........oh and Joe. Looking at the fog out there, I will be surprised if the ferry Joe and Sharon are taking from Ullapool to Stornoway will ever find me. I've got express instructions not to be late for dinner tonight. It is Hogmanay after all. I think I'll nip down to the harbour to see what the ferry news is. Jeez' I can't believe my eyes when I see the ferry from Ullapool coming in. It does appear to be going a little fast to say it's not too far away. Just hope it's got a decent reverse thrust on her coz' that quayside is looming up fast. I can't watch. If that thing misses her berth, there will be one almighty mess out there. Just hope Joe has got the MH credit card ready for tonights Hogmanay bash. Oh, I almost forgot....Tis' my first encounter with Sharon. Keep a good grip on Sharon's arm Joe. I'm lurking and wifey isn't with me and it's Hogmanay. Happy New Year. Slainte! Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,497 Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 [Text from Joe Mobile on the "Isle of Lewis"] Hey Brian, Thanks for getting the baton safely to Stornoway, table booked for tonight at the Digby, should be fun! A great post for your flight, I only hope I can live up to it! By the way, tell the boys to fuel the Islander up to the tabs as I am not sure of my destination yet. All the best Joe & Sharon Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Go raibh mhaite agat Brian! Thank you Brian for an excellent flight. I wonder what Joe will fly? How long did it take for that small Islander to cross to Scotland? It must have taken an age! Great shots and great story! Link to post Share on other sites
needles 1,013 Posted January 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Hi Guys @ Joe, she's fuelled to the hilt and prepped for you mate. See you later at Digby's. Looking forward to meeting Sharon :th_smiles73: @Kieran, Tapadh Leibh. (Scots Gaidhlig - Thank You). Is that Irish Gaelig? Another ATWC is drawing to a close. Regards Brian Link to post Share on other sites
Aidan 1 Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Great Leg! Bring us home Joe =D Link to post Share on other sites
Axel 0 Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 [Text from Joe Mobile on the "Isle of Lewis"] Hey Brian, Thanks for getting the baton safely to Stornoway, table booked for tonight at the Digby, should be fun! A great post for your flight, I only hope I can live up to it! By the way, tell the boys to fuel the Islander up to the tabs as I am not sure of my destination yet. All the best Joe & Sharon Whenever* you fly this leg Joe. If you fly it on Vatsim or on Gamespy, I will be happy to escort you. Alex *3am is not brilliant. Link to post Share on other sites
rob16584 42 Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 As usual a very good post Brian, I hpe your head recovers in time for your meal with Joe Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 Great shots Brian, and a good story line to go along with them. That sunrise in Reykavik was just stunning.. Link to post Share on other sites
needles 1,013 Posted January 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 Cheers Rob & Mikael. Glad you enjoyed my post. The Icelandic sunrise fooled me for a while, I thought my graphics card was poorly. Thankfully, not the case. After Jacks post it was difficult to follow asa his was quite superb. regards Brian Link to post Share on other sites
ddavid 149 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 Welcome to Stornaway, Bri' - enjoy your meal, you deserve it! That red sunrise was a surprise, I bet! Glad you sorted the ILS... Great pics and commentary - keep the standard flying, eh?!? Cheers - Dai. P.S. Young Ms S. is a kitten, really... Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 Yes Brian - it was Irish Gaelic! Link to post Share on other sites
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