Family day out to see the planes!

On the first Sunday of every month (except January and August!) Madrid´s museum of historic planes, offers an exhibition of their planes both in flight and on land from one of the oldest airports in Madrid: Cuatro Vientos.

I was so excited, that I woke up at 7:00am. I think my enthusiasm was contagious because each one of us (including no 2!!!!) was anxious to arrive. It took about 1hr to get there, but the trip was well worth it!

These planes, dating back as far as 1925, were a real sight to behold. Not only are they well maintained, but it is so beautiful when you can contemplate them from so close up. Some people even got to sit in them... not me... a bit green I was actually....but hey... some day.

There were so many bi planes which are my very favorites! That said, the plane I admired most in this exhibition was not a biplane but one of the earlier commercial airplanes with seating for about 10 max a Beechcraft 18 Spantax, The plane you see above. But all in all, a fantastic treat especially for me!

No 1 took all the photos.... all 96 of them, which obviously I will not include in this post.!! The air show was sooooooooo exciting and was topped off by some very daring acrobatic stunts that made you hold you breath and clap your hands furiously, although I don´t know why... the pilot can´t hear the applause!

This was a really good day.... and I enjoyed every minute.....I am truly blessed.. I am happy!

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best,"
and then he had to stop and think.
Because although Eating Honey
was a very good thing to do,
there was a moment just before
you began to eat it which was
better than when you were,
but he didn't know what it was called.
~A.A. Milne

Flying High!

More than anything else the sensation is one of perfect peace
mingled with an excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost,
if you can conceive of such a combination.
~Wilbur Wright

I have always had a fascination for flying, I think it is almost impossible not to! The Law of Gravity being constantly defied distinctly attracts one´s attention and demands the question be voiced, "how?"

A good friend of mine,who studied aerodynamics, once told me that the first year of study is spent giving reasons why it is impossible to fly!

Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly,
but the bumblebee doesn't know that
so it goes on flying anyway. ~Mary Kay Ash

There´s a lesson there somewhere!!

My love of planes and flying came of course from my father who was an avid lover of flight, and probably began when he used to take us to see the model airplanes that flew on Lancress Common on Sunday mornings.

I fly because it releases my mind
from the tyranny of petty things.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

My Dad also build his very own model biplane with engine, that sadly did not defy the law of gravity as was hoped. I must of been about 6yrs at the time and I can´t remember exactly how long it took him to build it... but being the perfectionist that he was, I imagine a good year would have done it.

Yes, there are planes and planes. My Dad loved the vintage ones, especially biplanes and his most beloved was the red baron with triple wings.... One thing that singled my Dad out from the rest was that he was not satisfied with the simple or straight forward in life, everything had to "earn" his respect and trust! The Red Baron was clearly a true example of this!

I have to agree with Dad when it comes to choice in aircraft. One could liken the super jets, the airbus 380 of today to ... fast food: in and out... from A to B in the shortest amount of time possible, convenience above all. (Which of course is the only way to go if you´re flying to visit friends or family...no slow enjoyment there!!! ) Whereas the vintage aircraft would compare to an exquisit 3 course meal in the Ritz: meant to be enjoyed with time and leisure, where every detail counts and where every sensation is to be experienced to the full.

When once you have tasted flight,
you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,
for there you have been,
and there you will always long to return.
~Author Unknown

The movie "Out of Africa" , has many beautiful and outstanding landscape scenes (as well as a tragic love story) as being the winner of several oscars confirms. One of the most awesome of these being Denys and Baroness Blixen´s flight in biplane over the African Savannah.

I am always moved by this scene and find the excitement almost tangible as they glide over the plains, close enough to reach out and touch the wildlife....breath taking. I hope one day to do this myself and reach my hand back and clasp the hand of my fellow passenger mid flight, wear those incredibly attractive goggles(???!!!) and have my hair blowing in the breeze. This is flying at it´s best!

Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society.
The optimist invents the airplane
and the pessimist the parachute.
~Gil Stern

Yes, flight captures that appealing element which each human being desires and longs for: the ability to fly above the worries and woes of this life and soar in the the sky of freedom. To be able to defy the gravity of "life."

I guess flight is the closest comparison we have to that spiritual dimension where we are able to soar on wings like eagles.... above the pain and the questions..where the wings of God´s presence and comfort lead us above these struggles and enable us to see the world from His perspective just as if we were flying in that biplane over the African Savannah holding His hand.......