Thursday 20th September will remain in my memory for many, many years to come (if I get to live for many, many years that is).
The weather forecast wasn't good but we took the advantage of our 'weather window' and made a dash for the train in time to get to Helensburgh, get a cuppa and take in the sights. However, the rain had not been factored into our timeline and we found ourselves sitting inside Dino's on the promenade just as the Red Arrows began their 23 minute display.
The weather forecast wasn't good but we took the advantage of our 'weather window' and made a dash for the train in time to get to Helensburgh, get a cuppa and take in the sights. However, the rain had not been factored into our timeline and we found ourselves sitting inside Dino's on the promenade just as the Red Arrows began their 23 minute display.
Dropping everything we hurried to the door to get a better look and then outside to get an even better one.
LOL
It was stupendous, with 'the boys', as we call them, putting on a great show to mark the berthing of the QE2 in Greenock on her final, round Britain, cruise and (and this was the reason we were in Helensburgh) to mark her 40th birthday.
Forty years to the very day she had been launched, higher up the Clyde, from what was then John Brown's shipbuilding yard.
Forty years to the very day she had been launched, higher up the Clyde, from what was then John Brown's shipbuilding yard.
Although only seeing the launch on TV, I had had the pleasure of seeing her being build over a period of around six weeks during the summer of 1968 .. only months before she was launched.
The Red Arrows was an added bonus. We had only just discovered they were shecduled to appear when we did our reseach re arrival and departure times for the event which was being staged to mark the QE2's birthday.
The Red Arrows was an added bonus. We had only just discovered they were shecduled to appear when we did our reseach re arrival and departure times for the event which was being staged to mark the QE2's birthday.
Years back my OH had the pleasure of being raised in the same street and being a close friend of a one-time member of The Red Arrows Team and it had been our habbit to visit as many arishows as was feesable back when we did such things ... now alas we're not up to the travelling involved and we both have missed seeing the boys do their thing.
Say what you will re any financial implications, any war-related implications and the military implications of such displays, we Love them and probably always will ... 'Bottom line', The Red Arrows are a part of makes us 'Us'.
Have just found out that the QE2 will be back on the Clyde on 5th October 2008 on her farewell tour ...
so stick it in your diary.
(QE2 Only that day! ~ No Red Arrows ~ awwwwwe !)
Have just found out that the QE2 will be back on the Clyde on 5th October 2008 on her farewell tour ...so stick it in your diary.
(QE2 Only that day! ~ No Red Arrows ~ awwwwwe !)
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