Monday, 15 August 2022

Airbourne 2022 Preview

I've been waiting to write this blog again for two years now,  finally Airbourne is returning to Eastbourne Seafront and my god have I missed it. 

Some of the aircraft appearing at the show this weekend


Here's my pick of aircraft that are appearing at the show -

Red Arrows

I couldn't start the preview with anyone else! Airbourne has booked the Red Arrows for all 4 days. There's nothing I can add to what I've already written about how amazing the Reds are (I love them that much I have a tattoo of them!) so just sit back and enjoy this year's display. 

The Reds at the show in 2018



This year's routine at RIAT last month


Belgian F16

So this one is a bit confusing, yesterday evening the team posted an update on their Facebook saying that the display had been cancelled due to 'insurance reasons' before then posting that they were working 'behind the scenes' to try and reach a solution. 


To try and generate some good luck and vibes here's some photos from the 2017 Eastbourne display -






Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight -

The BBMF is sending it's Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire all 4 days of the show. As I said above for the Red Arrows there's absolutely nothing I can add that I've not enthused about before with regard to these beautiful aircraft. 

One of my favourite ever airshow memories is when the Canadian Lancaster 'Vera' joined the team in 2014. 







Rolls Royce Heritage Flight Spitfire & Mustang -

Rolls Royce has put together a Heritage Flight consisting of a MK19 Spitfire and a P51 Mustang. The Spitfire appeared at RIAT and put on a powerful display and I'm always happy to hear the whistle of the Mustang as it flies over the sea. 

This isn't the Heritage Flight's Mustang but in this video you can hear the famous 'whistle'. 


The Spitfire arriving at RIAT



Sea Fury & Thunderbolt -

Continuing with the warbird theme we have the Sea Fury and Thunderbolt duo. The Thunderbolt first visited Airbourne back in 2019 as part of the Ultimate Warbirds.


Leading the formation in 2019

On the ground at Duxford last year

The Sea Fury also appeared at the show in 2019 



Tigers Parachute Display Team -

The Tigers are regular visitors to Airbourne and are opening the show each day.




The Blades -

Another regular at Airbourne are The Blades who are always crowd favourites with their dynamic displays. 






Chinook -

Speaking of crowd favourites we have the Chinook, it always amazes me how they throw such a huge helicopter around the sky as if it was a fighter jet. I'm also loving the rivalry they're having on social media with the Typhoon team (more of them later) with their claim that #BladeSlap is the best because "Jet noise is boring" to which the Typhoon team responded with #SonicClapBeatsBladeSlap 😆

Shining a light on a soggy Thursday afternoon in 2018


Remember to give the team a wave!

Puma-

The RAF is sending a Puma for a flypast on the Sunday of the show. We had a visit from one in 2016. 




Jet Pitts -

Rich Goodwin is brining his Jet Pitts to the show. I was lucky enough to see him at Duxford earlier this year. Be sure to catch this display, it's fast and furious and incredibly fun! 

At Airbourne 2017

Flying along the crowdline at Duxford this year


MIG 15-

The Norwegian Historical Squadron MIG 15 will be showing off it's sleek lines and impressive climb rate over the sea.

At Duxford this year

Airbourne 2017


Strikemaster -

On the subject of vintage jets the Strikemaster will be displaying on all 4 days of the show. The aircraft has been a regular visitor to Eastbourne over the years. 

At the 2018 show


Typhoon -

Last but not least is the mighty Typhoon! The RAF's frontline fighter is appearing on the Fri/Sat/Sun of the show and will be flying with the BBMF's Spitfire on Friday and Saturday. This year's display is absolutely epic and the 'Blackjack' paint scheme is stunning as you'll see from the photos and video below from RIAT. 







See you on the beach!

Love Jen

XxxX


PS Airbourne needs donations to be able to return next year if you are able then please visit https://www.visiteastbourne.com/airshow/donate thank you so much. 

Saturday, 13 August 2022

On The Hunt For Halloween 2022 Vol 3 - Off To Brighton

Hi guys it's time for another Halloween blog. After a second successful trip to TX Maxx I had a lovely trip to Brighton with Mum, Helen and Vana to (among other things) have a peer at what Homesense had to offer Halloween-wise. 

Spoiler, it went well

Naturally Corney came along for the ride




We went to Wagamama to fuel up for the day's shopping and I indulged in a couple of cocktails ..


Helen had a cherry and rose lemonade



We had a wander through The Lanes looking in all the quirky shops and popped into Waterstone which was Jen-heaven (books and a cafe with a good tea supply what's not to like?).



Due to the very un-Halloween hot and sunny weather we thought it was sensible to cool off with some ice cream at Sprinkles Gelato which was a really pretty ice cream parlour with a 50s vibe. 

Mum and Vana went for multiple flavour scoops


Helen and I went for these cherry sundaes (to continue with the day's apparently cherry foodstuff theme 😆)

Yum

Corney seemed to approve

After we were suitably refreshed it was time for Homesense! When Mum and I went over last year there wasn't a huge amount left, this year was a whole different story .... The whole bottom level was taken over by spooky goodies!!!


Plenty of kitchen utensils




Crockery


SO. MANY. CANDLES!!!!








My house would look like this 364 days of the year if I was given half a chance!




I love these snowglobes




Mum would kill me if I brought any more mugs home

With the huge range they had I feel I was pretty restrained in my shopping! Here's what I picked up -

I thought this could go on my Mabon altar before I hang it for Halloween
 



I like this light up scene inside a pumpkin


For my party

I picked this up to go with last year's potion bottles


Hocus Pocus is one of my favourite Halloween movies


And finally I got this beautiful glass pumpkin

And believe it or not the pumpkin got home in one piece!

Love Jen

XxxX

Duxford Flying Finale - Rounding off the season on a high

  Last weekend I rounded off my airshow season with a trip to  Duxford's  Flying Finale. Luckily after last year's  challenging cond...