FAO Maureen.

[RobRoy]

Hi Maureen'

Just to let you know we finally got our seaplane trip yesterday - but not to Crinan. Instead we were flown in the new plane to Loch Voil (appropriately Rob Roy country)and the Monachyle Hotel. When we landed the hotel owner / manager / chef, Tom Lewis, was waiting to take Molly & me up to the hotel while the hoi polloi walked (wish I, too, could have walked at the speed of the others). We all got a very genuine welcome at the hotel and a complimentary glass of champagne before an excellent lunch served by an attentive but not intrusive staff.

The flight up to Loch Voil was not quite direct and the return was a real sight-seeing trip in among the mountains, some of which Molly and I had climbed before the breathing deteriorated. After a week of so-so weather the day was perfect and seeing the mountains and lochs like we did was magic. What a brilliant day!

Rob S.

 

[ThePlotter]

Sorry butting in on someone elses post but that sounds fabulous,you wouldnt get me up in a small plane though in the same way I wouldnt go in the hot air balloon when my offspring went up a month or so ago.

 

[LadyMo]

Rob Roy,

Absolutely delighted to hear that you got your trip at last and it sounds as if you were very well looked after.The weather was good as well.Haven't seen the new plane yet.....we'll need to go down and have a look at it.

Who was your pilot? We had a very nice young man called Daren from Canada.

Thanks for getting in touch......I was beginning to wonder when you were going.

Maureen

 

[LadyMo]

The Plotter,

In our plane trip there were only 4 passengers and the pilot !

In the new plane I believe they can seat 9.It was a super day out for us and I would do it again given the chance !!

See www.lochlomondseaplanes.com

Maureen

 

[RobRoy]

Hi again Maureen,

Daren was our pilot too and he was very enthusiastic about the new seaplane which seats eight - three rows of two seats on one side and two singles on the other. I suppose they could accommodate one more alongside the pilot but, on this occasionat least, that seat was occupied by the young man who attended to the mooring of the plane.

As for anyone being reluctant to fly in a relatively small aeroplane, landings and take-offs were the smoothest I have ever experienced.

Rob S.

 

[emmerson2]

pl;otter, ref small planes and balloons.I suffer from vertigo. High kerbs worry me, and I daren't have my shoes soled and heeled!- but, I have been up in a balloon, and it was fantastic! It was a birthday trip, and I had planned to just "miss" the step as the basket was leaving the ground, so that I got "accidently" left behind, but my helpful mate pulled me in! The thing took off so fast that I didn't have time to worry about anything, till all of a sudden, we were 2000ft up, and I realised that if I looked out instead of down, I was OK. The wind took us over my old delivery area when I worked for Royal mail, so I was able to give a running commentary for the others. It was an absolutely spectacular trip in perfect weather, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.The pilot, incidentally, was Andy Elson, who, I believe was the first man to fly a balloon over Everest, so we were in safe hands!

 

[LadyMo]

Emmerson,

I suffer from vertigo as well,but am absolutely fine in a plane.When in Toronto, even went up the Toronto Tower.....now that was scary.Every holiday it seems I have to do something that frightens me witless.Maybe that is why I took up caravanning.....I'm now nearer to the ground. )

Maureen

 

[Val & Frank]

Hi Maureen

Did you risk walking over the glass panel when you went to the top of the Tower ?????

Val & frank

 

[LadyMo]

Frank,

Luckily for me it was dark when we were up there,so the ground wasn't too visible.!!