More puppy dog stuff

[Chris Wilson]

Getting quite excited now, got clearance to fly into Belfast with a friend in his private plane (after a LOT of hassle as I don't have a current passport, and they want 8 weeks to get me a new one as I need an interview. Flying commercially is no hassle, it's `cos it's a private flight, and Special Branch want to get involved...). The flying part, to me, is pretty exciting, I'm not well travelled and it sure beats 3 circuits of the local airfield I had as a charity auction prize last year. But to add to that we have finally found our Bouvier des Flandres a mate, and a rare blonde one, to boot, in Ireland, and I am getting her, aged 7 weeks, next Saturday, weather permitting.

 

I couldn't resist winding the seller up (well, you know me.... ). After we'd agreed a price she said it was a long ferry journey and drive for a young pup, so I said I'd get the company pilot to fly me in, in the company plane. I could tell she wanted to put the price up straight away She doesn't know I'm really smashing the piggy bank to pay for the damned fuel and landing fees, and hoping Gerry doesn't find any bars open when we get there!

 

Big adventure for me, I went to Beirut many years ago, on a commercial flight, but I bathed myself in alcohol as I hadn't flown before, and wasn't looking forward to a long flight, so remember little about the journey. After that it was 3 turns round Sleap Airfield, in some jalopy and that's my total flying experience.

[JustGav]

Chris,

 

You will be fine, half the fun of going on a private flight is the 'rickety-ness' of the smaller planes. I've done WAY too much commercial travel that I avoid planes where possible, well not the planes but rather the hanging around airports for 4 hours at a go.

 

A friend of mine usually doses himself up on valium and on one particular flight ended up complaining about the food being a bit plastic, the stewardess had to point out that he was EATING the cutlery.

 

Little pup looks nice though, good luck