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By: - 13th July 2007 at 21:06 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
And here’s the star of the day, appearing in a very short lived moment of sunshine. When I first saw a photo of her I was far from convinced. Having seen her ‘in the flesh’ I think it’s a wonderful and very different colour scheme.
Then it was off to the pub for a beer or two, back to Dan’s for a quick look at our shots and more sleep before day No.2 with a 04:20 start!
Day 3 – Wednesday 27th June
Day 3 started exactly the same as day 2, although I caught a bit of news on the TV showing just how bad the flooding was in Sheffield. I was surprised to say the least at the scale of the damage, and very surprised to see the state of Hillsborough Stadium. Having done a couple of gigs there I never imagined I’d see it under water. The home of the Owls has certainly had more than its fair share of incidents and tragedies over the last 20 years.
Today is the last day in our little Ryanair Flyathon and entails three flights. The first of which taking us to Cork in Ireland. Oddly enough for the second morning I see the same JET2 737 in hybrid LS/Channel Express colours I’d seen at MAN just the week before. I often find it quite comical how aircraft you’re familiar with follow you around (or you follow them). This was to happen again later, but I’ll get to that.
Flight No.5
Airline: Ryanair
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Registration: EI-DCK
Route: STN-DUB
I didn’t realise at the time but this was the second time I’d had ‘Delta Charlie Kilo’ on this trip, which is actually a little disappointing! Ah well… I was extremely tired on this flight, and from what I can remember so was Dan, but nonetheless it was enjoyable.
A terrible cabin shot, but it was the only one I managed to get!
This was my first time at ORK and I have to say, it seems a very pleasant little airport. The terminal seems to be well thought out, clean, and has plenty of something I always like at airports. Open space. The ceilings are high, giving a nice feeling of openness.
I’m a bit annoyed some of the shots I took at ORK appear to be missing. I just can’t find them on my computer, so my photos from here are pretty limited. Limited in fact, to just one shot.
We checked in early and as the spot we’d been shooting from was so near the terminal, we went back there until it was time to go through security. At the moment I can’t actually remember a single thing about the departure lounge at ORK! Bits of the trip are somewhat blurred now having been through departure lounges on 11 occasions during this trip, but I don’t have any bad memories of it so it must have been OK!
Flight No.7
Airline: Ryanair
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Registration: EI-CTA
Route: ORK-DUB
Up until now on this trip we’ve been impressed with how clean the Ryanair cabins have been. Many people seem to slate this airline for the state of their cabins, claiming them to be impossible to keep clean on 20 minute turnarounds, although I’m convinced many of these people don’t actually have much experience of flying Ryanair. These days I generally find the Ryanair cabin more comfortable than those found on JET2’s aging fleet. ‘Charlie Tango Alpha’, however, is clearly a hard worked girl. She was delivered to Ryanair on the 19th December 2002, and it’s obvious from the tatty seats and general condition of the cabin she’s one of the older aircraft. Still, the cabin is clean and reasonably comfortable.
On landing we had another cockpit visit and yet again, the Captain’s reply when asked how he finds the job isn’t repeatable on here! He loved flying, but had his reasons for not enjoying certain aspects of it.
By: - 13th July 2007 at 21:08 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
After getting through passport control we do the typical ‘DUB thing’ of heading round to the mounds. The weather for the most part again was disappointing. Although it was bright for a lot of the time, many shots were ruined by terrible heat haze, which was puzzling because it wasn’t actually that hot. Even aircraft in the air seemed to suffer a little from it. Strange, but nonetheless some came out OK!
And finally, the star of the day for me:
We felt rain and started wandering back round to the terminal to meet Steve (EGNM) and Tom (LBARULES), who’d been to the City. On our way round the heavens opened and within minutes we were utterly soaked. Still, we were soon dry enough to be comfortable and after meeting the others in Maccy D’s much drunken fun ensued, with one forum member getting particularly messy (well, it was me actually!)
We checked in mid-drinking sesh and made the best of the shorter queues when check in opens. The desks often open 2:30 before departure, meaning you can get there before the mad rush, although having said that you don’t really gain anything anymore with the advent of Ryanair’s online check in. Whether you’re there when the desk opens or when it closes 40 minutes before departure actually makes no difference anymore.
After much drinking we say our goodbyes to Dan who’s flying back to STN and the three of us head to the gate to board our transport back home.
By: - 13th July 2007 at 21:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Fantastic report Paul and nice pictures aswel:cool:
BTW was the pilot using the F-word?
Thanks for sharing
James
By: - 13th July 2007 at 21:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Flight No.7
Airline: Ryanair
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Registration: EI-DLL
Route: DUB-LBA
This was a silly flight for obvious reasons. As he was driving us back from LBA, Steve was sober. Tom and I, however, were very much not! More beers on the plane, silly conversations and just being generally rather random made for a fun flight. All was good, but by this time I was starting to feel the effects of the early starts. Still, being silly I head with Steve to the local pub that night and finally arrive home at something like 1 am. It’s crazy, I know, but someone has to do it!
Day 4 – 28th June
Today was spent at home for the most part trying to sleep, although as had been the case on the previous nights I didn’t really sleep too well and didn’t the next night either. I’ll jump straight onto day 5, when it’s time to fly again.
Day 5 – 29th June
Today the flights for two gigs outside the UK start. We’re flying out from MAN to play one concert in Lagoa, down in Portugal’s Algarve region. I’m almost always happy to be gigging in Portugal for the simple fact it’s almost always sunny, which is a stark contrast to the conditions we’ve been seeing in the north of England lately.
Flight No.8
Airline: Monarch Scheduled
Aircraft: Airbus A321
Registration: G-OZBO
Route: MAN-FAO
Monarch are a new airline to my list, which I’m quite happy about. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, having heard mixed reports on their service. I must say, I was impressed by the crew and their general attitude. This flight is very different to the more business orientated airlines and routes I’m used to. In fact I think it’s fair to say our party of 12 were the only people on the rather full aircraft travelling for business purposes. Still, holiday rowdiness aside it was an enjoyable flight!
Around an hour and a half by road from FAO we arrive at our hotel. As is often luckily the case, our hotel is superb and in one hell of an awesome location. Stepping out onto my room’s balcony I’m greeted by the wonderful sight of the illuminated pool, the private cove our hotel is situated in and the Mediterranean Sea. The air and temperature were so perfect out here I actually decided to take my mattress outside and, just for fun, sleep under the stars. This was the view from my room, although a couple of hours later the moon had shifted so its reflection almost filled the view of the sea. I can think of nothing better to see last thing at night before dozing off.
Day 6 – 1st July
And the view in the morning:
We had until 1pm to basically wander round the hotel and surrounding area, so off I, my 30D and our video guy strolled to the clifftop.
After a brief wander round, 6 of us head for the pool and spend the rest of the morning basically being lazy and basking in the Mediterranean sunshine. After dinner, we head to the gig. It’s the same kind of typical Portuguese town festival we’ve done many times around the country over the last two years. The atmosphere is relaxed, the people are friendly, the sun is shining and all is good. As usual, I made time to wander round the site with my camera. Random, I know, but hey! That’s just the way I like it!
Gig over, we head back to the hotel, drink muchos alcohol and I have another night under the stars. I can’t begin to describe how peaceful it was laying listening to the sea in the cove below and seagulls in the distance, watching aircraft fly thousands of feet above me, appearing as nothing more than tiny flashing lights. Despite the fact the flight down here was my 141st time on a commercial aircraft, I’m still almost spellbound by the magical sight of those flashing dots in the dark, mysterious night sky and the fact there are actually people up there. When you view aircraft on the ground or when you’re actually on them, they’re very much a part of where you are and that particular scenario. Seeing a plane cruising thousands of feet above you, occupying such a tiny part of that vast and dark void makes it appear almost ‘beyond’ your world. A random thought, I know, but I’ve often thought seeing planes at night like this has a certain mystery, and sometimes the smallest, strangest thing reminds me why I have such a passionate love of aviation and its machines. Even after 9 flights in the last week, I’m looking forward to flying again.
Day 7 – 2nd July
The time has come to leave this wonderful, sunny place and head back to old, cold England. Off we go to Faro airport. On arriving we’re through check-in and security in what seems like no time at all, but then the disappointment starts! I’ve been through FAO a few times before, but not too recently. I can honestly say with 100% certainty, even after slating the check-in farce at DUB in the past (which I’ve actually found to be OK recently) I hate this place. All I simply wanted was a bottle of water, which you’d imagine would be readily available. The only place to get water was at the bars and it cost 1 Euro 90 for a 200ml bottle. Everything here is geared up to make… Sorry… Extort as much money out of travellers as possible, which in all honesty I find somewhat disgusting. I may not particularly like the BAA, but one thing they do have very right is giving the traveller plenty of options for food and drink, and reasonably priced food and drink at that. In fact, I hate this airport so much the 5 ½ hour train ride to Lisbon and flying out of there would be preferable! (I’ve done that train journey before and it’s quite enjoyable).
Anyway, that’s enough whinging. Onto more important stuff!
Our return flight brings us another Airbus A321.
Flight 9
Airline: Monarch Scheduled
Aircraft: Airbus A321
Registration: G-OZBE
Route: FAO-MAN
Although I love the A321 I was hoping for a 767 on at least one of these flights for the simple reason I’ve never been on one! In the absence of the baby Boeing widebody I guess the A321 will do!
Another enjoyable flight with great crew, although I had an aisle seat so no wing views on this sector unfortunately! Getting back to Manchester was a bit of a shock as well!
By: - 13th July 2007 at 21:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Day 8 – 3rd July
Just one night in my own bed, then off to Blois, France, for another concert.
Flight No.10
Airline: Air France
Aircraft: Airbus A319
Registration: F-GRHM
Route: MAN-CDG
Another good Air France flight, although I didn’t manage to get any wing views from my aisle seat! On arrival at CDG we discover Dave, our drummer is delayed by around an hour and a half from LHR, and so we find a bar and do the obvious thing. Drink! When he finally arrives we find our promoter has parked our transport in a silly place at the front of the airport and it’s been impounded by the police. Again, we do the obvious thing and head back to the bar! After what seems like an eternity our transport to Blois finally arrives, and at 01:30 after getting to our final destination for the day we’re taken to a restaurant and fed copious amounts of steak, which was nice! Exhausted, I wander back to the hotel and collapse into bed, where it takes all of around 10 seconds to fall into probably the deepest sleep I’ve had for months (although that’s possibly partly the alcohol’s fault!)
Day 9 – 4th July
We’re playing the courtyard of a spectacular chateau situated in the middle of the town, so it’s essentially an outdoor gig. On arriving however, the weather was appalling. The rain was coming down in a not dissimilar to Manchester when I arrived there a few days previously, and it looked very likely the gig would be cancelled. Nonetheless I had chance to take a very short wander round this very pleasant town.
This was the side of the venue we were playing. A grand building, to say the least.
My little home for the evening, hiding behind my Midas XL-250 mixing desk.
Then it’s back to the hotel for the ritual post gig beers, to bed and back to CDG!
Day 10 – 5th July
Flight No.11
Airline: Air France Régional
Aircraft: Embraer ERJ-145
Registration: F-GUBG
Route: CDG-MAN
It’s home time, and I was very happy to find out transport home is the ERJ-145. This flight was only my second time on this fun but tiny plane, so I was rather happy to be heading home on it!
I couldn’t resist this as we were on the bus waiting to be taken to our aircraft. If only the vehicles in the foreground hadn’t been there!
A terrible shot, but it was all I could manage on my little A540 through the bus windows! Here you get a good idea just how small this aircraft is.
On arriving home I think I slept solid for something like 12 hours, but it was all good fun. Thanks to Dan for a great few days, Chris for dropping by for a beer or two at STN, good to see you again! And Tom and Steve for making flight No.7 so stupidly comical!
And thanks to you guys for reading. My apologies for any continuity errors, I haven’t been altogether structured in my approach to this report, so there may be the odd mistake!
Cheers, Hope you enjoyed it!
Paul
By: - 13th July 2007 at 21:27 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Some more fab reports and pictures Paul.
James
By: - 13th July 2007 at 21:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Absolutely stunning report and photo's, mate, no problems for helping to make the FR157 on EI-DLL enjoyable!
By: - 13th July 2007 at 21:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Fantastic Pic's/Report Paul!
Espically the FAO ones!!
:p
By: - 13th July 2007 at 22:08 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Wow. What a fantastic series of photos! One of the best collections I have seen on the forum for a while! :)
All I remember of FAO airport was the rather yellow terminal building and long, slow moving queues. Is it still yellow?
By: - 13th July 2007 at 22:31 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
All I remember of FAO airport was the rather yellow terminal building and long, slow moving queues. Is it still yellow?
It certainly is, although the queues were small and very quick to make your way through!
Thanks for your comments so far, guys. Much appreciated. :)
Paul
By: - 13th July 2007 at 23:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
That is one hell of a trip report mate great work.
How long did it take ya to compile all that ??
By: - 14th July 2007 at 02:52 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It's certainly a huge post..the pictures are great
By: - 14th July 2007 at 04:37 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Fantastic report Paul, sorry we could not meet up in DUB, but my friend and I went into the city as soon as we got there, walked down one-side of O'Connell St, had some lunch in Temple Bar, and then walked up the opposite side, then it was time to get the bus back to the airport to get our flight home!
I still havent got round to posting my trip report, but on reflection of yours, it kind of makes mine pointless...although I will try and get round to it at some point as it was my first time going to Dublin itself, but more importantly it was my first time on Ryanair...so I must get my opinions expressed!
As I said in my text whilst we were over there, I am sure there will be plenty of other opportunities to meet up!
By: - 14th July 2007 at 13:13 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I remember of FAO airport was the rather yellow terminal building and long, slow moving queues. Is it still yellow?
Lol - just what I was going to say. :D
Super thread Paul. Some outstanding shots as well.:)
By: - 14th July 2007 at 15:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
We are trying to limit the size of threads to stop the server overloading. Can people try and put any replies on a new thread in Trip Reports please to help the server cool down.
Posts: 5,530
By: PMN - 13th July 2007 at 21:04
Hi All,
I know it’s been a while since I last wrote a trip report, so here goes another one! In usual PMN style it’s ridiculously long, and covers around 10 days of flying, and again as usual, I’m writing this ‘on the move’.
The plan for the next few days is to fly LBA-DUB-STN on Ryanair, meet up with Dan Nicholson (Wannabe Pilot) then tomorrow (Tuesday) fly STN-TRF-STN, spend the evening shooting at STN, and then on Wednesday fly STN-ORK-DUB-LBA, meeting up with several fellow forum members at DUB. From there I’m on flights to Faro and Paris for concerts in Portugal and France.
Day 1 – Monday 25th June.
I’m currently sat in departures at my local, Leeds Bradford (naturally with a pint), waiting for flight No.1 on Ryanair which will take me to Dublin. The check-in queue for this flight was quite possibly the slowest moving queue I’ve ever had the misfortune to be in. At check-in the agent mistakenly thought the weight limit for hand baggage was 5 kilos. Mine, having a giant camera, laptop and various bits of clothes weighed in at just over 11 kilos, still one kilo overweight. I was informed I could carry the bag through but had to take something out of it when going to the gate. Why I have no idea, but needless to say in the rain my beloved Canon 30D and laptop will be staying put in my nice weatherproof LowePro bag!
Before checking in I was sat landside enjoying a cup of tea (before the alcohol started flowing!) The rain here has been incredible for the last week or so and for the first time ever, I see machines out trying to clear the standing water from the runway. I have a feeling this flight may be a little bumpy, which is always good! In true Ryanair style, FR155 is delayed due to the late arrival of the inbound aircraft, hence I’m beginning this report now! We should hopefully be boarding soon… Off I head to gate 5a…
Flight No.1
Airline: Ryanair
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Registration: EI-DCK
Route: LBA-DUB
My ride to Dublin, an aircraft I was to run into again later on this trip! Taken on Babycam (Powershot A540).
And here we are in Dublin Airport’s Skyview Bar! After a slight encounter with a somewhat unhelpful, ‘jobsworth’ member of Servisair, we proceeded through gate 5a to board our transport to Dublin. ‘DCK’ is a new registration for me, which is good, and as I have something in the region of four or five hours until I check in for my next flight the delay is no problem. The departure from LBA was possibly one of the most powerful I’ve ever experienced on a 737. The takeoff roll seemed very short as well despite the aircraft seeming quite full (although I suspect it was light on luggage). On arrival here I set off round to the mounds, convinced that although the skies were grey and miserable the Weather Gods would be kind. Half way to the mounds, however I discover my faith was ill-placed and I feel the first specks of precipitation. My next destination is already decided… The bar I’m sitting in right now.
I now have around two and a half hours until I check in for my next flight to STN, and unfortunately the power socket in my usual corner of the bar here seems to be inoperative. It seems I have little choice but to resort to drinking Heineken in the company of my video iPod. All good fun!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK… So the plan of writing ‘on the go’ didn’t go entirely to plan. I’m at home now, attempting to write from memory!
After food in the new carvery restaurant-type place next to the Skyview Bar, it was time to head to the gate for flight No.2…
Flight No.2
Airline: Ryanair
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Registration: EI-CSI
Route: DUB-STN
Nothing much to report here, just a nice relaxing flight heading to the skies during the last slivers of daylight, giving me the opportunity to view some quite pleasing sights, unfortunately not captured too well on Babycam here!
On arriving at STN, I’m reminded just how big the place is. Having only flown through this airport once before with LBARULES last year, I’d forgotten how much traffic goes through here. I also didn’t realise there’s an underground train to get to the satellite stands the same as there is at ZRH. It’s nice to travel through an airport people appear to have put some thought into!
I head to the train station and head to Bishop’s Stortford to meet up with Dan, and try sleep before a ridiculously early start the next day!
Day 2 – Tuesday 26th June
It really was a ridiculously early start. 04:20 in fact! Our flight departed at 06:25, but luckily Dan’s staff car park pass and rather in depth knowledge of the airport allowed us to arrive a little later than we would have otherwise had to. As Dan pointed out, on entering departures at STN it’s very obvious you’re in a BAA airport. It’s literally like going to a main shopping centre in any major UK town. It has to be said though, I much prefer this to airports like Faro (but I’ll get onto that little whinge later!)
Today’s first flight takes us up to Oslo Torp, which in true Ryanair style, actually lies some 53.5 miles away from Oslo! I’ve flown through Gardermoen a few times though, so it’s nice to see somewhere a little different.
Flight No.3
Airline: Ryanair
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Registration: EI-DAR
Route: STN-TRF
A pleasant and smooth flight, although most of it was spent trying to wake up! Again, not much to report here!
Our two main hopes when we arrived at TRF were basically for good weather and traffic, although neither really happened! The weather was disappointingly dull and a little wet, and TRF being a small airport basically seems to handle very little apart from Wideroe and Ryanair. It’s a shame the weather and traffic weren’t with us, as there’s an excellent elevated spot just a few minutes walk from the terminal. You’re shooting through a fence, but luckily the wire is quite thin so it isn’t too awkward to get your lens to focus past it.
Here’s the spot giving an excellent view of some parked aircraft and also as they taxi to runway 36.
And some random shots:
After deciding we’d pretty much had it for traffic and weather, we head back to the terminal where I have the daft idea of getting us both a beer. 12 or so quid later, we’re enjoying a nice large Ringnes! Check-in was very easy in this tiny airport and we were quickly through to a small but pleasant departure lounge to await boarding. Dan has taking photos from aircraft down to a fine art and is very quick to suss out the best places for us to sit for terminal overviews. Unfortunately we departed from 18 instead of 36, so the terminal was on the wrong side of the plane for us to shoot it. Ah well!
Flight No.4
Airline: Ryanair
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Registration: EI-DAC
Route: TRF-STN
Some random in flight shots:
Today was also the first of our two cockpit visits. Having not been in a cockpit (other than a PA-28 which doesn’t really count) since 1999 (A321 in flight) it was quite interesting to see the clever end of the 738. I have to say I was very surprised just how small it is. When Dan asked the captain how he finds the job we were both very surprised by his answer, I only wish I could repeat the language here but let’s just say he’d had a long day!
On arriving at STN we grabbed some food and met up with Chris Balmer for a couple of beers and a chat before Dan gave me the guided tour of STN.