Seen Over Your House Today

[NARSES2]

Whilst up the Palace this morning as I walked to my regular coffee shop I came across 5 ambulances of various types and a police van ? All outside a Victorian shop/apartment building which is being renovated/converted. All a bit worrying I thought. As I got nearer one of the builders (at least I assume he was) was being treated for what looked a very bad cut on the back of his head, but that appeared to be the only casualty ? Anyway half an hour latter as I finished my coffee one of the London air ambulances suddenly appeared over head having taken off from the Sainsbury's car park opposite. Now the car park is half way down the side of the very steep hill with Sainsbury's at the top on the crest. So he was probably showing 150 foot on his altimetre before he even got to road level.

Interesting thing is that no one of the many passers by (it's very busy around there) gave the ambulances more then a quick glance but when the helicopter took off everyone stood and watched. Indeed all the kids from the nursery next door to Costa's came out and waved to it. Probably the closest I've ever been to a helicopter whilst it's flying that's for sure 

[PR19_Kit]

Probably the closest I've ever been to a helicopter whilst it's flying that's for sure 

A few years ago the local air ambulance landed right in the centre of Lydney to collect a woman who'd been hit by a car while on a pedestrian crossing. The single policewoman there didn't seem to have a clue about how far away the Joe Publics needed to be, and there were some of them standing underneath the rotor disc until pilot waved them away with some energy! 

[rickshaw]

Probably the closest I've ever been to a helicopter whilst it's flying that's for sure 

A few years ago the local air ambulance landed right in the centre of Lydney to collect a woman who'd been hit by a car while on a pedestrian crossing. The single policewoman there didn't seem to have a clue about how far away the Joe Publics needed to be, and there were some of them standing underneath the rotor disc until pilot waved them away with some energy! 

I remember about five years ago there was a small bushfire just to the north of where I live.  The Kids were excitedly pointing out that water bomber helicopters were landing in a nearby park to refill their water buckets/tanks from a set of ponds there.   So, in the car we all hopped and away we went to watch.   They were rather disappointed when I told them they weren't allowed any closer than 50 metres to the helicopter and had to stand beside a substantial tree which they could duck behind if the choppers shed a blade.   My days in the Army all came back to me, as the choppers swooped in, hovered, refilled and then swooped away.  After about 30 minutes, the police finally arrived to shoo the kids away and to keep the large crowd under control, much I am sure to the relief of the firecrew on the ground who were directing the choppers in and out.

[NARSES2]

Always been a few questions in my mind about the use of helicopters in the fire bombing role. I can understand that they are likely to be more accurate when dropping their load, although how accurate does a fire bomber need to be ? However wouldn't they be far more prone to problems caused by the updraft from the fire ?

[Spey_Phantom]

lunchtime at work with a pleasant surprise, a landing of a Belgian Air Force NH90-NFH.
(RN04, the newest and last one delivered and in final full operational configuration) 

[rickshaw]

Always been a few questions in my mind about the use of helicopters in the fire bombing role. I can understand that they are likely to be more accurate when dropping their load, although how accurate does a fire bomber need to be ? However wouldn't they be far more prone to problems caused by the updraft from the fire ?

No idea.  Nowadays we see a lot more choppers used for fires in and around the capital cities downunder.   We have "Elvis" a Skycrane and his sister chopper who come down each summer from the US's winter.   We have some S-61s and quite a few Squirrel choppers.    We also use a lot of crop-dusters.    We have the use on contract of one DC-10 converted to a firebomber as well, in Victoria.   The smaller aircraft are favoured 'cause they can basically land in any paddock, fill up and be away back to the firefront much quicker than the bigger ones.  Choppers 'cause they can fill up in any backyard swimming pool (no joke, happens all the time in Sydney apparently) or park's pond/lake.    The thing is it's more speed and number of sorties flown than capacity which apparently is important.

[NARSES2]

Cheers mate. Not something we see in the U.K.

[PR19_Kit]

Cheers mate. Not something we see in the U.K.

Not so far anyway, but the way our summers are going...............

[Rheged]

Cheers mate. Not something we see in the U.K.

Not so far anyway, but the way our summers are going...............

Not where I am, it's not!  Rheged and Madame R are currently in Cumbria, visiting aged relatives.  The moment the car hand brake went on at our holiday let, the rain started........but you can tell it's summer, it's warm rain.

[NARSES2]

But can you imagine how busy that part of the country would be in summer if the weather could be relied upon not to rain ? You wouldn't be able to move 

When I'm in Newcastle I quite often take the train over to Carlisle. Lovely trip in the right weather and Carlisle is an interesting place.

[Leading Observer]

But can you imagine how busy that part of the country would be in summer if the weather could be relied upon not to rain ? You wouldn't be able to move 

When I'm in Newcastle I quite often take the train over to Carlisle. Lovely trip in the right weather and Carlisle is an interesting place.

SWMBO and I are off to Carlisle for a couple of days at the end of next week - any recommendations on what to see?

[Leading Observer]

Sally-B flew over about 30 minutes ago

[NARSES2]

But can you imagine how busy that part of the country would be in summer if the weather could be relied upon not to rain ? You wouldn't be able to move 

When I'm in Newcastle I quite often take the train over to Carlisle. Lovely trip in the right weather and Carlisle is an interesting place.

SWMBO and I are off to Carlisle for a couple of days at the end of next week - any recommendations on what to see?

The castle is interesting and it's a nice town in general to explore. Not very big so quite easy. Lots of Roman bits and bobs of interest if that's your thing - it is mine  Some nice pubs with some history. Back in WWI the munitions workers were getting pie eyed so the Govt brought in Licensing hours and nationalised some of the pubs and breweries in the town. The breweries were only privatised a few years ago.

[Leading Observer]

But can you imagine how busy that part of the country would be in summer if the weather could be relied upon not to rain ? You wouldn't be able to move 

When I'm in Newcastle I quite often take the train over to Carlisle. Lovely trip in the right weather and Carlisle is an interesting place.

SWMBO and I are off to Carlisle for a couple of days at the end of next week - any recommendations on what to see?

The castle is interesting and it's a nice town in general to explore. Not very big so quite easy. Lots of Roman bits and bobs of interest if that's your thing - it is mine  Some nice pubs with some history. Back in WWI the munitions workers were getting pie eyed so the Govt brought in Licensing hours and nationalised some of the pubs and breweries in the town. The breweries were only privatised a few years ago.

thanks for the recommendations

[Rheged]

But can you imagine how busy that part of the country would be in summer if the weather could be relied upon not to rain ? You wouldn't be able to move 

When I'm in Newcastle I quite often take the train over to Carlisle. Lovely trip in the right weather and Carlisle is an interesting place.

SWMBO and I are off to Carlisle for a couple of days at the end of next week - any recommendations on what to see?

The castle is interesting and it's a nice town in general to explore. Not very big so quite easy. Lots of Roman bits and bobs of interest if that's your thing - it is mine  Some nice pubs with some history. Back in WWI the munitions workers were getting pie eyed so the Govt brought in Licensing hours and nationalised some of the pubs and breweries in the town. The breweries were only privatised a few years ago.

thanks for the recommendations

How are you travelling? If by train or bus, visit the Cathedral, Tullie House Museum (with a good café), the castle (including the Border Regiment museum) and one or two nice shops for  herself.

If you have your own wheels, Carlisle Airport is worth a look.  Even if the Solway Aviation Society museum is shut, you can still wander round under the Vulcan!... If it's open there's a Lightning, a Phantom, a Vampire and sundry other aeroplanes to look at.  Hadrian's wall  is always worth a glance  and if you choose to cross the border into sporran country, there is a museum in the village of Eastriggs (on the road to Dumfries) called The Devil's Porridge;  it is worth an hour or two, and covers the 1914-1918 war munitions factories in the area.  I can pass on the full story of them, and why in 1916 the government bought all of the pubs and breweries in the area, if you really want to be bored rigid.  Were Madame and I not up to our eyebrows in looking after aged relatives I'd suggest a meeting and I'd even buy the coffees. Your good lady might wish to investigate the Gretna Gateway...includes an M&S "reduced" outlet.