Wheels Around Europe . . . . . . . : March 2022

Friday 18th March 2022

The parkup at the viewing area at the end of the runway at RAF Coningsby is a great spot to overnight and I was joined by three other motorhomes.

It was all very peaceful indeed until 0400 when some Typhoons made an early start and the earth shook while they were taking off and passing overhead.

The morning was spent watching their displays overhead.

Glorious sunshine and blue skies made it all the more enjoyable.

I even got my chair out and sat in the sun being entertained by the comings and goings.

Unfortunately, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight hanger tour was booked up for today. I wasn't really expecting that or I'd have booked it earlier in the week.

Nevermind, it was enjoyable watching the current generation of fighter aircraft doing their thing in the sky above.

Later on I drove to Tattersall Castle, another National Trust property nearby.

It's quite an impressive red brick medieval castle surrounded by two moats. It's much reduced in size from it's heyday, but still a landmark building set amongst mostly flat countryside. Internally it's not elaborate, mostly bare red brick, but it does have some impressive stone fireplaces and decorative brick vaulted ceilings.

Also the spiral staircase goes all the way up to the roof and is an amazing piece of detailed stone and brickwork. It has a very tactile recessed stone handrail, polished smooth over the centuries by hands gripping it whilst they ascend the stairs.

There are carvings, graffiti, in the stone where people have carved initials and dates going back to the 18th century.

I decided to spend another night at Coningsby, but airbourne activity is much reduced now in the early evening.

I think the toys have been put away for the weekend and the guys have knocked off early being Friday.

I just hope dead eyes putin doesn't realize all our Typhoon pilots have gone to the pub to watch the Cheltenham Gold Cup, LOL.