Firstly, this week I again visited my consultant to be told that everything remains in order and that I could be prescribed for maintenance cycle 40. By strange coincidence this month sees our 40th (Ruby) wedding anniversary. It's no secret that Margaret couldn't be bothered to train another one.
We had the great pleasure to travel one evening up to Bristol's Colston Hall to hear Verdi's Requiem. We both enjoy classical music and there can be few compositions which exert so much power and emotion as this. Fantastic choir and orchestra.
Two days later, in my capacity as a JP, I attended the ceremony in Bristol Cathedral which marks the start of the Legal Year. Such events serve to remind us of our role in the justice system.
During the month, the last flying Avro Vulcan XH558 undertook to make two final national tours. The first, the northern tour, took it as far north as Edinburgh. It also showed just how much interest there is in this iconic aircraft. The project's internet server crashed and so did the associated Apps systems. It made it very difficult for potential spectators to check the schedule. Knowing that a southern tour was to follow, I needed to find a solution. As a confirmed critic of (anti-)social media, I registered for Twitter. This worked and as the time for the southern tour approached I was able to study the route and timings and decided to watch at the Severn Bridges. In the event XH558 changed her route and arrived much later than planned - but I did see her that last precious time.
Yesterday (28th October 2015) XH558 flew for the very last time. Because of the very real risk that spectators would prevent her home base of Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield airport (who dreamt up that name?) from operating, the event was kept secret until the last possible moment. It was televised by live YouTube feed and it was clearly a very emotional time for all concerned. After taking off XH558 made one low approach before landing back for the last time. She was greeted by the airport fire service who provided a water arch. Let's hope the national media catch up with such a significant event.
The commentator for the last flight of XH558 quoted the children's book author and illustrator Dr Seuss:
Don't cry because it's over
Smile because it happened.
Keep well and YOLO
Stephen
