Relaunch
25th May 2024
At 0730, Sea Apple was re-launched, and an hour or so later her mast un-stepped. A bit later we met her previous owner, a retired RN submarine commander and a thoroughly nice chap. We talked & laughed for an hour or so in the spring sunshine as 'The Commander' talked us through some of Sea Apple's finer points.
Nothing for a pair in this game...
After lunch, as we had some spare time and as it wasn't far, I suggested going to Goodwood on the off-chance something might be going on. We drove straight in, through the tunnel under the track (I did something similar at Monza years ago) and there appeared to be some kind of private track day with an eclectic mix of cars. There were no officials, no barriers, no crowds, no charge and we appeared to have unfettered AAA, including the observation terrace. As if that wasn't enough, hark! The unmistakable sound of a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine - as we looked round, sure enough a Spitfire was just landing on the grass air strip. We then found a café right next to the airstrip, from where we were able to watch the Spitfire (a 2 seater version providing a Spitfire Flight Experience from £2975) and a Harvard come & go - surely two of the most iconic sights & sounds in aviation history. We were right next to them, not watching from afar at an air show, in fact so close the prop wash almost blew the froth of my beer... It was all rather reminiscent of the bygone Badminton Air Days.
An iconic BMW 2002
Stunning Jensen Interceptor - de-chromed, modern wheels & tyres and it sounded as good as it looks
From £2975 for 30 minutes - I would - would you?
Videos here:
To top all this off, we then had supper at Chichester Yacht Club with Ann's colleague & friend Luissa and her husband, overlooking the picturesque sun-lit mud (until the tide returned) - a fitting end to a great day out.