Traffic build up in Hangar Lane/Full English/around the Eiffel Tower.

There are many who will not believe this tale but here goes and I did have witnesses.

Back in the

Back in the day Capital Radio provided traffic reports to its listeners in London. No ubiquitous cameras then but an aeroplane. This plane would spend the rush hours of the day skimming around the usual hot spots relaying info re hold ups accidents and the like. It also acted as a superb marketing tool for the radio station as people would spot it and point excitedly. I have no idea exactly where Hangar Lane Giratory System is but in those days it often had problems.

Any way in 1991 there was a Rugby World Cup competition in Europe. Simon Halliday played for England in the centre/wing and as he worked for me at the time I was keen to watch him play in as many matches in the competition as possible. England were playing France in Paris and Simon was in the team. 4 others of my colleagues were keen to watch the match but flights were in short supply and very expensive. Somehow I heard that it was possible to rent the ‘Flying Eye’. Enquiries were made and I think for around £1200 we booked the thing, including a taxi to the airport in Essex and a car to take us to and from the stadium in France.

We arrived bright and early at the the Essex grass aerodrome where George, who was the pilot was based. We said hello and he escorted us into an old corrugated iron nissan hut. In there was a canteen where we had a magnificent ‘fry up’ the full works. On to the plane, four at the back with a picnic hamper to share’ and me in the co pilot seat. We were given the choice of ‘low level visual’, and more bumps, or the higher ‘airlane’ option. We went for the bumps.

The flight was so exciting and we were all laughing and joking all the way. George gave us a running commentary. We landed in an airport on the edge of Paris, cleared local passport control and off to the stadium. The game was something of a side show but enjoyable never the less.

As soon as the match was over we left the stadium found our car and less than two hours later we were back in the UK. I popped into my local that evening and met up with some friends. ‘Did you see the match’ one of my mates asked. ‘Err yes I did’. ‘The atmosphere seemed really good in the stadium’ he observed. ‘It was’ I said- curious looks in my direction!

That as not the end of it. Later in the season or maybe the next year we did an Edinburgh trip where we got into trouble for some anomaly by George on ‘final approach’.

Best of all however was my decision to recognise Liz’s 40th birthday in a ‘special way’. My boss at work,George Gray, had a vintage Bentley which is a story in its own right. He sent the car, chauffeur and all, to get Liz, Jo,Tom and I and take us to Essex. It was a complete surprise. I had told Liz we were going somewhere local and everyone was dressed up but apart from that nothing.

Tom sat in the co pilots seat and off we went. We arrived over Paris and George gave us a tour. Yes we went around the city observing the sights. We actually flew around the Eiffel Tower. Yes I know you would be shot down today but then it was allowed or at least George decided to do it. The car in Paris this time took us to Mon Martre where we had lunch and we bought a picture we still have. It was a wonderful day out. George was a lovely chap, the breakfasts amazing and The Flying Eye a truly special experience.