An early start was in order on Sunday morning, I wanted to get to R.A.F Fairford as close to 09.00 as I could so as to avoid the mass of traffic that would descend on the place. It should ensure that I could park close to the entrance gate as I would be in my manual chair and also would give me good time to look around some of the static displays before the flying started. My Dad was unable to accompany me this year and so I had asked someone who I don’t get to spend much time with but always makes an effort to see me and chat, it is also a two way street where when possible my Wife and I will try to catch up with them too. I called round to collect him on the way, it would be another day where I would have to have someone with me in case my wrists gave out which is happening more and more of late and also because my whole body is going in to spasm more frequently than ever before meaning I require a push in my chair while I stay in a locked state looking completely ridiculous (and in much pain)!

The weather was overcast and windy when we arrived but the cloud base was such that all displays should go ahead. To be fair the weather was good because it meant that we would not cook during the day. We looked around the aircraft that were on static display and some of the stalls stopping to watch various aircraft put on displays of how capable they were by the pilots throwing the aircraft around. The Royal International Air Tattoo is known for being the largest display of military aircraft in the world which obviously means that they come from all over the world to take part. It is a great place to see aircraft that you would not normally see.

During life there will be things that make the little hairs on the back of your neck stand up and one of those events happened at the air show. As a tribute of remembrance to the brave pilots of World War 2, a formation of 16 aircraft comprising of Spitfires and Hurricanes flew over. The sound of those engines did indeed make those hairs stand to attention. All eyes were to the sky while a speech from what was probably the greatest Prime Minister the UK has ever had, Winston Churchill, played out of the many speakers around the airfield. I don’t think that I will ever see such a sight again but doubt it will be one I forget in a hurry. Talking of sights never to be repeated, this year is the final flying year for another flying legend of the UK, XH558, Her Majesty of the skies….the mighty Vulcan. Whilst I did not see the flying display of this jaw dropping aircraft, I did watch her flypast. But what could compliment the Lady of the skies for a crowd pleasing farewell flypast? Who are worthy enough to share the airspace with this British icon? Well, there really was only one choice, the worlds best aerobatic display team…the Red Arrows. I could not see one person looking anywhere but skywards as the formation appeared in the distance to the right of the airfield and as it reached the end of the runway to the far left, Her Majesty of the skies pulled up and right as she broke formation to fly circuit and land. A sad day, whilst she has more displays to fly before her season ends, unless I can get to Bournemouth in August where I would imagine she will fly for the last time in those skies, I shall never see her grace the skies with her presence again. A real shame.

So if I thought so much of the Vulcan and knew that she would not be flying again after this season, then why did I not make sure I saw her fly? The reason was simple. I had been invited to the R.I.A.T by Flying Scholarships for Disabled People as the candidates who had been chosen to do scholarships from the intake on which I had not been granted one (too much of a positive attitude), were being awarded their wings. I had been invited to see those scholars be presented with their wings and as it turned out, the presentation was when the Red Arrows and the Vulcan did their individual displays and so I missed them. I did not however miss two people who I got on with and had a good laugh with at the venue where the interviews were held, be presented with their wings. If any disabled people are reading this, look in to  Flying Scholarships for Disabled People. Look it up on line or go to my links page and click on the icon which will take you right to it. Applications need to be in by December so if you thought that flying a aeroplane was impossible look them up. Many people struggle to find any purpose after becoming disabled, feel useless or stay locked away so as not to have to have to see people. They lack confidence or fail to believe that they can do things that are more challenging. If you think that this may be you, or that you may know someone who you think may benefit, look them up and apply. If you are not fortunate enough to get a scholarship, you will meet other disabled people and come away with friends!

Good evening all.

05.30 on Saturday morning I woke and got the morning routine out of the way to ensure plenty of time to get to Yeovilton before the traffic really kicked off. I had been invited by ABF The Soldiers Charity to join them at the Yeovilton air show and talk to the public about how the ABF had helped me. I have done it a few times now, most recently you may remember at the concert in Exeter where I was fortunate enough to meet Angela Rippon OBE and Caroline Quinten, both of whom were a delight to meet and talk with. I had tried desperately to get my Overlander to the show so that it would bring people over to see it which gives me an opportunity to talk to the public about how the ABF were one of the charities who assisted me in purchasing the Overlander and how it has opened up so many opportunities for me to get out to places that would be otherwise inaccessible to me. Unfortunately though, as my “Chucklebus” is temporarily off the road, despite a plea on the social media sites, I could not guarantee that I could get it there and back and so as a result, I had to go without it. I was disappointed as it is difficult to talk to people about something which they cannot picture, as well as this, the Overlander is an icebreaker if you like and is a talking point.

I arrived in the disabled parking area at a little before 08.00 hrs having already been to the main car park after missing the sign for the disabled parking. Never the less, I was now in the correct parking area and well before the gates were to be opened for the public to enter. This was exactly what I wanted as I wanted to meet with the ABF and find out what general idea for the day was. I had fitted a catheter for the day as my spasms are are a worse than normal and have been for a good few weeks. The spasms are worsened further still by the rough tarmac and concrete and when the spasm kicks in, I am unable to propel myself and therefore have to stop until the spasm passes. Another few feet and the process repeats itself, as a result of this my muscles tighten causing pain and discomfort but also causes my bladder to tighten which is the equivalent of squeezing a wet sponge. Needless to say this is not something I want to be happening on a day out in front of the public hence the catheter being fitted. As I have very confused feeling in my legs, (this would take far too much time to unsuccessfully explain), it was not until I looked down before reaching down to fit the strap across my ankles to stop my legs from kicking out, that I noticed a dark “map of Africa” in my lap as a result of my catheter separating from the pipe to my leg bag. So getting up at 05.30 to ensure I was there early and thus being able to give my time for the whole day was now ruined and as I was already unhappy that I had let them down by not being able to bring the Overlander I was now really angry and wound up that I had to go back to Chard and potentially let them down further. Unfortunately, my spasms are affected by the anger which made it even more difficult to get in to the car and get my wheelchair in, a never ending cycle.

When I got home, my Wife helped me get cleaned up and changed and back in to the car in a pretty impressive time and I was back on the road in the hope that although I would clearly not be there for opening time (it was already past that time), I may get there before the flying started. The traffic was shite. The A303 had become a car park which was to be expected I guess and as I sat in the traffic, stationary, wishing the traffic would move there was a news bulletin on the radio. “Over 35 thousand people are expected to visit the air show at Yeovilton today…” and I couldn’t help but think that 25 thousand of those visitors were in the bloody cars in front of me! Eventually I did make it to the car park but as all of the disabled spaces were taken I had to park on the grass. I struggled to get across the grass due to the spasm issue I previously said about but as I repeatedly stopped after travelling a few feet a guy asked me if I would be offended if he were to push me to the hard standing. This was a welcome offer and as I got to the main entrance gate I thanked the guy and then met with the ABF who pushed me to the stand.

The day was a good one. I met some lovely people who were very happy to donate money to the charity and were very interested in the charity in general. As the ABF is not well known in the public eye since Help for Heroes was founded and pushed so hard in the commercial sense, they were interested to know about the charity and how it helps. I think we did a good job at bringing awareness of the charity and and how it helps, and I was really pleased that I was able to be there to tell people how the charity has helped me. I look forward to being able to help them in the future at events, talking to the public and bringing awareness of the charity to more and more people. I was surprised to learn that despite ABF The Soldiers Charity being the Army’s own charity, how many squaddies are unaware of its existence. If you do see a collecting box for ABF The Soldiers Charity then please donate what you can.

Good evening all.