I write this week’s diary with a mixture of emotions.
In my present job and in my former life as a jockey, I have become used to experiencing diverse changes of mood ranging from Nearly Heaven to Nearly Hell.
Despite the foggy mornings, we have experienced some excellent stable flying weather and 'mill pond' conditions, with a flurry of my students happily negotiating the circuit.
Ryanair have waited, on more than one occasion, until one of my solo students has safely landed on the runway at Bellegarde.
Thankfully, Limoges has enjoyed patches of excellent weather while our neighbouring airports have not been so lucky.
Consequently, qualifying cross country flights have been put temporarily 'on hold' until there is a suitable break in the weather.
Luckily, the fog does not hinder the progress of ground studies so everyone has used the 'downtime' to prepare for exams, with some excellent results—it seems that a 75% pass is not good enough for some of my students who are not entirely happy with a result of 95%.
I had a most wonderful experience this week while doing circuits on Runway 03—I flew alongside thousands of cranes who appeared, in strict formation, at circuit height on the downwind leg.
The cranes, flying from north to south en route to Spain, actually moved over to avoid me and I am convinced that one actually 'winked' at me.
More information on cranes here
Last night, I was invited to dinner with the President of the Aeroclub de Limoges at his home in Eymoutiers.
This was a lovely evening where I enjoyed true French cooking at its best and shared the dinner table with former airline, aerobatic and balloon pilots from three generations of the same family!
I managed to converse the whole evening in French which is a definite improvement for me, having arrived here six years ago without speaking any French at all.
Sadly, when I arrived home long past midnight, 'Cassie', the mother of 'Miracle', was again seriously ill but, despite the best veterinary care, did not respond to the treatment and went to 'heaven' early this morning.
Cassie was twenty three years old and had produced nine foals including several who are now top-class international three-day eventers.
In the seventies, I had owned her mother, 'Lady Sunshine', who was the best horse I had ever ridden,
I am sure that her surviving grandsons will carry on the family tradition and excel in the sport horse world.
'Miracle' is now feeling very lonely without his Mum and is presently in the field under the supervision of his uncle.
I hope that he will soon settle down and continue to gladden our hearts with his independence and his antics.
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