A Welcome In the Valleys

Today I joined an old friend of mine Darren, a very good aviation photographer, on a trip to the 'Mach Loop' in Wales. It is a low level flying area where the RAF and other forces practice the low level flying through the steep valleys.

It was a long day. Bloody cold up the Bwlch waiting for the planes to drop down into the valleys for low level flying. Having got there at around 8am we had to wait until nearly 2pm before the planes arrived, and when they arrive, they turn up quickly and are soon gone.

We only saw Hawks (this one is a T2 variant). If you look at the extras, there is a close up on the cockpit you can see the weapons officer giving Darren and I the thumbs up as they came past!

It was a good day,  and worthwhile going, but I might go another time when it is a bit warmer!