D-Day 75

I'd booked a half days' holiday today which for me meant that I only had to work 2.5 hours - 10am until 12.30pm.  As it was a lovely, sunny morning, Rach decided she'd take the girls on the i360 and to the pier, so they got ready and I dropped them off on my way into work.  They all had a great time! 

This afternoon as part of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, there were 30 old Dakota planes flying from Duxford to France, along the Normandy Coast, and they were due to fly over Eastbourne and Beachy Head at 14.50.  So when I finished work, I picked the girls up from near the pier at 12.45 and we set off for Beachy Head.  We planned to stop off at Seaford beach so that S & V could go on their scooters as I thought we'd have an hour to kill, however, the traffic was so bad that we gave up on that idea and it's a good job we did, as we only got there at 14.30.  There were cars parked all along the sides of the road but luckily I found a gap and managed to park.  We set down our picnic blankets and then Alan messaged me to say that the planes had been delayed by about an hour and a half!  

As there was such a long delay we decided to walk further long the cliffs so that we'd have a better view, and I'm glad we did as when the planes finally arrived at 5pm, they flew directly over our heads!   It was amazing to see them all as small specs in the distance, coming towards us, and then to hear their engines as got closer.  I've added an extra of our first view  While we waited for them to arrive, I got regular updates from Alan who was following posts on Twitter, and also Kate who was keeping her eye on Facebook updates as Martin was there as well.

It was lovely to see the veteran in his wheelchair with his huge flags - such a jolly man who said he's spent his afternoon having photos taken by so many people.  I have so much respect and we will never forget these wonderful men and women, so rather than just blip a plane today, I decided I'd make a collage which sums up the day.

By the time we came to leave, that traffic was worse than when we came, we were all cold and the girls were tired and hungry, so it was a stop at McDonald's for a happy meal which they ate in the car.  Hopefully they'll sleep well tonight as we have another exciting day planned tomorrow with a very early start!  And on that note, I'd better get to bed too!

Three days on from my 2,500th blip, I was surprised to receive a message from Heartfreek this morning to tell my that it had reached the spotlight and it's still there which is amazing, thank you!