Old Habits
by Ian Curtress
Saw advert on
Gumtree for Replica flight. Refreshments
served on board
Wear warm coats Very reasonable,
transport to airport. I could just afford
Make a change from sitting in the garden
looking at the lawn
Transport was a wartime 3 tonner which
had been painted fawn
Didn’t know Biggin Hill was still in
use, facilities were very few
and the DC3 had not been cleaned since
last used in WW2
The seats were long benches and we were
clipped on a rail fixed high
I also noticed red and green centre
lights and began to wonder why
With options running out I just did as I
was told,
buttoned up my jacket they said it would
be cold
The pilot looked disheveled, said he wasn’t
at his best,
in fact under his bomber jacket I saw a
grubby vest
He said once we become accustomed to the
noise we’ll all enjoy the flight.
Have good views of the countryside
because we couldn’t gain much height.
We had to leave our luggage, there wasn’t
anywhere to stack,
but not to worry, said they’d keep
it safe. (that’s if we came back)!
Two burley fellows were the cabin staff
serving coffee from a flask.
Both were wearing parachutes. Didn’t
like to ask
We just about got airborne after two
aborts
and although I’m not the nervous
type, was having second thoughts.
I am sure our altitude was two hundred
feet at the very most
and I began to doubt our getting to the
coast.
Thing were now improving, a great relief
for me
must have been an updraft rising from the
sea
As we approached the Netherlands both the
crew stood up
I thought the coffee wasn’t bad I’ll
have another cup
But they weren’t serving coffee,
just standing by the door.
Looking very serious, not smiling anymore.
The soft light suddenly flickered, just
above my head
It was a soft and pleasant green, I’m
sure it had been red
Then the pilot said if you look below
that’s Nijmegen
The bridge of wartime fame, so many hero’s
more than he could name
No one spoke, the cabin had suddenly gone
cold.
Cabin crew no longer there just open door,
the pilot looking old
With eyes so full of memories, said with
a heavy sigh
I knew it was a risk employing them....
Old habits never die. |
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