Night in Macon, France

The weather enroute to Macon along east central France started to deteriorate but we had just enough visibility and radio communication with each other to make it to Macon.  We stayed in a nice hotel in the center of this lovely town.  Macon's population is about 35,000 people and it lies next to the Saone river, where interestingly enough, big flying boats in the 1930s landed with passengers enroute from London to Capetown, South Africa!

 This would have been the view from our hotel room if we had stayed here way back when.









The lobby was beautiful.  A nice baby grand piano situated near large sofas and chairs was very tempting to Colin.  The people lounging in the lobby were happy to be an audience.

We had a very spacious room with high ceilings, long, heavy window drapes and modern but curious looking bathroom fixtures.  After a little freshing up, we all met up in the lobby to walk to dinner at a nice French restaurant where Team Barnstormers had their first taste of escargot and steak tartare.  They are definitely culinary daredevils.  In any case, we were all hungry and enjoyed the opportunity to get to know one another better in a social setting.

Waiting for snails and wine: Emily from Sweden flying with Pedro (both in black), across is Francois, behind him Alexandra, yours truly next to her, then Colin and Keith. Behind Pedro is Nick then Manfredo, and Cedric.





The next morning we were back at the airport to plan the next legs of flying.  It was a misty morning but the low clouds seemed to be settled in some places and lifting in others.  While we worked on getting the planes ready, a man and his young grandson came up to the airport fencing and seemed very interested in our planes and what we were doing.  The little boy pointed at the planes but seemed very shy.  Pedro and I walked up to the fence to exchange hellos with the visitors.  My French was and is very high school-ish, but I managed to get that the boy - with his big wide eyes - was curious.  We invited them to come over to the planes and Pedro asked if the boy would like to sit in one.  The grandfather spoke encouragingly to his grandson, but the boy pulled back and shook his head.  He was quite firm that he did not want to approach the plane or strangers.

Pedro's quiet and gentle demeanor worked wonders and in about 10 minutes the grandfather with grandson in hand were entering the parking ramp and slowly approaching the plane.  The boy stopped and tugged on his grandfather's hand.  "Enough. No further" was the body language.  Pedro went on about his work on the plane looking over his shoulder, smiling at the little 5 year old.  Soon more steps were taken and as they walked slowly up to the plane, Pedro again issued an invitation to sit in the plane.  The grandfather beamed, but the boy lowered his head, eyes peering up cautiously at Pedro and once again stood firm.  Pedro brought over his cap and goggles and showed them to the boy. He smiled a very tentative smile.  Pedro slowly put them on his head and the world as the boy knew it did not end but became a little more interesting. In seconds, he was sitting in Pedro's plane with a huge smile!

 A new experience to be cherished.

A future astronaut? A happy boy in any case. Thanks, Pedro, for being a great ambassador for aviation. Our little friend will never forget this moment.