Well promised Jane ( that's the wife by the way) that she could have a few days Holiday in June so I packed my bag's and off to Pete's Farm where I think the Rocket Gods live, any way I arrived there on Thursday.
First job was to unload the Rocket's and all that goes with it, next thing to get done was the tent , that done I was ready for cup of tea and a bite to eat.
I had a few words with the lads who was there, by this time it was time to get things put in the right order so out came the Beer and with finger into the pull ring the can was armed and primed for use ( there's not much in them cans when you had a busy day) so went the rest of the night placing the empty cans in an orderly manner on the table if you can find room on there, I'm sure the amount I take there it multiplies ten fold in such a sort time from the car to the bench. Regards the weather it was low cloud and a bit of a chill in the air, any way time went by and 12-30am was soon on top of us, I said good night and off to bed only to be awaken at four o'clock by rain belting down making the tent sound like a drum but managed to get some kip in before dawn, I'm sure some of the Choir ( night entertainment) was all most in tune with the rain.
With the start of a new day ( Friday) this time I remembered to take an elec/kettle this time so we could have a cup of tea/coffee in these trying times after breakfast the hut was starting to fill with more rockets of all sizes and shapes with a lot more hypertek's about this year, also there where men well I think they where men walking about what I can only describe as in a trance.
But I have got to write this down as it really started the weekend of to a good start, Mel S opened his big box, you know the one I mean, that one he has the kitchen sink in, well it was clean and very tidy. Mind you, he did have great difficulty trying to find things from within it but it didn't take to long for his table's to be filled up with all sorts of goods and it was still full when he but the top back on.
Then came the briefing, that all over it was time for some pre/flight checking, as time went by the weather was getting better by the minute it turned out to be a very nice day so the range was declared open be it rather muddy.
As I was doing my level two (2) Mel Sharp was the L2 RSO watching every move I made with all the pre/work done it was time to set out Launch Pad & Rail,
went back to get my Amraam 4 we walk all the way out to the Pad only to find some one had their rocket on it, so Sean who was helping me had to go back to the safety line and wait for this rocket to go, unfortunately it had a misfire, next time it got a broken wire, so it was stood down so I could get my L2 off and running . Sean helped with loading the AMRAAM 4 onto the rail, igniter was put in place
and the RSO was satisfied all was well we walk back for my turn go, the RSO gave me the go ahead as the young lady over the P/A system gives the 54321. I turned the key, pressed the button and after a short delay the roar of the Pro 38 5g J300 left the pad on a straight flight, deployment of the parachute was spot on, recovery of the AMRAAM 4 was good and easy as she landed approximately 40 m from the old barn near the track with no damage at all, just a smear of dirt on the nose cone. Isn't it a good feeling, all the Butterflies are gone and I'm a real happy
man (:- ) so it's a big thank you to the RSO, UKRA council members, and of course the members of my own club the Black Knights for all the help given, I must also give special thanks to Malcolm Ingram for the loan of his 54mm Motor Retainer ring also Pete Davy for the loan of a Parachute which was also missing.
Sean and I retired to Hanger 18 for a well needed cupper after a cool down
and a chat it was getting close to dinner time, so a wash & brush up dinner was in order at Burger Bills plus two bottles of Red Wine supplied by Mel S and so we got down eating and drinking. Mel insisted we drink the good bottle first and the not so good last assuming we don't taste the second bottle, after dinner we all got settled in to Hanger 18.
After the AGM meeting was over we had a bit of a clean up so we could settled down to talk over the days events wash down with tea ,coffee, beer and more red wine until the early hours as for me I went to bed around 01-30hrs and they where still at it.
Sunday morning raining again but it did stop for a short time, a full Breakfast order as we sat down to eat, down came the rain again so a dash to the hanger18 after breakfast I decided to pack up and head for home. Paid Pete D, said my good bye's and away off home.
All most forgot the fireworks, nice one lads.
To the Black Knights and to all who was there we had a really great time with lots and lots of laughs,it must be one of the best weekends for all rocketeers there.

Ray or Hank.