Quite a week flying this week. Popham – Perth – Glenforsa – Dornoch – Popham – Ronaldsway IOM – Popham.

Including my longest flight yet in the TSi. 4 hrs from Dornoch north of Inverness to Popham!

Last-minute departure Tuesday; weather looks ok for a few days in Scotland. Departed 1400. Brize zone ATC closed due to a power outage flew over the top anyway. No transit through East Midlands was forthcoming – too busy – so 1400 ‘ weaving between Derby ATZ and quite low to keep under the TMA.

Good memories of earlier times in Derbyshire and Yorkshire Dales as I passed over. Then 5500 ‘ over Spadedam danger area. Edinburgh transit at 3900’ over the Firth of Forth no problem. Perth, good friendly and busy airfield. Taxi into town.

Glenforsa for coffee. Paul’s first time there. Dornoch: amazing well-kept grass strip and very very welcoming and helpful; got some MOGAS from Hugh. Eclipse was missed behind the clouds, so a non-event for us. Then, after waiting for the rain showers to pass departed about 11 am direct to Popha. No transit through Edinburgh this time, so down to 2300 under the TM. Low-level route past Liverpool, getting a lot hotter and browner. Wildfire at Stourbridge observed (later news reports 19 houses destroyed).

Sat Popham to IOM mostly 4500′ but down to 2900′ under the Liverpool TMA and remembering Hawarden RMZ.

Monday localised cloud so SVR departure to Popham. Brize ATC operational so transit approved (even though the runway is not in use).