62 *EPILOG*
Cruising at Fight Level 110 up the Rhone Valley, the chain of the Alps
becomes
gradually
visible to our right in the late afternoon sun, and finally we can make
out the
shape of Lake
Geneva in between clouds.
A number of airliners are lined up, and are descending on the ILS 23 to
Geneva
airport,
as the Air Traffic Controller provides us instructions to descend, and
gives
Radar vectors
to cross above the centerline of the Localizer.
Our Skyguide finally guides us right overhead of our final destination
La Côte
Airfield.
Our last landing on this short grass strip is indeed very smooth, and
is
probably the very
best of all, on our long Round the World Flight.
We get out of our confined cockpit, wave, and shake many hands with
friends,
which
are awaiting us.
Since the start of our adventure on the 19th of June in 2008, we
covered the 4
distinct
stages of our round the World journey.
We spent 17 weeks away from home, covered a total distance of 32’600
Nautical
Miles (60’375 KM) in 223 flying hours, spent time in countless
countries and on
Islands, and visited all 6 Continents.
As usual, our aircraft Piper Comanche 260C “HB-PON”, performed
extremely well
and reliable all the way, and its newly overhauled Engine never missed
a single
beat!
Often we have been perspiring; stressed-, freezing-, laughing..........
We both had our moments, but have been good colleagues and friends.
Constantly we were admiring what we saw-, what we experienced, and much
enjoyed the time with all the people, we had the privilege to meet on
our
path.
We both were a good team together, all the way.
In the evening, we now all sit in family happily and reunited together
around
the table
in the garden of Annegret’s and Rolf’s house for a welcome dinner,
overlooking
La Côte Airfield, the lake, and the snow covered Alps with Mont Blanc
in the
distance.
With a colorful bunch of new experiences and unforgettable good
memories
richer,
we finally will both go where we want, and resume our individual
activities.
Happy, euphorique and a
bit
melancholic….........
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