Part II : The return flight

A diary

Annegret and I  left our Comanche in a safe hangar near Johannesburg at the end of May last year, for us two to return to Switzerland for a few
weeks of work at our home in Givrins on the shores of lake Geneva and some real business.

For the return flight, my wife Annegret elected to remain at home in Switzerland, and not fly back to Switzerland together with me this time.

Two dear friends, Barbara & Guy Zehneder from Zürich Switzerland, which Anne and I knew very well from our unforgetable time in
South Africa in the late 1960's and early 70's, joined me, after my return to beloved South Africa, starting from where we left our
aircraft a few weeks ago, on our memorable return flight along the western side of the African Continent, back home to Switzerland.

A real  top knotch crew, consisting of the very experienced and capable co- pilote Guy, and his wife, a very  professional and much dicated
Chief Purser, by the name of Barbara.

Having returned back to South Africa on the 15^th of July, we had to get our plane ready again and serviced for the long trip home.

Day 1, Friday 17JUL

Johannesburg – George

(04:15H)

The departure from Rand airport in Johannesburg was dramatic. Friends who came to see us off cautioned us not to eat the Granola
bars too quickly, as we need to survive in the bush, the desert or in the ocean in case of ditching they said. Ha ha, what are friends for?

Off we went, heavily loaded again, in southwesterly direction over the great Karoo desert. Today’s destination was Plettenberg Bay
airport on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Due to an approaching cold front and forecast rain, we filed IFR with George as an alternate.

A spectacular flight it was in perfect weather until we reached the Outeniqua Mountains close to the coast.

What we now experienced was low clouds and rain.

Hence we decided to divert to George airport with its ILS approach.

We had a great time staying with our friends at their just completed Fish Eagle Lodge guest farm in Knysna. This part of South Africa is
called the Garden Route and is well known for its indigenous forests, flora, wildlife and beautiful scenery.