Pete’s Adventures in Salalah Part 7

What’s been happening in the first week of May.

 

So what have I been doing to fill my time.  Well quite a bit actually. 

First some good news, my arm is slowly getting better. I have sorted out the engine starting problem with the help of Ian. Also we extracted Ian’s generator from its housing which wasn’t easy.

Bad news NONE except the shipping date.

 

Sunday night was curry night. 

The ladies and some of the men cooked curries and took them to Sol Maria where Gavin hosted the event.

 

There were numberous curries of all different types and flavours not to mention the breads and poperdoms that went with them. 

I think Ian had just tryed the fish curry. He hates fish!!!!

 

 

Steve and Katrin enjoying the occasion along with Steve from Aspen.

 

 

Me with Chrissie and Gavin after the food was all gone.  Yes time for a drink.  Mark is your glass half full or half empty.  I know what your reply would be!

 

Chrisie and Derry chilling on the trapeze.

 

We had heard that the container ship with the cradles on had arrived so we went to see if we could identify OUR container.  It was one of about two thousand on board so we didn’t get to see it. But we did identify the right ship.

 

 

The following day saw a group of us visiting the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO)

Our host was Tony a Jaguar pilot who has been seconded to the RAFO from our RAF.  He is the most experienced Jaguar pilot in the world and has exceeded 4000 hours on Jags.  His mate on the base is an American called Mark who fly’s F16’s.  He drove us around in his Jeep.

 

A low level fly by as we entered the base.  Here is Tony showing Derry the kit required when flying fast jets.

 

So here is one of the Omani Jaguars.  Tony loves flying this low level attack aircraft in his playground, the Oman desert.

 

Twin Rolls Royce engines push it along at mach 1.2 about 700 MPH.  Brian was first to get his hands on the controls. Tony had arranged to have all the avionics power up.  BUT not the weapons systems.

 

We all had the chance to sit in the cockpit which was quite roomy compared to some jets I have sat in.  Here is Derry “just off for a spin”

 

Tony was brilliant explaining what all controls did.  Here is Mark pretending to fly at Mark ONE.  He He

 

 

My turn next.  “Tony just let me have ago please. I am a pilot you know”  “ which switch is the starter?”

 

Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to visit the F16’s

 

A real “top gun”  Tony says his bike out accelerates his plane to 150 MPH. 

Paul wants one of these. I would rather have the Jaguar.

 

What’s your golf handicap?  We it’s the course of course.  This is one of the browns as they call them here.

 

It was then back to Tony’s pad to eat drink and be merry.

 

Tony has a well stocked bar in his house which we took full advantage of.  Thanks Tony.  After food Tony and Mark who both play in bands entertained us with their singing.  We all had to join in as well.

 

We had a really nice time. 

The two following days we had low level fly by’s at the port.  First was the F16 flown by Mark and then the next day we had two Jaguars swoop just over our masts.  Brill. 

 

Below pictures of the port.

  

20 boats on Anchor.  Big ships being unloaded and loaded.

Get out there and do some pirate bashing. 

 

More later.  Pete.