Northbound

Half a year ago it was down under. Now it is definitely up and above: jumping on a Diamond 40 - an old friend met almost 3 years ago, Delta Echo Sierra Charlie Romeo - heading Nordkapp for Midsummer.

Wishing I could help with piloting next time, for the time being I'm performing my usual photographer's role, sometimes flight attendant, passing vfr charts or water.

And off we go, right after the Ryanair Boeing. 1500 ft, overflying the Affligem tower (yes, there is more than just a brewery in Affligem), heading north Germany for the first leg, passing quickly over the Netherlands - Dutch controllers just seem to want us fast out of their skies.

Three hours later we are in Husum, family run (sort of) airfield, big man with big belly and basic English at the radio, free cups of coffee for everybody, a storm on our way north and another one coming from the south. Better to go quickly and better to be above the clouds than below them. Beautiful flying in cotton at times at 10.000 feet.

Feeling confident for being high enough and with radar control, we can make it all the way through the bad weather and to Bergen. Note to self: no problem to go through the clouds or to pass airport security without even showing an id but no way you can find a place to sleep in Bergen without a reservation.

Tomorrow, we are told, will be a beautiful day for flying.