Flashback Friday: Malcolm and the Microlight

We’re going back eleven years today: not to Malcolm’s actual birthday, which is In The Bleak Midwinter, but to an April day when we were still living in the foothills of the Pyrenees, and when a bunch of amateurs – the friends and family of Malcolm – formed an impromptu production company to deliver, for one day only – Malcolm and the Microlight – to celebrate his birthday.

Malcolm and the Microlight

23rd April 2010

… celebrating in style for a 70th birthday

Starring Malcolm and Jacques.

Director: Henri

Producer: Margaret

Assistant Producers: Léonce & Brigitte

Script: Malcolm

Wardrobe: Jacques

Shot on location in the Ariège by Jacques, Malcolm & Margaret.

A Lawrenson-Hamilton-Clift Production MMX

Jacques’ microlight

‘Curiously, I had no feelings of fear or apprehension, perhaps because of what our friends had told us about Jacques, the pilot, and his machine – it’s his pride and joy, and he takes great care of it.

There was a sharp feeling of exposure after take-off – we were not in a cabin, there was no protection from wind, we were just vulnerable beings in a powered shell under a giant wing – it reminded me of riding pillion on a motorbike, but this was in the air.

Malcolm in the bright morning air

The various destinations came up quickly – not like travelling on the ground, even though our speed was only about 80-85 kph.

Over the mountain peaks, it was very cold – temperature had fallen from 13 or so on take-off to minus 1 over the snowfields and the flat white surfaces of isolated frozen lakes were still clearly to be seen.  And suddenly, directly underneath, a herd of Pyrenean chamois, running and leaping, disturbed by the engine’s sudden sound in their snow-quiet world

A few minutes more and we were at 2600 metres, when the mountains seemed so empty and cold, even in the lovely morning sunlight.   We could see long distances in the clear air at this altitude – 200 km away, we could see the Pic du Midi

The warmth after we left the mountains behind and lost altitude was welcome, and I could concentrate on the views of walks we had previously done, and which had sometimes seemed long and meandering, but were now clearly visible with their beginnings and ends.

Then back to the field and the short grass runway.  As we flew over, I could see Margaret far below, waving.  Then it was down, very smoothly, and a turn, and back to rest.  What an experience!  And how kind of my family to make this possible.‘

  • That all-important helmet
  • Fishermen on the Lac de Montbel
  • Lac de Montbel
  • Laroque -the arrow shows our house
  • Montségur
  • Pyrenean chamois – La Frau
  • Château de Roquefixade
  • Château de Lagarde
  • Journey’s end

Flashback Friday

Bright Square

And finally … thanks so much Becky, and everyone who brought such joy in a month of Bright Squares. Here’s a Bright Bouquet.

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

35 thoughts on “Flashback Friday: Malcolm and the Microlight”

  3. A great flashback, and what a wonderful place to fly. A wonderful birthday treat.
    Flying in open air like that is a great experience that I’m keen to repeat myself – but your photos (and the video on Jaques’ website) have given me my fix for a while! Thanks, Margaret

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  6. That is a brilliant way of celebrating a special birthday. Sounds exhilarating with just a splash of trepidation. Also, it is the perfect solution to ‘I always wanted to make a parachute jump, but my knees are too old now to make the landing’.

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  9. Well that sounded like one amazing birthday present. I am very sure that I would not enjoy the same, especially now since I seem to have developed an odd fear of heights. But it must be a wonderful experience to fly like a bird. I also love your bouquet for Becky, she truly deserves one. You are one very thoughtful friend.

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  10. Pingback: Bright Shiny Things – The life of B

  11. wow, what an incredible adventure. I wouldn’t have the courage (nor the desire!) to do anything so different….

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