London in Freedom Cargo Kilt

**cessna152towser** · 27th February 07, 06:01 PM

I've done kilted 'plane trips on light aircraft from our local airport at Carlisle to some of the smaller Scottish regional airports, but today was my first experience of negotiating major English airports kilted. The Freedom Cargo Kilt was the obvious choice as it is not worn with a kilt pin, with the Freelander sporran to hold all my days needs; keys, money, tickets, camera, passport etc. No problem with security at Newcastle - unfastened the sporran and put it through the x-ray machine - though the security guy then tried to pass it off to the lady ahead of me - must have thought it was some sort of handbag, despite the belt and chain attached. Once through security, I met another kiltie in the departure lounge, who had solved the kilt pin problem by sewing a motor bike club badge/patch onto a traditional tartan kilt in the position where normally one would have expected to see a kilt pin.

After landing at Stansted, I made my way by train to Harlow then a taxi to North Weald, a World War II fighter station in Essex, where Douglas Bader flew from, to pay my respects to the World War II airmen of the RAF.

An ex USAF warbird from the cold war era, which is now on display.

A USAF C-54 transport aircraft, dating from World War II, one of a pair parked at North Weald.

I had a fry up for lunch (sausage, egg and chips) in the Squadron Club, which is decorated and furnished in 1940's style.

Just an hour's run on the train into London from here, so spent a few hours sightseeing in London later in the afternoon; this is Buckingham Palace

St. James Park, with Buckingham Palace in background.

**cessna152towser** · 27th February 07, 06:05 PM

Early springtime in St. James' Park

Westminster - Parliament

The London Eye

Best appreciated from further back.

Trafalgar Square, with Big Ben in the background.

Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square is also best appreciated by standing further back.

Tower of London......
...........and by noo ah'm gey drookit.......

So time to catch the 'plane back home.

**Big Dave** · 27th February 07, 06:23 PM

Great pics. The kilt and sporran look good.

**Splash_4** · 27th February 07, 06:28 PM

Thank you again Alex! That picture essay certainly brought back memories!

**Hamish** · 27th February 07, 07:07 PM

Alex, I just do not know how you manage to fit so much into your days out - it would have taken me almost a day just to cover the London landmarks, let alone visiting North Weald and all the travelling you did! Well done.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 27th February 07, 08:02 PM

Great pics Alex! You certainly covered a lot of ground in a single day. I think we did as well when we were there, at least I recognize all of the London landmarks. But wait, where's the pic of St. Paul's? Isn't that another must-see sight?!

**O'Neille** · 27th February 07, 08:11 PM

Very nice pictures. How did you get London all to yourself? It looks like you were the only soul out in the weather. O'Neille

**Pour1Malt** · 28th February 07, 12:43 AM

guid oan ya Alex...

aye, ya luek drookit! ;)

slainte

**McClef** · 28th February 07, 02:00 AM

More excellent pictures Alex!

That's a lot to take in in one day and how do you persuade people to take the pictures?

**cessna152towser** · 28th February 07, 03:47 AM

how do you persuade people to take the pictures?

Find a flat surface on which to rest the camera, and set the timer!

But wait, where's the pic of St. Paul's? Isn't that another must-see sight?!

One to do next time I'm in London. I was thinking of you yesterday when I was in London yesterday, KCW, wasn't that a Freedom Kilt you were wearing in some of your London pics?