The Flight of the Saltire

[Sionnach]

For the grand celebration, that make perfect sense.

Sad that I shall not be there.

[WeaselMender]

The Wee Airship is currently moored to the flagpole atop The Parlement Building here in Victoria, BC.

The Crew is on R&R and the ship have a wee bit of upgrade and preventive maintenance performed on the now solar powered coffee dispensing system.

She is awaiting the arrival of highlandtide and the rabble from around the world to our fair city.

Due to a date conflict The wee airship's attendance was not requested at the largest gathering of lighter than air aircraft in the world, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. However next year from October 2-10 there is nowhere else that the XMTS Airship Saltire should be!

Weasel :ootd:

[Rob Wright]

Due to a date conflict The wee airship's attendance was not requested at the largest gathering of lighter than air aircraft in the world, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. However next year from October 2-10 there is nowhere else that the XMTS Airship Saltire should be!

Weasel :ootd:

I heartily endorse this request!

Rob

[Panache]

Each year the XMTSAS Saltire is destined to briefly return to her home base here in the Bay Area for the Nor Cal Rabble's Burns Night Supper.

From there she flies a course determined by the good ladies and gentlemen of our forum.

But as her Captain I would also like to endorse Ensign Mender's suggestion as fantastic one.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Splash_4]

Hear, Hear! For those who have never seen the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiestas mass Ascension, it is a site to stir the soul. Our wee little airship would feel right at home with that group.

The only question is, who will serve the traditional drink of the hot air balloonist (Mimosa) once it lands?

[WeaselMender]

Hear, Hear! For those who have never seen the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiestas mass Ascension, it is a site to stir the soul. Our wee little airship would feel right at home with that group.

The only question is, who will serve the traditional drink of the hot air balloonist (Mimosa) once it lands?

Champane and propane the breakfast of balloonists.

Weasel :ootd:

[BEEDEE]

At the Victoria kilt night to celebrate the new ownership of XMTS it was decided that as the farthest traveled to get to the celebration the XMTSAS Saltire should return home with me.

Here it is, happily ensconced in the lair of the Moderator



Today the Saltire visited New Bern. One of the oldest towns in NC, New Bern celebrates its 300th anniversary next year. For many years it was the seat of the colonial Governor and in 1770 Gov. Tryon constructed this building, now known as Tryon Palace.



Up town, the celebrations are getting started with bears appearing in various places. The significance of the bears? Well, New Bern was named after Berne in Switzerland and was originally established by Palatine settlers. Berne is German for bear. This one is displayed outside the City Hall.



New Bern also had other firsts - this plaque commemorates the first printing press in North Carolina.



And no visit to New Bern would be completed without recognizing it's contribution to soda. It's the home place of Pepsi Cola.



Inside the reconstructed pharmacy you can buy unlimited refills for only 75c.



Finally, we need to recognize the contribution that Scots settlers made to the town. Scots were there within 10 years of the town's establishment. The Robert Hay house is one of the original houses preserved in the Historic District.



The Saltire took off for an aerial view of the Robert Hay house and to further adventures in coastal North Carolina.



Brian

[Sionnach]

Glad to see the wee ship flying again. Thanks for the photo tour.

[Kilt_Em_All]

Brian,

When did the wee airship land in NC? There's a group of us getting together here in the Greensboro area next week if it hasn't already been determined where she's headed next (hint, hint).

EDIT: Thanks for the great pics. I've never had the chance to visit New Bern, but it looks like a marvelous place.

-Elliott

[davedove]

Again, if the wee airship should decide to come my way before the end on November, I would be priviledged to take her for a spin of the Caribbean.