Colmar tour 2018: day 1

One of the planned tours from Roskilde flying club this season was a trip to Colmar, a picturesque town in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. I looked very much forward to this tour. When we took off from Roskilde, the ceiling was rather low. We flew IFR, so the clouds were not a problem. And from about 4000 feet and higher the sky was clear.

We flew in FL90, and after 1hour and 44 minutes reached EDVE Braunschweig.

Landing on RWY26:

We were 6 aircraft from the club, and 19 people. All met at the airport’s Italian restaurant for lunch. They had excellent food. Our crew opted for buffet 12,50 EUR.

We flew in this nice Piper OY-IDB. Per was our PIC, and we were happy about it – he is a very experienced pilot. Inge-Merethe was a pilot before, for many years. Today, she is enjoying flying as a passanger with her fellow pilots from the club. Another member of our crew, Carsten, was taking this photo.

When we took off from the EDVE, it was overcast.

But soon it cleared up again, and we appreciated the sunny views.

And this was the last photo I took at FL90 before we began our descent for Colmar. The leg to Colmar took 2 hours and 32 minutes.

Our ascents and descents were quite rapid sometimes (because we were ordered), both Inge-Merethe and I had ear-pain, and had difficulties with unclogging our ears.

And this is Colmar from 1000 feet. In the middle one can see The Gothic 13th-century, Cathédrale Saint-Martin.
I rented an apartment near that place, and could almost see it from the air.

What a surprise awaited us in LFGA, Colmar Houssen! Look at that:

Two Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft, call signs LX-STN and LX-MIK. The sound was almost unbearable, but I was standing there taking photos, and not complaining about ears any longer.

The staff at the airport were very helpful – with parking, refueling, ordering taxis, even making calls to solve hotel problems, and giving first aid.

When I got to “my” street, I couldn’t believe my eyes… It was so beautiful. My two-bedroom apartment is on the third floor, second building from left (closest to the cathedral).

This is the view from the living room:

I threw my stuff on the sofa, and immediately went out. The town was unbelievably pretty.

The restaurant on the left had all tables reserved. I thought it was a good sign, and begged a table for one by promising not to stay all night. There I enjoyed a glass of a sublime Alsace wine, before going for dinner.