...I went to Bournemouth Airshow...

Ypres did knock me for six, I couldn't think of what else to write after that because it all seemed inconsequential, and still does really. Something as immense and World changing as WW1, the art that it inspired through tragedy, adversity and horror, the changes in the way that wars were fought and the technology that it spawned, are all echoed in the World today.

I have often thought about history and the evolution of man. Often looking at earlier versions of us as somehow being inferior because they weren't as technologically advanced. What I have realised as I've gotten older, is that technology has changed and we haven't, infact we've probably become less able to cope, we no longer know how to hunt or what is safe to eat or how to build a dwelling on the fly etc. In my mind I understand that we don't progress, we evolve to suit our surroundings, we are no more intelligent, clever or capable than historical man, we are simply an extremely adaptive species.

Anyway, this post isn't about my ponderings on humankind, it is about the Bournemouth Airshow 2014. It is the only thing I felt I could follow WW1 with because it was a testament to some things that are truly British and reasons to be proud.
Let me explain, last year I went to Clacton Airshow but this year, due to many things beyond my control, I went to Bournemouth Airshow instead. I have to say that the shows are both incredibly similar and you could flip a coin between them as they are both great places to visit. Both shows had the Battle of Britain Memorial flight and the Vulcan and the Red Arrows, the 3 things that bring on the awe and pride of Britain past and present. It is beyond doubt that the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster Bomber saved Britain. They were precision crafted marvels of the air, piloted by brave young men whose sacrifice we can never repay and the BBMF is wonderful testament to them. These are iconic aircraft that mean so much to Britain but unless your Country has ever stood on the brink of invasion and defeat, you can never understand what these aircraft truly mean, they are as important and iconic as HMS Victory, that saved us the last time these shores were threatened with invasion by Napoleon.
Then the Vulcan, I have no idea why I love this aircraft so much, it is just beautiful and the noise is like the God of Thunder's rage, a noise that explodes out of silence and shreds the sky.
Finally the Red Arrows, the best pilots on this planet, serving RAF pilots that craft some of the most incredible, dangerous and breath taking stunts. We just take them for granted but from my vantage point last weekend, I suddenly realised how incredible they are and how close they get.

I'm not going to waste anymore words, see for yourself:

This is not funny and it seeing it from this angle, it is incredible. On one of the passes, one of the pilots twitched a fraction to avoid hitting the other plane, that is how close this gets and how skilled these pilots are. I have incredible respect and more than a little pride in this amazing display team. Check out the 50th Anniversary tail decorations.

To see the Red Arrows 2 or 3 years ago with a 7 plane display after they lost 2 pilots, was truly heartbreaking. I grew up with the Red Arrows and for part of my life I forgot about them and I know many other people have also forgotten about them. Go and see them display, they will take your breath away.

There are many habits that I intend to get into, eating more veg, running more, communing more with nature and seeing the Red Arrows, the Vulcan and the BBMF at least once a year.