Up and away

Carolyn Frost|Published 1 year ago

The mighty Antonov-2 Biplane, with it’s quintessential throaty roar when it fired up it’s engine.

The Antonov-2 Biplane took small groups of excited youngsters up for an bird’s eye view.

The twin-engine Albatross, piloted by Altus Basson.

The children were brought to the aircraft, buckled in and given a quick safety briefing, and then... lift off!

Local pilot John Smith keeping a close eye on safety procedures pre- and post-flights.

The youngsters made their way towards the aircraft, just after arriving at the Stellenbosch Flying Club for their “dream” flight.

Some of the sports cars, lined up to take their precious cargo for a spin, and judging by the wide smiles and shining eyes, and excited conversations before and after, the children all had a splendid experience.

At the risk of repeating previously-aired sentiments (on an annual basis...), 2023 was unquestionably a year of note - high and low.

But, as always, I am filled with a sense of such gratitude for the opportunities contained, and the intersection of journeys and experiences.

I’ll just share an especially wonderful event I was invited to share in last month, as it represents what is most beautiful, precious and fragile about humanity, and our capacity to care for one another and offer of ourselves.

On a spectacular Saturday morning, I headed out to the Stellenbosch Flying Club (which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year), to witness a very special occasion.

The club was hosting around 46 children from the Reach For A Dream Foundation, creating an opportunity where the youngsters could experience the thrill of flying, and also being taken for a spin in some very snazzy sports cars.

Prior to 2020 this had been an annual institution, and so the committee acted on reinstating the event this year... and under a glorious blue sky with fleecy clouds, the youngsters and their caregivers and helpers arrived.

Flying club members were encouraged to provide suitable aircraft on the day to give flight experience to the “dreamers”.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, local pilot John Smith told Bolander during a tour of the facilities - and those who could not attend, pledged cash to pay for the fuel required by the thirstier machines.

And what an extraordinary variety of aircraft, all made available on the day... from ultralight aircraft, a vintage Piper Tri-pacer and a twin-tailed Ercoupe, the ex-military Bosbok and twin-engine Albatross, to the huge Antonov-2 Biplane with its mighty radial engine, to mention just a few.

Further thrills were provided by generous owners of various super-car Ferraris, Porsches, Mercedes cabriolets and an awesome Audi, giving short rides to the children blasting along a taxiway (arranged by Peter Venter from Stellenbosch).

Just recalling these memories brings such a smile to my face, which is much-needed.

Grief is the price we pay for love, we know, and I am navigating through the loss of my beloved 88-year-old mother last week.

She often told me, that no matter where I was (and for more than a decade I’d been on the other side of the world, where weekly phone calls and constant letters connected us), that I was closer to her than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.

Momma, you reside in my heart forever. Thank you for your enduring love, your wisdom and counsel, your encouragement and faith in me.

May you be reunited with dad, flying in his dapper little Foxtrot Mike Juliet, high in the sky, holding hands as you always did.