President's Chatter
AUGUST 29 2005

August should, by rights, give good flying weather in Europe. Not so this year, at least not in the first two weeks. John Bowden, chairman of the UK Section had organised a tour of the Baltic States covering nine countries in as many days – this was to celebrate 40 years of IFFR and 100 years of Rotary. After a night stop in Holland our tour went on to Neubrandenburg in the east of Germany and then to Gdansk in Poland. We then spent a day in this historic city.

The planned route was then to take us through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to join the Scandinavian Section at their meeting in Finland. A horrendous low had set in which made this quite impossible. A look at both the charts and the forecast weather opened up the possibility of flying to Southern Sweden and up through that country. This would allow us to get to the Finish meeting in time. And so it was. Yes, the weather was wet but the heaviest of the showers could be avoided. Any difficulty was more than made up by the warmth of our Swedish hosts, who, led by Bo Johnnson, laid on impromptu hospitality in Kalmar and Västeras. A buffet at Kurt Bjerneby’s lakeside home was a particular pleasure.

The Finish meeting at Jyväskyla (now that takes some thinking about on the radio!!) was typical of the hospitality that one has grown to expect from this Section. A boat cruise, a sauna – Finish style (a most relaxing and social experience) and a gala dinner in the Air Force Officers Club gave us a weekend to remember. Thanks go to Matti Jyllinmaa and his wife Sari. On our way back to the UK we spent a memorable evening by a lake near Västeras– swimming, boating and barbequing thanks to Bo Johnnson. For Alisma and I it was then back home – we had had a great time of flying and fellowship – the weather had changed our plans but there are always options! Thanks, John, for all the time that you put in planning this.

Two weeks later saw Alisma and I at the Benelux meeting in Amsterdam. A varied meeting saw us visit saw us view this international city from its different aspects – by foot down its narrow and lively streets and by boat through its labyrinth of canals. Before the final gala dinner we were hosted by Karel Waagenaar at his beautiful home – a gesture that was much appreciated. Yes, Stan Jesmiatka and his team produced a splendid weekend – many many thanks.

Well that was August!!

Fly safe,

Angus Clark

World President 2004-2006