FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0511.PDF
" Programme and Guide, Sixpence." Every year when I take my little holiday by the sea, I buy a guide. I don't know why in the world I do so, as I know most of the places I visit quite well, having been there before, but as buying a guide seems to be part of the business of holiday-making, I always encourage local (printed in Germany) interests by laying out the humble sixpence. After all, it is something to take home, and helps to convince your friends that you really have been there, and not been spending a holiday at home trying to get sunburnt in the back garden. As a matter of fact, this seems to be the only good a guide is at all. as it nearly always fails to tell one anything really interesting about the place, except such things of interest of which it is not quite sure, or, to put it quite plainly, things of interest which they are quite sure are wrong, when they always take refuge behind " supposed." " The large upright rock on the right is known as Cromwell's Rock, and is supposed to be where Oliver Cromwell used to watch for the approach of Nell Gwyn," is about the usual style. However, as these guides seem to command a ready sale, and as nobody seems to want to take them seriously, I don't see why some of our aerodromes should not issue a guide also. In case Hendon, ever to the fore, should wish to be the first, and as it does not call for any literary effort, I offer the following, including copyright, free. The best way to get to Hendon is to take a taxi; if, however, you cannot drive, it is better to hire one. Starting from the Marble Arch—supposed to have been erected to mark the spot once known as Tyburn, the exact position of which being doubtful, it is proposed to keep moving the Arch about till it is found—our way lies along the Edgware Road—supposed to be so called from the amount of S. F. Edge ware that passes along it—through Maida Vale—so named, it is supposed, from the supposed making of the veils of Mary, Queen of Scots, by the maidens of the Convent of St. John's in the Wood—through the Hyde—supposed to be the place where King Alfred the Great hid up a factory chimney, now used by the local gasworks—to Colindale Avenue, on the right-hand side. It is supposed that at one time this celebrated avenue had trees, and was on the left hand side of the road, but during a very wet season it got washed over to the other side, and has not settled down yet There is a speed limit here for motor vehicles, but it is not arbitrary. It depends on the constructional strength of the car; it is not wise, however, to exceed 5 m.p.h. At the end of the avenue stands the famous aerodrome, where in the season gather* beauty and aviators. There are, of course, others there besides aviators, but you can easily tell visitors: they are the ones that wear leather suits strapped round the middle, and have goggles pushed well up on their caps. The aviators are quite ordinary men in ordinary clothes, and are quite harmless. If you are not quite sure whether a certain person is an aviator or a visitor, ask for his autograph. If he smiles a number nine smile you have got a bite. A new pier has lately been added at enormous expense, and when the tide is up comes in very handy. The celebrated " Blue Hendgarian Band " plays off the end of the pier daily. For pieces as souvenirs apply to the management. It is not necessary to buy a programme of the music ; you will soon get to know it. Hints to visitors : Mixed bathing in the lake is prohibited. Only those wearing a red band are permitted to walk on the pier. The man on the bridge is provided with a megaphone so that he can make announcements just when a noisy machine is passing. If Hamel disappears in the clouds, don't be frightened ; he will come back. Should a machine appear to be falling on you, don't run away ; it is only Chevilliard looking for the aerodrome. Should you wish to know which is Hamel, ask him. The best way to get home from Hendon depends upon where you live, and whether you are going straight home. ® $) & $ Annual Dinner of R.F.C. THE first annual dinner of the Royal Flying Corps will lie held on Friday, June 6th, at the Cafe Royal, Regent Street, at 7.30 for 7.45 p.m. All officers of the Central Flying School, Naval and Military Wings and Reserves, are invited to attend. Officers WHO propose dining are requested to notify the President, Officers' Mess, R.F.C. (M.W.), South Farnhorough, not later than the 31st inst., forwarding a remittance of 2$s., which will include wine and cigars. A stiff "landing" on the sea with a hydro-aeroplane at Monaco. S33
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
