GLIDING
by whitecliff62
This is one of the best things i have ever done. I had herd of this airfield through my mate who said come along and have a look so when i went i had no idea that i was going to go up in a glider on my first trip there. You go up with an instructor who sits in the back seat, the glider is attached to a cable which is on a winch and when everything is all clear the winch starts to wind in very fast and the glider takes off, to me this is the worst bit because you go up almost verticaly, after gaining enough height the winch is released and you are gliding through the air. The next thing the instructor tries to attempt is finding the right airflow so he can gain as much height as he can and stay up there for as long as he can. The real beauty of this sport is the real peace and quietness of these gliders and also with no damage to the enviroment at all. I was also quite suprised with the cost, last year it was only ?15 pounds to go up in one and i did not have to book up, i just turned up and paid. This is one of the best things i have ever done. You do not have to bring anything along with you. Exept maybe a sick bag hahaha.
CHERITON, NEAR FOLKESTONE
by whitecliff62
This is Cheriton near my home, its just outside folkestone and right on the edge of the countryside, there are some nice walks to be had around this part, although not on this day, it was bloody freezing LOL, this photo shows the main railway, and just ahead are the stations of Folkestone west and then Folkestone central, the trains were not working on this day because of the heavy snow falls
PACKED FOLKESTONE
by whitecliff62
This photo was taken on Folkestone's busyest day of the year when the Folkestone and shepway air show takes place. An estimated 120,000 people flock to Folkestone to whitness on of the best air shows in England, and as you can see theres not an inch of space left on the beach so if you dicide to visit the air show, get here early for the best vantage points
Grappling with Folkestone
by St_Vincent
My association with Folkestone started back in the late 1960's and 1970's when family holidays were taken at Hythe just along the coast. Most years we took a trip into Folkestone to visit the Rotunda and harbour area and have an ice cream on the Leas. Often we would go to the Leas Cliff Hall to watch the sporting spectacular that was wrestling, Jackie Pallo, Mick McManus, Big Daddy (a.k.a. Shirley Crabtree), Giant Haystack etc. ahhhh...those were the days.
More recently I decided to relive some memories and went back for a couple of long weekends in 2004. Nothing much seems to have changed, the Leas Cliff Hall is still there with its wonderful views over the Channel but sadly the wrestling scene these days is dominated by the stage managed offering from the USA. Of course, there was nothing false about Big Daddy & Co. they were real sportsmen.
My most recent visit was with a few friends in March 2009. The Rotunda area has now been demolished and is awaiting redevelopment.