While I Was Away

Blimey a lot has happened in the past three weeks while I have been in West Africa (on business).   Was this really the silly season??  Oil price.  Migrants.  Thalys train.  Corbyn.  RWC phoney war.   Usain Bolt, truly a winner and a prince among men.  Jermain Defoe, truly a w*n*er and a pri**.

However - wonder of wonders - the ebola outbreak is officially declared to be over, a true mercy although tourism has been heavily hit and several of the countries in the region are suffering economically from the fallout.

I see you have all been going at it, hammer and tongs.   Indeed, if our old friend Budgie hadn't become so p*ssed off and folded his tent, the C@W comments column might have been even more colourful.

Anyhow, while gathering my thoughts I shall haul us all back to our favouirte topic - Old Aircraft - and share with you this wonderful sight, which I never expected to see again.  Yes, it is a VC10 !  In the livery of the Gambian government: and even Wiki doesn't know about this.  You saw it here first.  Correction!  see below.

On the subject of The Gambia, let me mark your cards for an exciting geo-political development that is coming soon, to a continent near you.  The President, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh Babili Mansa, is "upbeat about the future ... The Gambia will indeed attain the superpower status in a decade, Allah willing, thus becoming the envy of the world".

You heard it hear first.

Anyhow, like I said the tourist traffic is much diminished, so when your hero ate lunch he often ate alone.

Good to be back.  I think.

ND

Correction:  anon in the comments has queried my aircraft recognition and is right: it's an IL-62.  Red face here: I am more knackered than I thought.