In 2006 three pilots from Sweden completed a Round the World flight in a twin engine, Diamond diesel aircraft. They set many firsts during their historic flight. But their most important contribution was the increased awareness & support they generated for the hearing impaired. Their flight “World Flight for Hearing” was a huge success and we flew from Scotland to renew our friendship with Johan, Henrik and Martin – the WFH crew.
The long awaited reunion – dinner in Stockholm…….
I did not know Stockholm before we arrived. It was a very pleasant surprise to see this city. It is clean, historical and beautiful. Stockholm is made up of thousands of islands. Life around the sea is abundant. Lots of harbor traffic and cruise ships coming and going.
Like the rest of Europe in August, it was difficult to get us a hotel room on short notice, so we stayed on a “hotel ship” which is permanently anchored in the harbor.
Our Stockholm Hotel for two days…………
We also met Wanja, Johan's partner, who works as an air traffic controller in Sweden . Together they are building a new log home at Silijansas Airpark northwest of Stockholm.
Johan and Wanja…...cruising Stockholm harbor by boat
Lec and I flew up to Siljan to view the sights of Sweden outside the big city and to see the development of this new concept for aviation/living in Sweden .
In the evening we cruised around the large Stockholm harbor in Johan's boat and eventually settled down for dinner at a harbor side restaurant. On the way back, we got pulled over by the harbor police for travelling 16k in a 12k harbor……….seemed a bit ironic these RTW airplane people getting a “ticket” for going 4 knots too fast on the water!!!!
We had a short but wonderful time in Stockholm . We really appreciate all the help and hospitality from Johan, Wanja, Henrik and Martin…..looking forward to our next get together wherever that may be.
After a stop at Visby on Gotland Island we were off to meet the Wagner “Flying Family' in Kolding , Denmark . Morten Wagner had contacted us through our website months ago. He had introduced us to his family who had taken a year off work and school to fly, as a family, through Africa , Middle East and much of Scandinavia . Although we had not planned to visit Denmark we had to go meet this interesting and remarkable family.
Morten, Birgette with Lec at Kolding airport…….
As Morten and Birgitte's new house was under construction, Birgitte's parents were kind enough to let us stay with them. The hospitality was overwhelming. We felt so welcome and “at home” with our new friends that, when the time came, we all found it hard to say goodbye.
Super Hosts Johanas and Maria…………
Morten arranged for our airplane to have the 100 hour inspection done at his flying club. Also, we presented our project and experiences to his club members at their weekly meeting one evening. It was fun to condense and organize these last 3 months into a short presentation which I think the members found quite interesting.
New Job as a House builder in Denmark…….
Our last afternoon in Denmark was spent at Legoland a fabulous theme park highlighted by miniature re-creations for world famous architecture and other sites. Lec and Anna Wagner were both in their glory in this fairyland……..
Scotland to Sweden and Denmark
Our Stockholm Hotel for two days…………
