Diversion #1 !

Telephoned Le Mans this morning to get clearance in. No issues reported however he did say ATC would close for lunch but to make standard calls.  As we approached just before 12 o'clock I called and asked to join the circuit and was told he would only be able to speak English for 1 minute as he was about to go for lunch. Nothing stops lunch in France. Nothing.  There seemed to be a huge amount of traffic on the radio, all in french, and the controller suggested a divert .....so we did and continued NE for about another 50 miles to Chartres Metropole.

Very new airfield with a view of the cathedral. I descended down from the clouds at 5000ft and joined by descending into the downwind at  3000ft making calls in french and telling the guys on the other frequency to use the tarmac as they were launching gliders off the grass.

All safely down, some of the guys are now low on fuel and unfortunately the pumps here are broken. A helpful chap called Paul has just taken 3 of the guys with jerry cans to a local petrol station which should give them enough to make Dieppe tonight and Le touqet in the morning where they can refuel for the crossing....weather permitting.

Despite the diversion, still an enjoyable flight for everyone with Paul and Graham chasing fields and Paul and I bumbling around above the clouds.

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