Sky’s the limit

What an amazing day out.

I’d mentioned to Brian that I’d seen an advert for a ‘gathering of cars and planes‘ at the aerodrome in Celles-sur-Ource on Sunday, and that it may be worth a visit. So on Sunday we headed off to Celles-sur-Ource to take a look. The aerodrome is situated on the top of a plateau just outside the village and up through the vineyards. Cars were parked all along the approach road with people picnicking wherever they could find a bit of shade. I say ‘road’, but many of these less used routes are just rocky, dusty tracks that do add to the feeling of being on an adventure. As we approached a man beckoned us up the hill, and directed us to a car park they had set up in a newly cut cornfield. They never seem to be short of a temporary car park in Champagne!

‘WOW’, I exclaimed to Brian as we started to walk toward the airfield. There were probably 100 old vintage cars there, along with old army vehicles, motorbikes and aeroplanes. It was an amazing site, and the whole event was free to wander round, the only thing you had to do to enter was to show your pass sanitaire.

We wandered around, admiring the rusty old camper vans first, which were parked up with whole families enjoying the day out. ‘We had one like that when I was a kid’, I delightedly pointed out to Brian.

Car of choice

There was all sorts of cars, French, English, German, Italian, American in all states of renovation. Owners proudly displaying their treasured cars whether it was a stunning E-type Jag, or a rusty old 2CV, they were all prized cars, and appreciated by the onlookers.

We then strolled over to the area where the planes were standing on the airfield. When I say airfield, I obviously mean a long, flat stretch of grass. This is very much an enthusiasts aerodrome, but very well organised. For 40 euros you could take a 30 minute flight up, but we were happy to just take a look. We were amazed at the variety of aircraft, and pleased to be allowed to admire them up close. This really was an open event.

There was also a good sized eating area where they were serving lunch for 13 euros, main, cheese, dessert and wine plus coffee. Or if you wanted something lighter you could buy sausages and chips, or crepes and, of course, Champagne.

All-in-all a great day out.