'I'm always looking for the Hows and the Whys and the Whats,' said Muskrat, 'That is why I speak as I do. You've heard of Muskrat's Much-in-Little, of course?'
I agree about the window seat for shorter trips, but for longer ones (NZ to the UK) I like an aisle seat - stretch the legs by sticking them out in the aisle (never tripped up anyone yet) and easier to get to the loo!!
I think the explanations given to us by scientists about the physics of flight are nonsense, how does anything that weighs up to 100 tons, a heavier than air machine fly? It's magic and the pilot is a very good magician.
I only sit in window seats on short haul flights. On long haul it's rarely possible to see much anyway and I'd rather be able to get up and wander around without disturbing anyone.
For a visually oriented person there's always something to see, including the wing which is a beautiful sculpted form. Coming into Auckland a week or so ago, as the sun was just rising with little bunches of cloud over the still lit but sleeping city, and the reddish light on the wing as we flew the whole length of Auckland, did a graceful turn and gradually descended. And on another occasion looking out and realising that the patch of light below me was Warsaw. And on another flying over the North Pole as the sun was both setting and rising. And flying over the Grand Canyon and the pilot going down as low as he was allowed to and tipping the plane first on one side then the other so we all got a good view. Magic. But on long flights the cabin crew insist on all shades being down so we all sleep and their job is easier. So the best seats in the plane are the bit at the back of the cabin where fuselage narrows and the side blocks of seats reduce from 3 to 2. The first of the 2 is the very best with extra storage space, good legroom and a very wide aisle beside you. If you're flying with someone it's very congenially cosy. But otherwise, aisle or window? Do you prefer people clambering over you or you clambering over them? I prefer the former and also like having an extra surface on which to rest my pillow. Or, fly business class of course.
Lovely lyrical description Kelvin. I have been known to take photos out of a tiny slot at the bottom of a meant-to-be-pulled down blind, then look at them, to see what I am missing. I have also been known to be so exhausted on landing that I sleep for three days without stirring.
Since I always travel with Tony and he is huge I am always squashed in the middle seat while his shoulders spread into the window space or the aisle. We usually go for the exit aisle for the extra leg room. Your view out of the window was very nice, whenever I look out all I manage to see are clouds !!
Great photographs !!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the window seat for shorter trips, but for longer ones (NZ to the UK) I like an aisle seat - stretch the legs by sticking them out in the aisle (never tripped up anyone yet) and easier to get to the loo!!
I think the explanations given to us by scientists about the physics of flight are nonsense, how does anything that weighs up to 100 tons, a heavier than air machine fly? It's magic and the pilot is a very good magician.
Point taken Alden. I didn't mention that my seat was in the emergency door row, so I had tons of foot room too!
DeleteWindow seats rule when it's clear. Great shots from a window seat.
ReplyDeleteYes Red, although at 39,000 feet there are usually no clouds and the sunrises are brilliant!
DeleteThe older i get....the more fearful i am of flying
ReplyDeleteI can understand that John. Maybe you need a wee jaunt down to the underside of the Earth? I'll catch you if you fall.
DeleteI agree about the window seats, although I haven't flown now for about 15 years. I always enjoyed seeing the panner-rammer.
ReplyDeleteAha, you didn't fool me with your idiosyncratic spelling Robert
DeleteI only sit in window seats on short haul flights. On long haul it's rarely possible to see much anyway and I'd rather be able to get up and wander around without disturbing anyone.
ReplyDeleteI would endure DVT to watch out the window. But then, I don't get out much.
DeleteFor a visually oriented person there's always something to see, including the wing which is a beautiful sculpted form. Coming into Auckland a week or so ago, as the sun was just rising with little bunches of cloud over the still lit but sleeping city, and the reddish light on the wing as we flew the whole length of Auckland, did a graceful turn and gradually descended. And on another occasion looking out and realising that the patch of light below me was Warsaw. And on another flying over the North Pole as the sun was both setting and rising. And flying over the Grand Canyon and the pilot going down as low as he was allowed to and tipping the plane first on one side then the other so we all got a good view. Magic. But on long flights the cabin crew insist on all shades being down so we all sleep and their job is easier. So the best seats in the plane are the bit at the back of the cabin where fuselage narrows and the side blocks of seats reduce from 3 to 2. The first of the 2 is the very best with extra storage space, good legroom and a very wide aisle beside you. If you're flying with someone it's very congenially cosy. But otherwise, aisle or window? Do you prefer people clambering over you or you clambering over them? I prefer the former and also like having an extra surface on which to rest my pillow. Or, fly business class of course.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I prefer the latter. I prefer window seats
ReplyDeleteLovely lyrical description Kelvin. I have been known to take photos out of a tiny slot at the bottom of a meant-to-be-pulled down blind, then look at them, to see what I am missing. I have also been known to be so exhausted on landing that I sleep for three days without stirring.
DeleteHave taken note of that seat position.
DeleteSince I always travel with Tony and he is huge I am always squashed in the middle seat while his shoulders spread into the window space or the aisle. We usually go for the exit aisle for the extra leg room. Your view out of the window was very nice, whenever I look out all I manage to see are clouds !!
ReplyDelete