CORFU - TRIP REPORT - PICTURE HEAVY

Blue Punto

Hi all
After seeing a few picture of Corfu I decided it was time I went back.
No sooner than I was thinking about it I ended up booking a cheap way there with the wife(very understanding may I add).
So on Tuesday 19th September we flew Dublin to Gatwick on FR114(EI-EVL)
EI-EVL by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
From Gatwick we flew Easyjet U28757(G-EZUS)to Corfu and I managed to get a few shots on taxi out
EC-LYR by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
G-EZUW by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
G-DBCK by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
G-EZUS by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

On arrival at Corfu we got a taxi to the hotel specifically chosen for the trip.
Hotel Pontikonissi is right under the flight path for runway 35 and was great value if anyone is interested.
It has its own cafe/Bar/Restaurant looking straight out on the approach with great food .
The Hotel has free Wifi throughout and the rooms all have a sea view with free aircon ,fridge,hair dryer and mosquito plug in thingy.
In the morning your shooting into the sun but from 12 onwards its on your side
Parama by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
The hotel can be seen here in the bottom left hand corner


Early rising the next day I got a few shoots before moving on
Corfu Sunrise by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
LY-SPC by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
VQ-BIZ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

From my room (510) this was the view I had of everything coming into land & the infamous walkway below the approach
G-EZTZ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
VP-BYL by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
OO-JAL by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

After these shots I moved to the Royal Cafe overlooking the threshold of 35.
On the way I stopped and got a few on the walkway
HB-IJJ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
SP-ENN by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
4122 by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

Blue Punto

At the Royal Cafe which is part of the Royal Hotel which I also considered the views were quite nice
Mouse Island by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

It has a great vantage point over the runway
D-ABKN by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
PZL M18B'S by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
OO-KIN by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
LY-CGC by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
Mouse Island by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

The cafe is a great spot and serves snacks and drinks.Staff are friendly and they dont mind you staying there once you buy the odd beverage.
I returned to my hotel later when the sun turned
SX-EMI by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
746 by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
YL-BBQ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

Later that night after a few "light" refreshments I decided i would give some night photography a go from the balcony of the room
Mouse Island At Night by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
Vlahairena At Night by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

Blue Punto

Early start the next morning
OO-JAY by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
SX-ROD by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
678 by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
G-BYAW by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
SX-DGZ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
SX-DGZ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
YL-LCQ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
G-OBYG by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
PH-HGT by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
YU-ANJ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
G-FDZG by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
OH-JTZ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

Blue Punto

NAM_4880 by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
T7-SCR by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
SX-HOT by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

And a few later that night
G-FDZE by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
SE-RFX by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

And another early start
OK-TVH by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
D-AIAA by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
D-ATUM by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
OO-TCX by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
OO-TCW by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

Blue Punto

D-AICA by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
D-ABKJ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
D-ABNT by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
G-EZOJ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
HB-JOX by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
OM-GEX by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
YU-PZM by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
SP-HAX by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

Blue Punto

A few from the Hotel Bar
NAM_5101 by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
LX-JFZ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
D-CJPG by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
SP-HAW by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
VQ-BRF by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
NAM_5146 by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
4X-CHL by Niall  Moran, on Flickr
LX-LBA by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

Blue Punto

Onwards then to Gatwick on Eazyjet (G-EZPD)
This was the hardest part of the journey as we had to wait in LGW for 5 hours at night for our return Ryanair flight to Dublin.
This however was passed by getting locked in the airbridge for 45 min as security closed the firedoors from the plane to the terminal.
We boarded EI-DAL (FR121) to Dublin 

I managed a few on the plane home including catching my first A350 :clap: 
B-LRF by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

A very nice Saab
HB-IZJ by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

And a very sad and forgotten Herald - Will it be saved ????
G-CEXP by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

The Gatwicks Mad Dog as we took off
NAM_5182 by Niall  Moran, on Flickr

Corfu as you can see is full of the A320 family & 737's with the odd 757 & 767 thrown in.
Ive tried to show in the pics the variety of carriers and schemes that you will see from the various vantage points.
Its great for fleet bashing the holiday carriers of Europe while enjoying the sun.
Also you get the odd Military visitor and plenty of Biz.
Its easy enough to walk around from my Hotel to the cafe is about a 15 min walk across the walkway but includes steps up to the cafe itself.
The weather was mixed as can be seen in the photos but generally it was good for this time of year.
Food as always is fantastic although we did have one bad experience but this happens.
Meal for 2 people with wine is aprx 30 Euro and large beer is 4.80 Euro
Taxi from the airport to the Hotel was 25 Euro
From the Hotel to Corfu town a taxi is 20 euro or 2.50 each on the crowded buses.

Its a beautiful place to visit which I would highly recommend for anyone looking to relax for a few days.
Its not a wild party place anymore although Ive heard Kavos down south still is.
Im already looking into a trip again in May next year.
It will give the wife time to buy some new books      

I hope the information is useful to people 

Thank for taking the time to look at it

Comments are welcome - I need the tips

robyntmorton

A pity about the Herald. I see from a quick Google that both engines were destroyed by overheating/fire in Gatwick in Jul 1994. I don't know if she has moved under her own power since then, but was on the Viewing Terrace for a while before being dumped where she is now.

There was apparently also talk of her making the short trip over the fence to join the Gatwick Aviation Museum (a curious place - they have their own grass strip essentially on the airport boundary fence, but I would recommend a visit if you have time in the area)

The old birds really should be saved if possible anyway.

(Though I now see from another link that Gatwick Aviation Museum will not be taking it for a number of reasons.)

As a trustee of GAM I can put some factual information into this discussion. First, GAM were offered the Herald and turned it down for the following reasons.

1. It does not fit in with our collection, we have a collection of post war military aircraft and the Herald would be seriously out of place.
2. When were given planning permission we had very stringent conditions attached to the approval. This was legalized by the Council producing and us signing a Section 106 agreement. We are restricted on the number of exhibits allowed outside. Taking the Herald would breach this agreement.

GAL will not breach the security fence that separates the airport from GAM. Although a big crane could almost certainly swing it over. That assumes that the airframe is in a good enough condition. We surveyed it a couple of years ago and our engineers had serious doubts about the integrity of the airframe.

All of the above does not mean that we aren't sympathetic to efforts to save the aircraft. It is possible that we could assist any group who are committed to saving her, contact us and we can discuss any assistance we can render.

P Mills
GAM

Doltanian

Very nice pictures and trip report. The Cathay A350 is great, I was lucky enough to fly on it back in February, its a very smooth and quiet aircraft.

Bazzy

Great Report

Thats the type of holiday myself and herself will be having in about 14 or 15 years when the small two are not so small anymore

Great mix of stuff I was surprised at the amount of biz jets.

AlekSmart

Top Job altogether and of itself would spur me on to make the trip (Pilgrimage ?).
Imagine the great risks you took....Travelling on Ryanair AND visiting an even more bust country than our own....Glad you made it back in one piece

cml387

I once heard a quote from a captain that the only reason we fly into Corfu is because others do.
A difficult approach apparently, especially to 17 with high ground close by.

smurfjed

Excellent photos, thanks for taking the time to upload them.

Blue Punto

Only 8 weeks to go for a return trip ...woo hoo

roadmaster

On one of the photos there is a small German reg jet D-CJPG. Is there extra fuel tanks attached to the wings or is it some sort of surveillance aircraft?

mikel97

Beautiful Fotos

Davidth88

Love the Herc and the Condor airbus in the retro scheme

Why is it the old schemes look so much better than the modern ones I wonder ( I feel a thread coming on )

Blue Punto

roadmaster wrote: »

On one of the photos there is a small German reg jet D-CJPG. Is there extra fuel tanks attached to the wings or is it some sort of surveillance aircraft?

They Are wing Tip Tanks

de biz

@BP Are you going back in May?

Blue Punto

Yes Via Manchester this time

de biz

Class,look forward to your trip report.

Would you recommend the same hotel or did any other impress?

Blue Punto

I would recommend the hotel I stayed in before though this time I am staying in The Royal Hotel which overlooks the runway so its closer again (the hotel I stayed in last year was not available when Im over there)

They are basic enough but i dont go for away to spend lots of money on hotels which I only shower and sleep in

Sooner spend my money elsewhere:D

Blue Punto

4 week s to go for my 3rd trip in as many years woo hoo....Cant Wait:)

mickdw

Location looks lovely.
Wouldn't mind such a holiday myself.

Any direct flights?

Blue Punto

EI do direct but its too expensive........
Going via MAN or LGW works out at aprx 160 euro Return PP