RIP Joy Lofthouse

Joy Lofthouse passed away in November but today was her 'Celebration of the Life of Joy Lofthouse' at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. I was invited to the original date of this which was postponed due to the first lot of snow we had. The new date, today, was a day I had an advanced riding session booked so didn't make it. Shame, I knew Joy, or at least I'd met her a couple of times at events including at the Jet Age Museum.
Why the RAF Ensign? Did you see the RAF 100 documentary with Colin and Ewan McGregor? She featured on there with Mary Ellis, who is still alive.
They were ATA 'girls' during World War 2, ferrying many different types of aircraft from Lysanders to Hurricanes and Spitfires and large bombers such as the Wellington and Lancaster - Alone and with no, or little, instruction. They would get their assignment, go out onto the airfield, maybe read a bit of a manual, and take off for the destination airfield often with no navigation equipment. Absolutely remarkable women.
One famous story was when Mary landed a Wellington Bomber the Squadron staff came out to pick up the 'Aircrew' and found only Mary outside the aircraft. "Where's the pilot" they asked and she replied that she was the pilot, which they didn't believe.
They went into the aircraft to meet the pilot and other crew only to find the bomber empty, they then realised she was serious!
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/01/joy-lofthouse-obituary

Other than that it's been a very busy day, did 3 hours with my advanced instructor and he took me on one of the known examination routes (but don't tell the advanced examiners!).
In the afternoon I bleached the two back patios, stepping stones and the stepping slabs across the front of the house, after mowing the lawns. 
Also got some flowering Primula's to add instant colour to an area of the garden.