Coastal Flying

Back in February, I took a nice flight to Cape May, NJ, right before a snowstorm. I decided to retrace that flight and add another leg to it along the coast. Therefore, I flew to Cape May then turned north, skirting the New Jersey beaches all the way to Monmouth County Executive Airport. Since we’ve already seen photos of Cape May’s airport. Take a look at Atlantic City International as seen from 3500 feet.

As you can see, there’s plenty of runway over there in the haze. Atlantic City also has approach controllers, which is a handy feature for those of us flying under visual flight rules. We call them on the radio, give them our tail number, and if they have resources available, the approach controller will provide what is known as “flight following.” In this case, they give you a discrete code for your transponder and they keep an eye on your progress through their airspace. They provide traffic advisors which makes it easier to see the other guy, especially in conditions like today, when it was hazy.

Well, looking out the other side of the plane, you can see Atlantic City itself. Check it out.

Poor folks down there dumping money into the casino. Or, maybe they’re on the beach. Moving right along, the next photo shows Barnegate Inlet. The lighthouse stands on the south side. I’ve been in and out of there on boats a few times.

All in all this was a terrific flight. The Cessna 172 performed well, the weather cooperated, and while there were plenty of other planes in the air, none of us got in each other’s way. And how about that view!

Published in: on May 26, 2010 at 5:06 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Restaurante Botín, Madrid

Just outside the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, on the west side, you’ll find Restaurante Botín. This place was founded in 1725 and has the honor or being the world’s oldest restaurant, at least according to the Guinness Book of World Records. While this place does a fair amount of business in the tourist trade, there are plenty of local Spaniards at the table. Furthermore, the food is very good. During my visit, I enjoyed a great lunch that began with a nice salad and a bottle of house white wine, which turned out to be a tasty verdejo. Then we moved on to a roast chicken, which was truly slow roasted to delicious perfection. No kidding it was about the best one I’ve had, and I’ve had them all over the world. Here’s a photo to prove it.

Dipping those little potatoes into the juices was an added treat. Then there was dessert, an apple tart and a slice of chocolate cake as seen below.

Okay, that apple tart was also the real deal and deserves a solo shot in the name of food eye-candy. So here it is:

On top of the great food and service, may I mention the classy blue china? The simple pattern and name follows the understated comfort of this restaurant. By the way, we sat on the upper floor, waited on by multi-lingual staff, and surrounded by interesting memorabilia including a letter of thanks from Nancy Reagan. On the way out, we happened upon one of those famous roast pigs, fresh out of the oven and just arrived table-side. Again, the photo proof:

Poor piggy, but darn good eating! That guy shared the meal with his whole family. If you’re in Madrid, I would put Restaurante Botín on your places for a fine lunch. You won’t be disappointed. At least I wasn’t.

Published in: on May 24, 2010 at 11:26 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Scenes in Tile, Madrid

Of course Spain is famous for it’s tile work. I came across too many examples to include them all. However, one building, a restaurant if I recall correctly, truly stood above the rest. This place featured iconic scenes from each of Spain’s regions portrayed in beautiful tiles all along the facade. Here are five of them. Can you guess the locales they depict?

How about this one?

Come on! That was easy, the name is in the bottom of the scene. Try again.

Only a few more.

Okay. Last one.

Great work, isn’t it? I only wish some people here in the USA would go back to the classic style. All this modern architecture is quite sterile. It leaves you thinking you’re in a 1960’s Stanley Kubrick movie. I’d rather have the Spanish flair from some years gone by. Ole!

Published in: on May 23, 2010 at 9:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Iberico Sampler

If you have a hankering for cured meats Ibérico style, Madrid (and Spain in general) offers you plenty of options for complete satisfaction. I stopped into the Museo del Jamón in Madrid one  afternoon because, well, it’s hard to stay away from quality cured meats in a place where they take it to the highest levels. Not only the meats, but also the cheese and wine call out to you. Why resist? And here it is…

On the lower-center portion of the plate you’ll notice the jamón Ibérico thinly sliced with the fat around the edge. Around the upper part of the plate is the chorizo. In the center and to the left is another salami-style concoction, the name of which slips my mind just now. Then there is the manchego cheese wedged in. Of course, a hunk of bread comes in handy, as does the glass of sangria in the lower left corner of the frame. Delicious one and all.

A word about the Museo del Jamón in Madrid. It can be a crowded, boisterous place. That said, it also offers some top-notch delicacies which can be had quickly and fairly reasonably. Don’t be put off by the three-deep crowds at the counter. Work your way in, order, and enjoy!

Published in: on May 22, 2010 at 1:49 pm  Comments (3)  
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