Here’s a look from the starboard side of that Diamond DA-40, flying at about 2500 feet over Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA, looking to the south.
It was a beautiful, clear day over southeastern Pennsylvania, but from just north of Reading, there was a wall of clouds that blocked my flight into the hinterlands. Too bad. I was looking forward to a long flight, visiting some friends, and then winging back home. Ah well, still a good day. That Diamond is a nice cruiser.
Here’s a photo of the Diamond DA-40 I mentioned in the previous post. This airplane is one slippery bird. It’s made of composite materials, which means no rivets, just a few screws here and there, and fairings to reduce drag around key components.
All that smoothness means you can get a bit more speed out of 180 horsepower as compared to the same amount of ponies in the front of a Cessna 172. Of course, there’s more to it than that, including a different wing design and so forth. Either way, the Diamond DA-40 is a great plane. I’ve flown it on a few cross country journeys now, getting used to the electronics and handling characteristics. Plus, the visibility through that canopy is amazing.
Don’t forget, ALWAYS do your checklist.
Recently, I was checked out in the Diamond DA-40 airplane. This is a great single engine aircraft. It has a slippery profile, which means it will easily cruise at 125 knots using its 180 horsepower efficiently. I’ve taken it on a few short cross county flights in anticipation of some longer trips. Stay tuned for photos and videos. Nothing just yet, because I don’t fool around with the cameras until I’m very comfortable handling the airplane. Soon, hopefully, the video archive will be augmented with some great footage from up there. Remember, ALWAYS do your checklist.
Simpsonville, South Carolina is a great little town with a restaurant I’ve come to appreciate recently. Stella’s Southern Bistro is exactly what the name implies, a bistro with southern flair. For example, during a recent meal there, I began with a pulled pork spring roll. Check this monster out:
In true southern style, it came with a piece of crispy pork belly, slaw, and corn chowder. Wow! Then there were some inventive entrees, including this rolletini style concoction which featured spicy sausage wrapped in duck leg with a fried quail in the center. The photo doesn’t do the taste justice, but here it is:
That’s going all out and it really was tasty and something different, which is very difficult to do in the age of celebrity chefs and exotic fare at your fingertips. Of course, there are some regular items on the menu for those with a less adventurous palette, but why hold back? Go for it! And don’t forget dessert, such as this sorbet with fresh fruit:
Or, if you want to ramp up the calories, try this custard atop chocolate goodness toting marshmallows to boot!
There you have it, a wonderful meal with fantastic service, honest prices, and delicious food. Did I mention there’s also a bar? More than that, you can’t find, so don’t waste your time. Give Stella’s a try when you’re in the area. I did, and I’ll be back.
The Bent Page 
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