Concorde on a rainswept tarmac at Belfast International Airport

Angela Willis records her thoughts

The supersonic aircraft Concorde was being taken out of service and during its final week was flown to several UK regional airports on a farewell tour. On Tuesday 21st October 2003 it came to Aldergrove and we joined the thousands to watch it come and go.

Farm Gate

Brian (my husband) had studied the map the night before and decided the best spot was a small hill on the south side of the airport. We arrived about an hour before the plane was due to land and found the small road leading up the hill fairly easily, passing masses of cars, bikes etc already parked on 'un-coned' sections of the verge. We asked at a farm if we could park in their gateway and the elderly owner and wife agreed and found us a place. We, and the couple, were later joined by another farmer and another neighbour. By now the sun was beaming from a partially blue sky, though the wind was still bitter. The locals pointed out to us the bottom of the runway, terminal buildings and control tower.

Coming into land Late Concorde was late, eventually arriving about 12 noon instead of 11.20 am. as we had been told, but well worth waiting for. In a clear blue sky it looked spectacular as usual. After the landing, we hung around chatting for a while in case it might do a circuit for its many admirers but it stayed firmly on the ground in front of the terminal building and we could see it well with binoculars although we were about a mile and half away.

Hail (and farewell)

We said our farewells to our companions and set off down the hill towards the airport, passing throngs of other enthusiasts with their myriad cameras, tripods, binoculars, radios etc. "Concorde Sightseers" labels at the airport guided us to the car park where we sat in the car and picnicked during a twenty-minute hailstorm. Amazing that only an hour or so before, Concorde had arrived in a blue sky. With the picnic and hailstorm over, we set off for the terminal building, meeting a new influx of cars and people arriving to view.

After the storm - Concorde parked at Aldergrove Jostling throng The airport had cleared one of its departure lounges so that Concorde sightseers had this upstairs area overlooking the tarmac to themselves. The plane was parked a mere 50 yards from our windows, beside which were a constant jostling throng of camera-wielding enthusiasts.

We had an excellent view Social occasion It was fascinating to see all ages present - probably two thirds of which were men. There were quite a lot of youngsters, even though it was a normal school day. There were also many pre-school children - bored and being unwillingly yanked about by parents. It was a very social occasion and we met several old friends. I got chatting to a Mum from East Belfast who was with her lively 13 year old. She'd seen Concorde go over Belfast when she was at the Connswater Shopping Centre and this had prompted her to bring her son to the airport.