We knew we were getting close to Nördlingen, our destination, when we crossed the edge of the Ries crater. The Ries (about 25 km in diameter) was formed 15 million years ago by the impact of a large meteorite that hit the earth. Today, the Ries is one of the best preserved and researched meteorite craters in the world with a rim which rises about 200metres above the crater floor. Nordlingen is situated within the crater and is a medieval city which with its own perfectly preserved encircling wall fits in exactly with its surroundings. We flew past the town to reach the airfield and were soon touching down on the smooth tarmac of Nordlingen to a very warm welcome from the locals.

Within half an hour the whole of our group of flyers had touched down; all had made the 600 or so mile trip safely and without incident. A cold German beer on the terrace of the airfield bar was the perfect way to celebrate our arrival before we began to set up camp which was to be home for the next two weeks of competition flying.

Next time – The journey back, landing on a road in France and nearly coming to grief over the channel.