May 25

The D-Day Squadron arranged rooms at Adamton Country Guest House, Prestwick, on an estate near the airport. How fitting. During WWII this hotel hosted American officers. The grand entrance featured a curving wooden bannister and wide stairs with a period fixture at the landing. Dinner consisted of traditional dishes. Nips and tatties accompanied various forms of protein, though it’s a stretch to characterize haggis as protein. The music system in the bar streamed big band music and rock standards from the British Invasion of the early ’60s. The staff couldn’t have been nicer, but in some conversations I found myself simply nodding when I didn’t understand a single word due to the beautiful brogue.

Saturday brought rain. It didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the visitors to the airport’s open house. We saw a steady cue to gain access to the plane from 10 a.m. until closing at 5 p.m. Conditions made us grateful we arrived the previous day. We closed the retail concession mid-afternoon when the wind kicked up. Later we changed to dry clothes and headed into town for a fine dinner. Everyone on the main street of Prestwick seemed to know what we represent.

Returning to the hotel we learned the radiator heating system had been taken off-line for the summer season. Happily a closet held a second blanket. Rumors of summer’s arrival are premature.