Concorde
	Arc de Triomphe  In 2001 we visited Longchamp, Paris to see the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and watched Frankie Dettori record his second win of the race on Sakhee.    Sakhee was hailed as Top horse of 2001 and considered a well above average Arc winner, rated at 136 by Timeform. We  decided to sightsee Chantilly, home of the French Derby, which is just a short distance outside of Paris.
		Concorde On route we passed Charles de Gaulle Airport on the back roads. We joined a group of people watching planes take-off down the runway. Suddenly everybody moved away for no apparent reason. We stayed and watched the approaching plane. Nearing the end of the runway it climbed steeply. It was immediately above us and appeared to be going straight up through the sky. A spectacular sight but the noise was horrendous and our bodies shook from the sound vibrations. Obviously the other watchers were aware of Concorde's timetable. Now unfortunately an unrepeatable experience due to debris from an American aircraft causing the tragic crash of Concorde at that very airfield. This resulted in the withdrawal from service of the entire fleet. The event was recalled whilst accessing following video link we were kindly sent,  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1022675629959483801 which goes to prove that all is not always what it seems.                                      Peter & Joan Thorndyke                                       www.thorndyke.f2s.com    Print of Racehorses at the Start at Longchamp Print of Racehorses flying at the Finish at Longchamp