A quick couple of days kiting in Le Touquet, on the French north coast in mid-May sounded like just the ticket to usher in the start of summer.

We arrived at the small airport at Lydd, just outside Rye in the south east of England, and relieved ourselves of a few quiver bags, much to the bemusement of the local fire brigade who double as baggage handlers for this small operation and rarely lug more than an overnight Louis Vuitton on board.

When our eyes came to rest on a small tri-engined vessel pulled up out the front, suddenly we all came to the same realization. It was howling 50 knots, and while we had waited for windy conditions to make the trip worthwhile for kiting, none of us had given a second thought as to what the Right over might be like.

Seconds later, strapped in two by two on folding bench seats, a 20-minute flight to France seemed like one of the most questionable ideas we'd ever had. Our lives were in the hands of a rather casually-mannered chap called Kevin, our pilot for the flight. As per the instructions on . the pre-flight video, we donned our seat belts. The three propellers chugged into life and we taxied along the desolate Kent runway. Kevin turned to us and gave the thumbs up signal to check we were all OK for take-off. Eight tentative thumbs crept over the back of the shoulders in front, and with that he turned and gave the little plane everything it had.

I turned to Kiteworld's usually adventurous and inscrutable MD, Rob, and saw a man in the early stages of mental breakdown. I hadn't realised he was a bad flier before... always handy to spot the bosses' weaknesses!) Even stationary on the runway we had been buffeted and bounced from the howling wind that attacked the left-hand side of the plane, but surprisingly soon we reached an impressive speed, the nose went up and off we went. We banked to the left and headed off across the Channel. This was old school, in-your-face flying, and it was turning out to be quite an experience.

As we were flying at just 1000 feet, the maze of white caps and scattered swell lines on the sea were clearly visible and every pocket of air that the plane passed through resonated around its fuselage.

Land quickly appeared and we headed over green trees and golf courses. Over to the right we could see the runway in the distance, and suddenly this cross-wind Kevin had mentioned to us before the flight took on great significance. He was bringing the plane in sideways, literally. Apparently Le Touquet used to have a runway positioned correctly for the prevailing southwester that this area of Europe experiences, but the Mayor decided it was in the perfect spot for the grammar school he wanted, and shifted the runway 90 degrees and on to another plot.

Usually this is no problem, but in 40 knot winds things get interesting.
Rob's white knuckles clamped down even harder on the back of my chair. I put down my camera and felt my own jaws clench tight. Meanwhile, Will our camera guy had switched his Canon 2D to motor drive function and was hungrily lining up the best position to capture whatever would happen next. Some people are just made for the moment I guess.

As we came in to land, constantly bumped up and down by the punchy gusts, all eyes were trained out of the right side windows as the wheels screeched and Kevin expertly bounced the plane dead straight. He was clearly having the time of his life.

Lydd Air's MD gave us a lift to our hotel - just a five minute drive - as well as a handy introduction to the area. He explained how property here is expensive, and that nothing goes for less than a million. The leafy suburbs bordering the airport certainly did have an air of regency about them. He indicated to turn the Mercedes left, pointed to our right and dropped in, "I live just there," before swiftly moving our attention to the casino on the next corner. We smiled, admiring his smoothness.

After dropping the kit off in the hotel we did the lean-to-the-left walk in the strong winds to the end of the road to check the conditions. "*ucking ballistic" was the verdict as we battled against the wind and gaped at the 15 kilometre sandy beach that stood before us. The minimal knowledge we'd managed to attain before arriving suddenly wasn't such a bad thing. This place looked phenomenal...and we were still in the UK under an hour ago!

Le Touquet is famous for sand yachting... though apparently 40+ knots is a little fruity in one of those, so we had the whole place to ourselves, more or less. We thanked the wisdom of teaching your girlfriend to kite -hence having a five metre in the quiver  - and went to grab some kit.

It was on and over the edge of doable all over Europe that weekend, but I think we had just a bit less wind in Le Touquet and enjoyed the change from starboard tack. We must have been out for a good five hours. The tide pushed in a lot over that time but hardly made any impact on the enormous beach.

At low tide, although there were big waves out the back, they built steadily in size from the shore, and we could literally pick and choose the sizes to suit us on the run out. The flat sections right off the beach and in between the waves were massive and butter-smooth, making the whole place easy to kite on, in spite of how it looked.

You could just about swerve the waves entirely at low tide as it stayed shallow for a long way off the beach, making for a great replica flat lagoon. When the tide pushed in a bit more there did seem to be a rip pulling us towards the river downwind, but it was only affecting the water in close and didn't really present any problem.

Further upwind its effect was less evident, so we just walked up there. We made the most of an epic session and were soon joined by a handful of friendly, local kiters and even blue skies and sunshine.

Later, wind-whipped and exhausted we found some fine French cuisine in one of the many restaurants, sampled a few Guinnesses in the bars (all of who's staff speak English) and hit the sack ready for more of the same the next day.

Before we knew it we were filling the taxi for the short ride back to the airport the following day. Captain Kevin was again hamming it up by shaking his head and puffing his cheeks out at the "rather sporty conditions" on his screens and flight plans. Eventually he gave the call to board, and once more we filed on and wedged ourselves in.

Kevin eased the plane towards the runway, waited for all eight thumbs to appear, smiled knowingly as the glint in his eye reflected back off his windscreen before winding up the engines again and powering the plane down the runway - sideways...

Obviously gale force winds aren't the ideal time to fly in a light aircraft across the Channel... but they do say a lot for the skill of the pilots. We are assured that flights are usually a pleasure to experience, and we all know gale force winds are frustratingly minimal in their occurrence.

In addition to the Britten-Norman Trislander that we flea in, which are mainly used for scheduled flights as well as some short charters. Lydd Air has five other aircraft - four Piper Navajo Chieftains (nine seats and captain) and a Beech Baron {five seats and captain). These are faster and quieter than tire Trislanders. and can be used to get to destinations around the UK and France easily.

Lydd is also introducing a new competitively priced charter option, winch conies on-line around the end of July We were quoted £1600 for 16 seats to Europe: Think about it.. your own plane for you and your mates, dropping you off and picking you up wherever you want from UK through parts of Europe - providing the airport is open!

Lydd is ideally situated for those wanting to "hop" to the continent, the UK coastline and the Channel Islands, Le Touquet is Lydd Airs No. 1 destination 'about £90 per person return) and has facilities available to suit everyone There is always something to do or see, from markets and French culture to motor-cross competitions '100,000 bikers descend once a year on to the massive beaches every year, to land yachting, equestrian events, golf and, of course, kitesurfing.

WHERE TO STAY

We got our heads down at the Nouveau Caddy Hotel, just 100 metres *rom the seafront, which set us back 33 Euros per person for B&B, If you re feeling flush, you could go upmarket and stay at the Westminster Hotel for 135 Euros per person. which, as described in the Lydd Air email pack. Lies in the heart of one of most elegant quarters of Le Touquet,, and benefits from the fresh sea air which mingles with the aroma of the pine forest.

CONDITIONS AND SPOTS

Stoked Publications nave published an English version of The Kite and Windsurfing Guide to Europe, Here s what They have say about the conditions in Le Touquet and Baie de la Canche winch lies close by to the north, and Eole Club to the south.
LE TOUQUET:
A good north-westerly wave spot with a strong current on an ebb tide The best launch is m front of the Thalassotherapie hotel. Bathing zones in the summer and paid-parking
BAIE OE LA CANCHE
West to north-westerly blows stronger here than Touquet. Smooth, flat water makes it perfect for :ieginners the shallow area varies with the height of the tide Pretty packed in summe
EOLE CLUB
Berck is a favourite seaside resort, so in the summer the beaches are full and parking s a nightmare The best launch is at the Speed-Sail-Club : a bathing zone that splits swimmers and watermen. Nice waves develop in a south-westerly freeriders exploit north-north-westerly thermals and lighter winds. Shallow-water kiting lagoons ;orm on an ebb tide At lew tide, mussel-beds lie barely submerged on the northern
section of beach.

Jim Gaunt