Despite the atrociously wet and blustery weather we had a fantastic flight onboard a LyddAir Chieftain 9-seater aircraft. We bounced and flounced at below cloud level, with a wonderful view of the small ships and 'white horses' below us, in just 20 minutes from Departure Lounge to Arrivals Hall. And on landing at Le Touquet the pleasure continued.

Part of the joy of travelling in a small group is the sense of camaraderie. We all opted to share the cost of a small mini-bus into town (€8 and 10 minutes approximately) as it was raining so hard but there is no pressure whatsoever to team up with other people if you prefer to maintain your privacy. Had the weather been kinder to us that day we could have hired (€4 per hour; more than 3 hours (all day) €12) one of the many bicycles available at the airport and cycled into town; or taken a leisurely and picturesque stroll into the centre (20 minutes approximately). Taxi firms meet all flights (€8 downtown). The choice is yours and all part of the experience.

Personally, I headed straight for the Westminster Hotel and a glass of champagne. No complaints from my son as the Westminster is a relaxed but bustling meeting point for locals and visitors alike so plenty to see and he
quite relished the cosmopolitan atmosphere... for a
reasonable time. Then it was on to the shops - selling everything from designer clothes and lingerie to a variety of works of art and, of course, the regulation quota of boulangerie and traiteur.. But, much to my delight, we struggled and failed to find a shop selling computer games. It says just about everything you need to know about Le Touquet. A place of true discernment.

Flying from Lydd has much to commend it to travellers looking for the personal touch and one of the highlights for me on arrival at Le Touquet airport was the welcome from Captain Jonathan Gordon, managing director of LyddAir, who not only gives the expected facts about getting into town but also offers his personal choice of preferred places to eat out. And he should know. He lives there!

But if restaurants and shops are too sedentary for your taste you could always head for the beach for some sand yachting; go horse riding through the woods or have a round of golf. Failing that, the Casino de Palais is open from 9.00am to 3.00pm for roulette or black-jack.

We travelled on a Saturday, departing at 9.30am. Arrival time in Le Touquet 11,00am (French time). And our return flight was a very convenient 4.30pm, getting us back to Lydd for 4.00pm. From 1st May return flight time is extended to 5.30pm (French time) giving you ample opportunity for a leisurely lunch and tour of the town as well as a glass or two of bubbly if you wish. Return Flight £69.00 (ex. taxes) per person.

Should you be in the fortunate position of having some spare funds, or a company, and interested in owning an executive aircraft to fly you to Le Touquet - for a day, weekend break or business meeting - you may want to consider Air Share. At the end of 2006 Atlantic Bridge Aviation, the business group which owns LyddAir, launched Air Share, an affordable new executive aircraft fractional ownership scheme.

Jane Murrell