Imagine embarking on a journey to France aboard a light aircraft that weighs quite a bit less than the Welsh rugby team. Indeed, this might be considered a nightmare for many, but for two companions, Dave Pitman and Gavin Johns, they saw it as an irresistable opportunity. For this pair, it was the close proximity of the final Rugby World Cup group game held in Brittany that inspired them to take the daring gamble.
Dave and Gavin, techncially private pilots, found themselves landing safely in Rennes last Friday. They quickly melded into the excitement of the tournament, taking in the energizing atmosphere of the Nantes fanzone. The duo found the landing exceptionally relieving, even describing the sensation as “fantastic.”
Their journey to Lyon, to support Wales in the earlier pool stage, had started rather traditionally, through a travel agency. Dave, hailing from Rumney in Cardiff, and Gavin, a native of Miskin in Rhondda Cynon Taf, decided to add a twist to their return trip, opting instead to take their light aircraft for the journey. “Given the glorious result against Australia, it was clear that we should try to fly provided the weather was perfect. And perfect it was,” Dave elaborated.
Their tiny bird of metal and gears, when fully fuelled and loaded, weighed a mere 880kg. It was no match for the weather, floating and dancing in the wind amidst the turbulence. Dave conceded that the experience was not suited to the weak-hearted. In comparison to the Welsh rugby pack weighing 912kg, their aircraft was incredibly lightweight. Regardless, the venture was nothing short of amazing.
Returning home on Sunday, they launched off from St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan. However, the pair didn’t completely shut the door on a similar adventure in the near future. Gavin hinted at their up-going plan of going for another spin before the tournament ends. “If we beat Argentina, Dave is keen on landing our feather-weight aircraft on this charming airfield of Paris. Perhaps we’ll go watch the semi-finals,” he said as he grinned.
This phenomenal duo was not alone in choosing unconventional means of locomotion to the tournament. Mike Kelly cycled over 1,600 miles across five weeks to witness four group matches. Having been diagnosed with epilepsy, Mike had to surrender his driving license. But, he turned his predicament into an opportunity and rode his bike to the tournament. Despite a bout of food poisoning cutting his journey short to Bordeaux, he managed to pedal from city to city. The thought of supporting the charity Tŷ Hafan kept him going when times were tough.
Over the course of his trip, Mike was in close touch with the endemic wildlife, including otters, beavers, and even “angry” crayfish. The venture topped the list as the “best five weeks” of his life. Unfortunately, Mike does not plan to repeat the journey in the near future. He cited the need for some serious dietary changes after having consumed nothing but croissants and kebabs for five weeks.
In these captivating tales of fans going to unimaginable lengths to support their team, we peep through the keyhole into the other side of life – one that teaches us about strength, resilience and a never-ending passion for the game. No gambling involved here, except perhaps on the weather and their own grit and determination.
