Those magnificent men in their flying machines

On Sunday, I realised a lifelong ambition. I flew for the first time in an open biplane, a 1939 Tiger Moth, owned by a great friend of the Embassy Jacek Mainka. Not only was it an extraordinary experience to fly in a 73-year-old aircraft, but it was also a poignant moment since my father learnt to fly in a Tiger Moth during WW2. When I briefly took control of the plane, I could imagine just how Dad felt.

It was a windy day which merely accentuated how different flying used to be from today’s modern jets. I am writing this on board of such a plane returning from Wrocław where I attended an event to mark the European Day of Disabled People’s Rights. Yesterday I struggled to board the Tiger Moth. Today across Europe, disabled people still face access issues to transport.

But it was great to celebrate the progress made regarding support for the disabled here in Poland with Sławomir Piechota MP and Dolnośląskie Marshall Rafał Jurkowlaniec, a range of passionate NGOs and the wonderful sounds of “Do Czasu”, a group of blind or partially sighted singers.

I talked about the UK experience and the challenges we still face. I am delighted that a study group led by Minister for the Disabled Jarosław Duda will be making a further visit to London next week to continue their study of UK experience in promoting equal chances for disabled people. Another excellent example of practical UK-Polish collaboration.