Flew to Mark's Farm this morning and practiced forced landings with Daniel. He cut the power at various positions around the field and at different heights, so that I would have to wrestle the aircraft to a safe landing, at the correct speed and distance. Doing non-standard approaches and maneuvers at at lower level than normal was quite cool. I wasn't happy with the last landing back at FAPA, I might do some circuit bashing on my next flight.

Back on the ground, Ben was presented a certificate on his last day at 43, signifying his achievement of flying. We had only wished that they were PPL certificates!

In the afternoon we gave a present (a plant) to Wendy and Mary-Jane; the two receptionists, who we thought tried their best in dealing with the SA CAA and bureaucracy on our behalf. Then we went down town; I grabbed some lunch, while Neale and Waldo picked up Du Toit's (printed photo) present.

The evening soon came by and we all went back down town to Butlers, a fancy restaurant on the river. This was Ben's last night in SA and we tried our damnedest to make it a good one. Du Toit and his wife came along later. We gave him our gift, of which he seemed genuinely thankful. They said that he doesn't normally socialise with his classes, but our one was different in that he wanted to. He made a point of bringing his SAAF tunic with medals, as a sort of symbol of occasion for Ben. He also insisted that me and Ben have his Major epaulet pins. After loads of conversation we departed. Sharon was convinced to follow Neale, Ben, Waldo and me to Oddfellows and "Tab", before we all called it a night. Ben ended up separating from his chair, so I guess it was a success!