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“For Conor Broekhart, the only way out… is up…”

The words are still dancing in my ears after hearing the enthusiastic Eoin Colfer spin them into a story named “Airman”. Yr 6 were ecstatic to be part of this brilliant book’s launch. We barged excitedly into the spacey hanger of the Duxford Air Museum, ready for an incredible day of “Airman” adventures.  The museums huge collection of planes and helicopters transfixed our amazed faces. We were so excited we couldn’t stop talking! I felt like I was bubbling all over with anticipation and amazement so much that when we sat down in a stuffy, crowded talk room I couldn’t stop quivering!

Half way through the talk on “How Things Fly” I was tapped gently on the shoulder and lead out to a staircase. Around me, five of my friends stood gazing at a reporter and a camera crew! We were lead down the stairs and into one of the giant museum rooms and told to get into pairs. We realised we would be on the television! Two by two we were placed in front of a plane and asked questions about Artemis Fowl and how we thought the book “Airman” would take of. It was very nerve racking but absolutely incredible.

When the filming was over we were taken outside onto the landing field! First we saw the tiger moth plane but then we spotted Eoin Colfer sitting inside it, photographers all around him. It was outstanding. But it wasn’t only him who could have the praise. After a few minutes my friends and I were pushed to the tiger moth, next to Eoin Colfer. He was very funny and cracked loads of hilarious jokes to make our smiles wider. When we could stand the blustering wind no longer, we strolled back into the hanger for more filming and photos before we went back to the talk room. But this time we would be listening to Eoin Colfer…

The bubbly author’s speech was fantastic. He was smiley, relaxed and HILARIOUS! He made me giggle all the way through the talk about his childhood experiences of “flying”. This was actually “flying” over the handlebars of his bike! By the time it was lunch, I was starving after all my laughter.

After a delicious feast we had a stroll in the museum. The interactive part was outstanding because we got to push buttons to our hearts content. It was brilliant fun but enough playing around was enough. After a while it was time to have my book signed…We all hustled and bustled into what seemed like a never ending queue. It seemed like decades before I finally reached Eoin Colfer’s table. I felt like singing with joy when he signed his name in my copy of “Airman” and wrote “to my photo buddy”.

As we piled back into the hanger, the sorry news sank in. It was time to go. We gave Eoin one last wave as we climbed into the waiting coach. My face ached from smiling. What a magical day we had.

Charlotte Davies, Year 6, William Westley School, Whittlesford