David, I’m sure you know of the website flightradar24.com - we use it every day. We are on one of the main flight paths and some of the aircraft actually go directly above our house (usually at about FL370 - 37,000 ft). We get planes flying to USA, the UK, and other parts of Europe besides going the other way to Africa, the Middle East and beyond. We’ve get to see a Beluga though - were not on the right flight path for that but on a clear day we can see a great distance and checking on the flight radar site, we know where abouts the aircraft is.
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I love flightradar24. I’ve mainly used it to track friends’ flights, hadn’t thought of doing plane-spotting the way you do.
I do too and use it to see what is going to fly over the house after take off or coming in to land especially the Beluga every few weeks.
I did have it 'till a few months ago but got fed up with my son’s planes disappearing from view for no good reason. I am also on a very busy flight path so did do a bit of tracking now and again.
It’s a tank. 
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In the past people were more familiar with correct spelling.
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But I don’t think the folks who made my Irish Tea Towel could spell properly. Instead of
“May you be at the gates of heaven an hour before the devil knows you’re dead”
it has:
May you be at the gates of heaven an hour before the devil knows your dead!
Oops!
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We spent NYE at a dinner dance specially for seniors. A lively atmosphere, with the dance floor pretty full most of the time. Stayed till 2 a.m and there were still quite a few there. Pretty fit, the French seniors!
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Old age pleasure.
I have a central vision problem in my left eye, and wanting to bird watch, I bought a monocular for my right eye – big mistake – too wobbly. Useless really.
There are so many binocular manufacturers around I’m having difficulty choosing. I think 10 x 42 will do me and see that the RSPB sell their own recommended binoculars - one shown here.
But any advice from bird watchers out there would be welcome. Price range up to €175, maybe a bit more. Want reputable binoculars of good quality for garden use up to distant trees in the landscape.
But also for aeroplanes, the stars, the moon and satellites.
I am not an expert on binos, nor a birdwatcher, but these are what I got for travel and occasional stargazing:
A touch over your budget though.
They are not super lightweight, which may be a factor.
My understanding is that it’s usually better to keep the magnification moderate, unless you are going to mount them on a tripod, and a bigger front element gathers more light which is good for stargazing.
Why do you think that was? I use a monocular as right eye is not much use.
I’m well used to cameras and heavy weight long focus lenses so weight not a problem. Sciatica prevents me from walking through the woods so sitting at an upstairs window or in the garden or from the car will do just fine.
My cameras and lenses are all Nikon so may well explore Nikon binoculars.
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I use my right hand to hold the monocular and my left to keep it steady but have difficulty following a moving bird. Holding binoculars firmly with both hands further apart will help I think, I hope.
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These are good.
I compared the rspb bins with a friend’s £2000 bins (Swarovski) and whilst there was a bit of difference in optics (more than a bit), the shape and functionality is lovely.
I also use a set of Nikon’s like the ones Chris mentions but they are heavy and don’t slip into a pocket like the RSPB ones.
Anyone using the digital electronic type? Some have image stabilisers built in to counter hand shake
I see that there are binoculars that can connect with a smartphone, bluetooth? so you can get a digital image of what you are looking at! Will look see images stabilisers.
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Thanks for the advice all, but I’m going to stick to my monocular! I bought it 5 years ago, a Legend HD Bushnell 10 x 42, and I can’t believe I paid 250€ for it! That’s expensive in my book, so shall learn to use it better, perhaps with a small handgrip sort of thingy.
It has the great advantage of having firmly-fitting lens caps at both ends that don’t fall off and get lost. One is hinged, the other is lanyard held, but you can remove them if needs be.
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Can it be used with a monopod? Serious question, not a joke!
Only if you can get the staff! 
Sorry a joke not a serious comment
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