“If you're not flying your drone in light rain over medieval ruins in the middle of nowhere, are you even trying?” — Me, right before risking a Mini 3 Pro to a Luxembourgish cloud tantrum.
Let’s talk real for a second, like really real, because this weekend wasn’t just another drone flight, it was a gritty, cinematic reminder that greatness (and epic drone shots) don’t come from comfort zones.
Back in summer, we stumbled upon this ridiculously photogenic little gem of a village, Esch-sur-Sûre, tucked deep into Luxembourg’s Ardennes like some fantasy movie set, minus the elves (and sadly, no tavern that serves second breakfast, but they do have a lot of other nice things!). In the summer, this place is lush, green, and dripping in Pinterest-worthy vibes. But this time? Oh no. This time, we went full moodboard.
I returned in late autumn, a.k.a. The Season of Suspicious Weather Decisions, and as luck would have it, we were blessed with a solid wall of grey, moist atmosphere and a side of drizzle, which during the flight turned into straight rain. The kind of sky that screams "this is where the haunted castle tour starts.”
While Instagram might tell you travel is only good when the sun’s out and the sky is melting into golden hour, I’m here to say screw that. This fog-drenched, cloud-smothered version of Esch-sur-Sûre? It hit different.
The Mini 3 Pro, oh bless its little waterproof-ish heart, was sent up into this moody abyss, despite the drizzle. Yes, I flew it in the rain. Yes, DJI recommends not doing that. And YES, I still have all my fingers and propellers. This is what peak performance looks like, people. (on an unguarded moment, I would just yell, “Just f***ing fly it!” And I did. So we’re good.)
Here’s the kicker, I haven’t been flying much lately, and it’s not just the weather. Thanks to the weird “UFO/drones spotted over Belgium and half of Europe” drama, it now feels like every time I launch, I’m two propellers away from a visit from the drone police.
I mean seriously, public opinion around drones has nose-dived faster than a low battery return-to-home. People hear that buzz in the air or see the lights and assume it’s either a military op or someone trying to steal their Wi-Fi password. Spoiler alert: it’s just me trying to get a cinematic shot of a mossy castle in the mist.
So no, I haven’t picked up a Mini 5 Pro yet. Why? Because I’d like to keep my flight logs... and my freedom. The odds of getting stopped mid-flight have jumped by roughly 10,000%, and I’m not in the mood to explain the difference between a hobbyist and a spy to Officer Buzzkill. Just saying.
The Castle Ruins: Sitting high above the Sûre river like it’s judging your travel selfies. Moody AF in the rain, majestic in the sun.
The Village: Nestled like a medieval croissant between the cliffs and the river. Narrow streets, stone houses, and more charm than a 90s rom-com.
The Drone Perspective: Let’s just say... the views from above are chef’s kiss. The river bends like it’s trying to spell something in cursive, and the rooftops look like they're gossiping about the weather.
Don’t trust weather apps in the Ardennes. They lie. Like a crypto rugpull, but for your picnic.
Flying in fog is like playing flight simulator with a blindfold, but with enough courage and mild recklessness, you just might come out with magic.
Sometimes the best shots come when the conditions suck. (Isn’t that just life?)
If you're waiting for perfect conditions, perfect timing, perfect whatever, you'll be waiting forever. Whether it's building a business, flying a drone, or exploring an old village in the middle of Luxembourg, the key is to just show up and hit record, even if your lens fogs up, the sky falls apart, and Karen from accounting thinks your DJI is part of a global conspiracy.
So go. Fly. Get rained on. Burn a few motors and get those shots anyway. Just maybe bring ID and smile politely when the cops show up.
All photos are my own, shot on my iPhone and sometimes edited in Lightroom.
AI images? Those are created by me too, using my own prompts.
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