France 2012

On Our way after seeing the "Boss"

Sorry for the delay in the updates but things have been pretty busy since we have been back and some of it even flying!

Here's a brief resume of what went on and if you want the full version bring some beers around and you get the full details .........

Saturday 14th saw us leave Cornwall and head to London where we had a cracking time in Hyde Park at the hard rock concert culminating in 3 hours of "The Boss" playing non stop and being joined by Sir Paul M at the end for some duets of Beatles numbers, wicked.

Sunday saw us cross the channel and make our way down through France stopping near Macon in an Aire to kip before deciding to head to Laragne or Annecy depending on the morning forecast.  Our night was interrupted by a hand coming in through the window and removing my Camel back from the back of the front seat at 2.00am however a good shout and they were gone leaving said item on the floor probably thinking it was a colostomy bag!  Still lesson learnt don't kip over in Aires ......

Kaz reading "the book" ..............

Morning forecast saw us head to Annecy as the mistral was blowing in Laragne and what a good choice it was.  After visiting the old town which is amazingly pretty we checked out the flying site and landing field which has changed since our last visit some 15 years ago or so.  Super launches for both hangies and Para's and super landing field as well what more can you ask.

Annecy old town v pretty (and the town is as well)

Over the next four days we had a great time with Kaz flying her hangy twice and Para once and me getting a couple of cracking flights on my hangy and soaking up the scenery.  Camping (vanning) by the lake was super luckily Mike C was not there else i think we would have pinched his spot. Mornings and evenings cooking up, swimming and chilling it was perfect.

 Kaz studies the ramp at Annecy before giving it a go

 setting off on a super hangy flight around the lake and beyond

 Annecy landing field big enough for all

 Our home for our stay in Annecy - perfect

With the weather changing and things improving in Laragne we headed south before stumbling across St Hilaere on the way and it seemed rude not to drop in.  A ride up the Funicular soon saw us on the Pg launch in challenging launch conditions. Still with a little encouragement from a local e both got off fine and had a fun flight before landing in the "target" field, well nearly.  Back on the road we continued towards Laragne before stopping just north of Aspe in another cracking wild camping spot for the night.

heading up to the really steep Funicular at St Hilaere

The morning saw us finally deciding on getting Laragne but then plans changed as we saw the Belgium comp pilots heading towards Aspe saw again it seemed rude not to.  In lovely conditions i joined the comp pilots on the first part of their task and had a great time racing to the first turnpoint without the fear of blowing a task and learning a lot on the way before heading laragne and having a fun couple of hours before dropping into the campsite landing field where Kaz arrived in ideal time in the van.

 Rigging up on Aspe before the comp'

Or home for the week again perfect

The next week was taken up with the British nationals in which we had some cracking flying and a real mixture of tasks with something for everyone. having decided to practise flying fast I had a ball although have to say it did make m arms ache and my eyes water! Cloudbase was up to 11,000' and the thermals were plentiful and generally the wind light so making for super flying conditions. Finishing 7th Brit was not my finest result but and a task by task basis i had some good results and overall it was one of the most relaxing comps i think i have ever flown  Big thanks to all who made it so much fun as well.  Camping wise due to campsite  being a little on the busy side we opted to wild camp at the lake and had a great time although not so sure it would have been so much fun if it had rained!

 getting a just reward after being fasted Brit

 Party night

With the comp over we headed for home taken a diversion back to St Hliaere where we planned a morning flight after camping at the top overnight.  I love it when a plan comes together and it was not long before we had Kaz rigging her hangy by "THE RAMP" and what a ramp it is. Despite initial "no way" Kaz slowly came to the point of thinking possibly and it was not long after that that she found herself clipped in and ready to go.

 Kaz walks the ramp and what a ramp!

 Once away the flying is as spectacular as the take off :)

With the Go Pro on the keel she was gone and "enjoyed" a super flight after the initial free fall and was still buzzing when i arrived in the landing field to pick her up. Fantastic and i guess i will have to do it next time!

The trip home was pretty straight forward and yes it was good to be back in the UK and we look forward to getting back to "work" making new pilots and new friends,