Dick and Dom at the Dodman

Do you know these guys ??

It had been in the diary for a couple of months and after much tooing and froing of telephone calls and emails regarding risk assessments, insurance and experience the BBC finally decided we were up to being trusted with taking Dick of Dick and Dom up in the air.

Having put all the effort in whats the chance of the weather playing ball ....... not a lot!  Still we were on standby and based on the last few days we were pretty sure it would be fogged out at Vault today and blown out tomorrow.  Bill N kindly gave us a site update at lunchtime, wind good viz next to nothing and heading off to Maker, now if Bills leaving a site that's not good news.

Still we kept a close eye on it and by mid afternoon detected a change in conditions, a few phone calls and we were on our way with a 50/50 chance, having kidnapped Adi as he dropped in for a chat.  Things did not look to promising on the drive out but as we arrived through the gate Vault did what Vault does and the weather changed to give a nicely paraglideable breeze with good Viz and cloudbase at around 1000', unreal.

Yummy

As the media circus (sound truck and a couple of cars) arrived I tested the air on the Delta and found it to be perfect so popped back in just as the 'stars' of CBBC Dick and Dom arrived. Meanwhile Kaz and Adie rigged the hangie just in case helped by a supply of jelly babies supplied by Dom.  The serenity of Paragliding put a very nervous Dick at ease and we got him briefed on how to do it Tandem style.  Microphones attached, Go Pros everywhere and we were ready to go when the director advised us that we were to go live on radio Cornwall at 17.30. What, that's nearly 30 minutes away and conditions could change ......... sure enough with 15 minutes to go the wind picked up so it was all change to  the Hangy.

Rebrief on Dick who was by now super nervous with the increasing wind and not helped by Dom who was super smiley and relaxed as he was staying on the ground.  17.30 the news finished the financial figures were out and we were on air.  a few minutes of preflight chat then Dick was clipped in and checked, seconds later we were off and away.

Dick's nerves showed through as he nearly strangled me at launch and was a close passenger throughout the flight but good on him for managing to carry out his broadcast from the air and even sound in control of himself!

Dick up in the air and "loving it"

The radio bit over with Dick was keen to get down but we had to wait a little whilst the camera crew relocated to the landing zone where a very relived Dick was brought back to Terra firma.  Unclipped he stood silent with his head in his hands for a good couple of minutes before he could carry on, no he did not throw up.

A bit of further filming for their TV program and we were wrapped  by which time the flyable slot had gone.  An interesting few hours  and how lucky were we, great to meet Dick and Dom and indeed the whole crew who unlike some others we have worked with were really switched on and making it happen.  Thanks to Adi for his help hopefully you will get a glimpse of him on CBBC's at sometime in the future along with Kaz.

looking a bit more relaxed the guys (especially Dick) give us some publicity

Have to say all credit to Dick for doing it as genuinely it was way out of his comfort zone and unlike most people who just choose yes or no he had the pressures of his job to consider.

Quote of the day "push your a*se in the air"  check out the live radio broadcast on Radio Cornwall 26/09/2013  at 17.30 onwards ............. or try here  

Sorry bit short on piccies but hopefully will get some more later.