Evening Delight

A Rays eye view as he prepares to fire

Gunnery team Sam and Ray let one rip

Practicing squatters rights in Setenil

Things get going at Ronda La V

Lovely evening conditions with only us using them

North winds always spread out the crowdsand so it was today. We headed to Teba for a change of scenery and whilst the guys liked the look of the site it was a tadge on the breezy side. There was a lot of wave in the sky so we amused ourselves with a bit of catapult target practice to see what happened.

Next it off to Setenil for a bit of sightseeing and a coffee to see if things died down. Then it was off to Ronda La V where we expected to meet the crowds. On arrival there were only two hangies as it was still too windy for danglers. But experience has shown us patience is a virtue so we settled down to wait for conditions to improve. Baz arrived with a few pilots and by early evening it became flyable although with a fair amount of east in it.

I tested the air and pretty soon those that wanted to were up and away into what was amazingly pleasant conditions. With smooth lift it was a great time to practice slope landings (sorry Jackie) as well as working off height with tight turns. As the sun set we sneaked into land and packed up as darkness fell. A lovely unexpected flight and in Kaz's words one of the nicest.

Maybe a bit more wind again tomorrow ......

Personal best's

The perfect egg gave a good start to a good day

Chris H looking like he means it as he gets set to on his best flight ever!

The guys cruise the ridge waiting for the next cycle

Bill keeps his nipples covered as Steve gets ready with his nipple clamp

Ready to guide them into the top landing the view is lovely

The skies had cleared and it was back to blue skies again and with light winds forecast we opted to try the main hill before heading off in the afternoon. Up Lijar it was already North and whilst it was a hot one it could not overcome the true wind and pull it up the face. We headed to the NW launch to watch the entertainment and after about an hour it became sensible enough to launch and even better the thermals were starting to work. Steve M and Sam gave it a go both getting off safely although Sam did try to knock out one of the french contingent, should get an award for that!

Steve gave it his best but missed the lift whilst Sam a few minutes later cracked it and was soon well high above the mountain. Whilst one car headed to Ronda La V we waited to see if Sam would travel by air but he dropped out of the climb so we picked him up in the notice board filed before collecting Steve.

At Ronda there were only two other gliders in the air and we wasted no time in joining them. I tested the air and was soon nearly 2000' above launch having a ball. One by one the others came up and as conditions mellowed we got Chris and Barry up there as well. They both had a great time mixing ridge soaring, scratching and thermalling all together in one super flight. I launched to join them and we had a super time out front cruising in thermic lift before heading back to the ridge. As conditions mellowed Ray joined the throng and performed his first toplanding at Ronda making it all look far to easy.

With the sun setting the guys all cam back on top nicely with Mark F setting a record for the group of 2hours 51 minutes whilst Chris and Barry rated as their best flying ever.

Another excellent day, lets hope it keeps going..... may take a road trip tomorrow

Castles and Cumulus

The table tennis challenge gets ubderway (until they lose the ball)

Bill locks us in the Castle

Prickly Pear

Don't ask, we did and wished we hadn't

Lovely conditions at Ronda La V

Happy pilots at the end of the day

With a cloudy morning forecast we took it easy and headed out around 11.30 for a spot of site seeing in Zahara. Whilst Kaz chilled the rest of us headed up to the castle which got some of us puffing well but the view is always worth it. On the way back down we found a grown ups playground which kept us amused for a while.

By the time we made it back to the cars the sky was clearing and the sun making an appearance. With gliders launching off the west we decided to head to Ronda La V where we arrived to find nil wind. However by the time the wind sock was put up the wind appeared and withing 15 minutes Mark F led the way into the air. It was a cracking afternoon with the usual superb mixture of thermals and ridge lift giving everyone the chance to try both. Bill, Sam, Steve, Kaz and myself all had a ball getting pretty much as high as we wanted and in marks case a bit higher than he wanted! Chris, Barry and Ray had fun on the ridge with the new boys still settling into the very different conditions than those at Perranporth.

By early evening everyone was pretty much flown out so we headed back to base passing several downed pilots on the way. Forecast is looking good for rest of week so should get plenty more flying in ....

The Key master

Bill N heads off from Lijar launch

Weird Wave as a Para approaches the main landing zone

Love Doves

It was the first full day for the newcomers so after a quick check out of the main landing filed we headed up Lijar so they could get an early one in. As it was most decided to take the early slot and soon they guys were launching. With a bit of a breeze some managed a bit of ridge soaring before floating down and with some high cloud around the thermals were lacking.

A swift turn around saw us back at the top just in time for the thermic cycle as the wind moved to the SW launch. Kaz was off first and flew straight into good lift circling up away above launch. Bill and Sam quickly joined her whilst Steve headed off to his favourite spot to "enjoy" a good flight out in the valley. Chris and Barry went for it and both flew into some bouncy lift giving them a full on introduction to Algo'.

As quickly as it switched on it shut down again and whilst those high could stay up the late launchers were on a sleigh ride, that is with the exception of Ray who out flew those around him picking up some gentle lift about 750 below and working it back to take of height before heading off to join the rest.

Wanda and myself got set to pick them up when we found the car keys missing for car number 2, Bill did a fine job of trying to plead innocence but after a frisking he was found guilty having them safely in his pocket, along with various other objects in the bottom landing field. Still with a bit of juggling we got things sorted giving Bill and myself a chilled evening whilst the rest headed back up for an evening flight.

They guys had a fine time off the west launch with some staying up and some floating down but all landing safely in the cafe field. A good first day or the newcomers and a fun one for the two weekers. Weather looks a bit changeable tomorrow so maybe an afternoon flight at Ronda La V after a bit of site seeing.

Day Off

Classic shot out the front of the front of Lijar

The team (Nigel Dave and myself) head towards the landing zone

Dave takes a final climb above the mountain before having to pull out as time ticks by

Nigel explains how he popped his thermal cherry big time

Only Joking although after 7 days on the trot and it being change over day it was Kaz and mine turn to fly. With a land by time set at 14.30 so we could get the guys back to the airport pick up the newcomers and do the shopping it had to be a military operation.

Up Lijar it was noticeably fresher and the inversion weaker so gliders were soon working lift and reverse launches were more common than not.

Dave, Steve and Kaz got off early and found conditions lifty and lively as the pushed out from the ridge.

Jackie got off after a couple of attempts and flew straight into bouncy conditions requiring active flying and avoidance tactics, shouting that is !

Bill and Ray took one car down whilst Sam and Peachy waited till we were all off and also headed down. I manged to get just after Nigel and followed the others up and away. Everyone in the air had a cracking flight with Nigel truly popping his thermal cherry. Dave Nigel and myself all met up for some flying together as the land by time drew near. As luck would have it Dave and myself hit a strong climb over the LZ and worked it up before pulling out to spiral, big ears and in Daves case B line down.. The famous phrase of "the sink is working really well over here" came into use and finally we joined the others in the landing field only a little late.

Back to the digs for a shower and clean up then it was off to Malaga with Peachy, Jackie , Nigel and Dave with a supermarket sweep on the way. Jackie had put away well over 5 hours flying and 12 flights, cracking soaring, top landings and speed bar along the way as well as some super thermalling, oh and stand up landings. Dave racked up well over 10 hours and achieved the status of a Sky God. Nigel got where he wanted, high in a thermal, and found a who;e new world to play with. Peachy despite his dodgey knee on day one stopping his flying never let his disappointment affect the group and was supportive throughout making it a great week and one to remember. Thanks guys and with flying every day what more can you ask for, fingers crossed for the next one.

At arrivals we picked up Mark F, Wanda S, Chris H and Barry H all looking a bit tired after their flights and headed back to Algo for round two, watch this space....

Wing flappers and kidnappers

The team get rigged on Lijar

Sam gets kidnapped by a giant

Team Cloud 9 dominate the skies at Ronda La V

The man from De Monte says yes

Sam lets it all hang out as Rays flies by (captions welcome)

What a cracking day, yet again we headed up to the main launch and with the air feeling fresher we looked forward to a good one. Sure enough as the wind pulled on the vultures appeared and pretty soon we had Jackie off for a flight which was to sort out her speed bar tasks.

She did another fine launch before heading out and doing the business with the bar then heading out to the landing filed. On the way she flew into some nice lift and with a little encouragement started to circle in it and before we knew it she had thermalling sussed! Jackie had a great time playing with the lift all without a vario proving that you can do it by feel. Finally she headed down as her arms were starting to ache to perform a perfect landing, nice one. Bill was off pretty soon and was the first to climb well above the hill and break through the inversion. This encouraged the rest off and pretty soon the sky was filling up with the group some high and some not so high. Dave L and Sam headed to twin peaks but never quite made it although Dave made a brave attempt at flying to Ronda La Veja.

Ray got away and after having an asymmetric on the way out near the gully headed towards the landing field where he promptly hooked a couple of beauties and was soon back above launch having a ball. Steve flew to join him but decided to leave him up there as he needed a pee. By the time I got down the hill to the filed there were some pretty happy faces and exciting stories to be found.

Next we headed to Ronda La V picking up Dave on the way. Conditions were light but no sooner did we arrive and the evening lift kicked in and the gang had some super flying. Everyone got a nice flight in the ridge lift and magic lift seeing some very high out the front. Jackie popped in a couple of top landings to complete some more tasks in her bid for CPC rating.

A very satisfied bunch headed back to Algo under a picturesque sky with the likelihood of yet more flying tomorrow.

Bush Muncher

Gliders begin to break the inversion which keeps the smoke down

Steve gives a commited launch on the evening flight

The lonliness of a Paragliding instructor

The gagle climbs out over launch, such pretty colours

more pretty colours on the west launch

Red Devil Ray sees the sun setting over yet another lovely day

It was another gorgeous day in Algo and with light winds forecast we headed up Lijar hoping for it to pull on on the SE launch.

It did and pretty soon we had the guys launching. Steve led the way so he could guide the guys into the landing field followed by Bill who just went up and up then down and down then back up again where he stayed. Jackie got off well showing the hill how forward launches should be done and had a super flight ending in yet another stand up landing. Nigel also did a perfect launch and had a fine time getting in some thermalling practice in lovely conditions with out it being too busy. Ray was not so fortunate and ended up in the bushes but a quick dusting don saw him ready to go again.

By the time the guys were back on top the wind flicked to the SW launch and things were looking better. Ray got off and did a fine job dodging some lift and flying sweetly down for a cracking landing. Kaz managed to squeak one in and flew straight into strong lift which soon saw her well high before heading out then picking up a cracker over the landing field and circling back up to well above launch. The rest of the guys had a fine time before the wind went further to the west leaving Nigel and Jackie on the hill.

Still no worries we picked up the crew from the bottom and headed back up for and evening flight of the west launch where there was still some lift to play with if you knew where to find it. Nigel honed his thermal skills and Jackie her landing skills. Bill got offered a ride by a local but luckily for him we arrived just in time to save him!

Then it was off to JJ´s for a special German meal which proved very nice and as I write I can hear the guys laughing at Peachy´s body in the background as he models T shirts,

Will update photos tomorrow which looks like yet another flyable day!!

Freeman Hardy and Willis

The team less BILL arrive at Montellano

Red devil Ray cameras up

Sam A spot lands on a car

Wheres Peachy??

Freeman Hardy and Willis fly by

Jackie floats up and away

Choc-o-late,classic magic lift hmmmmmmmm

It was indeed a Montellano day and what a lovely day it was too. Arriving just as the breeze pulled on we got the guys and gals off for a quick top to bottom to a climatize. Well actually some of them stayed up in the gentle ridge lift whilst the others flew down then it was a quick pick up and back to the top.

Ray and Jackie opted for another flight down to hone their skills whilst the others waited for better conditions, although in actual fact a couple cracked and had another flight to fill up the retrieve car.

By mid afternoon things were getting more lively and the guys took off to play with the thermals. Sam swiftly flew to the top of the stack and was then trailed closely by Dave and Bill who followed him around the sky hoping to pick up some of his magic. There was the normal entertainment on launch with some of the top landers looking smooth and some looking a total mess!

As the day drew on we waited for the classic evening lift to kick in and sure enough it did with Ray and Jackie taking advantage of it. The sky filled with wings but in the smooth lift there was room for all. Slowly they began to descend and we picked up a happy but tired bunch from the foot of the hill.

Another super meal in this time courtesy of Jackie who showed off her culinary skills to great effect. Forecast looks good for tomorrow, yummy.

Perfect at Poinetta (sort the spelling later)

Sam develops a bit of a skin rash

Jackie thermals up to the top of the stack

Classic conditions as the guys enjoy the "morning" flight

Pushing out the clouds off Ronda La V photo by Bill from the air

Must be flown out as it's still light and we are leaving!

Yet another NW forecast so we hoped to mimic yesterdays success but as it turned out it was even better!

Arriving on Lijar it was evident the breeze was already to the North west so we headed to the west launch where we were pretty much first on site. The guys got rigged an Kaz headed down to the landing field to act as guide for Jackie and Ray.

By the time we were ready it was already getting thermic so the guys wasted no time in getting up there. Soon the sky was full of team Cloud 9 pilots thermalling away with varying success. Everyone got off with good launches using a mixture of forward and reverse launches as they fancied.

Ray set off doing really well before getting radio failure (flat battery) where upon Bill N circled down to him and the two flew together with Bill acting as pathfinder, nice one.

Jackie was star of the flight having been delayed at take off by pulling her parachute out meaning things were a bit more lively by the time she launched. With a little guidance she was soon circling up with the rest topping out at over 1000' above take off and pretty much above everyone else! She had a wicked time playing with the thermals before heading off to the "cafe" field where Kaz was ready to help her land.

The rest of the gang floated off when they had had enough and as the lift got even stronger and the clouds built.

Lunch in the landing field and a group decision saw us decide on Ronda for the afternoon so off we set. On arrival no one was flying but a Hanger did launch as soon as we disembarked. It looked breezy enough so I decided to test the air and within 10 minutes was at 1500' and climbing well as i pushed well upwind. They guys took a little longer to get going but pretty soon they were up and away in nice thermic conditions.

The lift was up and down with Bill N and Steve M taking the height gains before a strong sink cycle saw a few down and the rest scratching. The guys did well to hang in and soon they were back above the top and into thermal mode again.

Having flown ourselves out we headed home early (for us) for a early night. looks like NE tomorrow, Montelliano ??

Two Day

Steve M launches at Lijar

Ray plays pocket billiards at Ronda whilst the boys look for the ball

Phippsy shows off his radio levitation skills

Jackie and Peachy watch the guys flying and enjoy the sunshine (note Jackie upwind)

Ray M cruises the ridge having it all to himself (lovely shades)

Sorry about the wrong date on yesterdays blog, all sorted now. With a light NW forecast again we decided to try our luck up Lijar for the morning with the option of Ronda or Teba for later in the day.

On arrival at the top the wind was already swinging and on the SW launch. The guys wasted no time and soon we slipped Dave L in amongst the french and he was off up and away showing the whole hill how to thermal. Bill was not far behind and headed straight out to some circling vultures before circling up himself. Steve and Sam quickly followed although Sam did stay for a bit of Morris dancing before leaving the ground.

By the time we were ready with Nigel, Jackie and Ray things were not looking so hot with the wind going further to the west. Nigel went for it and did a good job but the lift had gone and he headed straight for the landing field which convinced us it was time to move.

By the time we got down the mountain there was a pretty happy bunch of pilots under the shade of the trees so after a spot of lunch it was off to Ronda La V. Our timing was pretty good and with gliders in the air on arrival it was not long before the team joined them for a mixture of thermals and ridge lift. It was a bit boisterous to start with but as the evening approached things got better and Jackie got the chance for her second soaring flight. She did a great job mixing it with the various nationalities before popping in for her second top landing and doing it to perfection. As Ray launched the skies cleared and within a minute or two he had the ridge to himself, do they know him that well?? After a pleasant flight in the setting sun Ray headed out and down to bottom land where ever watchful Steve was ready for him.

Peachy kept us company and whilst hoping the breeze would take some of the fishy smell away which it did.

Driving back by the light of the moon were two cars full of tired out pilots. Evening meal was a stay in affair courtesy largely of super chef Steve M with a few able assistants and a few less able ones. Review of the days flying saw a late retirement to bed at around midnight. Looks like more of the same tomorrow.