Breakfast at tiffany's
More rain overnight and some low cloud
when we woke but things quickly improved and after some perfectio
eggs we bundled into the vans and headed off up Lijar to the main
launch. Gliders were already flying and staying up by 11.15 which is
unusual and low cumulus were forming overhead, hmmmmmmm.
Everyone got their kit out and got
ready but we kept our powder dry to see what happened. With gliders
drifting in and out of cloud a few hundred feet above us no one was
keen to go off and I can't blame them. By the time the cloud rose
and it looked more sensible the wind had gone to zero and began to
flick to the NW. After 15 minutes of steady but light wind from
behind we repacked and headed off. Passing the NW launch we stopped
briefly to watch the take off's before carrying on to Ponientte launch
where things looked better.
Wyn ready to join the fray and get up and away (to cloud base)
Phil climbs out (finally) before heading south
Not sure whats going on here
Gliders were pretty much going straight
down but as the sun came round onto the face things improved and by
the time it got stay upable the guys were ready with Bill leading the
pack. Bill may have been a little premature as he drifted down and
out of sight but he hung in there and despite our doubts re appeared
after a long absence and clawed his way back up. They guys got going
and in a fairly short time everyone was off and away and in the air
with Phil bringing up the rear …..........
Some climbed out easily whilst others
had to work for it but all got up way above the top (all well over
1500' above) and had a ball with some getting their first real taste
of thermalling and loving it. Adi did a cracking job of thermaling
up from just above the fish field to join Wyn and Shaun of whom made
it up from low down themselves. Kaz kept an eye on things from a
lofty perch up near cloudbase before heading off to the landing field
to be there for the arrivals. One by one they headed down having had
their fill and made good landings in what were fairly bouncy
conditions.
3 Amigos after some cracking thermalling in lively conditions
Andrew returns to the fold
Phil came over the radio to ascertain
Bills location before announcing that he was going over the back and
heading towards Ronda V. Bill was not far away and not much lower
and it was not long before he followed suit. In the landing field
the boys were more than happy to follow them by road after their epic
flights and a celebration beer!
You can relax Michel as we found Bill
about half way there beside the road and Phil a few k further on so
no postcard today. Both were pretty chuffed to say the least and so
they should be.
We found Bill in the middle of nowhere and Phil a little further on
Back together again
In the back of the vans they jumped and
it was onto Ronda V by road. Arriving together it was breezy enough
but not to much so after a site brief I took off from the main launch
to prove it nicely soarable but not the ideal launch point. Kaz
showed them where best to take off on the lower launch and made it
look nice and easy and was followed by the guys and gal. Cloud 9
took over the ridge in fine style with no one else there we had the
place to ourselves, yummy.
Adi gets set to go at Ronda la Veja
Top landings were fine (sorry Simon and
Mark) for those who chose to and the lift was a mixture of dynamic
and thermal. As evening drew near Bill took off to lead the team
down to the roadside landing field on a mini XC and soon a line of
pilots were heading out and away. Kaz and myself got in the air and
followed a few minutes later to join a happy band who all got there
fine.
Cloud 9 pathfinder squadron heads out led by Winco' Bill
Thanks to Phil, Adi and Mike for
bringing the cars down and rounding off a cracking day during which
so many firsts were made.
Quote of the day “what's your go pro
doing under your pillow!” “in your dreams”
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