Adios Algo' 2013

So the final day arrives and guess what, it's still raining despite the forecast to dry up but there is time yet.  Kaz cooks a fried breakfast for those that want it whilst others clean up whats left.  A house clean sweep and  bit more table tennis and we were ready to roll.

Michel performs a perfect forward lunch

With the clouds still low some opted to head to Ronda for sightseeing before taking the scenic route towards Malaga whilst others opted to hang around Lijar to see if it would clear up enough for some flying.

ETT on the lower slopes of Lijar

So Kaz's car headed south and mine north and up the hill, well as far up as the sun was as the top was still in cloud.  A nice picnic table ideal for extreme table tennis (ett) and lunch and collecting ammunition.  As cloud base thinned a couple of vans full of pilots headed up and in due course we followed.  Still a bit murky so out with the catapult and more ett, not sure the other groups know what to make of us, they just don't get it ;)

The catapult finally comes out to play

brightening skies on Ponientte

Playtime

Bit by bit the skies lifted and the Vultures appeared and gliders took off, Pilot x, Michel, Ollie and myself all had a fun flight with cloud base easily obtainable and plenty of Vultures to chase.  The notice board filed gave it's usual entertainment and one pilot nearly got a shock as he glanced the power lines, Cloud 9 team were exemplary.

Pilot x does a bit of crabbing

then goes flying

So with gliders packed we left Algo' and headed west taking the normal route home and pleased with our last flight.  Passing by Teba we noticed the windmills were not as far off as expected and as Pilot X had never been to launch before we decided to take him up there.

ETT at Teba

Something else at Teba

Pilot X at Teba

10 minutes later Michel was unpacking his kit yet again, Ollie was in the air and Pilot X was enjoying his first visit to the site with a nice flight.  Peachy and myself decided to study the bits and bobs on launch and chat to john b (hangy Hippy) who had also pitched up.  Ollie and Wyn finally go down and Michel comes in on top for another final packing session.

Ollie on top

Michel comes back in on top

The other car had had a nice time in Ronda and a very stunning drive through the mountains and finally found a nice restaurant where we met up for something to eat before heading to the airport.  naturally we got separated with the tom tom taking us through the nearest thing to Beirut out side of Beirut from which were pleased to survived.

The gym we had to drive past at least 3 times !

Strangely enough both cars arrived within a minute of each other at Malaga car where returned our trusty steeds nearly unscathed and with the same tyres on as we started with, bonus.

Cars dropped off and all sorted

So ended Algo' 2013 which it has to be said saw more flying than anyone expected and some superb flying at that.  Ollie C returned 31 hill  flights to his credit having started with none,  around 10 hours airtime and most of his Pilot rating tasks completed!  Graham K got the first flight to Ronda la V and had the best flight of his life to boot. Shaun S had his first taste of big hills and lively air and will hopefully be back for more with a bit more experience. Phil L had his first flight on his Delta 2 and managed to keep it in the right place and even get blown away on it.  Martin J replaced his nick name from Sinky to Lifty before confirming his Barbie one.  Julie S on her first trip with us fitted in like one of the gang and gave us a load of laughs as well as having some lovely flying.  Michel K flew whenever it was flyable and sometimes when it was not and gave us all hope for the future with his enthusiasm.  Kaz as well as providing the packed lunches had some great flying both in the smooth and the rough.  Peachy faced his demons and overcame them and introduced a new acro manoeuvre to be known as the Peachy Poo (or the "did you see me").  Pilot X turned up flew XC, led Ollie astray and never stopped learning, the man is like a sponge just soaking it all in.  And me, well largely thanks to Martin had more flying than expected, enjoyed a super XC and just loved watching everyone having fun and developing in their flying.

Thanks to everyone for making it one of the best trips yet and none of you are on the banned list :) so feel free to book in for next year if you wish …… others are welcome too.