2 - 1

A ray of sunshine in a chilly week saw us out in the tow field on what was a lovely day making us feel privileged to live and work in such a super place. Unfortunately a combination of student illness and ailments saw us down to only one but what a super day they had.

Shaun W (Camborne) came along to start his Paragliding course and had 1 to 1 tuition in the morning as he worked through the basics and then in the afternoon Tim joined us on the winch giving a student to instructor ratio of 2 to 1 !

With that kind of attention it was no wonder that Shaun progressed well putting away 8 flights and moving through release flights and into 100's by the end of the day. We had an early finish as the sun dropped behind the clouds and the temperature dropped but having already put two days worth in we were well ahead.

"That's the best day ever" was the quote so must have done something right !

Wild Wednesday

Martin gets hios first taste of soaring whilst Kaz rigs

Keenness is always a good thing and Martin H was keen to get his hill soaring underway having been trying to learn for over 5 years and finally ending up with us, is that a compliment or not ?? Any way based on a possible forecast he made the journey down from Bristol to meet us at Perranporth. The showers were heavier than forecast so we remained inside the van catching up on a bit of theory and checking out Mike C's CPC exam, which he passed, well done Mike and hoping for the rain to stop.



It did and we were out rigging in no time. After a quick flight test to check conditions Martin was clipped in and ready to go. Steve M was already in the air on his Paraglider showing there was plenty of lift under the dark clouds. Martin did a super take off and was soon up there soaring the ridge in fine style. Settling into prone easily he smoothed out to enjoy the experience and almost looked relaxed! As the next shower approached he came in to perform a perfect top landing just before the wind picked up and the rain returned.

Back into the van for a debrief and congratulation coffee whilst the dampness passed. Unfortunately whilst it did stop raining the wind veered to the North stopping play. Still one soaring flight knocked off another two and he is sorted, lets hope it's soon.

Towing Tuesday

Rob hang checks Adrian as things get going at the start of another fun day

Trev takes to the Mars and loves it

The lovely weather continued and we made the most of it with a cracking day in the tow field where plenty was going on. The Hangy boys were out in force with Adrian A (Gloucester) and Rob S (Devoran) being joined by Trev H (Paignton) whilst Mike C (Perranwell) held up the Paragliders end.

Adrian and Rob did well working deep into their EPC's and finishing off the day with release flights and gentle turns and big smiles. Trev had a super day moving onto the Mars , higher flights and bigger turns to arrive nicely at the end of his EPC flying tasks by the end of the day.

Mike got back into towing and had a go at Asymmetrics and generally enjoyed the sunshine between flights. It was a happy bunch by the end of play all looking forward to the next one.

Another lovely Monday

Rob S gets going on his EPC with some nice flights

A week to the day Adrian A (Gloucester) returned to continue his hang gliding EPC and was joined by Rob S (Devoran) who was on day one of his, yes the same Rob that saw us at Vault last week.

The guys had a cracking day with Rob working through the ground work during the morning session then getting going on the winch after lunch. They both put away 10 flights in total and moved through initial low flights into untethered 20' by the end of the day and even put in some good landings! As the sun got lower two very happy if a little tired guys packed up looking forward to a nice bath and more of the same tomorrow.

Kaz sneaked off with Bill to enjoy some nice hill soaring at Carbis making it two days on the trot at that site.

Hanging about at Vault

We headed to vault bay to hopefully catch a slot as the wind backed and increased. Whilst we had to wait a little it did do as predicted and although to breezy for paragliders we had a fun time on the hangers.

Paul H (Red Baron) put in some more time and development on his seated Falcon having great fun and looking so relaxed. gay J let me fly her Sport2 135 and what a toy it is before having a go herself and zooming around the sky. Then i managed a quick fly on Kaz's eagle 145 to finish off the day. All very nice.

Mike c came along to check out the site and Rob turned up to discuss taking up hang Gliding in addition to his paragliding and looked pretty convinced by what he saw so we hope to get him started soon.

Sunny Monday

Adrian gets going on the Hanger with phippsy in hot pursuit

Trev cracks smooth landings and release flights

Graham H gets airborne on the Paraglider with legs akimbo

We were due a bit of good weather and boy did we get it. In the tow filed it was like summer with light winds and plenty of sunshine getting us down to T shirts for a lot of the time.

Adrian A (Gloucester) was along for a go at hang Gliding having tried it back in the late 70's and had a good day working through the basics before getting onto the tow line and putting in some nice first flights although some work is still required on the landings.... Things have changed over 30 years and he was impressed at how much safer and controlled the training is and just how much easier it is on the tow line, he will be back soon i think.

Graham H (N.Devon) came along for a taster day of paramotoring and also had a fun time playing with the paraglider doing really well and putting away 3 super flights getting up to 60' whilst cruising 200m across the field before performing nice stand up landings. To round off his day we introduced him to a power unit, strapped it onto his back and gave him the feel of what is to come should he pursue the sport. a quick demonstration flight showed him how it all works to and seemed to convince him it was the way to go.

Trevor H (Paignton) made a showing and had a great time on the Hanger moving deeper into his EPC with release flights and gentle turns as well as sweetening up his landings so big smile from him.

Good to see Bill N along being as helpful as ever and thanks to winchman Graham M for doing a fine job with the "sticks". It was nice to be back in the field after a bit of a break and lets hope for more of the same soon.

New Toy

Gary (foreground) get in touch with his new Buzz Z3

With Wednesday looking like the only slot this week we set out to make the most of it. By 08.30 we were at Carbis bay to hopefully catch the breeze before it backed and eased. Too late it was already off to the west so we headed to Perranporth where guess what, it was off to the North.



Still patience is a virtue and as Gary V had just taken delivery of his new Ozone Buzz Z3 we got it out checked it over and played ground handing despite a strange wind direction. Malin L joined us to hopefully complete his hill work and joined in the fun.



Slowly the wind came on the hill although always very light and a few took off and sneaked in some airtime followed by slope landings. Finally pretty much as soon as Malin had to leave it filled in and backed up with some nice sea thermals Gary got in the air on his new wing. He enjoyed a lovely flight in up and down conditions finding the Z3 just the ticket.



Nice to get flying back in the UK and hopefully the weather will improve soon ......

Fantastico Finalio and more best evers!!

Lisa gats set to go with full support of the gang

Michelle making the most of it

Pilots gather on Lijar along with a couple of giants (or are they dwarfs?)

Barry sets off on his best flight ever of the trip

Gliders spread out towards twin peaks with space for all

So the last day of our trip dawned bright and blue and with a good forecast for Lijar. light SE. Everyone was up early as we needed stuff packed so we could fly as late as possible then grab the kit and head to the airport. We were first up the hill and first off the hill with the guys all doing excellent demo flights for Fly Spains new class of students.

The first flight were pretty much downers but all good practice and Michelle managed to stretch it out with some ridge soaring whilst Cathy did it with some gentle thermalling. We got a quick turnround in and were back on top before most of the other groups were even up there one flight ahead.

The guys opted to wait for a bit for things to warm up so we ate lunch and watched the fun. By early afternoon it was looking good so it was take off time as gliders climbed in the thermals. Michelle made the most of it as usual having a cracking flight then top landing and doing it all over again with a big smile on his face. The guys and girls had a ball all doing us proud with good launches despite quite a bit of pressure from the assembled masses (over 90 pilots were on site).

Conditions were excellent and soon we had pilots all over the sky thermalling away. trying to keep tabs on them was a full time job but as time went by they were all sorted. Lisa had a fine time practicing her thermalling and finding herself a nice quiet bit of sky. Wanda remembered how to fly and thermalled away with Mark way out front occasionally joined by Barry and Chris as they wafted by. Even Kaz and myself got in on the action and had some cracking flying joining the other pilots, I managed to team up with Michelle and we made a valiant push to twin peaks being within spitting distance as land by time approached. Another 30 minutes would have seen it but we did not want to push our luck too hard!

Landing by the tree everyone was bouncing especially Chris and Barry who both upgraded their best ever flights for the 3rd time in the trip!

It was a fantastic day to end the holiday on with conditions as good as they get. We headed back to the house then it was off to the airport where things went nearly according to plan although Easy jet pulled the old "Oh it's Sports equipment trick" putting a slight damper on it.

So ended Algo' 2010 and what a beauty it was with 19 days flying out of 22 and the majority of the pilots achieving personal bests and everyones flying progressing in one form or another.

Thanks to all who came along hope you all had a good time one way or another and thanks for your your help in making it such a good time. Next year is provisionally booked so get your names in quick..........

Playing Patience and electric chairs

The guys build stone structures

The girls knock them down

Dredgy heads off for a wobbly one

Cathy gets it right and sets off

Lisa starts to inflate as she heads out for some thermaling

It was another hot one with no cloud at all and a light east wind forecast. The choice was between Lijar and montellano and we opted for Lijar. On arrival on top there was a brisk easterly although it was a warm one. The guys played stone building whilst the girls practised yoga followed by trget practice on the guys stone piles!

Slowly the wind came more to the south and Michelle went to practice some ground handling which resulted in him launching and having a rough ride down. He dissapered from sight then came on the radio to say he had landed by the house.

Another hour or so and things got better and the guys gave it a shot with Barry doing best working thermals over the Ronda road. Dredgy got a good bouncing in a loose harness but survived it ok and a lesson learnt. The girls got ready to go and after a wait for the conditions to flick on again Cathy and Lise got away fine. Cathy enjoyed a float down along with a bit of turbulence whilst Lisa took the honours for the day with some super thermalling on her way down only pulling out as she drifted off to the east and towards Algo.

Kaz had headed down and searched the area by the house for Michelle only to find it was not the house but the barn in the normal landing field where Michelle was, still no worries we got them all in the end. We headed back up the hill meeting several groups who had returned from Montellano where it had been light and off as well so six of one and half a dozen of the other. Conditions on top were not good so we enjoyed a stunning sunset and headed down.

The day nearly ended with a shock when Dredgy and Mark were on a clothing retrieval mission involving a long metal pole and some electric cables, Algo was very nearly plunged into darkness !

Team meal in JJ's then most took an early night as it looks like a long day tomorrow.......

A bit more flying

Things get going on the lower launch at Montellano

Mark tries out his nipple and leg tickleing device

Michelle ??

German efficency

The evening magic begins

An early start saw us at Montellano just as the wind pulled on but also as it filled in. A couple of Spaniards provided the entertainment proving it was too strong on top. We split forces and Kaz took a group to check out the lower launch which is where we all ended up pretty soon. It was still windy and despite some flying including Michelle who made it look far too easy, we held fire for better conditions. A bit of fossil hunting a bit of watching some one trying to take off not @clipped in@ and a lot of sun bathing whiled away the time. the girls went for coffee whilst the boys waited it out.

By late afternoon things got better and Michelle and myself tested the air, it was improving. the girls returned and Kaz fired up the troops and was quickly in the air following Barry off the hill. Chris , Steve and Mark soon followed as the sky began to fill. Soon they were getting higher and higher as the evening lift kicked in. Michelle, Kaz, Steve and Mark all made it to the higher level and had some fantastic flying into the evening.

The girls gave the lower a miss and as the wind dropped we headed back to the top. Amazingly it was still very breezy up there so we gave it a miss, Still there were happy plots on the way home as the sun set.

Steve cooked an amazing meal which got the thumbs up all round and it was an early night.

A bit of Flying

Michelle backfrom the first flight of the day

Dredgy cruises Ronda La Vieja

Lisa gets set to go on a cracking soaring flight folloed by a super top landing

Cathy (the high one) gets back in the air for real after a long break

Classic Ronda evening conditions kick in

With the front having passed we headed to the hills and our choice was Ronda La V. We were first there and guess what Michelle was first off the hill. Conditions were scratchy but he made the most of it before popping in on the side. Next we got the girls off for a top to bottom and they all did a fine job even putting in some soaring on the way down. The overnight rain had made the fields and the track a bit on the muddy side so we had a bit of a walk out still they had all done what was needed and hopefully conditions would improve so bottom landings would be avoided.

Indeed they did and soon gliders were soaring well and the site getting busier. Everyone had a great day and the girls all excelled themselves mixing it with the best of them and having some cracking flying before either top landing or slope landing. Mark and Steve rounded off the day by gliding out to the main road in formation whist Michelle did it in his own unique manner lading somewhere else.

It was a happy bunch that returned to Algo .

A bit of history

Testosterone cuts in on the way to the caves

Cave dwellers

The entrance to the BIG cave

Michelle on a rock slide

Indiana Jones studies another dry dam

Ok it was another day not good for flying so we set off to entertain ourselves again. This time we went underground into some ancient caves. The drive to them took us through some great scenery and past an old dam which we put on the list to visit on the way back.

The caves are privately owned and after an interesting session regarding underpayment, suitably sorted by Michelle we were finally allowed in although the Brits were very much the bad boys of the tour group! With only a limited number of paraffin lamps you had watch where you went not helped by a slippery floor. It was a pretty amazing place with stalagmites and tites as well as some strange rock features. The main attraction is some ancient drawings and markings dating back some 25 thousand years.

On emerging safely we headed back towards the old dam where we followed out noses down into a large canyon. At the bottom is the entrance to another cave system this one much larger and open to explore. after a wander into it we came to a halt due to an underground lake but apparently with a bit of kit you can do a 7 hour trip through it. Back up tot he dam, which is dry due to rock faults, the braver went across it to explore whilst the rest headed for the safety of the cars. Reports are that it would be an interesting place to return too ..............

Looking flyable tomorrow.

A bit of Culture

Culture in Seville

Big cathedrals have BIG doors

That's not something you see every day

Kaz relaxes

Yummy

The forecast was poor so we made an early decision to can the day have an easy morning then head to Seville for some culture and shopping! What an amazing place it is , after having split into a couple of groups we headed off to explore. Walking through the park we encountered various sites and the girls found the un official loo's !

By sheer chance we met up around mid afternoon outside the massive cathedral and compared notes. The Plaza Espania took the biscuit although several other buildings ran a close second. Meeting back at the cars all spot on time we headed back to Algo vowing to return sometime for a longer visit.

None flying days are always more tiring, hope it's flyable soon ........

Out and Return

A spot of ground handling never goes amiss

A gay german joind in the fun and games

It's over there

Stunning wave sets up over the mountains

Twin peaaks viewed from the path up the mountain

What and Epic day with stonking climbs, amazing views and a 57k out and return completed by all! Well that's kind of the truth apart from the fact that we did it in the cars..........

We were up and off early as the breeze was forecast to increase by early afternoon as the weather front approaches, yes the same one as has crossed England. The team did a great job and we were out of the house by 09.20 ! We headed straight up the mountain and arrived at main launch to find it already breezy and SW, we gave it an hour but things increased so we headed down passing the french on the way up..

Passing the North bottom landing we took the opportunity for a bit of ground handling and flip flop ball before it got even too windy for that. Next we took a site seeing trip via El Bosque for coffee then back over the mountains via Grazalema to Algo. The views were spectacular and the wind funnelling through the pass blew you away. Some stunning wave clouds set up down wind giving the ideal chance to do a brief explanation of how it works.

Kaz and I attempted to summit the north launch by foot but turned back just short as darkness was falling and only just made it back in time. Some ate in some ate out and some got a bit drunk but all were happy. First non flyable day and looks like we may have a couple more before things get good again ..........

Ch ch ch changes

Change over day saw me heading to the airport with Steve, Ray, Bill and Sam who were at the end of their two week trip which was a cracker with it being flyable every day and all of them having made the most of it. We will miss them over the next week for a variety of reasons and thanks to all of them for their help and fun whilst they were here.

Having dropped them off at the airport I had a couple of hours off on the beach waiting for the next batch to arrive. A text from Lisa let me know they had landed and pretty soon Lisa W, Cathy L, Steve D and Michelle K were bundling into the starship for the trip up to Algo. All were pleased to be here and kindly updated me on what is going on in the world.

Meanwhile back in Algo Kaz had been to the supermarket to resupply aided by Barry and the guys and Wanda had a chilled day in town relaxing and drinking beers along with a bit of table tennis. Some gliders flew off the top to do downers but as far as a changeover day went it was a good one to pick as we did not miss any good flying, phew.

Meeting up in Algo the newbies dropped off their kit then it was up to JJ's for beer and food. An early night saw us all tucked up by midnight as we needed an early start in the morning if there is any chance of flying.

Twin Peaks and beyond

Barry gets loaded to go as his ground crew stand by

The action starts at launch as the thermals kick in

Barry and Ray enjoy the view

The View

Phippsy's landing spot just short of Ronda La V

Day 14 the bush diving continues off the SE east launch of Lijar, mostly the French, it tends to be what they do best. First Off was Lancaster Bomber Barry with an excellent forward launch, closely followed by Chris and Kaz. Next up was the Ray the red Devil, who did the light fandango and another excellent launch. Everyone was back on top by two thanks to Bill for as swift pickup (and collecting my radio from the digs).

With a switching wind and a few dust devils it was hard to know what launch to commit to. We opted for the south west, first off was Bill to test conditions which were fickle, next off was Phippsy followed by Sam and Steve. With thermals rolling up the gully in front of launch and a climb out above the hill Graham and I glided out towards twin peaks. Graham had his racing head on and made it past Twin Peaks well on his way to Ronda. I had to settle for a landing in the valley just past El Gastor, but an excellent flight and a big learning curve.

Steve had an excellent flight , with a fantastic low save with his ever reliable thermal over the Ronda Road. Next stop was Ronda ridge. A setting sun, perfect breeze made for classic smooth ridge soaring conditions everyone flew, we packed in the dark. A lovely meal in Algo saw the end to an excellent two weeks thanks to Graham and Kaz.

Blog by Sam

Better than best

Group 2 photo at Montellano

Seemed like a good idea at the time

Chris demonstrates how to do a forward launch

Lat the games begin as gliders get flying

The evening lift continues as we prepare to leave half the team flying

Well it was for some and it was still a cracker for all, well except for Kaz as she now has the full blown version of Phippsy's lurgy.

We headed to Montellano for a change and also as it was a NE forecast. The wind was very light when we arrived so after doing the obligatory site introductions we settled down for a spot of sunbathing. By late morning things began to move a little so team Cloud 9 made an impressive sight as myself followed by Barry, Steve and Bill mad first class forward launches to test the air. It was starting to work but not quite enough to stay up. Pilots got twitchy as gliders could be seen on Lijar and questions were asked about switching sites.

A few more gliders took off a few stayed up briefly but most went down. The other groups cracked and headed off Lijar, we stayed. No sooner had they left than the wind filled the thermals came and flying began in earnest. It turned into a cracking afternoon and even better evening with the classic Hot Chocolate conditions switching on for the last hour or two. The guys flew their socks off with Mark F taking the endurance record at 4hours 12 minutes and several others around the 3 hour mark.

Chris and Barry upgraded their best ever flights to today's and looked like they had a good time. The "early" landers nipped home in one car leaving those in the air to fly till dusk arriving home well after dark. The house was very quiet by 10.00 !

Could well be back on Lijar tomorrow