Patience is a virtue

…..and so it proved at St Agnes for Jennifer W who on her second try waited it out at and was rewarded with a super tandem flight on the Hangy.

When Jenny arrived I had just launched to test the air on my T2 C 144 and found it to be a bit on the breezy side for Tandem flying although fun for solo's.  There was a good crowd out and bit by bit the wind eased back as forecast making the flying both easier and more enjoyable.

By mid afternoon things were looking better and Kaz launched on her Sport 2 135 for her third flight on it and showed conditions to be ideal.  Jenny freshly warmed by a trip to the coffee shop was up for it and was soon clipped in and "ready" to go.

A perfect launch was followed by a super flight with some nice ridge and thermal lift to play with as we soared the cliffs. jenny just loved it soaking in every minute and realising a childhood dream to fly like a bird.  Back on the ground she was very pleased with herself  and despite the challenge it was for her confirmed it was well worthwhile.

 A fun day out with 8 hangies out  and good to see senior Phipps out helping here and there and even drumming up some business for us.

"Lucky" pants. you just had to be there ........

Quote of the day "you must have been well miffed"  it's all to do with snowmen …...

Hang over at Agy

A fun night out at a belated halloween party resulted in Kaz and myself having a bit of a headache in the morning.

It started well enough

Kaz got bitten

Beer instead of Blood not a good idea

With the forecast for the wind to drop from a fresh breeze to light one through the morning followed by rain in the afternoon we opted to give training a miss which proved to be the right thing as the rain arrived earlier than expected.

missing the early lot we arrived at St Agnes around 11.30 to find the wind easing back and a few para's flying.

Big G had already done a mini XC beyond the beacon in what had been quite thermic conditions, nice one.  With the warm front on its way and the cumulus on their way (east) things were a lot quieter by the time we lunched.  Kaz was not too impressed with the light lift but I hung in there and finally climbed up into the better air.

It was a fun flight and nice to be back on the Delta 2 working very light thermals up to around 500' or so and boy does it do it well, but the day had passed as far as getting away goes.  Still good to see Wyn, Tony and Glen all super keen having been there since first light!

By the time we got home the drizzle started so good timing.

Party Girl kept going

all vamp'd out

Quote of the day " should have been here earlier" how many times have i heard and said that one!

Light Relief

Well actually the wind was not that light but after last weekends meetings, the BOS competitions Panel followed by a very interesting if somewhat frustrating one with the  Chief BHPA Technical Officer it was good to get into the air and to remind myself why I care so much about our sport.

Chapel Porth was the site and once again timing was spot on with Kaz and myself arriving just as the front had passed (a few hours later than forecast) and the wind veered to the WSW and filled in.  With a forecast to pick up we off loaded the hangs and were soon joined by Big G doing likewise.  Michel K arrived Hangy less having off loaded his at home ….why …… so we lent him my Delta One for a spot of top end Paragliding.

Michel borrows a wing (customers privilege)

Michel was first off whilst we rigged and was soon high but not going anywhere fast, still there was plenty of lift.  Kaz was next away for her second flight on her Wills Wing Sport 2 135 and quickly climbed well above Michel before exploring the whole ridge and looking down on a passing Helicopter.

Kaz climbs away

Big G took off checking out the lower mine building chimney on his way to enjoy the super ridge lift along with some nice thermals as they drifted through.  Adie C turned up and braved the air on his Mojo doing a fine job of it and having a fun time flying to Porthtowan and back and making close on 1000' ATO (only 16' short in fact).  Finally I got in their on my T2 C and had a ball playing around with everything form racing along at 100kph, a few mild wingovers, and some nice thermal practise seeing 1200' ATO but never good enough to drift away with, but not long now and the sea thermals will really kick in.

Andy R turned up mid afternoon (he has more holiday than the Queen) but decided to give it a miss guess the Eagle does not  replace the hangy yet.

A lovely if somewhat unexpected afternoon and just what the doctor ordered, thank you.

Quote of the day "mobile turn points"

Perfect timing …...

In amongst a run of breezy days the forecast showed the chance of a calmer day today, in fact it was so calm that reports in the morning gave it as too light on a variety of sites.

A careful eye on the weather revealed an increasing trend and so not to miss out it was time to head to Perranporth.  Kaz arrived to find several pilots who had been waiting it out through the morning and within minutes of her arrival the breeze began to fill.

A demo' flight for Ollie fresh from his successes in Algo' confirmed conditions were good and it was not long before he was briefed rigged and ready to have a crack at his first soaring flight in the UK.  In true Ollie fashion, suitably nervous he took to the skies to have a super flight in conditions that were very different from those in Spain making him work for the lift a bit more.

Ready to play … Ok it's not Perran but it is Ollie :)

A good top landing was followed by another two good flights and the completion of his hill soaring endorsement which whilst technically completed in Spain we were happy to extend to include some UK experience which is a good idea in our opinion.

Close up

So another CPC completed with well over the bare minimum of flights, keep an eye out for Ollie on the hill and say hello. Well done to Kaz for eating it right :)

Quote of the day "that's different"

Christmas is coming ………...

Well have held off till November is upon us but here we go.  For those of you looking for  something for the fancily to give you the latest book on the market "Fifty Ways To Fly Better" could just be the answer.  Check out further information on it here and then give us a call and we will sort as the first batch arrive this week.

Written by Bruce Goldsmith and friends you can't ask for much more experience. Don't get left behind whilst those in the know get up and go ……………  £24.95  less than 50 pence per tip :)

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.

Karting Kapers and Cowboy Hats

Well finally the weather as forecast a week ago gave us a break from going up hills and flying around, never thought I would say that.

A different morning view as the clouds rumble in

So with no pressure we had a really chilled morning with coffee in the square as the forecast rain approached before getting together and heading off to Jerez for a Go karting and shopping trip.  The idea was to meet up with FlySpain group for the annual interim challenge.  Whilst we did meet up we were unable to race at the same time so it had to be done on times, probably a good idea in fact as the carnage that may have ensued may have got us banned for further visits.

So with the FlySpain boys sorted and suitably sweaty Cloud 9 took to the track. Pilot X's  tip of going near naked under the overalls turned out to be a good one as did not putting go pro's on helmets.

Changing room antics

The tension built as we did our warm up laps and initial qualifying times, tyres screeched Michel overtook on the very first follow my leader lap and we quickly warmed up under our suits.  The first race set off as you would expect and by the 2nd lap tiger Lyons was pulled over for "BUMPING"  despite his claims that i spun in front of him the video evidence proved otherwise.

Ollie in control

Peachy gets some air

Testosterone bubbled over as Julie and Kaz returned from the shops to watch and I was next to pt in the sin bin!  So to the final and all to play for, woos off we went, Peachy got airborne with all 4 wheels off the ground on the first corner and was still there when we came round on the second lap desperately trying to avoid him.  Things "settled" down a little although the struggle for 2,3 and 4 was intense with subtle bumps being the name of the game.

What goes on in the changing room stays in the changing room

Every picture tells a story

'buff said, read them and weep Fly Spain 

Good news was no one got hurt (much) and we convincingly beat the FlySpain boys times so a Victory all round.  Prize giving over and having cooled down we headed off to Decathelon for a spot of retail therapy.  A fun hour or so was spent playing around and we even managed to but a few things as well.

Hat shopping and country dancing

tongues …...

Back in Algo it was still raining so we played with the new toys and viewed the evidence regarding peachy's flight then headed out for our "last supper" in the town and a very nice one it was too.

new toy

Michel (from Birmingham) plays a mean game

the culprits are identified …….

 With the chance of flying tomorrow most packed kit in a suitable manner so we could make the most of what was to be.

the last supper and it was super

Quote of the day " I'm not used to not winning"

Dummy's and Detours

With a little bit of confidence rebuilding required we headed of with car one a little earlier than normal to sneak one in before the heat kicked in and play a bit.

Relaxing wee time

Phippsy leads the guys off

Floating in the breeze

Peachy back in the saddle

Nicely soarable on the southerly launch saw me off first followed by Ollie and Peachy into nice ridge lift with a bit of thermal mix. Having gained a bit of height Peachy headed off towards the landing filed and en route played with Big ears, damping tighter turns and a bit of Roll reversal (he instructed me whilst in womens clothing). Ollie followed us down a bit later having sucked on his birthday present (this could be the next big thing in Paragliding)and a very nice flight indeed, a trapped nut on landing gave Peachy and myself some entertainment.

Wing man as we float out

says it all

all's good here

Phil was down and ready for us so we wasted no time in packing and heading back up to join the rest. Main launch was still working on the southerly although it looked pretty hard going to get high. Michel launched and showed us just how exciteable it could get using the full lenghth of his arms to damp the wing and wishing he had a few more inches (don't we all).

Think i recognise this man

Pilot X joined in the fun and so did Graham K both get some nice climbs but not enough to get away on. Phil was off again and it was not long before the team were on their way back up as we moved to Ponientte launch.

Julie chilling

lifes not bad at all

The keen beans were soon ready again with Michel leading the way and reporting conditions as civilised, Martin enquired if that was English or French civilised …........ Pilot X went off and the pair of them were soon climbing out as the wind increasd. 3000' ATO saw Pilot X on his way and Michel “a sitting duck” over the landing field a grand above and stationary. Graham K launched climbed then though better of it and joined Michel for a vertical landing in the notice board field.

Looking back at Ponientte as Pilot X drifts away

coming in 18k away all looks well

Meanwhile we had a fun time on the hill watching the various antics before message from our XC guru some 18 k away. The retrieve car set off in the wrong direction resulting in a 50 K round trip and a joke about a generator…........

Looks like a “day off” tomorrow

Quote of the day “ to little to late really ”