Not much of a day today. The duty crew plus a couple of others were there – everyone else gone to Eden or Haddenham, or got more sense than to attempt the rough east wind. Still, we had a few flights to improve the skill with turbulence and crosswinds, and towards the end of the day Martin (after a lay-off of several years) showed Richard he cousl still soar despite the challenging conditions, and got to 2800ft.
Royal Wedding Friday
Not sure why but every village we passed through on the way to the seemed to be having a big wedding – at least most had closed off the roads and were having a party…
As we weren’t flying a few of us were up to fettle equipment and work on private toys and some to collect their toys for trips away. Happy flying to those at Eden and Haddenham.
Easter Sunday
The conditions today were nothing like yesterday’s but we still managed to fit in quite a few flights albeit short ones. Ken Reid manged the longest flight of the day with 29 minutes and Steve Gaze with me in the Janus squeezed in 21 minutes.
Richard Barber flew his recently acquired Sport Vega, which he had delivered from Aboyne during the week, and seemed to enjoy his new toy. Hopefully he will get many hours and xc flights in it over the following months.
Jeff Lynes, after some encouragement, converted to the club’s Sport Vega and enjoyed the experience. Lastly, but not least, Rod Harris completed his annual checks and we also fitted in some welcome trial lessons.
All in all a good day’s flying was had by all.
Phil
Easter Pt 1. 7072ft & 304km
As has been the way recently Good Friday and Saturday were late to get going but when they did there was lovely fluffy cumulus over Shalbourne. Friday was forecast as marginal but turned out much better than that. I went up to Bicester via North Swindon for just shy of 200km and 185 and R3 visiting from Keevil did West-East tasks of about the same.
Saturday was forecast as a much better day and indeed it was. I had tasked a double out and return to the Northampton area but a blue sky beyond Bicester got my blueophobia going and I turned to follow the clouds down to Aston Down back to Islely and the extending past Rivar to Keevil and back for 305km. Passing Great Bedwyn to Keevil I took a climb to 7072ft above see level, which is about as high as I’ve climbed in thermal. (and yes the spelling is deliberate as around Keevil into sun the visibility was appalling.) Colin in EEF and Carol’n’Phil in the Janus also went for some cross-country, see the ladder for their adventures.