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That Jim G as duty bod managed to break his 2016 weather curse was a good thing, the fact the break was not complete was troublesome… With the windsock lying againt its pole we set up at the north end for the forecast southeasterly only for the wind to pick up from the north!! We waited it out for a bit before being unconvinced of the forecast.

We lobbed to the south…

From the south end we managed a few soaring flights but it was difficult to connect and the climbs lazy and broken but Jim and l worked our way through the modest list.

The wind snuck around on us.

We lobbed to the north…

Skies darkened measurably (as measured by a sky-darkness-o-meter since you ask) but training flights and trial lessons continued until we packed up in the early evening as the Sutton Bank exiles were welcomed home.

 

Today we say ‘bon voyege’ to a fallen hero. Yesterday Bert Gallagher, a remarkable man – and someone I was proud to call a friend, was laid to rest. Liz Sparrow delivered a brief, upbeat homily on behalf of all of us. Those of us who new Bert admired his kindly ways and generosity.

He went solo in a glider in his eighth decade and if he hadn’t been racing motor cycles in his youth, heaven knows what he could have achieved in gliding had he started 60 years earlier.

                                                             RIP Bert

Because I fly
I laugh more than other men
I look up an see more than they,
I know how the clouds feel,
What it’s like to have the blue in my lap,
to look down on birds,
to feel freedom in a thing called the stick…

Who but I can slice between God’s billowed legs,
and feel them laugh and crash with His step.
Who else has seen the unclimbed peaks?
The rainbow’s secret?
The real reason birds sing?
Because I fly,
I envy no man on earth.

Grover C. Norwood

Grunt, grunt, grunt, grunt, get the water system flowing,

Grunt,grunt,grunt, grunt, change a fan belt too

Grunt,grunt,grunt, grunt, lift an axle into place and

Grunt,grunt,grunt, grunt, cut some brackets through,

Grunt,grunt,grunt, grunt, fix the generator charging,

Grunt,grunt,grunt, grunt, lots still left to do.

These are things that happen weekly when the thermals fail,

Think of those who serve so meekly when better days prevail.

(with apologies to the Kipling Society)

Sincere thanks to many hands who turned up on an iffy Wednesday and worked their socks off to make it all work for us. (Also to doughnut man – without whom everything stops.)

As predicted Good Friday indeed turned out to be a very Good Friday!

Carol and I had swapped with Jim Gavin, as he was indisposed, and by the end of the day members had notched up 40 flights totalling 15:45 hrs 18:21 hrs. and some 26 people flew.

Chris B helped us out by taking the SUGC under his wing and spent most of the day sat in the back of JPC instructing and I’m sure that they and he enjoyed the flights.

After turfing Pete Smith out of the Mini-Nimbus Andrew Peacock took it way for his first flight on type keeping it airborne for a credible 2:40 and reaching a height of 4,400ft. Those on the ground thought he was simply delaying the landing and from the grin on Andrews face its clear he had no regrets buying it 🙂

Other notable flights include Colin’s xc flight in the LS3 taking in Marlborough, Thatcham and Andover and the highest flight of the day goes to Rod who got up to 4,600 in the K8.

After the toys were put away and the K8 was derigged ready for its ARC it was time to light the BBQ!