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We were treated to a splendid sunset. Camera on my ‘phone hardly does it justice but here goes anyway.

As to what could have been achieved in the LS3 – I’d say a much shorter flight. The lightness of the K8, getting more from a winch launch than anything else and it’s ability to fly at speeds that other gliders would fall out of the sky meant I was able to milk every scrap of reduced sink on the ridge

8th December 2013

Sunday 1st December

Following the rather splendid previous day (34 launches, 10:47 time flown and 28 people taking to the air), Sunday was much more modest in numbers and wind strength. Wind still from the north but not enough to provide any lift on the ridge. However, 11 of us clocked up almost as many launches as the previous day (just 2 shy) but just under half the time. Mind, 3 strop failures on successive launches didn’t help the average flight time. The winch driver reported a noticeable surge at around 1,000′ on the launches around this time, for some the weak link held but for others it didn’t. About midday Nigel B set the bar with a 2,100′ launch in the K8 to clock up 16 minutes. Couple of hours later (having completed a few check flights and no one looking for my services) I jumped in the K8 but only 1,900′ launch. On return I was surprised to be informed I’d upset Nigel by pipping his longest flight of the day by 1 minute. He made a couple more attempts to regain poll position but was greeted on landing by a (not very tuneful rendition) of “Only 16, only, and I loved her so-oh-oh” by Chris K.
We were treated to an interesting sky that a coupe of members described as “just like the White Cliffs of Dover, but suspended in the air”. Out of our reach to go and explore unfortunately.