Long Mynd - Thursday 16 (Coffee, Antiques Emporium and Sliding in)

A change in wind direction meant the forecast for today was not so great. That was all the excuse Mark C needed to write the morning off, head to Church Stretton to drink coffee, tour the Antiques Emporium and look for other things that caught his fancy.
Mark and his sign
Henry and Matthew waiting for the film to start in the Antiques Emporium

On return, Henry and Rowan geeked around with laptops, wires, PDAs and instruments, Matthew and Roger (Mynd Maintenance Man) bonded over a welder and tow out gear, John B wrote extensive personal notes on the weeks activities, Mark C munched Anchovy biscuits while Mike S hung around acting as his translator.

After lunch, conditions improved slightly and it looked like it might have turned at least slightly thermic. John B and Mike S launched just prior to a tangle with the retrieve winch. This took at least an hour to untangle and involved some very pleasant walking around the field to look for lost bits of cable. Dave the course instructor perfectly timed the longest flight of the day of 48 minutes to land just as the winch came back on-line.

Matthew Wi then fancied his chances, but only managed a slightly extended circuit. Simon L and Tim P took a couple of short flights, the second of which involved a lunge at the best looking cloud downwind of the ridge. On arrival, finding no lift and turning around to look at the Mynd, a swear word might have slipped out of Simon's mouth before he busily checked out the available fields. Some off the cuff training on eeking out every last hint of lift later, followed by a demonstration of 'sliding in' to the Vega Strip and they arrived back at the field in time to pack away.

Everyone was looking forward to the Thursday evening Steak Night at the Mynd, but obviously not before some model flying. Simon wouldn't let Mark land on top of his van, so Mike volunteered his head instead. He didn't land it, but did manage a touch and go!

Steaks were up to the usual high standard - cooked by Dave, and the chips were equally amazing.

A slightly lower-key day, but equally fun, especially with the knowledge that tomorrow is looking like a promising thermic day. Andy Holmes and Rob (Mynd course instructor) are going to set some tasks to challenge the North Hill members. Matthew Wi has already handed Tim his van keys...
A perfect evening after a relaxing day