The forecast was stonking for North Hill, a cold bright north-easterly wind, with thermals a plenty - but most of the North Hill soaring group were away on expeditions at other sites!
All the kit was out, private gliders were rigged, but with a shortage of experienced members, club flying was slow to start. First soarable flight from the winch was at 1115, and the first couple of aerotows nearly beat the tug back as conditions were very broken. Once the streets started forming properly, it was 4 - 6 knot thermals to 3600ft QFE.
Mike DFK Pik20 went to Halesland and back, Pete St 230 Discus tried getting to Nympsfield. Martin, Lisa, Roly, Robert, Wyn and Dylan also aired their gliders. At lunchtime, we had a visitor Philip with Astir completing Silver distance from Brentor, he attempted a return trip but settled for a retrieve. Pete H held the fort with instructional soaring flights all day, until we completed the list at 19:00. Aerotowing proved quite difficult in the crosswind, and tuggie Peter W assisted with the 2-seater list in the afternoon.
Reports from Nympsfield - Rowan completed 523kms as P2 to Trevor with a trip along the South Downs and across to the Isle of Wight before heading off on a long retrieve to Lasham for Matt.
Reports from Portmoak awaited, but it sounds like someone has stolen the wind.
