With a few extra days to kill before the October Portmoak trip, JB and I decided to head north and a bit west to Denbigh, Pete S's favourite gliding site. With a low grey overcast and pouring rain setting the tone for most of the 4 hour drive we were beginning to doubt the logic of our decision but as we pulled into Lliweni Parc blue gaps were appearing between the showers. After filling out the paperwork and a site brief by CFI Kevin Hook it was almost flyable so we rigged and lined up on the narrow tarmac runway ready for epicness!
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| Looking south |
There was a bit of a debate as to who was going to go first and test if the ridge was working as the wind at the launch point wasn't all that strong, until we realised that who ever launched second would be doing so with a trestle as a wing runner. So choosing the lesser of the 2 weevils, I launched first and was soon scaring the sheep on Moel Y Parc.
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| Approaching Dyseth |
The wind was 220/15-20kts at ridge top height and it was booming, allowing us to complete our declared task of 5 beats of the 28km ridge in a little over an hour and laughing most of the way. Out to the west Snowdon was shrouded by showers which coalesced into an ominous curtain of rain which had us abandon the hunt for wave and scoot back to the airfield to de-rig before a nice cup of tea.
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| Soaring heaven |
