The second gliding club visit in NZ, Taupo, Central Plateau, North Island, 1500ft above sea level.The vintage kiwi rally was onthis week, and we popped in on Saturday afternoon, to find that there was no flying due to extreme easterly turbulence behind the nearby 3000ft mountain. Sunday morning after a quick stroll round the power boats on the lakeside, that were racing in the afternoon, we drove up to the gliding club at 10:00.
The cumulus were forming readily despite a dodgy forecast on nz rasp. We found them all a bit laid back, and just like the French didn't start launching until after lunch. Pete flew with a pommy Sid from Hus Bos who he had previously flown with at Dunstable. Jill flew with an aussie bloke called Tracey. The conditions were superb with 10 knot thermals to 6500ft, (had to stop there or make a call to Christchurch ATC.
We made a lot of new friends and invited several back to North Hill when visiting UK.
Jill and Pete
Jill and Pete
