Paul S, Dave C, Andrew L, Adrian P, Chris C and Jack C-W (after one last game of pool with Vincent) had all left by this morning.
After 50 launches and 40 hours flying, Mark C and Steve W decided to have a relaxing day prior to the long jaunt Costa hopping back to Devon. In the morning, a quick trip to Church Stretton for coffee, pastry and a browse around Mark's favourite antique shop found even Tim P and Matthew W drinking coffee in celebration of an amazing week! We then headed back to the airfield to de-rig the DG505 and Discus. Steve splashed out on a guitar! Standing outside the shop he played a few tunes, if only we had a hat on the floor!
Once the morning mist had burnt off and conditions looked more promising, Henry and Paul set off - Paul for an hour or so, finding himself at 0 ft QFE with a field picked. It was at this point he realised that Matthew W would have been hopping up and down getting all agitated at not having flown since yesterday afternoon. Once the seriousness of the situation had sunk in, he sorted himself out and got home. This meant that Matthew could finally stop badgering Tim P to fly the K23.
Henry had a couple of hours and also got down to 0 ft final glide with a field picked. Later, he practised 20+ km glides back to the airfield to test his trust in his flight computer.
Matthew W followed Paul L in SF27 and after an initial struggle, had a couple of hours touring the local area searching in vain for wave.
By this time Mark C had converted Tim P to the K23 (a K21 minus 1 seat) and sent him off for a couple of short flights.
Once everyone had returned and packed up, the inevitable journey home began.
We've had an amazing week so many thanks on behalf of everyone to Mark and Steve for making it happen and working so hard, and of course the weather gods. Thanks also to the Long Mynd staff - Helen, Jane, Dave, Vincent, Simon, the winch driver (Rich?), Clive, Roger (T21) plus anyone else we've forgotten.
The veterans say it was the best Mynd trip ever. Staggering!
