Saturday 7th March

It was a bright start  with a southwesterly wind but with some low cloud, those who launched into a gap got into some wave, but others had to pull off the launch early. During the morning, the low cloud disappeared, and nearly everyone got into the wave that was filling the Broadhembury valley (thanks Dartmoor!)

The bank of cloud that was on the South coast due to the very moist airstream slowly moved inland but kept to the south of the A30 leaving North Hill in a beautiful sunny warm slot all day.

The Wellington School group visited on their second Saturday and this time they enjoyed extended flights.
Wellington School group (Neil E)

Piers and father Andrew enjoyed wave flights on their trial lessons, we hope to see them again soon.

It was good to see Dick and Roy for the first time this year, and  Mike and Barbie back from their South African  holiday.

Congratulations to Peter B who successfully  navigated his way to the Park with Stu in VG, and has now completed his cross-country endorsement, and is waiting for his 16th Birthday tomorrow when he can put the application in the post.

Longest flight of the day went to Alan Turner in the Junior 1hr 41, but thanks to all those who came down voluntarily to make sure that everyone flew. The wave topped out just short of 4000 ft above North Hill.

Meanwhile, on such a good day in the south west,  Chairman Lisa was representing DSGC at the BGA Conference in Nottingham. - J&P

Mendip Miracles - Don't trust the forecast!
Undeterred by the pessimistic forecast the Plymouth gang had their earliest start of the year. Arriving at the club shortly after 7, James' pipe dream of the South coast started to fade away with the clouds above the field heading SW. The decision was made to decamp to Mendip GC for the day, a 'small' group of North Hill pilots made their way up: H5 Matthew, Mark C, James Hood, Tom Sides, Paul Summers, Henry Ford, Steve Westlake, Simon Minson and Nick Hine, upon arrival it was found our very own Ian Mitchell was DI for the day.

Despite all the forecasts giving overcast it was sunny all day, a few members have been seen to be sporting rosy red noses! Early on conditions were difficult, morning wave interference the culprit, not even SM or NW could keep it up! After what seemed like an eternity of moaning, by Mark C, and looking at the stationary clouds, H5 Matt was sacrificed to the gliding gods for the first soaring flight of the day. This set the tone for the rest of the day with everyone soaring for as long as they wished! Paul S and Tom S each had a check flight with Ian to familiarise themselves with the site.

Mendip Gliding Club  from SM (Simon M)
The local ridge was working well and soon became very busy with NHL traffic. The extended ridge was working all the way down Wells, albeit at around 450' QFE as H5, SM & FER (Steve Westlake) found out. Throughout the day there was weak wave upwind although topping out at around 1400', come the end of the day when everything had settled down it became well established and allowed higher climbs, SM & FER claiming top prize for up to 3000'.
View from Mendip hills (James)
A fantastic day out and a great thank you for the kind reception and weather from Mendip GC.- Matthew H5