So was it hot for the first course of the year at North Hill today? Did
it warm up after all that morning fog and orographic cloud? JB
and Konrad were sitting in KEK waiting for a cable and
chewing the fat with Chris M, Rob Rand et al when Rob's nostrils began
to twitch. He looked around for the source of that strange and elusive
smell, then he focused on JB, no - not for the fascination of what he
was saying but because it seemed to be coming from him, no, not from him
- just behind him - just behind his head..... "GOOD GOD JOHN, YOUR
GLIDER'S ON FIRE". The curvature of the open canopy had focused the
sun's rays to a point on the top of John's headrest and set it merrily
aflame. A few well aimed blows from the observant Rob combined with some
frantic groping with spittle-moistened fingers from John saved the
plane - and JB's venerable locks - from the conflagration. A black scar
remains as a reminder that it could have been worse, - Sorry!
The course has been a great success so far, both days a bit slow to start due to low cloud, fog etc., but followed by lots of up and down activity. Flights have been brief due to complete lack of lift but lots of launches for the novices and crosswind landing practice for the (slightly) more advanced. Apart from the above usual suspects, Paul K and new member Robert F have had good days and made excellent progress, joined by trainee anaesthetist David L who hails from Chard and has already caught the gliding bug in two days, let's hope he doesn't know a cure!
Many thanks to JB and Paul C for their expert and tireless tuition. Sitting in hot gliders being thrown about all day must be an exhausting experience but they have borne it with great good humour and endless enthusiasm. Ground crew have been led by Aston and William and these stalwarts have given us two wonderful days of gliding together with Allan M who has gone from novice to winching hero in two days and given us consistently great launches. Thanks too to all the others who have stepped in to assist when gaps needed filling. - Chris M.
The course has been a great success so far, both days a bit slow to start due to low cloud, fog etc., but followed by lots of up and down activity. Flights have been brief due to complete lack of lift but lots of launches for the novices and crosswind landing practice for the (slightly) more advanced. Apart from the above usual suspects, Paul K and new member Robert F have had good days and made excellent progress, joined by trainee anaesthetist David L who hails from Chard and has already caught the gliding bug in two days, let's hope he doesn't know a cure!
Many thanks to JB and Paul C for their expert and tireless tuition. Sitting in hot gliders being thrown about all day must be an exhausting experience but they have borne it with great good humour and endless enthusiasm. Ground crew have been led by Aston and William and these stalwarts have given us two wonderful days of gliding together with Allan M who has gone from novice to winching hero in two days and given us consistently great launches. Thanks too to all the others who have stepped in to assist when gaps needed filling. - Chris M.
