After consulting the experts (the same ones that had predicted good soaring on Friday) the remainder of the group decided to head for Talgarth. The easterly was still forecast to be in action, and those of you that have read the current Sailplane and Gliding magazine will know that Talgarth is obliged to 'wave' in an easterly using a 'hydraulic pump' mechanism? Ooo-err.
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| Traversing the face of the Mynd |
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| The easterly wave on the way out at 0700 |
At 6:30am, 5 gliders (JD7, H5, JZK, 477 and ENW) waved goodbye to the Long Mynd and set off in convoy with Henry in the lead. That was until 10 minutes later when Henry realised he'd forgotten his sandwiches. These weren't just any sandwiches... these were 'posh' sandwiches from a very lovely little Church Stretton delicatessen. Henry abandoned his glider and returned. This left Matthew Wi in the lead. Luckily, as Mark noted, Matthew drives like a bl***y 90 year old geriatric (Mike Sl translation: Matthew drives very sensibly when towing a trailer), so Henry caught us up at the Mark C enforced coffee stop.
Despite temporarily losing Mike, we still arrived at Talgarth before Derbyshire and Lancashire Gliding Club (Camp Hill). Mark made it perfectly clear that if this hadn't transpired, his grumpy setting would definitely have been 'moderately high'. Unfortunately the water on site had run out meaning Mark couldn't utilise the water closet in the way he was used to. This set the grumpy setting to 'moderately high' anyway. The disadvantages of coffee.
The east wind at Talgarth was brisk. There was some nervousness about launching, but a couple of local pundits gave it a go. The briefing followed, after which the first couple of gliders were reporting reaching the limit of the airspace (FL125). After a brief interlude when the wind picked up slightly more than was comfortable, Mark C and Matthew prepped for the first flight in the DG.
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| Mark C and Matthew prepped for the first flight in the DG |
There was some trepidation about launching the DG due to its weight and the Pawnee's power (235 hp instead of 265 hp for all you tug geeks). After a careful check of available fields and a chat with the pilot, it was decided to go. No wonder Mark C wanted functioning toilet facilities. With almost everyone on sight lined up to watch the spectacle, Mark confessed to some stage fright, but all went as smoothly as can be expected when launching into rotor. Wave was contactable from above 1,500 ft and after an hour of exploring and BI training they returned.
The wave was reliable throughout the day, enabling everyone to fly. Henry JD7, Matthew H5, Paul 477, Simon ENW, Mike Sl ENW all flew, with Mike Sl and Tim P following Matthew in the DG. Everyone managed at least 11,000 ft to enjoy the breathtaking views. Despite Timid Tim discovering that Mark C gets very very nervous over 9,000 ft, he still coached him up to 11,000 ft. Who'd have thought it.
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| Simon L with his facial pee bag |
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| Henry with his copy-cat impression of Simon L |
Matthew Wi spotted the opportunity to achieve his gold height claim. Feeling optimistic (as always ... obviously) he released from the tug at 1,500 ft only to find himself back on the ground after 12 minutes of rotor. After talking to the local members about the best way to climb in rotor he had another shot. This time taking a higher launch and enjoying the wave up to the base of the airway, meeting up with Henry. Henry didn't need much persuasion to join in and attempt a gold height. Returning to the 'washing machine' at 1,500 ft, after a 20 minute 'fight', Matthew escaped but Henry succumbed and ended up back on the ground. Either the locals knew what they were talking about, or luck played its part. On return his gold height claim was verified by a local Official Observer. Congratulations! Henry seemed happy as it meant he could return to attempt it another time. Simon L's flight in ENW also possibly achieved his gold height subject to confirmation...
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| Matt W at FL120 |
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| Henry at 10,500 ft QFE (FL118) |
Mark, Simon and Mike left to return via the Costa Coffee equipped service stations and Henry, Matthew and Tim took the slow route home via a local pub. It was here they stumbled across the tug driver Keith, who was keen to share his many years of gliding tales and offer Matthew spares for H5. An hour and a half, and some delicious home cooked food later, they left for North Hill.
Mark C declared this his 'best gliding holiday yet' and no-one protested this claim.
On behalf of the whole group we'd like to thank Mark C and Simon L for instructing, leading, organising, arguing, whining, swearing and generally taking on the role of 'responsible adults' for this week of adventure. Ah the irony. Also a big thank-you to Henry for doing the boring stuff involving spreadsheets and lists on boards and Matt W for doing the flight logs.
Looking forward to July already.
