A
small band of regulars arrived today so the list was small and we were
thin on the ground at the launch point. The weather was almost exactly
as forecast with some thermal activity before the decaying front passed
to leave a bright evening. Local flights were mainly quite (or even
very) short but Joe found lift from somewhere under the high cloud to
achieve 42 minutes off the winch - we suspect it was generated by the
cheesey beans he had for lunch.
Pete St 230 tested the extremities of the NHL soarable area:
"Knowing we were in for a short day with a combination of sea air and high cover, I thought I'd fly 'round the box' and see what the limits of the useable area were.
The Somerset Levels to the east were almost totally blue from quite early on, north to south so uncrossable(as someone found out!). To the west beyond MUD thermals were very weak and it looked totally dead further west than that due to the top cover.
South to Crediton and sea air had come up the Exe estuary and around the northern edge of Dartmoor but with no useable convergence.
To the North I had to go through the sea air convergence to go round BWE but the convergence here was quite good and I had some fun soaring it like a ridge. Just as well really as I needed the height for the glide home in the now totally lifeless air and an increasing Southerly breeze.Within these boundaries the conditions were actually quite good for a couple of hours.
No great distance or speed, but what an interesting little flight!"
We
welcomed Peter Hayes for a trial lesson on his birthday (I won't
mention which one in case he sees this!) and hope to see him again
during his temporary membership.
Those who did turn up had a good day flying and all had to work hard to keep the launch point and winch going. Thanks to all.
We handed over to the evening group a party of friends and family of Julia and Rob and hope they enjoyed the good weather we left them. - John Si
