With the precedent set from the previous expedition the decision to go was rather last minute, after confirmation that the field would be open the next day it was made at 20:30 the night before! Like a solitary bird H5 Matt migrated east from Plymouth before sunrise and followed the good weather forecast to Southdown Gliding Club.
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| Guess where I am! |
He arrived just after lunch and received a very warm welcome from the members, most of whom appeared to be poor judges of character because they decided that he was mad for driving all the way up from Plymouth. Obviously spoilt by their fantastic home ridge they were unaware that our gliding rules dictate chasing the weather to any location for the chance of some good soaring!
After introductions and over several cups of tea Les Blows, a local instructor, tuggy, and good bloke kindly discussed the finer details of the extended ridges away from the local home section which allow cross-country ridge tasks of over 340km. The advice included the best routes to jump across the gaps to the next section of ridges depending on wind direction and strength. There are 2 main gaps to negotiate, the largest, about 7km, is across the town of Steyning to the east of Parham and the other, a 4km gap is across the village of Amberly to the west. In modern gliders these gaps can be easily achieved at a little over 1000’ however they require a little more height and/or bravery in a SF27!
After introductions and over several cups of tea Les Blows, a local instructor, tuggy, and good bloke kindly discussed the finer details of the extended ridges away from the local home section which allow cross-country ridge tasks of over 340km. The advice included the best routes to jump across the gaps to the next section of ridges depending on wind direction and strength. There are 2 main gaps to negotiate, the largest, about 7km, is across the town of Steyning to the east of Parham and the other, a 4km gap is across the village of Amberly to the west. In modern gliders these gaps can be easily achieved at a little over 1000’ however they require a little more height and/or bravery in a SF27!
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| Rubbish Viz |
Matthew rigged and had a couple of leisurely hours to reacquaint himself with the local ridge. It was working very well although visibility was rubbish. At the extents of the local ridge, the hills across the jumps to the next sections were barely visible. Content with a satisfactory flight for a traveling day, he landed back at the club and continued ‘studying’ the various South Downs ridge flying guides ready for an excellent forecast the following day. - H5 Matt
