Brrr - p-p-parham & p-p-poland

Parham

Some of the North Hill Nomads in the shape of 230 Pete, SM Simon, W7 Wyn, 611 Matt and DD3 with Phil, Nick, JB and Pete Smith decided that Parham looked the place to be today with a brisk Northerly wind forecast so some of us travelled down last night and stayed locally, some made a crack of dawn start and drove down in the morning.

Parham grid (Simon Minson)

The day didn't start well - it was freezing cold and we rigged with low cloud and spits of icy drizzle mixed in but with the promise of improving conditions we carried on regardless (a bit like the Captain of the Titanic!). First launch 09:00 sharp - 800 foot aerotows.

Great pic of the South Downs (Simon Minson)

Ditchling Beacon looking South(W7 Wyn)

The ridge was working from end to end from the word go and just got better as the day went on with gin clear viz and even the odd thermal - even the normally testing gaps were easy to cross today. We completed tasks of around 350km + the extra 60-ish kms to get to/from the start and finish points for flights of over 400kms. DD3 did several trips along the ridge with a couple of crew swaps along the way. - Pete Startup

Day 7 of the Out and Return to Poland

With our ferry back to the UK not until early afternoon John, Vicky and I decided to leave the LGC K21 trailer in the hotel car park (suitably wheel clamped as John has become very accomplished at doing over the last week or so) and go into Dunkirk for a walk around this historic town. No surprise that there are numerous reminders of the events of 1940 on every street.

Walk around Dunkirk (Mike Sloggett)

Then it was back to the hotel to collect the K21 trailer and head to the ferry terminal.

Farewell to Europe (Mike Sloggett)

After a pleasant journey back to the UK across the Channel we were soon off the ferry mid-afternoon and wending our way around the M25 to the London Gliding Club at Dunstable - several hours later, and with only one delay of any note due to an accident further up the motorway, we arrived at Dunstable early evening.

And so ended our road trip driving to Poland and back, taking DSGC K21 KEK and bringing LGC K21 FYF back - over 2000 miles across five different countries, a journey which had not been started this time last week!

John, Vicky and I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to complete this journey - a great experience full of many memories!

Thank You to all the readers of our journey blog(s). - Mike Sloggett