As the weather sets into winter mode, Saturday was a reminder that faith in forecasts and the faith to turn up does pay.
With Saturday promising a bright sunny afternoon it was with faith that in thick fog Alan Turner organised getting ground equipment out and DI'd. With the cloud just above the trees the duty instructor turned up (having diverted via a field near Honiton for a recce of a potential bolt hole from what will probably be a future ill-judged attempt to soar a new local ridge) and found the faithful few keeping the cafe going.
Top marks to young members Oliver and Ryan, who along with their Dads held out on the promises of "it will clear up". - And so it did.
Midday and with a K21 out and a Junior the cloud had parted and launches were rewarded with a great view across the tops of local clouds, but enough of a hole to avoid too much tension...
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| Clouds parting (John Pursey) |
Ryan and Oliver got their much earned training and the other faithful a Junior flight. Local heavy sink in the fresh easterly gave witness to what was really happening and Andy Williams then William Pope with JP spent the money on aerotows to get into the wave downwind on the hill.
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| Winter wave (John Pursey) |
William had his first flight in NH2 and despite a severely misting canopy at the start of the tow did a masterful job of first finding, then milking the wave to 5,000' (above site). Still going up at 5,000 he was old and wise enough to realise that everyone had packed up and were waiting and so mosied off checking out the lee of the other N-S ridges before landing to help with the clubs stocks of Otter ale.
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| Brilliant sunsets (John Pursey) |
Lesson of the day - as the weather takes on its winter personae, don't be too quick to dismiss a day, keep the faith, keep Graham busy and fingers crossed that at least half a day can be achieved and some brilliant sunsets witnessed. - John Pursey
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| North Hill (Andy Williams) |
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| Congratulations to Andrew and Philippa (Lisa Humphries) |
In Tetbury, Lisa and Malcolm and JB and Val helped to celebrate Andrew Mugleston and Phillipa Roberts wedding.
Congratulations to the happy couple from all at North Hill. - J&P
