Thurs 29th December

 With little chance of flying today after yet more deluges of rain (126mm so far this month at North Hill), Pete Harmer used the Club Simulator for some very useful 1:1 training with Rob Hender, completing multiple aerotow training  sorties with the randomiser  rope breaks and on- and off-field landings.

 

Rob practising aerotows in the simulator (Jill Harmer)

This was followed after lunch by spin and spiral dive differences. So just the flying consolidation in the air now......hopefully in the New Year. -  Happy New Year and good soaring for 2023 to all our readers. - J&P

Wed 21st December

 After an optimistic weather forecast from Glenn Turpin last night, people arrived in Clubhouse from around 08:30. Weather looked good and after a pitch inspection by Glenn and Chris, it was determined as flyable by aerotow only. There was only one problem… we had no tug pilot!! After some phone calls, Simon Jordy came to our rescue. Huge thanks to him for stepping in. 

Newly retired midweek tug pilot - ready! (Stuart Thomson)

 The launch point was setup just in front of the hangar, gliders lined up and ready to go by 10:30.

North Hill airfield is all green again (Stuart Thomson)

Reduced price Aerotows were limited to 1500ft and flights were short. So by midday everyone on the list had flown so a quick lunch and back to the top of the list again. Everyone that wanted to fly twice did so. Winter Solstice today so the field was being packed up by 15:30 and gliders washed after some muddy landings. 

Cleaning the mud (Stuart Thomson)

 A total of 24 launches today but a great day was had by everyone.  - Stuart Thomson 

Season's Greetings to all our Members and Readers - DSGC

Sat 17th December

There was still a lovely covering of snow on the airfield this morning, .......

Still snow on North Hill (Mike Wilmott)

.......and with the Duty Instructor finally arriving at 10:00am (Mark Courtney, caught in traffic and two empty Costa cups later!) there was a short list of seven on the two-seater list and seven on the solo list. 

Reduced price aerotow day (Sally Hender)

 The decision was made to set up the airfield for aerotow only just by the clubhouse. Flying commenced at 11:30am, with four instructors (Mark Courtney, James Flory, Stuart Procter and Steve Westlake) taking their turns with the pupils, and three of them sharing the tug! 

Rob Hender with Mark Courtney (Mark Courtney)

 

We had one interesting landing over the fence, and the snowman was nearly finished off by VG, so an eventful day in all, thank you to everyone who mucked in and helped on the chilly airfield. 

Sun setting on a short day (Mike Wilmott)

 Eighteen launches in total, with Lisa Humphries and Stuart Procter having the longest flight of the day with 20 mins. Everything was packed away by 3:30pm as the sun started setting. - Sally Hender

Thur 8th December

 A cold but calm and bright day called a fair size crowd of about twenty souls to North Hill.  Early low cloud dissipated to reveal a beautiful, slightly wintry scene in the valley below, as the frost hung around before being banished by the sun.  Winds were light but with enough east in them to require setting up at the far end and we headed skywards shortly before 11:00. 

Nice in the sun (Mike Rigby)

 Both K21s were in action, along with the Perkoz and a Junior.  Training took place for the likes of Brentor’s Steve Lesson (who is not Simon Leeson!) and also for John Davis, Nicholas Johnson and I taking place under the tutelage of CFI Mark Courtney and Chris Wool.  Other Thursday stalwarts including Andy Davey, Rob Rand, John Borland, Ashley Thomas and George Sanderson, variously took the two-seaters or the Junior for a spin, while Aston and Mike Horwood put in long stints on the winch and cable retrieve respectively.  Less than two weeks out from the winter solstice, we were keen to maximise the available light and staggered lunch to avoid having to break.  Flights were unsurprisingly short but a brief period of an hour or so in the earlier afternoon as some convective cloud came through did offer some lift with flights of 10-20 minutes.

Watching Andy doing aerobatics (Mark Courtney)

Andy Davey, in HCX, had Robert Lee take him to 5,000ft for the Pawnee’s only outing, whereafter we watched Mr Davey engage in some aerobatic amusement.  Longest flight of the day was 50 minutes in the Perkoz under the control of Pete Startup.  After so much unusable weather, it was a very pleasant and productive day, with some weak winter sun and the lack of wind keeping the frostbite at bay. - Mike Rigby

Wed 7th December

 Cold was the prediction, no great foresight or wisdom there, and thus it proved to be.

A reduced contingent of hardy Wednesday regulars made the trek to the west end with the K21s. The early launches were troubled with low clouds but simulated launch failures reduced the impact on activity. The sky cleared during the middle of the day but with limited numbers we had to break for lunch.

A lonely K21 (Peter Smith)

 Eric was cleared to fly solo after determined persistence and attendance, which he duly did, Barbie enjoyed a flight with lovely sunlit views over a cold landscape with lengthening shadows and it was good to see JB again on the field, he had a hangar landing flight.

Everyone on the list flew. - Peter Smith

Sat 3rd December

 James Flory had suggested that  the forecasts said it would be flyable albeit cold, so the hopefuls got the kit up to the west end for the Northeasterly wind. It was quite a strong wind as well as being very cold, and a blue flag limit.

After just seven  two-seater flights, the cloudbase came down and all the gliders were hopped to the hangar, and everything cleaned and put away. 

Stewart Henshall awarded the Presidents Trophy for best progress (Sally Hender)

In the afternoon, with Stewart Henshall back from Reading and Thailand, Pete Harmer did the honours with presenting Stewart with the 3 Trophies and the Albatross badge that had been awarded after the AGM. - J&P

Thur 1st December

 North Hill was treated to beautiful December sunshine with fantastic views over the Exe valley which was filled with the fog all day. Jill and Pete were away today so instructing was shared between Mark Courtney, Mike Sloggett and Chris Wool. Mark was also on tug duty and was rewarded with a 4000 ft tow to allow visitor Simon from Dartmoor GS to practice spinning. 

Fog in the Exe Valley (Mike Horwood)

 There was a light easterly wind running straight along the field. It was decided that we should launch from the south side and land on the north, avoiding the newly sown grass. Most of us understood the instructions! The Launch Control was parked in the middle of the western side of the field aimed east so that the logger could watch launches to the right and landings to the left; it worked very well. 

Sunset (James Smart)

 Dave Perriam received some back seat training from Mike. Andy Williams flew the Perkoz from the back with several willing volunteers in the front. Geoff Lawrence returned to flying after a couple of months away. Many Thursday regulars were there to fly solo or continue their training. 37 flights in total, pretty good for a December day. - James Smart

Wed 30th November

 The prospect of winch launching brought out the Wednesday regulars. The pitch inspection found conditions generally good but soft spots made it difficult to plot the cable retrieve run. We found a line with the best compromise and we could land on both sides of the launch point at the west end. 

First launch but the signs were already present (Peter Smith)

The K21s and a Junior were prepared and Pete Warren taxied GC to the launch point. It was never going to be as long day but the looming clouds in the east were making ground and clear from the first launch. 

Ashley under the gathering clouds (Peter Smith)

 After a few (7) flights we went from one more flight each to hangar landing to walking the gliders back in the space of about 10 minutes and before we left the launch point the beech tree (or what remains of it) was lost in the gloom so a wise choice. 

 

Towing back - no hangar landings (Peter Smith)

One small bonus was that a small group erected the final main post on the trailer shelter before heading for home. Dave Perriam had the longest flight in the Junior 22mins and was rewarded by spending the afternoon laying underneath the Junior trailer working on the hitch repairs. - Peter Smith

Sun 27th November

With mixed thoughts on whether we were going to fly today, everybody began turning up  just before 9:00. After looking at the field and sky, Duty instructor, Ron Johns decided on aerotow-only due to the wet field - 254mm for the month so far - another 15mm yesterday.

The motor glider was sent up to assess the conditions . It came back and said it looked good . The conditions began to change rapidly  with more and more moisture in the air and condensation on the canopy’s . HCX was ready to go  with Ron Johns and Jake Stabb. The tug was started and lined up ready . “All out “. As James Flory (in the tug) began to climb he noticed the cloudbase had dropped dramatically . The decision was made to release and the glider beat the tug down. A quick decision was then made to call a halt to the day. Everything was then packed away again.

Meanwhile, Sally was sorting out the raffle prizes and working out the total raised, which was an astounding £1080 for the new DSGC Charitable Trust!

Rigging the K21 after its Annual (Luke Stabb)

 

With no flying, a willing band of members got together and rigged KEK after its Annual (thanks to Ian Mitchell and his team of helpers), and put it back in the hangar.

Making some more lead (Sally Hender)

 

Rob Hender then set up to start melting the lead, kindly provided by various members. Ably assisted by Mark Courtney, Chris Wool and Dan Hender, they managed to make four 10kg lead sheets, ready for Sally to cover, for use by the lightweight juniors now flying solo.

Although no flying to shout about, it was a very productive day.  Thank you to everybody who came up and helped today even though they didn’t get to fly. - editor mashup Luke Stabb and Sally Hender

Sat 26th November

 Flying had been cancelled  based on yesterday evening's forecast of southerly gales and heaps more rain, but there were things to do in the Clubhouse - The planned AGM was moved from the Ground hangar to the Clubhouse as even with Kevin's sound system the rain would be too noisy on the tin roof. So the Christmas decorations were put up in the Clubhouse and preparations for the AGM and the meal after continued through the afternoon. 

AGM starting (Simon Leeson)

The AGM itself was well attended with 57 members and was reasonably straightforward with the normal reports and expectations for next year and many thanks to all our members who give their time freely volunteering, in order to keep the Club running and indeed "thriving".. It was great to see some of our new members attending the AGM. 

The Clubhouse is filling up (Simon Leeson)

Thank you to the outgoing CFI Stu Procter and the outgoing Committee for all their hard work over the last 12 months, and welcome to new CFI Mark Courtney and joining the Management Committee are Gordon Hutchinson and George Sanderson,  with James Hood and Dave Perriam being reelected.

Following the AGM there were the presentations for achievements and Trophies full details are on the website, but in brief

Trophy	Awarded for	Current Holder 2022
Brian Master's Trophy	Winner of the Task Week	not awarded
Dave Fewings Memorial Shield	Best two-seater flight from North Hill	Ron Johns & Pete Startup
The Kennedy Trophy	Best performance in a BGA rated competition	Pete Startup
The Kelsey Plate	Longest cross-country flight from North Hill	Phil Morrison & Nick Jones
Tim Parsons Trophy	Earliest declared and completed flight over 300kms from North Hill	Pete Startup
The Wily Old Bird	personal presentation by the CFI for guile or cunning	Rob Hender
The Rose Bowl	Winner of the Club Ladder (flights from North Hill)	Pete Startup
The Ken Andrews Trophy	Best flight in a glider with handicap 90 or less from North Hill	Stewart Henshall
Tim's Challenge Trophy	First O/R to Lasham in a glider with handicap 90 or less from North Hill	not awarded
Francis Bustard Tankard	Best gain of height	Phil Morrison & Nick Jones
Presidents Trophy aka The Norman Whyte Shield	Best progress	Stewart Henshall
Instructor of the Year	Member online vote	James Flory
Les' Tankard	Best contribution to the Club by a Junior member	Ella Penny / Connor Williams
The Dick Wolff Trophy	Best contribution to the Club by helping others	Peter Smith
Des Champ Vachables Trophy	The member who achieved the greatest retrieve epicness	Dan Hender
Le Magnifique Pissoir	The most flights scoring less than 100pts on the ladder	Stewart Henshall

 

Some of the Trophy winners (Simon Leeson)

Congratulations to all

After this North Hill cafe delivered a great supper as usual - thanks to Cheryl and Graham, and then there was the Prize raffle with all proceeds going to our new DSGC Charitable Trust - thank you to all those who donated prizes and everyone who bought tickets from Sally.  

Some members stayed for the evening supper (Simon Leeson)

 

And finally the evening was rounded off by one of Sally's  fun quizzes  on aviaton, except we had to resort to Siri to get the answers as they had gone missing!

A great evening - Thanks to all. - J&P

Thurs 24th November

 With 236mm of rain so far this month and 60mm in the last 3 days, Peter Smith described North Hill yesterday as having a deep end and a shallow end..... So the Thursday regulars looked for some things to do. Jill Harmer was busy selling raffle tickets for the AGM raffle, (If you haven't got yours yet, Sally will be selling them on Saturday - thanks to all who have donated great prizes).

The K21 KEK was in the workshop for its Annual and Pete Harmer took Paul Harman, Chris Mew, Chris Woodward and Ashley Thomas for a conducted tour of the workings of a K21, whilst George Sanderson was working on the new battery holder, Ian Mitchell was working on the wheel brake, and Andrew Logan the tail wheel. 

Jill Harmer and Rob Rand were testing out options on the next security upgrade of the website, Several dogs were walked round the field after the mid-morning deluge of rain and southerly gales. 

 

Looks similar, but there are differences (Jill Harmer)

In the afternoon, the sky cleared and the sun came out, and a potential second golf buggy arrived on a trailer for inspection. - J&P

Sun 20th November

 What a difference a day makes…. after a list that filled the page yesterday, Peter Field arrived for duty with just two potential pupils!! We started the day with another ambitious 5000ft aerotow for Andy Davey and an aerobatic flight....

Clear blue sky to start (Mark Courtney)

...Followed by Thomas Gunner training, James Flory then took Dan Hedger the remaining pupil for his training flights. With instructors, Peter Warren, Ron Johns, John Pursey, Mark Courtney, John Burrow, Paul Summers and Robert Lee taking their turns, flying continued at a pace, with flights lasting longer with the west ridge in phase with some wave lift, as the afternoon progressed. 

More rainbows today (John Pursey)

 With successive winch launches achieving over 2000ft, in our newly authorised height!! Pete Startup rigged (230) for the longest flight of 2 hours,  which encouraged Dan Hender to get the DG505 out, everyone enjoying fabulous soaring flights. 

Enjoying the ridge and wave in the Junior (John Pursey)

With the Competition Enterprise planning meeting scheduled for 3pm, we ended the launching at about 2:40pm. Thanks to Rob Hender and Andy Davey for winching all day, and Gordon Hutchinson finishing off with the last launch. The aircraft airborne, seemed to struggle to make it back to the airfield!!! Thanks also to the team that derigged KEK late afternoon, ready for its Annual. A total of 20 flights, and a great day - thank you.

Thank you also to everyone who has purchased raffle tickets and donated prizes for the DSGC AGM raffle with proceeds kicking off (ed: a football pun!) our new Charitable Trust, - in the last few weeks, I have had an amazing response. However, it’s not too late to buy, I will be selling tickets right up to the evening of the AGM, so just come and find me! - Sally Hender

Sat 19th November

 With a good weather forecast it was no surprise that the flying list was rather full well before 9 with quite a few members keen to either complete training flights or to get card checks completed. With trial lessons also booked it was an easy decision to get all of the two-seaters and both Juniors out of the hangar - the not so easy decision was to where to position the winch and Launch Control to allow the best cable retrieve and launch runs on what was a damp but flyable airfield.

Whilst daily inspections were completed on the Club gliders, various options were considered and a suitable winch run setup (with a continuing focus on minimising damage to the airfield the winch was later moved twice during the day’s flying). 

North Hill at the end of the rainbow (James Hood)

 With the gliders moved across to the North East corner of the airfield where Launch Control had been set up it was then a question of working out the best way of getting through the flying lists

Andy Davey used the lack of demand for the Pawnee to good effect taking a 5000ft aerotow with a K21 and completed various aerobatic manoeuvres, the blue skies providing a great backdrop for the watching members on the ground. The only question then was whether Andy would be landing before or after the tug!

As the morning progressed various instructors worked their way through the training and check flight list and solo pilots kept the Juniors in continuing use. After a suitable briefing Kevin Fairburn converted to the Junior with several flights completed by the end of the day, Well Done Kevin.

Well done Kevin, converting to the Junior (Mike Sloggett)

 Robert Lee looked after our Trial Lessons with both junior visitors showing interest in returning to North Hill soon. With enough members and instructors, as well as winch drivers, flying could continue through lunch and although the blue skies were gradually replaced by the incoming grey skies of the next weather front, by late afternoon everyone who wanted to fly had done so.

As ever a day when an early start and good teamwork made the most of the flying opportunity presented by the weather today. - Mike Sloggett

Thur 17th November

Given a less than encouraging forecast the Thursday regulars were slow to arrive to be greeted by a bright clear day and a chilly 10kt westerly.   The Groundwork team had completed an excellent job earlier in the week replacing the drainage pipe. More overnight rain had left the field very wet in places so the only choice was reduced-price aerotows. Two K21’s and one Junior were DI’ed and parked in the sun to clear the canopies. 

Ready to go (Mike Horwood)

 With Pete Harmer, Mike Sloggett and Chris Wool sharing the back seat duties, the first aerotow got away a few minutes before 11am and found some reduced sink on the West ridge. All was going well until after  four tows (and a comfort break for the tuggie), the Pawnee refused to start. The starter motor refusing to engage. 

Selecting the right tools (Mike Horwood)

 After consultation with Tugmaster Ian Mitchell, application of WD40 and some 'Woolly magic' the old bird sprang into life and the fun continued. 

 

Low sun views of North Hill (Mike Sloggett)

As the day progressed it became easier to stay up with some gentle handling in the sweet spot on the ridge and a combination of ridge and weak wave lift. Longest flight went to JB and Pete Startup sharing a K21.

Concentrating on position. Nine two-seat flights and four Junior flights completed before canopies started to mist and the setting sun (yes Sun) started to give trouble. Thanks to Mark Courtney for tugging all day.  - John Borland

Sun13th November

The forecast looked much better for today than the last four weekends, so there were a few hopeful members in the clubhouse first thing. However, with low orographic cloud, there was a delayed start, the first launch at 11:05am. A blue card was put up, which meant the single seat list shortened, but with short flights no longer than 10mins quick work was made of both sides of the flying list.

Then Mr Warren got in the FZF hot seat…. needless to say he then stayed up for 48 mins with the South ridge working. Dan in frustration decided to rig JDP and the challenge was set to beat Peter’s time, he did, managing a flight of 88mins! 

Gordon wishing he’d chosen anyone else as a syndicate partner, rather than Dan!!!!! (Sally Hender)

 By 2pm we were very thin on the ground, most having stopped for lunch. But flying continued, Soren got a friends and family flight with Paul Summers, returning with a huge grin. 

No booked Trial Lessons today, but Soren enjoyed a flight with Paul Summers (Sally Hender)

Flying continued until 4pm, with the skies darkening we packed it all away after a satisfactory day and 28 launches in total. - Sally Hender

Thur 10th November

 This week the Wednesday fliers had the better midweek weather, with the low cloud being very reluctant to move from North Hill on Thursday. A pitch inspection suggested that it would be aerotow-only if the cloud would lift high enough - but not to be.

The Thursday Regulars set to with some ground tasks including derigging the K6 DRE and rigging Junior LRD which has just completed its Annual - thanks to Carl Tharme and team for the quick turnround.

Volunteers doing the housework (Jill Harmer)

 The  ground vehicles were all fueled, the Hangar floor was swept, patio furniture was cleaned and put away for next year, and the drain across the front of the hangar was cleaned out. 

After lunch, newer members Nicholas Johnson and Paul Harman enjoyed some simulator time with Pete Harmer, general handling and launch failures at a sunny North Hill plus a bit of wave flying to 22,000ft over Interlaken. - J&P

Wed 9th November

The Clubhouse was surprisingly busy first thing with everyone hoping to make the most of probably the best day of the week. After a detailed pitch inspection by Duty Instructors Glenn Turpin & Peter Smith it was deemed a reduced-price aerotow day with a possibility that we might winch launch once the field dried out (it didn't).

One of the many rainbows today (Mark Layton)

 With Robert Lee & Pete Warren taking turns at being Tuggie, they were in demand all day as the field never dried out enough for winching. The rain showers arrived in annoying regularity, one minute there was clear blue skies and the next dark clouds with heavy rain. It did seem at times like the whole day was a game of Oki-Koki, in the glider, out the glider, in the clubhouse, out of the clubhouse, in the launch point and out AGAIN! 

 

It wasn't all gloomy (Peter Smith)

 

Luckily the rain never lasted very long so the flying list was worked through and everyone managed a flight before landing into the setting sun bringing a close to the day.

Waiting to launch (Mark Layton)

 Pete Startup rigged 230 winning the day with a flight of 33 mins and was only forced down due to a passing rain shower. Others had the same issue throughout the day having their flights cut short.

Washing before bed (Mark Layton)

David Dodds, a visiting instructor from Portmoak on holiday in the South West had a good flight with Glenn spending nearly half an hour on our 'little ridge' enjoying the challenge of working hard to stay aloft!

It was definitely worth the effort with 18 flights, all aerotow. - Mark Layton

Sun 6th November

 Another weekend washed out, hey ho…

As glider pilots one of the challenges at this time of year is trying to work out from the forecasts as to how the weather is likely to help or hinder flying. And often it is a guess one way or another, sometimes right, sometimes wrong.

Today was one of those days, it was always going to be a question of how quickly the rain would move through during the morning and in turn how much rain would have settled on the airfield.

No surprise that down in the valleys around North Hill the weather first thing was reasonable but the airfield was surrounded by low cloud - with the surface not looking too bad waterwise it seemed that it would simply be a matter of patience whilst the cloud disappeared. 

James Flory teaching weather (Mike Sloggett)

 Ground school briefings on weather forecasting were completed during the morning and just after a suggestion that the general airmass would probably see more sharp showers - we had one! Which delayed any decision on the possibility of flying whilst we allowed the airfield to dry up a bit…

More discussions followed, mainly centred on what the day ahead might bring weatherwise and with much reviewing of any and all weather information to find some positive encouragement for those members patiently waiting to fly.

At lunchtime a field inspection by Mike Sloggett and James Flory resulted in a decision that flying was possible but not recommended, with a soggy surface and more rain on the radar - so disappointingly another weekend of no flying due to weather - but at least we now have more members able to guess as to the likelihood of flying taking place on a particular day! - Mike Sloggett

Thur 3rd November

 For most members, the trip to the Club this morning was in glorious sunshine after the clearance of the heavy overnight rain. Unfortunately at North Hill the sun had set off the process of creating fog over the hill, with another 14mm of rain yesterday making 73mm for the week - there was a lot to moisture to evaporate in the lower levels. 

FZF with shiny new canopy (Mike Horwood)

 The morning was spent rigging Junior FZF that has just come back from Tim Dewes with a lovely new canopy, and derigging Junior LRD for it's Annual in the workshop. 

A plea from Inspectors / Maintainers to clean bottoms after flying (Mike Horwood)

 The fog lifted into orographic cloud with the wind picking up a little, and inspections of the pitch were undertaken. It was decided that aerotow only to start with would be best (thanks to Robert Lee for standing in for Mark Courtney), and then after a further inspection of the winch run, the winch was carefully positioned to ensure the cable retrieve did not go through any soft spots.

North Hill airfield with grass growing on the new levelled areas  in the short weather window (Mike Sloggett)

A cloud street set up in the light southwesterly wind which allowed most flights to extend, in fact John Borland had the longest flight of 39 mins after being called down from 3000ft and 10kts on the vario, with the hope that everyone would fly. 

Reduced price aerotows until the winch was able to operate (Mike Horwood)

Not to be - as the next band of forecast rain could be seen progressing across the valley towards North Hill ahead of forecast, and the day had to be cut short just after 15:00, so sorry to the members who missed out on flying today. - Thank you to everyone for making the most of what we could in 2 hours - 8 aerotows and 5 winch launches. - J&P

Thur 27th October

 It was always going to be a slow start after another load of overnight rain, and it was a bit misty with our heads in the clouds at North Hill. The promise of some ground school in the morning from Pete Harmer brought some new members alongside the Thursday regulars. 

Local airspace briefing from Pete Harmer (Mark Layton)

  The initial briefing was on local airspace, and then as the Long Mynders arrived back in trailer convoy, Mike Sloggett took the opportunity to brief on ridge flying. 

The Long Mynders before their trip back down the M5 (Mark Courtney)

Following lunch with no improvement in sight, Paul Harman practised some general handling and moved on to thermalling techiques in the DSGC Simulator followed by a bit of ridge soaring in the Alps. - J&P

Mon 24 October - Long Mynd

After rain over night the day dawned bright with a strong West SouthWest wind blowing at 20kts. Optimism  brought the crew out early only to find low orographic getting in the way. 

Mark Courtney and Stuart Procter in DG505 (Rob Hender)

 The first launch (DG505) eventually got away  at 12:05 and confirmed that the west ridge was working. 

John Borland before his epic 2hrs 31 (Mark Courtney)

Every launch that followed got away with 15 flights many lasting more than an hour and one of two and a half (prize for longest flight -write the blog!) 

The Long Mynd (Mark Courtney)

 Cloud base was never more than 2000ft but there were opportunities to get higher in the gaps and some lovely cloud formations to navigate round. 

 

Rob Rand experienced the "Short West" and some ridge soaring in K21 (Mark Courtney)

Halfway through the afternoon the wind was sufficiently strong and westerly to change to launching on the famous Short West. 

 

Short West (Mark Courtney)

Launching to 400ft and then turning straight onto the ridge. Two heavy rain showers came through on the strong wind which presented a challenge to avoid. Great fun and all safely packed away by 6pm. - John Borland