It was an interesting day up at North Hill on Thursday. With many members onsite first thing, all of the club gliders being brought out of the hangar and then quickly being walked up to the launch point in the northwest corner.
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| All the club fleet being prepared (Jill Harmer) |
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| Cumulus to the north (Mike Horwood) |
Despite the first few flights just being circuits, we saw several private owners rigging - they'd seen the cumulus to the north but out of reach even from the aerotow. Fortunately it became soarable in the blue with the usual pundits managing some cross-country flights.
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| Sea air to the south (Mike Horwood) |
Cross-country flights
The task was set as NH2 - Molton - Launceston - Shepton Mallett - NH2 304kms
"I really don't know what to say about this - the 300 that felt more like a difficult 500 and probably the slowest 300 I've ever done. Just couldn't get a grip of the day. Had to make some huge diversions off track to avoid the sea air in South Devon. Really didn't think I'd get back to North Hill from Shepton Mallett due to some high cover that appeared but one small patch of sun in the lee of the Quantock hills gave me the climb and height I needed to cruise home while breathing a huge sigh of relief!" - Pete 230
"Hell …. New instruments , glide out to convection , sea air at NHL …worked out though . Slowest ever …" - Ron 711
"Always going to be a tricky one. Early rise, late start and pub night for the "old Farts", followed by a barbeque meant task abandoned at Wimbleball.......should have carried on really". - Phil DD3
"With a promise of Sea Air later, I chose to head to Launston for my first turnpoint. Very challenging to leave NH from the winch and had my first good climb north of Tiverton. The run to Launston was fairly straightforward with the cloud base improving all the way, and an extra strong thermal at LAU. Followed the clouds back to WEG and then decided to head back as needed to be home early." - Wyn W7
Meanwhile late launcher Stewart Henshall HMS decided on another Club 100,
"The long hundred.. The sea air was threatened later in the day, and indeed forced the return route far downwind to the North. After a bit of a struggle to get up, the first two legs were straightforward and reasonably quick. Then the fun started - what looked like clouds just evaporated at the second TP and blueness prevailed. A slow crawl followed with at least two low saves and a number of (quite good) fields were inspected for rather too long. Eventually a decent (but still blue) climb over Tiverton got me onto final glide. I'm still not quite sure how I made it back. Looking forward to a good day!" - Stewart HMS
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| Group evening for Amulet Hotkey (Mark Courtney) |
Once club flying was over for the day Nick Redfern's group from Amulet Hotkey arrived for their evening flying. Thanks to all of the instructors and helpers, everyone went away grinning and we hope to see some of them back soon. A busy day with 62 winch launches and 6 aerotows - Connor Williams
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| Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacon at North Hill (Jill Harmer) |
Following the evening flying, preparations began for the Platinum Jubilee Beacon lighting, various local people arrived to enjoy the festivities with the members. Thanks to Mark Blackwell for playing the Bugle "Majesty", and to Cheryl and Jane for making the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacon Tarts. Chairman Nick raised the Toast to the Queen, and the pyromaniac Peter set about lighting the well constructed Beacon at 21:45. The North Hill Beacon could be seen for miles from the west ridge of the Blackdown Hills. - J&P
