The weather started bright and the kit was ready, the only slight hiccup was the initial east of North wind, but it steadied to a solid northerly crosswind.
Busy launch point (Mark Layton)
The Thursday regulars, private owners and Course members worked together to maximise flying throughout the day.
Thick cirrus at times (Mark Layton)
Aston Key in Junior and Gordon Bonny in DG100 led the soaring, Pete Harmer and John Davis enjoyed 2 hours local soaring over lunch, Most flights during the afternoon were good soaring flights.
Pete Startup 230 completed a 300km Lapford - Sherborne - Melksham - Melbury Bubb
Pete "A flight of very mixed conditions. Thick high cover, blue and a brisk breeze all had an impact at some point. The last leg killed the speed with a slow grind into wind with only scrappy blue thermals - you know when the altimeter goes down but the distance to go doesn't? - you get the idea. Stoncking around Park/Trowbridge/Melksham! Still, got round - eventually................"
Eric Alston G29 completed Club 100 Knowstone - North Tawton
Eric " At last a cross country day at North Hill which wasn't completely blue. High cover came in from the south but didn't kill the thermals. First time round DSGC new 100 km triangle."
Stewart Henshall HMS completed 155km Dunkery Beacon - Mudford gate - Taunton - Tiverton
Stewart "RASP was optimistic, but as often happens many didn't get away from North Hill. I was lucky and got straight up to base and it was game on. My instruments resolutely said the wind at altitude was only 10 kts - but it felt a lot more. Nothing had been planned - today was a make it up as you go effort. Upwind seemed the way to go, and Wimbleball was upwind.
 |
| Wimbleball reservoir starting to show the edges drying (Stewart Henshall) |
The base lowered towards the coast, but I got to the reservoir. Could I go on to Dunkery Beacon?
 |
| Dunkery Beacon close-up (Stewart Henshall) |
Base was substantially lower there, but there were some helpful looking clouds just after the turn. Making a large withdrawal from the bravery account I went for it, grabbed a quick picture of the elusive beacon and scurried to meet the clouds that would prevent an interesting outlanding on Exmoor. In what seemed like no time I was turning Mudford Gate and base was back up to 5000 ft and it all became a more relaxing cruise. Taunton was as far as the energy went to the East - no trip across the levels for me today. Some nice climbs on the way back to Tiverton and North Hill. RASP proved correct on the whole - there were some great climbs to be had if you could avoid all that sink. All in all a very nice North Devon and Somerset tour."
In total 51 winch launches and 2 aerotows. In the evening the Course enjoyed the Fish and Chip supper. - J&P
