The DSGC posse started arriving at Lleweni Parc on Friday, Shaun Dayman with the DG505, Nick Jones with his caravan and under the cover of darkness JB coughing and spluttering (that's JB unfortunately not his campervan!) with DD3 in tow. Thankfully courtesy of his Polish supply of special vitamin C he was soon on the mend. That's farming stock for you - tough as old boots! John Borland with his DG300, Pete Startup with his Discus, Phil Hardwick from Brentor with another DG300, John Pursey and Alan Rappaport all rocked up over the course of the weekend. Storm Kathleen obviously put pay to any flying. Phil Morrison and family with JB's Ventus brought up the rear arriving on Monday. Dinner on Saturday night was at the very pleasant Dinorben Arms and every evening since, courtesy of Masterchef John Pursey.
Monday was thankfully flyable, but only sufficient for John Borland, Shaun Dayman and Phil Hardwick to have check flights. Lleweni Parc presents a few challenges when it comes to take-offs and landings not least of all there's currently wetland either side of the very narrow tarmac runway! Prospects for Tuesday were thankfully looking more promising, in fact as it was to turn out very promising. - Shaun Dayman
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| The Nyfin Run (John Borland) |
Tuesday dawned with heavy rain and a howling gale from the NW. At the Monday briefing, Chris Gill had suggested that the forecast was good for the locally famous Nyfin run. As we gathered for the briefing there was not much optimism in the room however Chris arrived full of optimism that there would be a clearance about mid-day. The forecast was for NNW 40kts with a 4000ft cloud base. The rain stopped on cue at 13:00 but the wind strength was causing some concerns with the tuggies. Chris remained optimistic and the plan was confirmed that Chris Gill and John Borland would fly in Denbigh's Arcus M LEW, John Pursey and Shaun Dayman would fly in the club DG505. The plan was to lead and follow. The Nyfin run consisted of a 30k NW run to Conwy West then a 60k SW run to Nyfin and return via Conwy West before a 30k run back to Denbigh.
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| On tow to Conwy (Shaun Dayman) |
The Arcus launched first into a turbulent 45knot WNW wind with Chris at the controls (thankfully). Then a long slow tow to 5000ft to release about 10k from Conwy pushing forward at 90kts to arrive in lift at Conwy West at 2800ft. We then waited for the DG505 to arrive to start the lead and follow run to Nyfin 60k to the SW.
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| Trying to keep up with the Arcus (Shaun Dayman) |
As Chris predicted the run was awesome with a mixture of Ridge and Ridge assisted thermal ranging from 4000ft (cloud base) to a low point of 2,600ft as we turned Nyfin. On the return run the Arcus had sufficient height for a run in to soar Snowdon which lived up to it’s name, covered in snow.
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| Snowdon heading South (Shaun Dayman) |
We arrived back at Conwy West and topped up on height for the return run back to Denbigh leaving at 3,900ft and arriving at Lleweni Parc at 1600ft. Flight time 2:14. The DG505 followed us home to arrive a 17:24. The "led and followed" having worked brilliantly.
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| Looking down the Menai Strait (Shaun Dayman) |
The wind had moderated during the afternoon and Jules (Tuggie) was happy to do a second tow so Phil Hardwick jumped in the Arcus with Chris Gill for a second circuit, this time faster, arriving back in 1:37 at 19:30. An epic day. - John Borland
