Optimism was generally high that, despite the forecast of heavy showers, we'd be able to fly the Bishop. As it turned out, the wind never did quite make the expected turn from SSW to westerly, and its speed occasionally dropped below what was needed to stay on the ridge. The result was many short flights and circuits, with only one extended ridge flight. That was made by Simon Minson, who found enough lift to stay up for over an hour.
Stu admiring the green grass and blue sky (Tom Sides)
We kept JZK busy with Stu Procter taking Tom Sides on a refresher flight, and then conducting a site check flight with James Flory, a new boy to Scottish ridge flying. Stu continued by giving Emma Flory a F&F flight. After a very heavy shower passed through, Tom and Chris Wool took an abbreviated flight followed by James and Stu making an even shorter circuit flight.
The Bishop is hiding (Tom Sides)
Andy Davey was able to coax his glider to stay up for almost 20 minutes, but surprise of the day was that Pete Startup was only able to remain airborne for 12 minutes, again a rain shower forcing him down.
So a day dodging showers and making the best of what ridge lift there was. But it's great to be back in Scotland and the friendly Portmoak members. - Tom Sides
