Well it actually did look like it was going to be an OK kind of day.
Got to launch about 1130 and rigged up, conditions looked light but improving. Decided I would have a little kiting session before the others arrived.
That over it looked soarable, and I could mooch around above launch waiting for everyone else. Big mistake, as soon as I launched I knew it was "good night nurse", no lift at all, a zig, a zag, and I was lining up the LZ.
Next mistake, was mis-judging the wind. The Moirs Short Distance Goal Paddock (bomb-out in English) is renown to be fickle when landing in light airs, so as I'm coming in the wind swings and/or fluctuates, and I aim instead for what ends up being a downwind on the road. Missing the barb-wire fence I land on the grass verge, except that grass is actually Blackberry (nice-one Tony), the wing flys overhead, fortunately now very slowly, and although I end up on my knees I manage to control it enough to miss the barb-wire and most of the road. Not that there a lot of traffic, but you never know.
Gathering up my kit I sling it over the fence into the paddock. This action is very difficult because of the Midges. Never face downwind when Midges are about. Today they numbered in the thousands and if you stand still facing downwind your face is soon covered in them. Facing upwind brings little relief. I can hear and feel them smashing into the back of my helmet and body, I can't escape them. Packing up becomes a long slow chore, with breaks to run around the paddock to get rid of the little buggers. I'm sure I packed about a kilo of them in my gear.
Being relatively early in the day I make my next mistake. I decide to climb the hill to re-launch. Luckily as I climb the Midge population decreases, but I am soon stuffed, the top looks alluringly close, but as I find out the hardest is yet to come.
In the meantime, Jeff, Evan, Xen and Adam are in the air, and as I near my last big push for the top they latch onto the thermal that takes them "outta here".
After what is roughly a 2 hour ascent I am at launch again, conditions are still good, so I prep for launch. Two hangies sink out and I wait to see if it improves. It over-improves and is soon blown-out. Nothing to do now but pack up and hit the trail. My brain is in that "I'll show you Mr Moirs" mindset which is always for me a "let it go" flag and I walk away.
Just you wait - Next time!
Fortunately it turned out great for Jeff who set a new OD record for Moirs of 48km. Well done Jeff. (said through gritted teeth).
Leonardo Flight Link
Got to launch about 1130 and rigged up, conditions looked light but improving. Decided I would have a little kiting session before the others arrived.
That over it looked soarable, and I could mooch around above launch waiting for everyone else. Big mistake, as soon as I launched I knew it was "good night nurse", no lift at all, a zig, a zag, and I was lining up the LZ.
Next mistake, was mis-judging the wind. The Moirs Short Distance Goal Paddock (bomb-out in English) is renown to be fickle when landing in light airs, so as I'm coming in the wind swings and/or fluctuates, and I aim instead for what ends up being a downwind on the road. Missing the barb-wire fence I land on the grass verge, except that grass is actually Blackberry (nice-one Tony), the wing flys overhead, fortunately now very slowly, and although I end up on my knees I manage to control it enough to miss the barb-wire and most of the road. Not that there a lot of traffic, but you never know.
Gathering up my kit I sling it over the fence into the paddock. This action is very difficult because of the Midges. Never face downwind when Midges are about. Today they numbered in the thousands and if you stand still facing downwind your face is soon covered in them. Facing upwind brings little relief. I can hear and feel them smashing into the back of my helmet and body, I can't escape them. Packing up becomes a long slow chore, with breaks to run around the paddock to get rid of the little buggers. I'm sure I packed about a kilo of them in my gear.
Being relatively early in the day I make my next mistake. I decide to climb the hill to re-launch. Luckily as I climb the Midge population decreases, but I am soon stuffed, the top looks alluringly close, but as I find out the hardest is yet to come.
In the meantime, Jeff, Evan, Xen and Adam are in the air, and as I near my last big push for the top they latch onto the thermal that takes them "outta here".
After what is roughly a 2 hour ascent I am at launch again, conditions are still good, so I prep for launch. Two hangies sink out and I wait to see if it improves. It over-improves and is soon blown-out. Nothing to do now but pack up and hit the trail. My brain is in that "I'll show you Mr Moirs" mindset which is always for me a "let it go" flag and I walk away.
Just you wait - Next time!
Fortunately it turned out great for Jeff who set a new OD record for Moirs of 48km. Well done Jeff. (said through gritted teeth).
Leonardo Flight Link
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