April 2008
Monthly Archive
Wednesday, 16th April 2008
We packed up the van and set off for Britain, via Millau for a quick fly. When we got there there were already lots of people in the air. We drove straight up and noticed lots and lots of women pilots around. It was a women’s training week for Gradient pilots and the first person I bumped into was Jenny from Switzerland who we met in Alicante in November.
I launched and went straight up and then promptly lost the thermal, found another in the valley and then hit a big sink cycle and six of us went down simultaneously.
We drove back up but it seemed a bit gusty, so we decided to set off to Calais instead.
Tuesday, 15th April 2008
Judith 15 Apr 2008 | : Beach, Flying
We decided to do something relaxing on our final day in Spain so we went to the beach. We read and snoozed in the sunshine most of the day and then met up with Roger to go and have a late afternoon flight at Sant Pere de Rodes. I wasn’t well, so was the driver for the day. It was north, so there hadn’t been much sun on the face for hours and there wasn’t much lift, but the lower ridge worked and there were thermals popping off it. Geoff thermalled back up to launch height, where it got bouncy. Both landed on the beach at Port de la Selva and we had the customary apres vol beer.
Can’t believe we’re leaving… it’s been the best winter we’ve ever had in Spain.
Monday, 14th April 2008
Judith 14 Apr 2008 | : Boring stuff
It was clear from 10am that the day was going to overdevelop. We packed and tidied in readiness for leaving on Wednesday.
Sunday, 13th April 2008
We went to fly at El Mont. The weathermen were playing cat and mouse with us again and we chose El Mont because it seemed to be the best bet. We got there later than we hoped and seven HGs were already flying. Lift looked good but there was already a fair amount of cloud development.
Within 5 minutes of us getting to the top of the hill it started raining. We waited a little and another shower came through, but then the sky started to break up and Roger launched. A big cloud was building in front and to the west. I didn’t fancy it much.
Once out in the valley he started to not be able to push forward as easily and we could clearly see lots of rain to the west. We put the HG back in the bag and waited. There were showers in the distance on three sides but still clear at the coast. Then it rained. A lot. We canned it for the day and went to a BBQ at Marike and Joop’s house.
Saturday, 12th April 2008
We went flying at Belmunt (Torello). Forecast was for cloud in the morning, which was supposed to disperse as the day went on. They lied.
We got there, but didn’t rush, thinking the day was going to get better and better. Cloudbase was low and was touching the top of Puigsacalm, so no chance of flying to Olot today. It was looking good for flying forward though…
I launched and got a climb to cloudbase, which was only 1200′ ATO (4000-odd AMSL). Flew around, got to cloudbase again, took some photos, hit big sink and went down.
The clouds were starting to look quite big, so we went for a sandwich while we waited to see how the sky developed. We finished the sandwich and it rained. Bloody forecasters!
See a video of the ridge at Belmunt.
Friday, 11th April 2008
Judith 11 Apr 2008 | : Boring stuff
Forecast for today… We’re packing, ready for the move to the UK next week.
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Thursday, 10th April 2008
It was forecast to be windy and possibly rain in the afternoon. East was best, so we headed for the beach at Roses with the bike and blades. We did the bay run from St. Margarida to the Roses marina a couple of times and chilled in the sun, had a picnic and topped up our tans.
It was hot, sunny and howling all day and we didn’t see the storms inland until we set off home.
Click here to see a video of me blading.
Click here to see a video of Geoff recreating his cycle proficiency test.