We woke up this morning, peered out of the window and turned back over for an extra half hour of kip. No point in getting up early, since it was a guaranteed work day. The forecast was crap. Completely overcast with possible showers. By lunchtime, we were in full swing working on the LMSC newsletter and on some conference stuff when the sun started shining. There seemed to be no wind, but the forecast is worse for tomorrow, so we decided to have a look and see if it would be possible to fly.

In Olot it was lovely and sunny, but as soon as we got to the Val d’en Bas it was like someone put a lid on the world. Grey, mucky low cloud covered all the hills. We debated whether we should just turn round and go back, but you never know with Santa Brigida.

There was little evidence of wind, and cloud all the way, although it was thinning. At Santa Brigida the wind was on and we drove up. I launched first and got below ridge height before getting a thermal at climbing out to 1970′ (660′ ATO). Geoff launched too and the sun came out and it got really good. Geoff got to 850′ ATO and cruised around. We flew various times, with a break for a late lunch.

On our third flight, the sun went back in and it got scratchier, so we top landed again. It seemed a shame both of us driving down, so Geoff let me fly while he packed up – unless I got up again, in which case he would fly too. It was 4pm by this time, so the day was getting on, but I managed to maintain but struggled to get enough height to have the option to top land. Geoff packed up and as he was putting his bag in the van, I hooked a thermal and climbed back up to 250′ ATO. Even from that height, I could see Geoff sulking.

I flew for an hour and a half, but it was actually flyable all the time we were there. What a bonus flying day though. We certainly didn’t see it coming!

See photos of today.

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