Geoff writes: the forecast was northerly, maybe NW, and quite strong. But sunny after early morning. It seemed to be stronger in the Peaks, so I decided not to go there. By lunchtime, it was cloudy, west and light, so Dave Thomas and I managed to fly a while at the Long Mynd, getting about 500 feet ATO. Then it did go NW, still cloudy, but hints of blue in the distance, so we went to the Lawley, where the wind was fine when we arrived. The blue was coming in, it was very thermic, there were birds everywhere. But also the wind was picking up. We took off, and I had my first ever – and very short – flight at the Lawley, letting myself get low, not wanting to get too close to the spine back that is the Lawley. The wind did seem to be picking up more, and I was getting rotor off some trees low down, so rather than scratch behind the trees, I went and bottom landed. Dave flew a bit longer, but as the wind picked up, he decided to go and land in front – going backwards at times in the gusts.

So a frustrating day, but at least we flew.

Oh, and happy birthday Judith. She’s not 40 yet…… and no doubt will be celebrating that tonight.