Plan Fait, Annecy.We woke up to cloudy skies, but by breakfast time it was breaking up and the sun started shining. We headed towards Talloires, but got distracted by gliders on a ridge to the west of the lake. I recognised the gliders from a couple in Phillipe’s group, so we headed up to find their landing field. The wind was picking up, but Phillipe generously took us along to Marlens and gave us a lift up.

It seemed breezy in the landing field, but we headed up. The wind wasn’t too strong and people from a Swiss school were doing ok. We launched, but with wind and thermals it was a little rough. I could see the Swiss guys heading down and they were coming down vertically and a fire at the entrance to the valley was starting to be horizontal. I decided that there we strong wind above and below me and so I headed down. It took me a while to descend, but once I turned into wind I was going backwards. Plan Fait, Annecy.Only 1.9mph, but backwards nonetheless. I reversed into the landing field and then pulled my Ds as hard as I could, for an untidy landing, but at least I didn’t get dragged. Geoff’s approach was hampered by the wind changing. He had plenty of height to come in on a cross wind approach, but the wind turned and he sunk out vertically, missing a powerline by inches and then getting unceremoniously dumped on his bottom. We had a beer with Phillipe, Christine, Jacqui and Paul and then decided to can the day, although they were going to Plan Fait in the afternoon.

Instead we went to the Gorges du Fier. The gorge has been cut out by the canals which run through Annecy from the lake. It is steep side and they have built a walkway halfway up the side of it. It was stunning and amazing to actually be inside the gorge, looking up and down. Next stop was Annecy town, with its narrow streets and beautiful houses. We sat by the lake and had a picnic in the sunshine and soaked up the views of the mountains. I could live here…

See photos of today.

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