The forecast for today was shocking, so we agreed with Dave T and Dave J-H to cancel the second day of the comps here. Although it was a little cloudy in the morning, the day turned out beautiful. So nice that by lunchtime we couldn’t bear to be indoors any longer. We did something we have only done once before… walk along the Long Mynd.

When we got there we saw a couple of paragliding and hang gliding optimists, but it was howling. We just missed a sailplane bungee launch and were bitterly disappointed. We’ve always wanted to see a sailplane launch like that, but are never up there when the wind is strong enough.

We walked along to Black Knoll and got out our sandwiches and flask of tea and were entertained by an acro show by a sailplane. On our return they were just getting a glider ready to bungee launch again. Yipee. I got the camera ready. I was imagining them fastening the bungee rope to the nose of the glider and then using the land rover to tow the glider back and releasing it with a massive twang. You would, wouldn’t you?

Instead, they got three people to hold the rope, take up slack and then pull the glider off the hill. It was very sedate. Probably very exciting for sailplane enthusiasts, but childishly I was hoping for more bangs for my bucks.

Nice day out and I managed to mow the lawn before the big rain did start.

See video of the bungee launch.

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