Westbury 25 February
Mark Chamberlain
Yeeha I got my feet in the air for the first time in about 18 months. Was going to go to Rybury but it really didn't look on. Got to Westbury at about 1.30pm but it looked a bit strong. Pete Waters, Andy Tamlyn and myself decided to hang around for a bit and it dropped at around 2.30-3.00ish.
Got a good hour boating around until I got pinned by a gust and flew around the spur and landed down.
Looking forward to a better year for me
Yeeha I got my feet in the air for the first time in about 18 months. Was going to go to Rybury but it really didn't look on. Got to Westbury at about 1.30pm but it looked a bit strong. Pete Waters, Andy Tamlyn and myself decided to hang around for a bit and it dropped at around 2.30-3.00ish.
Got a good hour boating around until I got pinned by a gust and flew around the spur and landed down.
Looking forward to a better year for me
Combe 23rd February NW
Got to Combe about 4.20 ( without the wife.....) and was pleased to see 3-4 pilots in the air with a similar number waiting to take off. Had a pleasant time soaring with bits of lift coming through to play in.
Mike Long
Mike Long
Combe 22nd February WNW
Went for a walk with my wife and mother at around 4pm having conveniently slipped my paraglider into the car as I suspected that it might be just about flyable at Combe.
On arrival there was one glider in the air and another preparing to launch, I obviously suggested that given the opportunity I really ought to fly. Sadly my plan was thwarted by a lack of time and my wife and mother telling me that paragliding didn't classify as going for a walk.
Was impressed that the gliders could stay up given how far off the wind was, apparently they only headed to combe after the wind went to Northerly at Liddington.
On arrival there was one glider in the air and another preparing to launch, I obviously suggested that given the opportunity I really ought to fly. Sadly my plan was thwarted by a lack of time and my wife and mother telling me that paragliding didn't classify as going for a walk.
Was impressed that the gliders could stay up given how far off the wind was, apparently they only headed to combe after the wind went to Northerly at Liddington.
2009-02-21 Westbury
Got there late due to work.......... Loads of flying being done so joined in and had good time. No vid today just flying about. Wind was WNW and a bit strong but easily doable. Wished I could have got there earlier.
Reech
Reech
Milk Hill 21st February
Sat 21 Feb.
Milk Hill.
Wind 7-11ish SW.
Approaching the site I saw 10-12 gliders up at Rybury, so decided to see if it was on at Milk. It was, although not a soul was there which I thought was strange. I phoned Andy E who came over later and we ended up getting an hour and half of really pleasant boating about with lift up to a whopping 170ft ATO. It was nice having the whole hill to ourselves except for the buzzards and various hawks. Lots of walkers taking photo's of us and being generally amazed by what they were seeing! Landed about 17.20 as the wind died off and the sun was starting to go down, which was a long time after the Rybury crowd had packed up and gone home. Peachy!
Jon Eades
Milk Hill.
Wind 7-11ish SW.
Approaching the site I saw 10-12 gliders up at Rybury, so decided to see if it was on at Milk. It was, although not a soul was there which I thought was strange. I phoned Andy E who came over later and we ended up getting an hour and half of really pleasant boating about with lift up to a whopping 170ft ATO. It was nice having the whole hill to ourselves except for the buzzards and various hawks. Lots of walkers taking photo's of us and being generally amazed by what they were seeing! Landed about 17.20 as the wind died off and the sun was starting to go down, which was a long time after the Rybury crowd had packed up and gone home. Peachy!
Jon Eades
Rybury 21st February
To add to Barbs' post, Rybury turned into a lovely day. 3 of us got there unhealthily early for a Saturday (9am!) and had the place to ourselves in great ground handling and mini-hop conditions, about 3-5mph, which would have been perfect for LATs wanting to dust off the cobwebs, then it improved as the day went on. It was a little challenging on take-off later, though still manageable, and we finally left around 4pm.
For those umming and ahhing about Sunday, I would guess it is too windy in the TVHGC area - it's been blowing 15 to 20mph in the Pewsey Vale all day so a good day not to fly.
Fi Burgess
For those umming and ahhing about Sunday, I would guess it is too windy in the TVHGC area - it's been blowing 15 to 20mph in the Pewsey Vale all day so a good day not to fly.
Fi Burgess
Perfect Early spring day at Rybury 21 February
Really enjoyable day on the hill with lots of wings, weak thermals one up to 700ft or so, a bit of wind and some sun too. Paul Longman, Renato & Jody, Fi & Tim, Richard Bungay and lots of other members all enjoying the conditions.
I was enjoying myself too much to get the camera out
Barbs
I was enjoying myself too much to get the camera out
Barbs
2009-02-15 Rhossili
Had a wizzo time floating about at Rhossili.
Here's what it looked like:
Reech
Here's what it looked like:
Reech
Conwall Adventure
Just got back from 4 days in Cornwall. Flew every day on some fantastic sites right down in the SW. Its all coastal stuff. It was very smooth flying with fantastic views. Hands off stuff with enough height over the sea for some SIV. Some of the sites are advanced as they are cliffs with no bottom landing except sea. But there are many sites ideal for beginners and intermediates alike. The wind was from the N-NW so I flew at Sennen, the sand dunes at Godrevy and Carbis bay. There are also all the sites facing west and south. There are even easterlies to. I've got to know the area quite well now over the years, one of my favourite places to fly on the coast. If you are thinking of going contact the Kernow paragliding guys. Normal site rules and courtesy applies, some quite sensitive sites. Many potential sites never flown before for those more adventurous pilots - usual discretion here though re sensitivity and ownership etc etc etc. I always meet different pilots from all over the UK here. The local guys are a great crew and always happy to swap numbers. Never crowded in my experience - to many sites!
Don't go to SW Cornwall without your glider you'll be missing a fantastic opportunity to fly over some of Britain's most spectacular coastal scenery.
Don't go to SW Cornwall without your glider you'll be missing a fantastic opportunity to fly over some of Britain's most spectacular coastal scenery.
Mark Jones
Liddington 17 February
Got to Liddington at 11am expecting the wind to be strong (from the forecast ) but was pleasantly surprised to record 10 to 12 mph. Phoned a few pilots, 'cos I didn't want to fly alone, but no one was available til later in the afternoon. So travelled on to Westbury. At 12.30 hangies flying but no paras; wind at takeoff 15ish but probably flyable if you could takeoff...... Anyway by 2pm a few paras had arrived , the wind had lightened and we took to the skies !
Mike Long
17/02/09 - Liddington NW 12-15 mph
Much nicer afternoon at Liddington than yesterday, managed to push out front near to near the road and played on the slope when a little lighter, some thermals popping off despite the overcast sky. Tried out the demo Bobcat 15 too when was a little stronger and had a lot of fun on that.
15 / 02 / 2009 :: Milk Hill
| Name | :: | Robert Keeler |
| :: | keelerro _at_ yahoo.com | |
| Date | :: | 15 / 02 / 2009 |
| Direction | :: | South West |
| Comments | :: | After taking off in 12 - 14 mph had a 45 minute boat about with some gale hanging over the gully, eventually decided it was getting too strong, too quickly and had to use speed bar to get to the bottom of the slope so I could land. I then decided i'd ridden my luck enough for one day and went to find a pub. |
| Weather | :: | 06:00 12:00 18:00 |
| Pictures | :: | |
| XC League | :: | TVHGC :: National |
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Chinnor Ridge 16 February
A wavy sky, and it soon transpired that the wind was stronger and further off to the west than it seemed from the ground, also reasonably thermic. After gaining about 300' I realised I was parked - the wind was much higher at altitude. 1/4 bar got me forward and after half an hour of scenic but slightly bumpy ridge-soaring out front with plenty of height I decided to bottom land. Coming in to the apparently harmless landing field the wing was pitching about all over the place, and I took several little tip collapses - the air was very turbulent low down and it was gusting from nil to strong on the ground. Glad to be down, but also glad to have flown on a challenging day.
Al Wilson
Al Wilson
Chinnor Ridge 16 February
A wavy sky, and it soon transpired that the wind was stronger and further off to the west than it seemed from the ground, also reasonably thermic. After gaining about 300' I realised I was parked - the wind was much higher at altitude. 1/4 bar got me forward and after half an hour of scenic but slightly bumpy ridge-soaring out front with plenty of height I decided to bottom land. Coming in to the apparently harmless landing field the wing was pitching about all over the place, and I took several little tip collapses - the air was very turbulent low down and it was gusting from nil to strong on the ground. Glad to be down, but also glad to have flown on a challenging day.
Al Wilson
Al Wilson
Liddington
Flew for a little bit at Liddington today. Probably a little too strong, a little bit rough but some flying none the less, though not completely enjoyable..
Lawrence Fansa.
13 / 02 / 2009 :: Combe Gibbet
| Thermals! Lots of them, the best I found was 1.7m/s on the averager, up to about 750ft ato, although not quite to cloudbase. Arrived about 2pm to see Mick flying and Bryan launching, and soon skying out under impressive streeting. Wind was strongish and a bit off to the east, but not particularly rough. Top landing was tricky as it was so lifty. More kites than PGs out, including a couple of juveniles. One still flying when I left at 4.30 - see pic. | ||
| Pictures | :: | http://users.ox.ac.uk/~mle/temp/combe.jpg |
12 / 02 / 2009 :: No joy at Combe
| Steve Empringham | ||
| Arrived about an hour too late - wind had died and backed. Btw, the track along the top was still iced up and impassable, but the road up was fine. Maybe next time...... | ||
| http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/ | ||
10 / 02 / 2009 :: Liddington
Forest
| I was travelling from London to Bristol and stopped off at Liddington about 4ish for a quick play. Wind was slightly off to the west but I had a fantastic time with a couple of buzzards, a kestral and a few dying snowmen. I couldn't stop humming the Snowman theme tune which I think was winding them up. A mate from DFHGC made a video of Saturday's Liddington flying which he has posted at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dBIfi4vpZs | ||
07 / 02 / 2009 :: Westbury
Reech
Some vid. I can be a bit cack handed with 'puters.........
Some vid. I can be a bit cack handed with 'puters.........
07 / 02 / 2009 :: Westbury
| Name | :: | Reech |
| :: | _at_ | |
| Date | :: | 07 / 02 / 2009 |
| Direction | :: | North West |
| Comments | :: | WNW 10-16 A vid says more than a thousand words! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7argkYLvyw |
| Weather | :: | 06:00 12:00 18:00 |
| Pictures | :: | http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/ |
| XC League | :: | TVHGC :: National |
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07 / 02 / 2009 :: Chinnor ridge
| Name | :: | Bob Johnston |
| :: | _at_ | |
| Date | :: | 07 / 02 / 2009 |
| Direction | :: | North West |
| Comments | :: | Hi Well where was every one, Marcus was the sole HG representitive and there were 5 of us PG pilots present, as soon as we drove up on to Bledlow Ridge we knew it was going to be stunning with deep fresh snow every where. We had about a hours wait for the wind to pick up which was pretty much when the sun came out. First wind dummy off was followed by every one except Marcus who waited for a little more wind I think. I took plenty of pictures (and will upload some when work out how) and after about a hour in the air we were all frozen, it was probably too strong to get back in the top so all bottom landed other than Marcus who was last seen disapearing down the ridge. I have flown over a little bit of snow before but nothing like this, it was more like the Alps in winter, truely stunning and well worth the cold fingers. PS though Combe would probably be snowed in so didn't want to risk the drive down but I doubt it could have topped the views from Chinnor anyway. Cheers Bob |
| Weather | :: | 06:00 12:00 18:00 |
| Pictures | :: | http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/photo_gallery/ |
| XC League | :: | TVHGC :: National |
07 / 02 / 2009 :: Combe Gibbet
| Name | :: | Al Wilson |
| :: | al _at_ mrog.co.uk | |
| Date | :: | 07 / 02 / 2009 |
| Direction | :: | North West |
| Comments | :: | The road along the top of the ridge was too snowy to get up, but the road from the bottom landing to the top was clear. Snow a foot deep on launch! Wind off a bit to the west and fairly strong and lumpy, but quite flyable and I had a nice hour nonetheless. The sun was out and the views were stunning. The track was full of 4x4s pulling each other out of ruts in the ice, and I had to recruit one of them to get me out of my parking spot. Quite an adventure! |
| Weather | :: | 06:00 12:00 18:00 |
| Pictures | :: | |
| XC League | :: | TVHGC :: National |
