| Flight details: | One of those days that you dream about!
Monday's flying took its toll, not just the XC (still to write up) but the amount of flying and thermalling we did on the hill too, it was a long, hard day. Tuesday looked even better though and although I really had to fix the washing machine no self-respecting XC hound could turn it down really. A later start seemed the best way to assist energy levels but the sight of a gaggle going over the back, as I trudged up, soon sorted any problems with enthusiasm!
I briefly spoke to a few of the big guns on the hill whilst getting ready and the best advice for the day that I was given was Craig's, "Kent" he said, "You must go there Richard". That'll do, I thought (dreamed)! A crossed line threatened to frustrate things at pre-launch but I quickly saw the step-thru solution and I was ready. Meanwhile the first XC gaggle was climbing out but no matter, there were plenty of other good flyers to go with and the air was unusually good. The next cycle arrived and Dave M lead the way but up top it was a little too busy for my liking so I went forward again and got higher. The time to depart had arrived, with plenty downwind to pimp off (I wish I could fly that fast) and by the time we'd committed I was in the excellent (and esteemed) company of Matty and The Mad One. I was bottom of the pile but together we drifted sticking to the same plan, just drift in what you've got.
An early bomb-out threatened early though so I reeled in Glyndebourne and then the brown fields as the others found some lift, first low save ticked off. We scrabbled in that for an eternity and again I was out-climbed so I went into default mode and started to fly as if alone (whilst keeping an eye on the others for anything good). Finally, just after Shortgate a proper climb! It didn't last though and so there was a shitload more scrabbling to be done at around 2 grand. I'd been doing this so much (in the past 24hrs), just trying to stay up, that I'd not notice |
