Flight

Having under performed on Easter Sunday at the BCC round I found myself back in Sussex on an Easter Monday with what looked like a boat-about day. Decided to avoid the indecision of Firle vs Dyke (plus the crowds) and headed to Ditchling instead. There I found the sum total of one other pilot (Frank) with the same idea and so after a spirited launch we had the entire ridge to ourselves. Fairly breezy (sometimes reading double digits backwards over the edge of the ridge) but lots of lift (no need to even both circling...). Headed down to Lewes, pushed out in front towards Plimpton races, found myself up near base at 2500 ft a few times. After that fun headed back to the car park, but was enjoying it so much had to keep going, Got low near the windmills but found a beautiful climb to over 2000' and from there crossed the A23, skirted Newtimber and arrived at a very empty Dyke (maybe 1 or 2 on the ground). Resisted urge for a low fly pass and instead stayed in front where the lift was. Worked my way over the pylons and on down towards Truleigh. From there I was in virgin territory and whilst the brain registered that the damp flat ground was not going to work well I still didn't stay in the last climb long enough and as a result failed to make the Steyning Bowl. Landed on the edge of Upper Beeding, packed up, gave the wife a break and took various buses back to near the car (unfortunately missed the 79 to be car park so had to hike the last few km's back). Fabulous day and my Sussex PB - and all with zero expectation, so a double bonus...