| Flight details: | After an hour or so of watching people launch into what appeared to be a howling wind, there seemed a sustained lessening of wind-speed and it seemed to be a little more on the hill. After seeing a few successful launches, I launched into a lull, and and did a few beats of the hill in quite rough air I thought... lots of attention needed, anyway.
A couple of forays over takeoff showed me how hard it was to penetrate back, so when I got a small climb over TO I thought I should stick with it to get me over. From about 400' over the hill, I crept up slowly, and joined a gaggle with, I think, Tim Pendreath, Vincent, Steve Newcombe, Roger Turner, Harry Bloxham and some others. After chasing from below I finally caught up with the gaggle, for my first real UK gaggle flying - despite the odd difference of opinion, and the occasional facewash, Roger, it was a real help.
Beautiful countryside, fun to fly over (and through) Lyneham, confusing to see the EasyJet planes parked up at Aston Down without a peep from my Garmin, Stroud was amazing from the air and provided an exciting climb out. Base was under 4k all the way, I think, but we were caning along - I clocked 75-80kph several times.
I finally got low west of Gloucester, and after nipping over the Severn (which didn't take me into Wales as I thought) landed with 4k forward speed in mown grass. The day was still cooking - in retrospect I should have stuck with the others and not rushed off.
A UK POB for me at 63km. Thanks to Trevor and Dave Massie for delivering my car to me. |
