Having gone over my last couple of flights and realised I was not being patient and was leaving climbs too early I resolved to make the most of each climb. After several unsuccessful attempts t get up at Combe today I finally hooked into a climb along with a pilot on a mantra M2 and another on a Delta 2. The pilot on the M2 disappeared into sky and left myself and the Delta 2 working together to get established. We the split up I tool one track the Delta another and then we met up again about 5 k later.
At this point we were searching for some lift and getting low. There were a few blips where we were so I stayed and worked those the Delta 2 took off to look for something else. I got lucky and where I was developed into a climb to base and the Delta 2 landed out.
That climb took me to the pig farm at Whitchurch and it was fairly easy (but slow) going towards Popham.
I saw the M2 soaring there and he flew over to a small climb I had. I then spotted 4 sail planes going up in a thermal so I went on a glide for them the M2 took a different path.
It turned out to be a good thermal all the way to base. And I had to big ear to avoid the clouds.
The M2 took a different line and landed out. I then found all the lifty stuff was taking me towards Southhampton air space. SO i had to cross a large patch of blue. And that kind of finished it. I had one more low save that gave me about another 5 k and that was it. Damn good fun and my PB for Europe and flatland flying. | 