Flight

Lots of pilots in the air and so interesting dynamics in the limited thermals. As pilots joined the circles got wider as expected, but then some fell out the sides closing it up again - an aerial demonstration of survival of the fittest. I must have spent at least an hour weaving about and up to 1,000 then down again before finally finding a thermal that took me to 1,600 and so far over the back I was committed. Watching others going downwind and sinking I turned towards Ringmer and some large brown fields behind Glydebourne that worked a treat to over 2,000. I could see Catherine ahead and very low down over the Ringmer gliding field but appeared to be maintaining, just. But she had found a climb and as I flew over and downwind I picked up the same that eventually got us to about 2,800. Then along with David Hague and Adam Reynolds we headed for Heathfield. I was too low to attempt a climb over the town so took my time to find a landing field without horses on the SW side of the town. A lively landing in strong wind accompanied by some deft, if I may say so myself, ground handling out of a bog to keep my glider dry ended a PB for me from Caburn. Catherine's Mum picked us up which made things easy.