Robyn and I arrived on Saturday late afternoon just as James was about to take off for his long evening flight. The weather on Sunday wasn’t as good but I did get a 45 min flight in at about 4pm with Ian. Monday was altogether better. We woke early and watched the mist creeping down the valley through the open van door. I had an excellent flight with Bo in the morning in their K13 (we couldn’t fly ours because of the wind direction at take off). The wind was southerly, blowing into the South Bowl and setting off a consistent thermal we kept coming back to. It’s really interesting to see how the lay of the land aids the thermals to lift off. We were heading back when we heard on the radio that the tug was out of action so continued to have fun in the thermals. At one point Bo asked me if I had ever done a loop in a glider and before I had time to say ‘no’ he took control and did a series of three, one after another. The G force was considerable and I was amazed (and happy) the old thing could take it. I also fulfilled a little ambition which was to wave to Robyn, who was walking along the ridge, as I was soaring above. Once back on the ground Jan congratulated me on doing my first field landing. I wasn’t sure what she meant until she pointed out that that is effectively what Talgarth is, a field, and not a very flat one at that. I would liken it to landing on the surface of a giant Easter egg.
Ian letting one out while waiting to take off!
The people of the Black Mountains Gliding Club are a well organised and friendly bunch. All in all the whole experience of being at a different club, in a different part of the country, and flying in different conditions was very enjoyable and rewarding and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has never done it.
Ben and Bo
I would like to thank all involved in making it the experience it was but especially Ian and Jan for organising it, Dave Taylor for towing the K21 down and Adrian for towing it back. I really hope he got some flying in after we left.
