Nick Roberts' Flying Diary

[Nick Roberts]

Rather cloudy at first and base low. Windy too and a little off to the south and poor thermals. Nevertheless found a climb to get away after 1 hour in scrappy lift. Waited at Mynydd Maerdy for a second climb and minced my way along to Aberdare and beyond. A low save over the coalspoil at Merthyr propelled me to cloudbase now at 3800' in improving late afternoon conditions. Followed a nice cloud line to Tredegar then flew over the Llangattock escarpment and connected with a juicy looking cloud in the middle of the Crickhowell valley. Drifted along for a while but lift getting weak after 5 o'clock. Soared around the bowls with a few sailplanes then glided out to land on the Common above Talgarth. Landed at 17:35 with 46.4km. A beautiful evening!



Many thaks to Ivor and Steve for helping out with the retrieve

[Nick Roberts]

A W.Jack '3' but a lot more cloud than expected. Light ridgesoaring in overcast conditions until the sun came through later on. Some rough climbs ensued on the transition to the Rhigos where it was pretty windy. Steve Jones got stuck on Mynydd Resolven but Chris D and myself made it and worked along the bowls towards Aberdare. Made base once at 3900' but totally overcast behind so pressed on towards Mountain Ash. Landed at 17:15 so a good afternoon's flying. Chris D surfed along the far side of the Dare valley to Abercynon at 27km to register a score in the XC league.



Steve parsons and Dave Birch enjoyed better conditions over at Llanddewi Brefi and made 38km quite quickly before coming up against the cloud spreadout that had dooged us for most of the afternoon.

[Nick Roberts]

Wednesday 14th September



Weather cleared up very quickly. Looked rather good in the afternoon with strong sunshine and nice looking clouds so nipped round to Letty Siac for a fly. Launched at 15:00, Chris D already in the air. Light and lifty, then we both got up and away under some nice cloud but base only 2,900 and lift rather weak. Minced around for ages over Sarn Helen after Chris had glided on to Glynneath. Got up eventually and wafted over to the "Big hole" near the Rhigos. Wind wsw getting stronger,lift getting weaker and cloudbase a'comin' down. Landed out on the Common near Aberdare. Only 21km but a nice flight nonetheless.



Nick Roberts