Piedrahita 2007

[Nick Roberts]

A very enjoyable trip.  Eight competition days and one free-flying day.  Almost thirty hours airtime and five hundred kilometers flown.  Some of the best conditions seen in Piedrahita for years.  Oh, and the house was excellent(thanks to Chris) - quiet location on the edge of town and a nice big garden for relaxing and barbecues.   

[Chris Dusgate]

I've recovered enought to give you a quick summary of the trip,

We flew 9 out of 14 days. Best flights were Nick 140k (but just into air space (allegedly by 70m) so no points for task in comp), Jon managed 58k, me 45k and Gareth 43k. max height was Nick in wave at 12300 feet asl with the rest of us managing 9-10,500 feet asl. Steve J also had some nice flights in the first week we were there. Thermals not too nasty but the dreaded 'Pass' did claim it's fair share of SWWSC victims. For me  there was 13 hours of flying from 8 days. The comp was tough with long tasks. If it wasn't for the debatable airspace error on one task Nick would have been well placed. I managed to just edge out Gareth for lowest SWWSC pilot in the comp!

[Chris Dusgate]

Hi All,

Unfortunately Ivor has dropped out due to the complications of putting his house on the market. Jon Munro will now be able to stay in the house all 10 days.

Chris

[Chris Dusgate]

Ok Nick,

I'll book another from them soon.

Chris

[Nick Roberts]

Hi Chris

I booked it on the Easyjet website.  I think the company is Europcar and pick-up is at the airport. The price was £230.00 for 15 days for a Seat Ibiza or equivalent.  I did find a cheaper quote elswhere but the type of car looked a bit too small.  As our bags are now bigger, I think we would struggle to get three people, gliders and other luggage into the smallest category.

[Chris Dusgate]

Hi nick,

Which company was it with and how much?

We'll have to hire one more car as you say for the SWWSC crowd.


Chris

PS The week ahead does look crap doesn't it, never mind perhaps it'll be good for the week after (when you are off I believe!)

[Nick Roberts]

No flying today so twiddling on the computer.  I have taken the plunge and booked a hire-car for the Piedrahita trip next month.  Pick-up will be at Madrid Airport and the car will be hired from June 16th until July 1st and there will be room for three persons including myself.  Obviously, we will need 2 or 3 cars but I thought I'd get the ball rolling here.   

[Chris Dusgate]

The Brit Open Comp registration is now open for anyone going on the trip who wants to take part in this event the second week we are there, any takers other than Nick and myself? - Gareth ??, check out comps panel pages as for Xc league.

[Chris Dusgate]

Jon Munro is now coming, we are going to try and squeeze him in somehow!

Chris

[Chris Dusgate]

It's all booked up now. Mike Coupe and Ian Clague have taken the remaining rooms. Wish us luck with the weather!

Chris

[Chris Dusgate]

http://www.casaturismorural.com/casasruralescastillayleon/avila/loslaureles.php
for photos of the house (which looks great ! )

Chris

[Chris Dusgate]

Only 2 rooms left now, Alex Coltman from the Avon club has booked a double room . For the second week his partner Jo and their 3 year old daughter will be joining us. Alex has found some photos of the house,  I hope to provide a link soon.

Chris

[Chris Dusgate]

Hi All,

As from today I'm taking bookings for the house from non-club members (although it's not too late for club members to reserve a room). So if you know any pilot who is not a club member but might be interested please let them know.

Thanks

Chris

PS 1 double  and 2 single rooms left.

[Chris Dusgate]

Thanks for that Nick, I agree experience of XC (UK only is fine) will enable people to get the most from the trip and probably should be viewed as a minimum requirement. It really does represent excellent value for money and a great opportunity to progress one's flying, it worked well for me in 2000 and 2001. If someone wants to come with a view to probably just flying mornings and evenings that's definitely not a problem and something I'd encourage as a mixture of abilities makes for a sociable house. You will not be expected to do a load of retrieve driving either. I really would prefer it for the house to be filled by club members but as I've stated above I will have to open it up to one or two other clubs if no one else in the clubs appears keen.

Chris

[Nick Roberts]

Yes,  I've signed up for the full two weeks!  Well done to Chris for boldly taking the initiative and booking the house.  The trip looks very good value and with flights avaliable from Bristol to Madrid via Easyjet - convenience also!

I think the trip will be best suited to those who already have some crosscountry flying experience as Piedrahita can be a tricky place to get the best out of the conditions.  Having said that, there is usually good evening flying that works well until quite late(21:00) for those that just want to 'boat around'.  Competitions will be taking place both weeks(Nordic Open followed by British Open Championship) but there will be plenty of room for freefliers who will have a great learning opportunity.  I will be flying in both competitions but will be onhand at the house/cafe/bar or on takeoff to give advice on the flying conditions and routes etc.  I have spent a total of eight weeks flying at Piedrahita over the years so can lay claim to having some knowledge(but not nearly everything!) of the flying.  I'm looking forward to it already!