Gareth Davies Pilot Diaries 2007

[Gareth Davies]

SAT OCT-6Tth One of my rare mid day flights these days.

Thought Pandy would be worth a trip today. Arrived to see five aloft in light easterlies, soon after take off gained some height and headed off down the ridge working the light thermic conditions when available. Looking back at take off it was getting busy 25 paragliders, the wind had picked up a little making flight easier with decent speed to where many try and cross the valley to the cats back , one pilot made it across but he went down the other side! the conditions made it difficult, good effort but put me off so headed back. Flight time 1h 40mins.               

[Gareth Davies]

HAY BLUFF 26/5/07 NW

Thought I would give Fan G a closer look from the layby but when passing through Sennybridge a combination of rain and brighter skies inland,  we decided to turn around and head for Hay Bluff.  On arrival at the car park it was nice to see some pilots taking off, and gaining height.  After about an hours flying in smooth conditions and having gained some height decided to try and skip over the pass to Lord Herefords knob (Hill).  To be followed by another paraglider and an old fashioned trainer sailplane   which crept closer and closer. While flying alongside two little heads appeared from open cockpit and said "Isn't it bloody cold up here" , personally I couldn't believe that they were so close and slowly moved away to the left to a safer distance, while Richard the other paraglider continued the conversation for a short period and then we continued up the ridge. Caught several gentle thermals on the way back one of which got me over the pass back to Hay bluff ridge.  Steve Watkins and a few others were soaring the ridge.  On looking back towards the Beacons the skies were still dark and grey so a good decision for Hay Bluff. Best height gained 1100ft ato. Approx 2 hours flying!

[Gareth Davies]

 

3rd time out this season so far

1st Builth Wells 2/2/07 - A nice lofty 2 hours
2nd Fochriw 14/3/07 - A small lofty triangle 4500 ft over to Rhymney vally and back over Merthyr down south 3k and back to Fochriw.
3rd 21/3/07 Builth Wells - In light winds but nice thermic conditions once up,  very slow going but maintained good height with a gaggle that slowly depleted to just 3, caught some good thermals to 5500ft with stunning views to Mynydd Llangattock 41K. Good blue conditions  
Thanks to Steve Watkins for retrieve one of many I owe you