SteveJ's flying diary

[SteveJ]

Seven Sisters   11 Feb 09

A bright day with a flyable NW forecast so headed to Seven Sisters with Andy and Ivor.
Arrived at midday to find the hill covered in fog. Waited an hour by which time it lifted and the sun came out.
TO on a snow covered hill top and enjoyed views of white-capped peaks all the way from Fan Hir to Fan Fawr (Storey Arms); Pen Y Fan was shrouded in cloud all day.
Nice to feel some thermic activity; strongest being 4 m/s at around 4 pm when the sun seemed at its brightest.
Wind was on the strongish side all day even though the Mountain Forecast predicted it to ease. Flew for a total of 2 hrs 20 mins max alt. 950' ato
Just after 4pm, after both Andy and Ivor had landed, the wind decided to pick up a tad to 25 mph which checked my forward speed.... got blown back and on 'extra-full' bar ie hanging out of my harness and standing on it  , landed within 100 yards of the Sarn Helen Roman Road behind TO. So much for the Mountain forecast......
Good to be out in the sunshine. Looks as if the spring thermals have arrived

[SteveJ]

Blaenavon Tuesday  6th Jan 09

The sun was forecast to come out, so decided to give it a go at Blaenavon with Andy; even though temperatures were not predicted to rise above 1'C. Arrived to see a few wings airborne including Ivor.
Taking off at about midday, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a flock of gulls circling near the Big Pit museum out in the valley. At this stage my vario packed up, probably due to the batteries being low & cold
Gained an estimated 500' ato with the gulls, relying on my stomach to let me know whether I was in, or out, of the thermal. A few of us enjoyed this short-lived spell of luck before the sun got weaker; Ivor going some distance up-wind.
Landed after an hour to nip back to the car to change my dud batteries.
Launched again for another flight, though by 2 pm the breeze had dropped a tad and bombed-out after 20 mins; pushing my luck in the lighter conditions at the far-end of the ridge near Big Pit.
An enjoyable day with good views of Pen Y Fan to the N and Pen Allt Mawr to the E.
Looks a bit cloudier for the next day or so; may be Pandy on Friday...
Nice picture in gallery.

[SteveJ]

Cwm Parc     Saturday   3 Jan 09

After returning early from a flight from Fairwood to Shobden via the Beacons in my mate's home-built RV9, thought I'd nip up to Cwm Parc for a swift half (half an hour's flying that is).
Arriving at the top lay-by saw a figure at the bottom of the bowl, so went down to offer a lift. Turned out to be Andy.
Drove back up to the top and trekked across to the far-side bowl as there were quite a few model planes on the near bowl.
Spent 30 mins ridge soaring with Andy. Landed after my heated-gloves packed-in as it was getting a tad cold.

The flight I mentioned in my friend's light a/c was truly spectacular. At 7,000' on a cold and frosty morning the Beacons looked breath-taking. Could spot all of our sites from Hay Bluff to Bryncaws