Slovenia Club Trip 2010

[Steve Watkins]

The gang talking some parabollocks and then watching Shane Daniels coming in for a spot landing attempt

Landing field @ Lake Bohinj Slovenia

[Steve Watkins]

Desiree Beer & Brett Janaway take to the skies on a tandem

Desiree Beer & Brett Janaway tandem - Lake Bohinj Slovenia

[Steve Watkins]

Another shortened video of a flight from Vogel, over Lake Bohinj and nearly spot land

Steve Watkins @ Vogel, Slovenia Flight Over Lake

[Gron]

Nice photos and videos, Steve!
We drove back to South Wales on Sunday 11th, and it was straight back in to work Monday morning.  Been too knackered all week to even look at the web site, let alone post anything - must upload some photos in the coming week.
I enjoyed the video of the thermalling with bird of prey - just magic!  I last had the sheer elation of doing just that in Algodonales - also on a SWWSC away trip a few years ago.  You feel that you are a priveleged visitor to the world of that bird!  The only similar experience must be scuba diving and getting up close to wild life.  Again, their world and domain - not usually that of humans!  Thanks to some pretty cool equipment, we get to share these amazing places and experiences!
Great trip, great flights (especially Idris and Shane) great company, and great laughs - thanks to "Ivor Bin Liner" - our friendly "Dead terrorist"!!   GRON.

[Steve Watkins]

"Team Slovenia 2010"

team slovenia

[Steve Watkins]

Shane Daniels Unknown pilot coming in to land @ Lake Bohinj.

Ifor Jones & Gron amazed at the zoom function

Shane Daniels @ Slovenia, Lake Bohinj landing

[Steve Watkins]

.....happy memories! Ankle still painfully swollen and toes and calf gone an amazing deep blue..... but it was as you say an amazing trip.

Oh dear sorry to hear that Dee!

[Desiree Beer]

.....happy memories! Ankle still painfully swollen and toes and calf gone an amazing deep blue..... but it was as you say an amazing trip.

[Steve Watkins]

Ifor Jones filming me with his camera.

"See if how he does..."

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[Steve Watkins]

Details The view from our hotel!

The view from our hotel!

     

The Julian Alps in Slovenia was the destination for the club trip. I've been flying for 5 years but never abroad and the location certainly didn't dissapoint! The 2 hour flight outward went without delay and on arrival we were greeted by Mike Agnew who helps Brett Janaway, former British Champion (Accuracy) (2001,2002) and British Paramotor record holder of XTC Paragliding - http://www.xtc-paragliding.com

Details Brett Janaway setting 55km task

Brett Janaway setting 55km task

   

On arrival to the hotel adjacent to the stunning lake Bohinj, keys were handed out and we spent the rest of the evening unpackin, chilling out and getting to know each other. The group consisted of Shane Daniels, Idris Birch, Goronwy Jone (Gron), Desiree Beer (Dee), John, Ifor Jones & myself. Pip from Australia & Sid (travelling the world!) were also on the group.

Next morning we met as a group with Brett Janaway and he talked through the sites & sorted us all out for the week. We then decided to go to Vogel and which overlooks Lake Bohinj for a lake crossing - however on arrival, valley winds had set in and the sock had changed direction and it was not safe to  launch so we descended using the chairlifts & gondola (which we used a lot of during the trip) and chilled out.

Details Pig roast yum yum

Pig roast yum yum

   

Details Pig   roast yum yum

Pig   roast yum yum

   

Unfortunately, thunderstorms set in for 2 days and put a bit of a dampner on the start of the trip but luckily the weather was forecast for improvement.

Ifor Jones developed sickness & headaches during the first couple of days and was bed bound and luckily having a doctor with us, Gron looked after him and bought Ifor to a quick recovery. We were all glad to see Ifor on his feet again!!

We headed South to (name to be confirmed) to a meditteranean facing site to escape the storms. On arrival launch had at least 50 other pilots either launching or waiting and I have never seen such a busy launch site! Thermals were kicking in and when my turn came to launch I reversed launched. I didn't manage to thermal above the ridge struggling with powerful thermals which I hadn't really experienced in the UK. A busy site also meant a lot of avoiding other pilots and the Czechs were certainly not fussy about ridge rules! Idris Birch, Shane & Pip managed to thermal above the ridge and enjoyed a booming thermal! After we all landed out in the landing area, we headed back up for another flight and yet again I could not get above the ridge. Instead I headed out and did a spot landing about 10m from the landing spot with Brett sitting nearby and after a discussion about thermals, realised where I had gone wrong!!!

A couple of days took us on a vehicle train through long tunnels through the Julian Alps. Tolmin was plagued with black t-shirts all enjoying Metal Camp. Brett set a task of an out and return of 55km, we all did very well but not as well as Idris Birch who managed 55km and was still in the air when we were racing back to the train to catch it within 10 minutes! We picked Idrid up along the side of a road and raced to the station to find the train had already left! - I personally managed a 16km flight, a personal best for me as it was much harder that the Pandy runs I have done previous. A bird of prey helped me climb 2000ato, 7000ft+ amsl, before I commited to the XC flight. I landed in a field by a petrol station where others had landed after coming in low of a town trying to find lift. I radioed Brett on lanind or a retrieve and Ifor came on instead. I looked around and couldn't see Ifor who was sitting a cafe watching my landing, he said "Steve it's Ifor... [censored] landing" Who cares!!!

Details Busy launch

Busy launch

   

Another few days took us up Vogel, a local moutain above lake Bohinj. I opted to do some spiral dives as Brett had his rescue boat on the lake. What a buzz!! Another day I crossed the lake and scratched in thermals to try and get above Vogar, Idris, Brett, Ifor & Shane managed it ok but I opted to land out in the landing area as the risk of flying so close to steep cliffs put me off! Ifor Jones witnessed me coming in and landing perfectly on the landing spot, my foot gently stepped on the 10cm center ring which I was very pleased with. A previous attempt saw me flaring a bit hard to just touch the spot. Dee had a small incident up at Tolmin during the week and slightly sprained her foot. She missed a few of the later days flying but enjoyed the views from Lake Bohinj - a stunning site! We enjoyed a barbecue around the lake one evening and fair play for Gron, he also makes a wonderful chef!

Details Gron on the way to Volgel

Gron on the way to Volgel

   

One day Ifor, Shane, Idris, Pip & myself enjoyed a brilliant Kayak 6km down from lake Bohinj. I shared a larger boat with Ifor and the other opted for kayaks. We all had a lot of fun on the way down and it became a challenge to push each other in and we all shared our share of getting wet.

On the last day, we made the most of it and went up Volgar for some more lake flying. Alpine launched were the flavour of the day and we all enjoyed some stunning flights. I landed out content that I made the most of the trip but also that it was my last flight (this time anyway) in the most beautiful place I have ever seen with some very good company!

[Steve Watkins]

Really tired this evening so will expand the article when I get chance

Overall we all had a cracking time in Slovenia, the first few days were not too good weather wise but the rest of the week was stunning.

Lots to talk about but I've done a short video of me thermalling with a bird of prey (not sure what) at Tolmin - made my week!

Thermalling with a bird of prey in Slovenia

Steve Watkins @ Tolmin, Slovenia