The weekly round-up from Porterville

[Nick Roberts]

Sunday Feb 14th - My last day in Porterville!  I finished off with some tandem flying using a wing kindly lent to me by Rob Manzoni.  My passenger was local pilot Carl's partner Linda.  We launched in the afternoon and enjoyed some thermal flying following a group of Black Eagles around the sky.  The flight was great practice for me and Linda enjoyed it too but after a while, the bumpy conditions and much circling made her start to feel a little queasy which is quite common for tandem passengers so we flew out and landed at the main landing field.
Back at the Lodge in the evening, I winded down gazing at the last sunset and packed up my belongings ready to go to Wilderness in the morning with Thomas from Germany who had a Hire-car and had invited me to join him.
 
Monday Feb 15th - We said our goodbyes to Rob and the staff at the Lodge and set off early.  I had thought that the drive would take up most of the day but we did the journey in less than five hours on good roads.  The landscape was similar to Porterville for most of the way but nearing our destination, it became more undulating and forested.  Approaching the town at 12:30, we could see pilots flying at the famous Paradise Ridge on the coast so we simply had to join in!  We launched at a spot called Kleinkrantz and spent most of the afternoon soaring up and down the ridge in smooth laminar conditions enjoying wonderful views of surf,sand and lush green vegetation. 
 
After landing, we went to see Jan and Kobi at Cloudbase Paragliding.  Their accommodation was full up with a group of germans but they fixed us up with a small flat just down the road from where we could walk along and join them for breakfast in the morning.
 
Tuesday Feb 16th - We were at the launchsite at Kleinkrantz in the morning and starting to get ready but we could see whitecaps out  on the water and heading our way.  The wind kicked in quite suddenly and strong, blowing back one pilot who thankfully landed ok.  We spent the rest of the day looking at some of the other sites in the locality, all the while hoping that the wind would drop - it didn't!
 
Wednesday Feb 17th - The morning was cloudy and still after some overnight rain so we hired a kayak and paddled up one of the rivers nearby and hiked up through some lush forest to a waterfall.  Returning mid afternoon, the weather was brightening up and we  enjoyed a soaring flight at a nearby site just ten minutes from town called "The Map of Africa"  .  One of the great things about Wilderness is that there are half a dozen or more flying sites that are quick and easy to get to and word soon gets around when one or more become flyable.  XC potential is limited but some of the sites can become quite thermic.
 
Thursday Feb 18th - Time for me to head back to Capetown.  Thomas was going to spend his last few days driving east then north to Johannesburg but I had to get back to Capetown for my flight home the following evening.  Standing at the bustop near the Wilderness Hotel on the seafront in the morning, it was a beautiful day and a few pilots were launching and soaring from the Hotel launch site just 200 meters from the bustop!  I was very tempted to get my gear out for one last fly but knew I couldn't afford to miss my bus.
The bus took seven hours to get to Capetown.  I stayed the night in a cosy garden flat courtesy  of Rob's  kindly nextdoor neighbour Bea. 
 
Friday Feb 19th - My flight home wasn't until evening and I could leave my luggage in the flat while I went for a  four hour hike up Lions Head and then back around the coastline to the Capetown Waterfront complex.
 
 Sitting on top of Lions Head taking in the views, I had time to reflect on a fabulous trip with memories to last a lifetime......the thermals, the wind, the landscapes, the Black Eagles, the retrieves, the sunsets, the night sky, the food and wine, the friendly people and all the  pilots local and visiting - the germans, the swedes, the french, the swiss, the english and ofcourse the welsh!
 
We filled our boots with some epic flying, some rough, some smooth but always challenging and memorable.   I think that on average, six days out of seven were flyable.  We did not fly on every single flyable day but I logged over 70 hours of flying and 1370km of XC and  Andy and Steve both flew heaps of hours and personal best distances.
 
Above all,  I have to say a huge thankyou to Rob Manzoni and all the staff at the Flyer's Lodge in Porterville for their tireless efforts as hosts.
 
Also, a big thankyou to Jan and Kobi at Cloudbase Paragliding for their help in Wilderness and together with Daniel from Advance, fixing me up with a new Reserve Container and handle.
 
Iechyd Da   

[Nick Roberts]

Another week of mixed conditions.......

Friday Feb 5th - Inverted and rather windy on takeoff but we waited for a good while and the wind suddenly changed from southwest to northwest and eased as some fresher air blew in.  I launched and almost bombed out but found a low save over the landing field.  I headed out into the flatlands and it seemed to be working well and I made it to Porterville with ease just as some cumulus cloud was starting to form. I hoped I would find another climb over the town but didn't so landed at the Lodge. Thomas from Germany came in soon after and I thought we had landed too early but thirty minutes later the wind started to get quite strong on the ground.

Saturday Feb 6th - I made a tandem flight with a local chap named Malcolm who along with wife Jan works at the Flyer's Lodge.  On borrowed equipment, we launched ok but in the air, I sensed that something was not quite right as Malcolm was hanging lower on one side than the other, then, I noticed that the spreader bar on one side had popped out so all we could do was fly to the landing field.  Soon after, it got quite windy from the north so no more flying was possible.

Sunday Feb 7th - We were expecting a good day but it was emphatically blown out in the morning so I went off on a road trip with Thomas from Germany.  We went up into the Cederberg mountains and hiked up to a waterfall amidst a stunning landscape.  Later we went to look at some caves and ancient Bushman's rock paintings.

Monday Feb 8th - A quite promising day and local pilot Raymond was back for a few days.  However, a stubborn inversion meant that we could barely get above the mountain tops so we flew north to the end of the range  and landed at Renosterhoek(45km).

Tuesday Feb 9th - Very inverted with a thick haze, so we were not expecting much but suprise,suprise, it seemed to work ok.  Progress was very slow with not much height gain but seamless 2m per sec thermals made for very smooth flying and a return to sanity after some of the rougher days experienced here.  It took 2hrs 30 mins for Raymond, me and George the german just to get the 35km to Citrusdal where we flew over the town, didn't find a thermal and landed.  Nevertheless,  it was a great day compared to the previous few.

Wednesday Feb 10th - Rain for breakfast - I could not believe it!  It actually rained, here in Porterville!  It did not last long though and started to clear in the afternoon.  The big group of Germans staying at the Lodge this week, went up to fly but I didn't like the look of the lenticular clouds in the sky and went hiking for the day instead. 

Thursday Feb 11th - Another hazy and inverted day but the winds were light.  We launched just after midday and flew north in a big group.  However, although the thermals were coming upslope from the west or southwest, up higher, the wind was distinctly north so progress was very slow.  Getting near Bumpy Peak it was getting a bit bumpy! - so I decided to cross to the valley behind.  I made it to the far side but only just and needed the lowest of low saves to carry on with the flight.  There followed a long battle into a 20km headwind but thermals were good and plentiful and I made it most of the way up the edge of the  valley before turning around and flying back down the middle to Citrusdal.  3hrs 30mins to do 56km but a great flight!

Friday Feb 12th - A cloudy morning so there was no rush to get up to takeoff.  Steffan and his group of germans were on their last day and keen to get a flight in.  At around midday, the sky started to open up and they all launched and seemed to be doing ok so I followed at 12:35.  The climbs were great and the clouds were working well.  I got to cloudbase at 5000' straight from launch(2300') and proceeded to glide from cloud to cloud heading north out over the flatlands for the first leg of the flight.  Winds were light westerly and it was possible to fly in any direction.  I turned back south and followed the mountain range for a few km then glided out over the flatland again and flew back to Porterville.  Then, I flew southeast to the south end of the Porterville ridge and found the climb of the day - a super smooth 4m per sec to 7000'.  The views all around were simply stunning and from here I glided back out and flew to the Lodge at Porterville.  Landing at just after 17:00, there was no sign of the strong seabreeze that normally gets here late in the afternoon(it arrived at 18:30).  I had spent 4hrs 30 mins covering only 62km but I would have to say that it was probably the nicest flight that I have experienced here.

Saturday Feb 13th - Yet another cloudy morning and the forecast was not that good but we went up at midday in the Landrover.  It was quiet on takeoff for a saturday with only Thomas, myself, Ivan from Switzerland and local pilot Carl plus one hanglider.  The sky slowly opened up and we launched at the right time.  I got to cloudbase at 5000' straightaway and booted it towards the next tempting cumulus cloud.  After a few transitions, the sky started to blue out. With a light southwesterly tailwind, I decided " just one more flight to Clanwilliam"  Crossing the valley to Citrusdal, I didn't find any lift and was soon looking for a save on the edge of town.  I knew it was there somewhere as my groundspeed increased as it drew me in.  A beautiful climb ensued - 3m per sec and drifting nicely.  A few climbs later, I was passing over the constriction at the end of the valley.  However, a bit further on, I was getting a bit low and got stuck soaring a hill that Richard had got stuck on a few weeks previously and near where Andy had landed after his 62km PB.  After 30 mins, it didn't feel like I was going to escape from there as I bobbed up and down a few hundred feet at a time.  Eventually, I got enough height to try and glide to the roadside.  Halfway there and hello, there it was - my ticket to Clanwilliam : a beautiful drifting climb back up to 5500'
On glide to Clanwilliam, I started dreaming of an evening cruise to Klawer but as I was approaching town, I could see the dreaded northwesterly seabreeze blowing over the reservoir. There ensued another hairy backwards landing out in the bush behind the town!  After landing,  I thought  "Another great 80km flight but maybe I'll go and spend my last few days at Wilderness on the coast"

To be continued.......

[Nick Roberts]

The weather over the last week has been somewhat changeable and although it has been flyable most days, the "big days" have proved elusive. We were joined for a few days by Rob Mansley and a group from Flyspain who had come up from Wilderness where they had been flying on the coast.

Saturday Jan 30th - We got up to takeoff quite early and it was already quite breezy from the west or northwest.  Launching is easy when the wind is coming from this direction.  I flew south for a few km until the wind changed to southwest then I went with the flow and turned north.  I could see Andy and Steve up ahead and they seemed to be struggling in the rough conditions as we seemed to have a southwest down low but a northwesterly at altitude. I decided to fly out away from the mountainside and fly in the flatlands.  This seemed to work for me as I reached 7500' - my highest so far on this trip!  I saw Steve and Andy landing in the fields below but I found a nice lifty line which enabled me to fly all the way back to Porterville and land at the Lodge after almost three hours in the air and 48km flown.

Sunday Jan 31st - A cloudy morning which was slow to get going.  A visiting sailplane pilot buzzed the launchsite as we waited for the thermals to start.
We watched him for a while and he didn't seem to find much lift.  After midday, the sun broke through and normal service was resumed.  Conditions were quite rough low down but there were cumulus clouds to help point the way and good height gains meant that we were soon well on the way to Clanwilliam.  Passing over the reservoir with Steve following behind,  I could see that the surface wind from the west was starting to show itself with white horses on the water.  Up aloft, we were cruising along at 65km with a southerly tailwind!  The lower wind creates a convergence which gives us a nice lifty line until we get low at some point and then....   The surface wind that comes in from the west or northwest here at some time during the afternoon can sometimes be quite strong and today was just such a day.  Heading towards the town,  I found myself going backwards so I backtracked away to an open area of bush for a thankfully ok backwards landing!  Steve landed closeby and a kind farmer offered us a lift into the town.  On the way, we saw a Cape Cobra slither across the track in front of us!
Another great 80km day!

Monday Feb 1st - A lovely clear day and quite cool overnight - a recipe for good flying maybe but not always.....  The instability lower down produced strong bullet thermals that were hard to stay in and an inversion at mid level made it difficult to get any decent height gain.  Progress was slow and circling over Citrusdal town,  I pondered an early landing but decided to carry on.  I didn't get much further before landing and Steve came on the radio saying he was going to land at the town.  I sensed that Steve and Andy were feeling a bit "flown out" and I too could do with a break.

Tuesday Feb 2nd -  Steve and Andy's last day and what they really wanted to round off the trip was a nice scenic flight from Lion's Head overlooking Capetown.
Our host Rob hinted that it might even be possible to fly from Table Mountain!(this doesn't happen often as the wind has to be light). So, along with Marcus from Germany, we trooped off to Capetown drooling with anticipation!

Arriving at the cablecar station, the wind was light so up we went.  Rob took us to the launchpoint on the northwest side of the Tabletop which overlooks the city.  The only breeze was provided by light thermals wafting up the face.  Steve launched first and after he went, the breeze became more fickle, coming from the side or sometimes behind. Much patience was required! After a few attempts at a reverse inflation,  I tried a forward launch which worked first time.  Andy also forward launched.  Stepping off the 2000' vertical cliff was exciting to say the least!  Thermals wafting up took us high above the top at times.  After a while we flew out towards Lions head and out over Camps bay.  The views of the Twelve Apostles, the golden beaches  and the blue Atlantic Ocean were breathtaking.  Landing on the sportsfield at Camps bay, we felt priveliged to have experienced one of the world's great "tourist" flights.

Wednesday Feb 3rd  After seeing off Andy and Steve at the airport the previous evening, I stayed at Rob's place overnight.  The next morning,  the weather was overcast and not flyable.  Rob had a few things to do in Capetown and I was happy to have a relaxing few hours.  We arrived back in Porterville late in the afternoon where it had been cloudy for most of the day.  There was even talk of a few spots of drizzly rain!

Thursday Feb 4th - The day looked good and I was eager to get flying as I had finally got my harness sorted out with a new reserve container and handle.  It was great to be able to look at my instruments again after a few weeks with just a solario which was fine but my GPS had to be strapped onto one of the legstraps of the harness that I had borrowed. 
After a nice initial climb from launch, conditions proved to be really rough.  I set off north on the familiar route.  It is often rough here on the main mountain ridge but after I had crossed over into the valley behind, it was still rough and sinky glides mean't that there was little respite.  After two hours and thirty minutes of tucks and a few full frontals, I decided to fly out to a road and land.

To be continued...........

Sorry I haven't put any photos up but I will as soon as I get back!

[Norris]

Cracking bit of writing Nick, could almost smell the dust as you got your low save! Glad everyone is doing well out there, good to know that people are setting new personal bests. It is refreshingly cool over here, although there have been a few problems on the Pimple with Polar bears trying to cuddle up to pilots for warmth, and Penguins pecking at peoples ankles in the car park. Take care.

[gareth.pawan]

A really fascinating account of a whole different level of flying. You guys seem to be having a great time! Given the temperatures out there, looks as if you'll be as brown as me when you come back. 
Keep safe!

[Nick Roberts]

Today has been blown out but we have just enjoyed six hard days flying in a row so we are having a well earned rest today.

Saturday Jan 23rd - A blue day and quiet on the takeoff until 12:30 - just as we launched!  The air was quite rough at first but we soon found a climb  to go over the back and find some thermals to make it across the valley to the foothills on the far side.  Progress there was very slow and we split up as Raymond and Richard flew back out into the valley and I carried on along the right hand side.  Both routes worked but theirs was quicker.  Approaching the constriction at the end of the valley,  Raymond was in a huge thermal which I couldn't get to and I had to mince around for ages to get enough height to carry on.  A while later I had reached the start of the Clanwilliam reservoir but I was getting low and having to look at landing options when I saw a swirling movement travelling across the water - a water devil as opposed to a dust devil!  I saw it reach the bank on my side so I glided over straight into a peachy thermal and Clanwilliam was in the bag!
A few weak top-ups later and I touched down in a field where the wind was quite strong so I was happy to land after an epic 4hours and 30mins, 81.5km flight!
Raymond had landed near the start of the reservoir and Richard had landed at Citrusdal.  Andy had awoke with a headache and decided not to fly.

Sunday Jan 24th - The day looked quite promising and there were a few local hanglider pilots on launch to add to the mix.  The southerly wind started to blow in so you needed to wait for a thermal or a lull.  I launched into a lull and bombed out!  I had to be philosophical down in the Turkey Patch as I packed up my glider as everyone else flew off.  However, Richard was soon down with the truck and assured me that there were further lulls during which I would get another chance to launch and he was quite right.  I launched again at 13:30 and conditions were great but I thought I might be a bit late to make a big flight - but I couldn't have been more wrong!  I was soon  over the back and heading north towards the Constriction.  Reaching the reservoir, I was again getting low but the wind was more southerly so I changed tack and crossed to the left hand side of the reservoir and flew up a shoulder to the left and found a monster climb followed by a glorious glide to Clanwilliam.  Heading for the same field as the previous day,  I found the wind was not too strong and I found another thermal and carried on north to connect with the escarpment further on.  Reaching the escarpment,   I turned back for a moment to check the wind speed and direction and there was a glider right behind me - it was Raymond!  He had arrived by a different route and we enjoyed a glorious  40km evening cruise along the escarpment to the town of Klawer.  We landed at the town at 18:15 and were mobbed by hundreds of excited kids.  We had made the classic Porterville flight -  132km in four hours and 45minutes!

Monday Jan 25th  The weather was in a state of flux with mid level cloud moving rapidly from the northwest but a quite brisk southwesterly on launch.  I didn't like the look of it but a group of Germans launched and it seemed ok so I decided that I would fly out and try a flatland flight away from the mountains but I didn't get far before I landed!  I had not felt comfortable  with the conditions so I was quite happy to be on the ground : I even got to drive the Retrieve Bakki for a while which was fun!

Tuesday Jan 26th A nice looking day with a light westerly wind mean't that we could try a leg south along the mountains to begin with and it worked well. The mountains to the south are rockier and very spectacular and the change of scenery was great.  We tried to fly together but the thermals were quite rough and challenging and on the way back, Richard and Raymond decided to fly out to the lodge.  I carried on and passed Andy coming the other way as he had flown a leg north to begin with.  Arriving back past takeoff, I minced around for a while wondering whether to try the flatlands when a swiss pilot on a Sigma 7 came past and he was making good progress so I flew north with him for another 27km until we ran into some resistance as a northerly breeze pushed in.  I know my glider flies well but it was great to fly alongside and observe another of the same in action - it looked very impressive as it cut through the air.  As the wind became uncomfortably strong, I flew out and found a save over the flatland in front and glided back.  I didn't get any more thermals but landed happy after 4hours 15minutes and 80km of very physical flying!

Wednesday Jan 27th A cloudy morning and rain forecast!  I didn't believe it!  We therefore didn't expect too much but it certainly didn't rain and by lunchtime, the cloud was burning off and base was rising!

Andy, Richard and me managed to stick together for most of the flight.  We didn't get much height at first but we went over the back further on nearer the Piekerneerskloof Pass.  We found good lift in the Citrusdal Valley and over the town itself aided by a smoke fire.  We headed north to the Constriction where I arrived first and spent some time mincing around looking for some decent height before going any further when I espied Andy and Richard coming in below me.  Andy had achieve his personal goal of a 50km flight but he was not for landing and he drifted back low behind me then popped up above me in thermal!  The man was flying like a demon!  We flew on after I climbed from below in his thermal and he led the way for the next 10km before a slight bit of impatience saw him land at 62km but he was well chuffed!  Richard got stuck and landed there too but I maintaind my height and found another good drifting thermal for yet another glide to Clanwilliam for 85km in 3 hours 30 mins.

Thursday Jan 28th  Steve was back from Zululand and keen for a flight! The sky looked good and there were plenty of pilots to mark the way with a big group of Swedes and a group of Czechs in town.  The going was easy at first and we
wafted along with ease.  A little further north, the thermals became quite ratty and challenging and it took a while to get established in a decent thermal. I got nice and high with Richard and we went over the back at Bumpy Peak.  Steve, Andy and Raymond went over further on.  There were some clouds but chasing them around the valley, the ones I went to seemed to die away so I was soon looking at ground sources.  I tried a route along the right hand side of the Citrusdal valley which worked for a while but I ended up low while Richard was more patient and hung back.  Passing the town, there was a nice looking cloud above with a white glider circling under it - it was Steve, who when I had last seen him, looked as if he was about to land!.  A low save was not forthcoming for me and I landed a bit further on at around the 40km mark in  two hours and 20mins - mustn't grumble!  Steve went on to fly to Clanwilliam.  Richard decked it in the boonies and had a three hour walkout.  Raymond, Andy and me landed early and had to settle for coffee and icecream in Citrusdal!

To be continued........

[Dan Ashworth]

Hi Nick,
Really enjoyed this year's stories. It brings back happy memories. Can't believe it was 1999 when we went there. Fly safe and make sure you glide to a road!
All the best,
Dan Ashworth

[Nick Roberts]

Well, it's been good and hot out here this week and we have all enjoyed some great flying.

Monday Jan 18th - We awoke to find it rather windy so we trooped off in the minibus to a place called Strandfontein on the coast to the northwest.  Here, there is a small coastal site.  The takeoff area was a bit sandy and scrubby and while the others flew,  I decided to go for a swim instead.  The water was bracing and a strong undertow persuaded me not to venture out too far.  Andy, Marcus, two german guests Johnny and Kai and Raymond from Durban flew for a while, then the wind dropped and they ended up on the beach.

Tuesday Jan 19th  - A beautiful day with fluffy cu and light winds!  We hoped to all fly together and it started off brilliantly but then cloud cover shaded out the slopes below launch and the last few to take off, including me, struggled to stay up until the sun peeked through again and it was up,up and away.  The thermals were smooth and plentiful and I quickly made cloudbase at 1800m asl.  It seemed quite similar to one of those exceptional days that we seldom get in the U.K. except here, instead of cloud spreadout, it seemed to go the other way to mainly blue by the end of the afternoon.  It was a joy to glide from cloud to cloud over the flatlands past Citrusdal and I got a bit low on only one occasion but found a super climb and set off on glide for the town of Clanwilliam.  A few top-ups later and I was gliding past town on my way to the long escarpment which would make for a glorious evening cruise to the town of Klawer and a 135km flight.  Alas, the northwesterly seabreeze had pushed in from the coast which proved too strong to penetrate into and I made a vertical descent to landed in a field at the 85km mark - the same place as many of last year's flights!  The flight to Klawer is elusive but sometimes the seabreeze does not come through too strongly and it is possible to do it on a paraglider.
The flying was simply the best quality imaginable and it was such a fantastic feeling to be part of it.  Local pilot Ian who had unfortunately bombed out near the start was soon on hand with the Landrover and we picked up Johnny and Richard and headed back to Porterville.
Three pilots at Clanwilliam, three at Citrusdal(including Andy extending his PB) and Steve landing somewhere inbetween - a great day!

Wednesday Jan 20th -  A blue day with weak conditions which proved not enough to break through the inversion at about 1300m.  Nevertheless, winds were light and the thermals smooth.  We all meandered along looking for height gains to improve but it just didn't happen.
A few crossed the valley to Citrusdal in hope but didn't find anything workable.  Andy and me carried on a bit further until the Piekernierskloof Pass where I looked around to see him surfing the venturi through the pass and he made it to Citrusdal town.  I meandered along for a while over the plateau to the north, eventually landing at a farm after two hours and 48km.  The farmer invited me in for a cup of tea and a  chat a while I waited for the retrieve bus to arrive.
Thursday Jan 21st - A blue day which seemed quite benign on takeoff but proved to be quite the opposite once airborne.  The air was horribly gusty and choppy as the thermals seemed to get broken up by windshear.  Everytime, we tried to climb in a thermal we would be shunted all over the place and surges would be followed by eerie seconds of complete silence!  I had no collapses but the first hour of the flight was a real white knuckle ride and my hands became numb as I was squeezing the brake toggles so hard!
It was a huge relief to get enough height to escape over the back into the flatlands where the flying should be more relaxing but getting low, there were some anxious moments before I connected with some very weak lift.  Andy and Raymond were coming across towards me but I soon lost sight of them.  I decided to stay in the flatlands despite the lack of altitude gain.  The rest of the flight saw good thermals and a series of low saves before I made it to the end of the valley.  There, I minced around for a while to see if I could break through the inversion and get some decent altitude to make it over the badlands to Clanwilliam.  Nothing seemed to be forthcoming and fearing getting caught in a bad place by the seabreeze, I decided to just follow the road and keep my landing options open.  I landed in a dry riverbed next to the road after 3 hours and 60km.  I hadn't seen anyone else for a while and presumed that everyone had landed but then a voice came over on the radio - it was Adam, a hanglider pilot from Capetown who had launched shortly after us and was now passing overhead at 3200m!
He must of found a real inversion buster as I had never got above 1300m during the whole flight!

A while later, as I got to the roadside, absolutely exhausted after such a taxing flight, Steve came along and he was heading right in towards me but from a different line and he found some lift and wafted on for another 11km.

Eventually, I got a lift with some guys who were picking melons in a nearby field and they dropped me off at a junction where I met Andy and Raymond just getting into a Bakki(Pick-Up truck).  A further lift with some lorry drivers and we were back at the Lodge at 21:00
Richard arrive shortly after in the Landrover having gone all the way to Klawer to pick up Adam and his hanglider after picking up Steve on the way.  Talking to Adam later, he said that the wind along the escarpment to Klawer was not too strong and Steve also said his landing was no problem so it may have been possible, tricky but possible..........there are more good days to come and we all feel really positive!

Friday Jan 22nd - We awoke to find low cloud cover and a slightly humid feel to the air.  The conditions seemed to be a bit changeable.  The cloud burned off and we went up to the takeoff but the wind seemed a tad brisk.  It was flyable but with the wind, maybe another rock'n roll ride and after yesterdays demanding flights, we were happy to take a rest day.  Steve has gone off on the Zulu trail to Rorke's Drift for a few days and our german friends, Kai and Johnny have gone to spend their last few days in Capetown.  The rest of us are having a Braai this evening(barbecue) and recharging our batteries for the flights to come.

To be continued.............

[Chris Dusgate]

Thanks for the update Nick, please pass on congrats on PBs to Steve and Andy

[Nick Roberts]

Well, we haven't actually done a whole lot of flying over the last week as conditions have proved to be rather fickle.

Last sunday, I rested while everybody else flew in a light northwesterly breeze which became a bit strong as the afternoon progressed.  Steve and a few others landed outside the lodge and local pilot Richard made a nice out and return flight.

Monday Jan 11th - my foot didn't feel too bad and a swiss chap Marcus offered to lend me a harness for the day so off we went.  Conditions were rather inverted and thermals were topping out at a lowly 4000'.  I did not feel comfortable close to the terrain but once out into the flat valley behind,  I settled into a nice bit of flatland flying with plenty of usable thermals and a few low saves.  Landing at a farm at 45km, I picked up a lift straight away and met up with Steve and Andy at the Coffee Shop in Citrusdal.  Steve had landed a few km further back and Andy had made it into the valley to land at the roadside.

Tuesday was blown out and we went to look at another flying  site further south but it was blown out there too!

Wednesday 13th - Conditions looked good in the morning and a light northwesterly promised a flight heading south and maybe an out and return. A large group of french pilots had arrived on monday so the launch at Dasklip was buzzing with expectation.  Rob Manzoni kindly lent me a harness as it will take me a while to get hold of a new Reserve Container.

Launching at midday, it seemed easy at first but the wind veered to north and slowly but surely, most pilots were flushed off the hillside into the fields below.  I flew out while still having a bit of height and found a lucky low save over a flat field and climbed  about 5000' in a beautifully smooth thermal.  I stayed out over the flatlands and flew 45km south to the town of Gouda which was a route that I had never taken  before.  Over, the town, there seemed to be thermals everywhere and this was because a wind from the south was pushing up from Capetown.  I decided to land as there were airspace restrictions further on which I was not familiar with and reports on the radio told of windy conditons back on the ground at Porterville.  I landed in a field next to another pilot who I thought was  one of the french group but it turned out to be a local pilot named Ian Cowie who I flew with a bit on my first trip out here eleven years ago!  Ian had a retrieve sorted which was great as it was 45 degrees on the ground!  Meanwhile, back at Porterville, Andy was to be found in a state of collapse, praying for a lift at the roadside having succumbed to the heat!

Thursday 14th - The conditions looked changeable and the forecast was for windy conditions so we were expecting it to be blown out but we went up to the takeoff anyway just to have a look.  Late morning , it already seemed a bit strong.  Local pilot Richard launched and assured us that it was ok but we erred on the side of caution and decided not to fly.  Later on, as we ate a lazy lunch in Porterville, the conditions looked great - oops, oh well...we'll fly tomorrow!
Later reports of high winds not too far away made us feel better!

Friday 15th - Blown out!  We took a trip to the seaside to a place called Langebaan - a Wind and Kitesurfing Mecca.  The wind was howling and we watched some cool dudes getting some big air on the kites.  I went for a swim and it was rather bracing to say the least!

Saturday 16th - The forecast was for a rather brisk southerly so Rob suggested a trip to Hermanus - a flying site on  the coast.  Hermanus is a stunning site but when we got there it was too windy so we ate seafood and sucked in some cooler atlantic air.  Returning to Porterville in the evening, we learn't that it had been flyable after all  - Aghhh!

Sunday 17th - A good forecast and the best conditions for us so far.  It started off pretty weak.  I launched early and needed a couple of lows saves to stay up.  A few people bombed
out early but light conditions on launch mean't that they could get back up for another go.
After about an hour, Steve came along but we did not stick together as I found a super climb and crossed into the valley behind.  A great thermal over the flats took me to 6500' and I set off along a route that I have flown many times before.  Getting low, I felt quite condfident and found thermals in the usual places but then my luck ran out when I went to a spot where I had never failed to get up and got promptly flushed into a gulley!  The landing was fine but it was only 14:30 and so much of the day left.  Walking out a while later, I looked up to see
Steve passing high  overhead.  He flew patiently for five hours and went on to land at 96km
 - a personal best for him!  Andy had two flights and made 28km on his second flight - a personal best for him too!  Me - I tested my foot with a little walkout and it's fine so we are looking forward to some more great flying this week!   

[Gron]

Make that a third "flippin 'eck" from me Nick!  That's the second time you've come down on a reserve while flying abroad I think.  Two years ago I did some coastal paragliding in South Africa, but that was quite benign.  I was fancying venturing to Porterville sometime, .....................but I'm not so sure anymore!
Perhaps I should stick to paramotoring and microlighting - or "Girlie Flying" as Nasher says when he's winding me up!
Come back home safe you guys - OK!
 Gron

[Jeremy]

Hi Nick, Glad you're ok. I'd be interested to know if you get any whiplash signs in the near future. When I threw mine the sore neck came on in about 7 to 10 days and went away gradually over the following few weeks.
I've talked to a few people who've thrown their reserve and it's not uncommon,especially with a hard landing, so it might be something to be aware of if you begin to feel any discomfort.
Anyway glad you're OK.
Jeremy

[Stevie G]

yeah flippin eck Nick..  steady mate....rest up a while man.... hope it all smooths out for you guys too... are you gonna put up any pics? that would be nice ... up to 30-40c hey, nice... wish I'd of joined you now.... be safe : )

[Chris Dusgate]

Flipping 'eck Nick, that's an incident filled first few days (chucking both your reserve and the contents of your stomach !). Glad to hear you are not too seriously injured. I suppose being there for so long means a few days off is no problem. i hope the conditions mellow a bit. Thanks for the update.

[Nick Roberts]

Well, we managed to get out here on the plane from Heathrow just as the snow started to fall.
The rest of the journey went well and we were picked up from Capetown Airport and arrived in Porterville late afternoon - too late for a flight on the gliders but we relaxed with a meal at a local restaurant.  It felt great to be out here in the warm sunshine.  There are a few other pilots from Switzerland, Russia, Germany and Namibia also staying at the Flyer's Lodge and together with a few South Africans, the Launch at Dasklip Pass has a good vibe.

Thursday Jan 7th - Our first flying day and we are up at takeoff early and ready to go.  The conditions are blue and there is quite a distinct inversion so big height gains are probably off the menu.
We launch at around midday, as soon as it looks workable and head off to the north along the mountain chain.  The air is quite rough and we are not used to it, having not sniffed a thermal since October.  The heat, we are not used to either - it's well into the 30's!  We soon get separated as we concentrate on staying up in the small, punchy thermals.  After a while, I start to feel airsick so I decide to go over the back with not much height and hope to find some nicer thermals in the Citrusdal valley behind. I find a save and gain altitude in a good thermal.  Topping out at 5000', I can see Steve above the mountain range on the Porterville side but Andy has landed further back.  I am soon needing another climb to get to Citrusdal and I find myself scrabbling along low on the far side of the valley.  I start to feel sick again but  manage to hang on until I'm within a glide of the town but on my final glide, I chunder the contents of my stomach.  Landing in a field, I feel too weak to pack the glider away but I have to do it and get out of the heat.  I walk to the Coffee Shop on the main street for a well earned rest and await the retrieve wagon.  Only a ninety minute flight and 35km but quite enough for the first day.  The retrieve arrives and we go on to pick up a Russian tandem pilot landed at 50km named Pavel who knew Steve Griff and Chris White - small world indeed!
On the way back, we pick up Steve who landed at 17km and head back to Porterville.

Friday Jan 8th - The conditions look similar to yesterday but the inversion is more stubborn and conditions are rougher.  We launch at around the same time and set off in the familiar direction.  The air is not nice and after a while, some pilots decide to fly out and land in the fields below but I press on and dribble over the back just before the N7 Pass and head for a known area for a thermal save which works well.  Thereafter, I find some nice thermals but altitude gains are not great.  As I head towards the constriction at the end of the valley, I can feel that the wind is getting stronger so I land on the rugby pitch at 50km.  I try to hitch some of the way back  but no joy so wait for Rob Manzoni to come to the rescue in the retrieve bus.  Steve landed a little further on than yesterday and Andy landed early but got back for a second flight and flew 18km.  Everybody had a few collapses today but I'm glad to find that Steve and Andy are not fazed by the conditions.  After some great food and wine at the Lodge, we look forward to some smoother air.

Saturday Jan 9th - The air looks a bit clearer but it's a very hot day as temperatures nudge into the 40's.  The wind seems lighter on launch and the first pilots takeoff  just before midday.  It seems to be working so we follow suite and are pleasantly suprised to find smoother thermals than the previous two days.  All is going to plan and at around 20km, I notice local pilot Paul Penning coming along on his Axis Venus 2.  We fly together for a while and a few km further on,  I join Paul from below as he is climbing in a thermal.......then, just when I feel that I am really starting to get in tune with the conditions, I hit some nasty turbulence and my glider cravattes badly and drops into a spiral dive - close to the terrain. I throw my reserve, which is barely open when I slam into the mountainside.  The reserve must have saved me though, because I am here writing this blog! 

I really thought I was dead as did Paul who was watching from above!  He flew out and spiralled down to land in the fields below and summon help.  I went in feet first with legs bent and that, together with good back protection seemed to absorb the impact.  I immediately got on the radio to say that I was still alive and ok and then, after a struggle to get out of the harness as I was lying downslope, I stoodup to signal to everybody passing overhead that I was ok.  Then, I had to get the glider and reserve out of the bushes and into the bag which was relatively easy but then I had to get down the rocky mountainside in 40 degree heat with a bruised left foot.  This took a long time as I found it difficult to balance and maintain footing with the glider on my back as I scrambled down.  After a while, I resorted to rolling the glider down alongside me but even this proved too much effort in the heat.  About two thirds of the way down, I had no option but to leave the glider behind or risk heat exhaustion.  I marked the spot on the GPS and continued to the bottom only to find my way blocked by thorn bushes up to my neck before I could get to the shade of the trees below.  I eventually got through and collapsed under a tree.  Paul had called his partner Coral to come around with her car via a nearby farm and they arrived with some cold drinks. I gave Paul the GPS coordinates and he went up and fetched my glider down the rest of the way - a heroic feat for which I can't thank him enough! 

We went back to Porterville and slumped into the swimming pool at the Lodge.  The other pilots came back having had a good day's flying.  Most knew that I had crashed but they also knew that I was ok so I was relieved  not to spoil the day!  Steve had a good flight almost to Citrusdal and Andy flew about 10km.

Sunday Jan 10th - A different day today with a northwest breeze in the morning backing southwest in the afternoon.  All the pilots went up to fly and launched around midday.  No great distances were flown but there were good thermals to be found and some nice convergence lift out on the flatlands enabled a few to fly back and land at the Lodge.  Steve made it back and Andy landed just short.  Me, I'm taking it easy for a few days as I have a slightly swollen and bruised foot which needs resting and my reserve container is lost on the hillside so I have to get another one sorted out before I can fly again.

To be continued..........