Gareth's Paramotor flights

[gareth.pawan]

Well have been in Sopot, Bulgaria since Wednesday. Sunny and bright every day so far with 4 out of 5 days flyable. The first day was 35c with yesterday being the hottest so far at 38c! Only had one flight to date from the 'big mountain'. My flying mate James from Scotland had a 4 hr marathon on Friday, gaining 1,100 metres above launch. Total altitude 1,970 metres, strongest thermal: 4.2m/s. Tom from midwales arrived yesterday and had his first post C.P. flight outside the U.K. since qualifying in the early summer. Landed with his wing draped over the perimeter fence of the local armoury where they store shells and newly made kalishnikovs. Apart from one damaged line and a dent to his pride, everything okay. A passing shepherd came to his rescue and gave him a swig of plum brandy,(rakia) and showed him his handgun which he said he used to keep the local gypsies in check! Tom thought he was being serious! New line supplied and fitted by Skynomads for 10 lev- about £5.
No flying today as there is a strong valley wind at the moment and even some of the local skygods seem to be having trouble landing without having to deal with mini collapses! A day in the garden I think.
Rob and Tina coming out on the 4th so fingers crossed that the weather stay's good for them,
Dobre.

[gareth.pawan]

Spent a lovely day flying with Steve of Mid-Wales Paragliding. Took off from the beach in Borth, just north of Aberystwyth to enjoy nice smooth flying conditions in a gentle SW sea breeze. Stunning views of the Cambrian mountains to the North with a sparkly blue/turquoise sea below, (is the sea much cleaner this year because of the lack of rain bringing sediment down from the hills?). An RAF hawk flew past me about 300' above at one point followed twenty minutes later, by a big RAF Hercules transporter plane. This one flew under me just as I crossed over the Borth estuary - interesting to say the least! Steve had notamed with coordinates so not sure what had happened. Later joined by Mark of Mid Wales Paragliding and a visitor to the area, Martin from Cheshire who was on a camping/flying holiday. We all ended up launching from the beach together for a flight over Aberystwyth, although I turned back over constitution hill due to low fuel levels, lack of experience and a natural tendency to cautiousness (or maybe it's just a strong wimp factor - not sure which!)
Will definitely be going back to fly this delightful paramotoring/paragliding area. It's unspoilt, chilled out and friendly with few petty restrictions against either type of aviation.
Notched up a total of 28 miles, my longest powered flight to date.