Sunday 23rd June 2002
Report from Martin Beetham
Despite a forecast for W/SW, Compton Wendy was saying NW all morning so I went
to Bell only to find several pilots but little happening - except for much
better pilots than me walking back up the slope.
So instead I found my way to Kimmeridge, no red kites there
but a kestrel, a handful of other pilots and some very enjoyable ridge
soaring.
The wind was stronger than I have flown in before so good
practice, and I was able to see how accurate the site guide is in its
prediction of turbulence when the wind is westerly (it is and it was). If
flying here is as good as this first time, I'll be back!.
Report from Dave Daniels
At last! UK Flight No 3 for 2002! Work and weather have conspired
against me so far this year.
Waking early I noticed that the wind had eased since the
previous day and interesting early morning clouds were passing overhead. From
my bed it was difficult to work out exactly what was happening - so got out
and stood in the fresh morning air .... at 6am!
The wind was ... hmmm .... westerly, I guessed. The clouds
said so, but the caravan is a little protected in this direction so I wasn't
certain.
In the hopes that it as a little south of west I popped
round to Ringstead in the hopes of a little ridge soaring, if nothing else.
Anything to get my feet off the ground!
6:20am at Ringstead and the wind was a little to the North
of West. The Wendy at Compton was giving NW @ 10kts, so off to Bell.
Not exactly surprisingly, I was the only one there at
7:00am. Heavy dew on the grass but the sun blasting in through a bright blue
sky dotted with those early morning clouds you get after a heavy dew - and the
wind was smack on @ 8mph.
The thermals hadn't started - equally unsurprisingly - but
it was perfect to get in some much needed ground handling and had immense fun
at one stage seeing how long I could kite the wing whilst sat in one spot!
(over 15 mins!).
A few text messages sent out advising the conditions soon
had others on the hill, Martin F, Martin H, Mike A, Richard W, Jeremy M,,
Peter R, Martin B.
Several scratchy flights were had by most people - but high
stratus had blocked off the sun and in light winds there was a long lull in
activity. By the time the high stratus had cleared the wind had backed off too
far and remained too weak.
Spying the approching sea breeze in the clouds, along with
several other people, I went off to Ringstead to find ZZ rigged, John A
rigging and Stewart M spiralling out by White Nothe.
The wind was smack onto the ridge at 13mph, so it took me
seconds to pluck my wing from the boot of the car where it had been unceremoniously
stuffed at Bell and be in the air!
An instant 125ft was perfect start to an easy crossing to
the cliffs that soon had 6 paragliders (myself, Jeremey M, Martin H, Stewart
M, Shaun P, and Mike Craig on an Ozone Vibe) and 3 hang
gliders (ZZ, John A and [sorry again - forgot your name] one one of those
incredibly fast ones) enjoying the perfect conditions - Mine was 1hour 52mins
with over 600ft ato!.
Shaun & I managed a second flight after the wind had
gone a little more westerly that, whilst easily do-able, was little fun at
1mph over the ground/sea coming back from White Nothe.
Several very happy smiley faces as we all packed up!
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| "C'mon guys! It's great out here!" | ZZ fly past | Don't ya love that view!? | Martin H contemplating house purchase |
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| Mike Craing on Ozone Vibe | Mike, Stewart, Martin and
hangie over White Nothe |
Stewart M | Martin about to be gazumped? |
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| Shaun, Martin and Vibe in formation. | Wings everywhere! | John A on his rocket ship. | Shaun P |
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| Shaun again | ... and again. | Stewart M ... but really
it was the sea and beach textures I was after. |
Martin H. |
