Week 4 Day 4

Some sad news from the day before. There was a small party in the evening to celebrate the departure of Melanie Hallam from the office. She wants to spend more time running her B&B. Her able replacement is Christine.

We also arranged for an evening meal in the airfield. Jorge (pronounced Horgay) announced a menu in the morning and we signed up to three courses. By the evening some of us even remembered what we had ordered. The quality was standard 12 euro Spanish fare. Vultures were apparently not on the menu despite RW's attempts, though the chickens were suspiciously large.

The following day was warmer and less windy than the day before. It was tricky to get away. The thermals stopped at several levels, possibly sliced by the wind. Eventually 431 made it up to 7800 feet and very modestly told 775, in which there was an audible grinding of collective teeth. 431 then then had to fight to get down. Bob Akehurst was then loaded in to 431 with tales of how great it was up there. After one and a half hours on Stage one at 4500 feet, 431 admitted defeat. Sportingly they took on the chin 775's modest announcement of reaching Stage 3, though using such unfair tactics as greater span and low cunning.

Today (Friday) has dawned with the prospect of greater warmth and even less wind but you can always guarantee round here that something will make us look like April Fools. Curiously the image above was cropped and resized. When checking that it was now small enough, it was seen to be 775kb.

Week 4 Day 3

Sue Akehurst was sent up with JM as the sacrifice to see if there was any wave and to give her a scenic flight. There wasn't any so we had lunch. Thanks Sue.

Bob Johnson claims to have been counting sheep though Ed didn't hear any snoring. JM flew with Richard "Vulture Killer" Whitaker and then Paul "RT Specialist" Haliday. There was no dent in the wing of 775 but the vulture probably had a sore head. Paul got 775 up to 7500 in wave by which time we were all knackered and so the gliders were put away just as lenticulars bloomed, though only briefly.

431: 431 is at 4500 coming back from Stage 2. What is your position 775?
775: Na Na Ne Na Na.

775: Santa Cilia gogogoch 5 minutes to landing no hang on 775 Vimto Coca Cola Dos Siesta Alternativo

Week 4 Day 2

Despite yesterday's gloomy forecast the week is now scheduled to get better and better. Today started at 9am with a cloudbase of about 10feet but improved astonishingly rapidly and so we launched after a leisurely bocadillo and managed over 8 hours flying between the two gliders, admittedly only up to 7000feet, but being the first day every seemed pleased to get off the ground.

Paul wanted to a good place to mount a video camera to get a good view and it was suggested that on top of a fin would be the best place. Unfortunately the man from Helsinki, he say no.

Week 4 Day 1

This is going to be quite a short entry to describe the first day's events. Briefing, register, shop, eat, read, eat, drink, sleep and blog. However Anna says that there may be a gap between the fronts tomorrow.

Are you worried that people think you are too short? All you have to do is walk across some muddy grass here because the local geology creates a mixture of mud and superglue. After ten paces you have enough on your soles to be a couple of inches taller.

Yesterday BJ said he knew of a really good restaurant with Arbeit Nach Frei over the gate. After searching for it in an industrial estate, we began to believe him. Resolution for tomorrow: I must learn the Spanish for pork, beef, chicken and fish. To date I've only mastered "coffee" and "beer" so the diet is somewhat limited.

Jaca 2011 Week 3 Day 6

The forecast showed a moist unstable airmass with thermals to 2300m but there was a strong risk of showers. As cumulus were already forming before briefing we decided to launch as early as we could and both gliders were in the air by just after 11am. David and Gordon went first in 431 with a mission to practice ridge flying on Oreol as the conditions were ideal. Steve and Bob attempted to gain the main ridge above stage 3 but found the cloudbase too low and it was starting to shower. Instead they too entertained the walkers on Oreol by soaring down the ridge. The day lasted longer than expected and the isolated showers were easily avoided. This allowed Peter and Gordon to repeat the visit to Oreol whilst Bob and Adrian took advantage of the higher cloudbase to soar a short section of the main ridge above stage 3. Toya gave us all dinner and a good time was had by all. Judging from those that made it to breakfast perhaps too good a time... With 5 out of 6 flying days everyone has had a good week with a mix of thermal and wave conditions. Bob

Jaca 2011 Week 3 Day 5

The forecast was for a light SW wind, thermals to 2,200m and high level cloud clearing away during the afternoon. This was pretty much what we had though the best part of the day turned out to be before we launched.

Gordon replaced the troublesome vario in 775 and then launched with Peter after the local club Duo Discus reported 2kt climbs to over 6,500'. This was a good move as the increasing high level cloud started to take effect but not before they made it to stage 3 and were able to explore Oroel at close range.

Terry and Bob were not so lucky in 431 and spent nearly 2 hours going backwards and forwards between stage 1 and 2. Hard work without much reward.

The blue sky eventually reached us but later than we hoped. Adrian was persuaded to launch with Bob in 431. Although soarable the conditions were weak and limited to the local valley.

About 6 hours flown today.

Bob.

P.S.

Terry found his pants (don't ask) and we flew for about 10 hours in 4 flights.