Rest day in Wales

Yesterday in Wales it was lovely weather - but not for gliding, so alternative pursuits were sought. Jacek decided that he had to get above the clouds every day so he climbed Snowdon.

On top of the world

Richard climbed the local ridge to see the tower he'd been buzzing all week from closer quarters.

Moel Arthur

There was enough air to keep a hang glider up

The rest of the party went to Caernarfon. Jim R posted a pic of the top of Snowdon, the suspicion is that it was taken from the Eurofox.

They visited the Airworld Aviation Museum and the castle.

A proper aircraft in amongst all that powered stuff

 

Denbigh CFI Chris tried out the Hawker Hunter for size

Nick J and Rolf at the castle

Nik VM got out his drone and took some pics of the airfield.

Approach to 27 - 830m of tarmac

We await news of today's activities.

The fun at Lleweni Parc continues

Week 2 of the Booker spring expedition is going well, with a very good ridge day on Monday, excellent for the members who had not experienced ridge flying before.

319 enjoying the ridge

Richard thought it was all a bit of a laugh

Not sure what Geoff declared but maybe that contraption on the rudder is the secret of his 750km success

On Tuesday the wave set up and the views changed.

Wave from the ground

The grid ready to go

Jacek flying high......

.....and his rainbow shadow

Nik had a go at Silver height but offset the advantage of his fancy wingtips by towing to 4300ft, so that 8,000ft may not be enough!

Lleweni Parc expedition week 2

The new arrivals seem to be having a lot of fun, Richard says: 'Amazing day here with the ridges working behind and beyond the North Wales GC and also bizarrely underneath the Liverpool CTA'. Here are some of the day's pics:

Denbighshire

Max waiting to launch

Patchy ridge

If you concentrate you will see the airfield

Coastal sunset

Lleweni Parc expedition week 1 round up

After the late wave on Wednesday, Thursday was less exciting as the wind didn't do its stuff. However, there is always something to try, and several people flew. Maddi converted to the ASW19 - 'before' and 'after' pics below:

Teeth gritted

Well done, Maddi

On Friday the wind blew, and bounced over Snowdon giving us some lovely wave - plus a fair amount of bounciness in the circuit, not a problem for Aboyne veterans. Local CFI Chris got away early and climbed to FL195 over the Conway estuary, those launching a bit later were affected by the approaching cold front, but not before having a lot of fun exploring the coast up towards Llandudno.

Abergele seen by Maddi and Jim in 315

John and Nick in KSM took a look at the Great Orme

Rolf had a bit of an adventure and picked himself a nice field a few miles south of the airfield. All was well and the team soon fetched him back.

Good choice

Rolf and the team

On Saturday the Week 1 team hitched up and headed back down south after an excellent week. Many thanks to CFI Chris and Tug Pilot Les for getting us off the ground, and to Richard for keeping us all in order.

Waving in Wales

Yesterday we rigged the single seaters and tried the ridge, which didn't work too well as it was affected by local wave. Later in the day the wave became more workable and KSM had a good flight.

Denbigh

River Clwyd

The sea

Evening sun

Today started calm but after lunch the wind got up and with it the wave and lots of people had a lot of fun. 315 with a brace of Jims on board made it as far as Bala.

Odd angle on the local bit of the ridge

Nice bit of wave

Moonrise over the ridge

Booker's Spring Expedition

The journey up here was a bit taxing because of the wind - in fact Simon had a bit of difficulty getting out of the trailer park.

Dodgy valve - task for a no-fly day

On Saturday the rain was horizontal and it was tricky standing upright, the stream running past the airfield is now flooded and the airfield itself is a tad marshy.

Water water everywhere

Sunday was still fairly breezy but the ridge was working well and everyone had check flights, with excursions out to sea at Prestatyn for some.

Happy Jim...

...and Maddi

The turbo Eurofox got us off the ground

Denbighshire

Prestatyn

Prestatyn sunset

Treasure at the end of the rainbow

After a long day the team met for dinner at the Llindir Inn in Henllan which gave us strength for another day.

Today the wind was too light for the ridge to work and showers spoilt the fun a bit but there were more check flights and a bit of fettling so we are ready for tomorrow.

Weather Observations from N Wales

Uneventful journey up punctuated by two fabulous stops:

http://www.mughousebewdley.co.uk/

1) The Mug House in Bewdley. Lovely pub right on the Severn by the bridge in the middle of Bewdley. Sorry, nowhere to park a trailer but awesome pub grub.

2) The Corn Mill at Llangollen. Old water mill on the Dee which was in full flood. Now a pub with grub and a fabulous pot of tea. https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/cornmill/

Now to the weather: Last night it blew a right hooley with dog sized drops of rain. Still a bit blowy but clearing up as I speak. No flying today so off to the seaside!

View from our kitchen window

See you later...