shortest longest day

6 months ago it was the longest day...

strangely enough it's warm right now

in the depths of December!

we were most impressed by Pete's pop-off Salto prop

after nasty rumours that'd he was chopping the nose off

turned to be much exaggerated! 

the patch- sub-zero despite appearances!

..and just when we thought it couldn't get any colder, the sun went down and it got colder!

launching for the mass fly at sundown

until June '25

(don't forget to bring your thermal underwear!)

 

Itford

 

It's always a pleasure to share the hill with visitors from afar....

our Teutonic guests come with a fine set of implements

all hand crafted, many hollow moulded !

even if the wind is a touch off the slope, it's still

working, and we get some sun!

a good view across to Caburn...

reveals a bloody sky full!

guess the prevailing wind direction!

the nights are drawing in....

until next year!

comet spotting..... but all we get is a good dose of damp veneer!

 Holy crap BBC, that's some serious wind!

Jason's Alpina

Back in 2012.....

 Eric's MPX ASH 26 from 10 years ago

Firle!

SD card dump from 10 years ago (almost to the day!)

leprechaun!

what a star!

 

The absolute pinnacle of aeronautical journalism!

(btw feel free to get in contact via DMs if you need help unleashing your beaver!)

a bit of Lenham

 

A spare hour, a 12 to 18mph blow and some charged batteries.... it's time for attempt no.2

the full compliment of Goodwind foamies gets a thorough dusting off

initial suspicion was that (being such a shallow hill) it would be blown-out

but the Radian cruised around admirably with the help of a chunky lipo in its belly

the Alula performed Ok, but was less happy in the blustery breeze

it's never going to be stunning, but any lift is better than no lift!

It was certainly worth the effort. The last warmth of summer, a row of cumulus straight up the slope, and the glint of full-size action further along the ridge. What's there not to like!

action shots taken with improvised mouth

mount for knock-off go pro

a quick root around under the car seats turned

up a rubber band and a lolly stick

nothing quite beats the taste of months old minty Magnum

infused wood once the fluff's been picked off!

a bit of a Lemon

When travelling to and from the usual sloping haunts, the gentle curve of Lenham Cross has always looked somewhat inviting. The ridge profile dictates that it needs to be bang on SSW to stand any chance of working.... and guess what, the other evening presented itself with inviting conditions! 

blimey! It's not very high and it's not very steep... and to top it off, there's no wind! and yet, back in 1936....

training hops only I'd guess

hmmmm it looks somewhat steeper in this photo....

this needs a fact checking sortie..... some of those trees and hedges

must still exist surely allowing a 'then and now' comparison?