Goodwind Slope Soaring

misery week

2012-01-24T11:04:00.000Z

Today's weather is brought to you by the good lord Shite. Let's remember some better times with an extended edit of Gary's Minimoa maidened on a superb day a couple of years back.

Scratchy Beachy

2012-01-16T11:37:00.000Z

A Saturday trip to the coast is planned based on the promise of east to south easterly winds and bright sunshine....we narrowly miss both!

cold start to the day

Beachy's air ramp

Deryck cruising with the Toplight. The Countryman stayed grounded

For the best part of the day the wind has a smidge of north in it so all we can do is cruise the lip of Whitbread Bowl. We then have to sit it out for an hour or so while it backs proper north east.

Paul finds this antique and has his longest flight

of the day employing the 'ring pull frisbee' trick

sea thermal marked by its dark base

Deryck chucks off to join the circling gulls

However, by three o'clock the forecast easterlies arrive straight into the bowl and we have an hour of smooth wide spread lift as the sun creeps down low.

summer flights

2012-01-09T15:25:00.001Z

lost and found

2012-01-08T21:04:00.001Z

A watch has been found on the hill at Thurnham, please post in the comments with details if it belongs to you.

start as we mean to go on

2012-01-05T20:23:00.001Z

bank holiday heaven

2012-01-05T20:20:00.004Z

what a superb day......more of the same throughout 2012 please

warming up for Thurnham's scale day

the Kremlin keeps an eye on Jason's ASW17

anxious pilot gets a sweat on

it's days like this that fill up your love tanks

a worthy sun set shot

home time

New Year's Day washout

2012-01-04T18:23:00.000Z

another year, another day on the hill...it's looking overcast in the distance

after a quick flight, they're all sheltering from the rain

rogue hound seeks out pre-Christmas BBQ remains, or maybe

it's the overwhelming stench of piss that draws him in

no luck, so off he goes

rain doesn't stop play for Eric

Graham's hardcore too

New Year's Eve I believe

2011-12-30T18:04:00.003Z

Eric dishes out some mulled wine, what a jolly decent chap

Jeff's Calypso flies like a treat

once again proving weight is your friend (in certain situations)

Jason and the Alex

lookie likie suggestions please

no need to crap yourself, it's only a foamie

salute the Nazi secret weapon flyover

goes on forever in ground effect

cheeky little number from John

the sun goes down on another sloping year

odds and ends

2011-12-30T18:04:00.001Z

David's Eagle from earlier in the year, didn't fly on the day due to an unfavourable ratio of mass to lift. Hopefully we'll see a successful flight in 2012

Fox day

2011-12-30T18:03:00.001Z

It's all been a bit of a blur over the last week or so. Pretty sure this was the Wednesday before Christmas. Simon flew the Fox (see video) then rain stopped play....the least interesting blog entry of the year no doubt.

small hill, big fox

2011-12-28T21:24:00.001Z

seasons greetings

2011-12-23T20:17:00.001Z

for our final advent instalment we sink to predictable depths

nearly there thank the lord!

2011-12-23T08:02:00.001Z

On the eleventh day of Christmas we have a PSS theme...

tedious ten

2011-12-21T18:24:00.001Z

On the tenth day of Christmas Goodwind sent to me.....

day nine cometh

2011-12-20T21:20:00.002Z

On the ninth day of Christmas Goodwind sent to me....

day eight

2011-12-19T19:50:00.004Z

On the eighth day of Christmas Goodwind sent a blog entry sadly lacking in any festive theme...

seventh day

2011-12-18T19:20:00.000Z

On the seventh day of Christmas Goodwind sent to me....

day six

2011-12-17T18:27:00.000Z

On the sixth day of Christmas Goodwind sent to me.....

fifth

2011-12-16T17:05:00.000Z

On the fifth day of Christmas Goodwind sent to me....

go forth

2011-12-15T20:20:00.002Z

On the fourth day of Christmas Goodwind sent to me....

the turd day

2011-12-15T12:48:00.002Z

on the turd day of Christmas Goodwind sent to me....

second

2011-12-14T15:45:00.000Z

on the second day of Christmas Goodwind sent to me....

advent number 1

2011-12-13T18:12:00.000Z

On the first day of Christmas Goodwind sent to me.....

birthday bbq

2011-12-12T18:38:00.010Z

Lots of love on the slope this Sunday, a good turn out despite the miserable start to the day.

bbq birthday boy brandishes blow lamp (Mrs Leebert photo)

Jason comes in to land

...moments later, he does indeed land in a Batman's villainous arch enemy stylee

now in his 40th year, Paul gazes into the flames and ponders a future of rudder elevator floaters more becoming of a senior slope gent (Pete W photo)

hells bells! the cow shed's burning!!

Bob and Alan rush to investigate

ahh so that's where the party is!

Pete is non plussed by Ray's new mooch tache

Simon has it under control

they booked a 'spirited sucking call girl from Steps' stripper gram, but got a 'spirit supping Mongol from the Steppes' instead

but Mr and Mrs Leebert more than make up for it with a superb card signed by all (Mrs Leebert photo)

they send their love to you all too

Ray ignores Charlie

Bob and Eric ignore Ray

MIG ALERT!

come on ladies and gentlemen...haven't you got homes to go to?

splendid thursday

2011-11-29T13:30:00.011Z

quality hill clutter

rigging the beast

Simon does his best to mask the premaiden anxiety

a real man's foamie

slope side bromance

Rob sends his love to you all

good to see Mr Leebert on the hill again

something is about to be born from an egg on a mountain top

the tedium of another sun set shot

simon and the big '20 again

2011-11-24T22:40:00.001Z

holly again

2011-11-21T13:48:00.007Z

It really has been a vintage year for southerlies and Holly has delivered the goods time and time again. As autumn fades, we end up enjoying her again for a superb sunny Saturday of light lift.

Colin and his micro Alula

Gary's in low pass mode again

launch fail from Martin

that's more like it!

the sloping hoards

a rare moment of schadenfreude from Eric

break out the diamond tape

'launch ghoul' (from an original piece by Slope Hunter)

big twenty

2011-11-18T20:23:00.003Z

There's not been much slope side activity in the last couple of weeks, but Thursday sees the airing on Simon's part refurbed ASW 20.

in excess of 6 meters

The wind is light and a mite too southerly all morning

Mr Dog Walker tells us 'it'll fly fine in this'....he obviously knows something we don't

By 12 o'clock Simon demonstrates his iron will and packs the beauty back in the car. We'll update you on the maiden as and when.....

xc again

2011-11-06T10:36:00.000Z

old school scale

2011-11-05T12:44:00.007Z

With the evenings drawing in, Pete has found time to convert and upload his old VHS movies. These two date from 1993 and show the annual scale get together at Etching Hill, Folkestone.

Keep a look out for Simon T, Dave H and Colin T among others. Good stuff Peter!

celebrity slopers

2011-11-02T13:36:00.004Z

A good turn-out this weekend despite the misery of winter close-by. Thurnham generates her usual questionable quality lift, but it's the weekend and we're flying so who's complaining!

Big Al, fence and French plane

speed wing gets the paraglider pilots to the bottom of the hill even quicker than usual

George Michael takes time off from taking drugs, crashing cars and stabbing poos

'cos you gotta have Pace Pace Pace'

Charlie gets Sir Bob's Ceres off with aplomb

the low sun is back

shortly after launching, Ray sets up for a landing

E.T. on a visit for Halloween

Acacia breaks the crust

buzzed by buzzards

2011-11-02T07:38:00.000Z

last spring

2011-11-01T21:01:00.004Z

A quickie from earlier in the year.....

antiques slope show

2011-10-19T20:22:00.003+01:00

Mick's disapointed with the valuation of a Mk 1 Easy Star

meanwhile, in Eric's bag is a set of Sky Leader radio gear ready for the expert's eye

but Fiona's more interested in his vintage 'Seychelle'

the last day of summer

2011-10-08T15:53:00.001+01:00

xc success

2011-10-06T21:35:00.006+01:00

The last of the heat wave provides ideal conditions for a final attempt on the 'Thurnham to Hollingbourne' cross country.

The home slope isn't working at all well but Deryck, Simon and Paul make an attempt on their goal on Sunday afternoon. It turns out the first gap in the ridge is the hardest and Simon lands out and calls it a day. Paul has the advantage with the lightest of the three gliders and pushes on leaving behind Deryck (unsure of the route) to head back the Thurnham.

The ploughed fields at the base of the Downs provide an almost constant source of strong thermal lift and allow for a fast pace. The greatest problem is the risk of losing sight of the model. There are several prolonged spinning and looping sessions to lose height as the glider continued to climb rapidly even with the spoilers out.

Paul arrives at Hollingbourne after about an hour and a half......how goal and return next time?

sun burnt and slightly too smug, Paul takes a celebratory dump on his glider

the route

larger version here

holly delivers

2011-10-04T21:20:00.019+01:00

High pressure over the duration of last week means summer leaves in a blaze or glory. A full gaggle of work shy reprobates gather at Holly to enjoy the sun, a gentle southerly and abundant thermal activity. Simon's inspired BBQ suggestion tops September off perfectly, it's the best 'fly and fry' we can remember and flying carries on past sun down.

Charlie's Alex (Slope Hunter Gary photo)

see...it IS autumn!

We've not even started on the beers and Graham already needs a no.1

launch time (Slope Hunter photo)

a very bad photo of the ladybird infestation

plumber's fix no.1

plumber's fix no.2

plumber's fix no.3

no. 4.....and yet it flies a treat!

bashing the bush (Slope Hunter photo)

time to start the thermal generator

nesting instinct kicks in (Slope Hunter photo)

"see all those people out there, they're still at work they are!"

it takes two qualified engineers to get the table erected

Gary's big wing....sun glasses required

the steaming pile builds up to spontaneous combustion

Cowboy Man joins in

in pursuit (SH photo)

big blue

strafing pass (SH photo)

testing Ray's rig (see the aerial was up!)

the shade is in demand

Luna / Pluto mid-air

nasty gash

Luna unperturbed

at times it's a session for light weight equipment

further proof

evening time draws near

Eric launches (SH photo)

perfect! (SH photo)

all good things must come to an end, but you'll be able to relive it here via the medium of film soon..

Graham's Spitfire

2011-10-02T21:08:00.000+01:00

a friend indeed!

2011-09-15T19:58:00.006+01:00

Eric arrives at the hill to find low winds and a touch too much west. Not to worry he has the tool for the job; an electric floater with no more than 3 flights under its belt.

The bad news is this model's not packing a receiver, but fear not as the ever resourceful Paul has a spare one in his flight box. It's even got the correct Velcro 'polarity' for mounting in Eric's model, so all's good and off we go into the blue yonder.

off she goes

overhead

low pass

off to find a decent thermal and then up to speck height

What a lovely afternoon! The early autumn sun gives smooth buoyant air and, for a moment at least, we can forget that winter is close by.

All toys safely on the ground. The receiver is handed back to its rightful owner, at which point Paul fesses up with a thank you to Eric for testing his 23 year old piece of kit, which has been the prime suspect in several recent crashes !

cross country fail

2011-09-13T19:58:00.008+01:00

closing season

2011-09-12T13:57:00.006+01:00

Here's some activity from recent weeks

have you guessed what it is yet?

no, nor have we...but it' a good n

another mystery model

a clue as to its vintage

the cows avoid eye contact...but look out for that one on the far right!

the lift's even good enough for some PSS action

after two allegedly duff launches, it's off to inflict some collateral damage
in the name of the good old 'you ess of aye'

I can see autumn on the horizon :(

relate

2011-09-05T21:30:00.002+01:00

The Goodwind camera is refusing to talk to the Goodwind colossus super computer at present.

Normal service will be resumed following a metaphorical banging together of their respective heads. Failing a positive outcome, I'll be looking for assistance to launch the offending parties off the top of Beachy Head (I'll be sure to pick a day when the wind is from the south east if we follow through on this one, so we can at least get some flying in).

Thurnham at its best

2011-08-22T14:00:00.004+01:00

Sunday evening brings a magical combination of warmth, sun, smooth air and thermals....it's Thurnham at its best and we stay 'til sundown.

Ray's sunset stance

Deryck's sunset stance

Pete keeps the cows in check

whoops!

all's well that ends well

Alpina pass......magic!

Murphy cruises....

...and loops. More of the same please before summer's out

Ashdown

2011-08-22T13:50:00.003+01:00

Sunday at Allen's Ashdown cross country contest

Colin's electric Wildthing

2011-08-18T08:31:00.003+01:00

a sunny sunday

2011-08-16T12:26:00.004+01:00

It's sunny, it's Sunday...but it's a tad too westerly....

with the odd south westerly swing, the paragliders hook something...

....next stop Margate and a new site record

Mick with AMT modified Radian

a proper summer evening session

2011-08-05T13:43:00.004+01:00

yes chaps, it's summer!

a quick one with the hound

then off into the lift with a smoking member

shootin' the breeze

Mick's hiding again

Cath Kidston windsock

look out Mick !

look out Mick !

Eric launches with the hope of some leisurely cruising

this is what it's all about

spoilers going up, sun going down

playing chicken with the combine

playing chicken with the camera man

back to some cruising

The fruit of Holly

2011-08-04T21:18:00.005+01:00

Some quality sessions at Holly this week, sun southerlies and some lovely apples are on offer.

slope supper

plenty to go round

the tunnel presents no problem for Steve, moments later he went back the other way...inverted!

shorts in the majority

Martin's on thistle duty

only two bags of litter this week

where's Mick gone?

Deryck's in the rough

rabbit, badger or glider arrival?

moobs

that's more like it!

almost gets the thumbs up from Trev

apples and airplanes

mick assisted fpv

2011-07-20T20:22:00.002+01:00

just you remember who won the war!

2011-07-20T09:06:00.005+01:00

Yah boo Mr Johnny foreigner! In future don't use our movies for your own financial gain.

Thanks to Trev for the 'heads up'.

bobbing plank

2011-07-19T22:09:00.000+01:00

old school sunday

2011-07-19T11:08:00.005+01:00

Sunday before last and the Holly Hill Revivalists join us for an early summer's evening session, their bargain basement Ebay specials do not fail to impress.

name the model! a prize of self congratulatory smart arsey smugness,and the realisation you've been spending too much of your life playing with toy planes goes to the emailer with first correct answer

up into the blue

...or the grey

the antidote

Multi-Phase has a jolly good workout, the wing joiner gets plenty of reps

altitude not an issue today

Colin and the kissing gate

colin on the hump

2011-07-11T21:11:00.002+01:00

the blow from a low

2011-07-07T13:03:00.014+01:00

it's blowy, time to compare, calibrate and salute

if the ballast fits, use it!

alternative approach to bumping up the wing loading

Ray gets ready to battle the breeze

while his master isn't watching, foamie no.2 sneaks up onto the chair for a snooze

Deryck's new fast foam

it's going well

stamp 'approved'

power launch

push launch

the Needle is very happy in the big air

but a flutter issue needs investigating

just a tape fix...for now

Jason breaks out some more soaring machinery

levitation launch

clean approach

in the box

taking root

free loader

off the flat fail

2011-07-07T12:56:00.003+01:00

The high pressure weekend forces some of the regulars out onto the flat, there's the odd thermal coming through and the lift is good when it's around.

Eric indulges in some free flight activity, unfortunately this incident can't be blamed on radio failure.

the results of a full out tow as delivered by Paul

finally prooving viable

2011-07-02T20:41:00.004+01:00

After 2 years languishing in the bilge of his house boat, Mick finally gets it together with his FPV gear. Two funny heads, and several spent Lipo packs later he's almost got to grips with it.

Mick's happy to rent it out to model boat users, it comes complete with diesel 'smell-o-vision' for the ultimate immersive experience.

Nonsense video to follow at some point....

wwwwwwnw

2011-06-20T13:46:00.009+01:00

It's a tricky day on the hill, the wind flits between west and north west making the mighty Thurnham unflyable for long periods.

However, once the dark and stormy cumulus have rolled through, the air settles down and finally gives us a few hours of west south west into the evening.

Graham escapes from the real world and joins us on the hill

intriguing leading edge devices; patent pending

it flies a treat!

successful maiden for Colin's lovely Alpina

Eric's ready with some electric assist

Colin is today's lift dummy

Jac's foxy Fox

Deryck smells a thermal

hoping for a fast rx charge.....voltage may be an issue

lost and found again

2011-06-15T18:54:00.004+01:00

PARAGLIDER PILOTS

dropped something useful at Thurnham?

if so let us know what you've lost.... we may have found it

the chill of summer

2011-06-09T13:52:00.014+01:00

a lush vista of glorious countryside greets us today

it's an active sky, but the thermals are torn by the wind

spot the full size fly over

Colin's feeling frisky in the late spring breeze

Paul's the nearest victim

Ray worries about getting a 12 inch mouldie in the back of the head

bizarre found object no.5 the mummy's finger

pick us a winner Paul!

there's a big lump of snot and balsa dust up there somewhere

the inevitable nob gag

let's get back to the flying

enjoying the craic

wind eases, it's time for the Bird of Time

note winter clothing required

quick landing as the rain cloud rolls in

Ray's last in the shelter

Wildthing hits the bottle

Mothership from the planet Head parks over Detling

past times

2011-06-06T17:32:00.001+01:00

photos from the Easter weekend over on the isle

easter holly update

2011-05-31T13:31:00.002+01:00

some more Holly photos from the Easter weekend

flat landers' help required

2011-05-24T22:02:00.001+01:00

holly's tunnel

2011-05-17T16:52:00.004+01:00

the rope

2011-05-09T20:56:00.008+01:00

It's another normal afternoon on our regular Kentish hill side.....

Graham has perfected his discus launch technique....

.....but what's going on here?

all becomes clear!

inevitably the limbo dishes out a life threatening wound....

.....but luckily we find something that should help reduce the bood loss

more easterness

2011-05-09T20:54:00.004+01:00

An afternoon session from the Easter weekend over on the isle....

poor showing from those sporting shorts

combat line up

stuff

deliberation on how to remove Ray from his Wildthing

wind's gone...home time

more holly holiday

2011-05-09T20:48:00.005+01:00

Here's some more photos from the Easter weekend at Holly Hill....

devil eyed Ray is grabbed by Treebeard after a successful retrieve

Eric chucks Betty

the shorts are on

contemplating some floaty action

off with the Radian

Alan settles down with the Alpina

good turn out

ready for some aerial shots

lost and found

2011-05-06T11:05:00.003+01:00

found at Bo-Peep

winglet possibly off a Multiplex ASW28 or a CM Pro cheapie scalie? drop us a line if you're needing a fair bit of rudder trim, and we can get it off in the post to you

spot landing

2011-05-06T11:04:00.001+01:00

holy holly holiday

2011-04-24T17:21:00.000+01:00

the giddy heights of holly hill

2011-04-20T21:36:00.008+01:00

Spring masquerades as summer on Tuesday afternoon and Holly is light but thermic. There's plenty of fliers on the hill, and none could argue they didn't get a good fix.

goooowarrrrahhhhnnn !

more men in shorts

Simon has a go with Betty

the patch

prop anxiety

Micro Floh aka Destiny for our American viewers
(it fits nicely in the trunk of his station wagon)

why so serious Alan?

lean

Hopefully more of the same on Good Friday

crash!

2011-04-18T17:36:00.003+01:00

Good to see the forum doing another in its series of frequent crashes.

Anyone up for Holly tomorrow afternoon?

mid week special

2011-04-12T19:55:00.008+01:00

Ray launches out over the verdant pasture

lots of kit

combat

combatees

Blaze

Simon taps the ash off the end of his member

Col's Wildthing with motor

not his legs though

a family of metal boxes saunters down the hill for a look

hairy Col

Gary's Wein

good wind to you all!

start of the season

2011-04-04T09:15:00.006+01:00

Good weekend all round, we could have done with some more sun on Sunday afternoon, but let's face it, the wind's the priority!

Discus Obesius owns the slope

lovely Luna

Duke steers the Ventus like a pro......

but we'll draw a veil over his ASW 'landing'

well honed launch technique

check out that swagger

Duke's getting ready for an altitude record attempt

Pete and the Phase 6

Mick and the Radian

Radian and A N Other

Radian pass

Radian swoop

Hangies have a rig / de-rig day

creaky launch

2011-03-21T21:47:00.001Z

first day of spring

2011-03-21T16:19:00.007Z

This weekend heralded the start of spring, the sun and warmth confirm the shift in seasons. With a high pressure system establishing itself over the UK, it's a flat field day on Saturday with lots of passing buzzards marking the thermals.

Sunday brings fortune to the brave, with F3Fs and floaters doing well off the slope on a slermally afternoon. If you work the spring lift well it's a rewarding session, but there are a few out landings as the sink sweeps through behind.

Martin's landing monitored by formation UFOs

35 meg still alive and well

Steve's grown another foot or so since his

last session a few weeks back

Eric and Betty

Jon launches

the paragliders get some air time too

Sir Tim joins us for the afternoon

speed merchant Jon even has a skeg on his tranny!

is it spring yet?

2011-03-08T21:48:00.006Z

It's a good morning for the paragliders, but as the afternoon pushes on the wind picks up. There's better slope lift, but it's still cold and rather rumbustious.

white planes

the...

men....

in.....

red!

straight through the heart

the sun! the sun!

2011-02-26T18:15:00.003Z

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! surely this must be spring? Thursday was bloomin' loveley, but Friday was pay back time when Thurnham threw a paddy and delivered cloud, and mediocre lift.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Duke's floater is perfect in the light, lifty air

a model that can always be relied upon

a good turn out

Colin's well kitted out

yet another silhouette / sunset shot....

followed by another in the series of extreme close-ups

good catch from Alan

Jason's got one brewing too

sniff, sniff

saint slacker's subterfuge

2011-02-19T21:42:00.010Z

On a forecast promise of clear sky and good winds, Deryck and Paul head off south for a day of sloping indulgence.

However, mist envelopes any high ground south of Bexhill so this Friday's slackers spend a day touring South Downs sites in hope of some slope action.

Beachy is bleak, with fog rolling over the car park. The lift is good, but anything other than a foamie would be too much of a risk in the big air.

High and Over is busy with paragliders, so it's off to try uncharted territory. After a brief hunt, our persistent slopers strike off on foot to a small easterly ridge.

a climb up the Cuckmere valley......

the patch

The lift is reasonable, and the cloud high enough so as not to be an issue. The down side is the landing strip, or lack there of.

What looked feasible on arrival feels little more than a postage stamp once airborne. So a safe landing calls for a five minute, backward hike up the bumpy bridle path away from the lift.

Paul has a better time of it than Deryck, who bags a patch of bad air and has to scratch around in deteriorating light at low level. He hooks the last weak thermal of the day, squinting hard at his rapidly fading speck of an Ellipse. But it gives him the altitude he needs to peel off far from the lift band and get safely to the higher, clear ground for a landing....phew!

salute to St. Slacker

flying with half a tailplane

2011-02-17T22:21:00.001Z

last monday

2011-02-17T22:07:00.003Z

Lovely, active skies again for the most part of the afternoon. The paragliders are hopefully, but it's a bit too gusty, and then just too darn light!

early spring thermals abound

Martin is getting to grips with the Acacia

Hello Duke!

good lipo cooling in Mick's Radian

the stalwart of Alan's sloping fleet

bring on the spring!

Roger Broad

2011-02-09T17:09:00.008Z

The sad news has reached us that Roger passed away last Thursday

His funeral will be on Monday morning at Medway Crematorium.

It has been asked (in a what must be a reflection of his upbeat manner) that should anyone wish to attend, could they please refrain from wearing black.

He will surely be missed up on the hill.

holly hill heaven

2011-02-08T19:03:00.007Z

Come 3pm on a Tuesday afternoon and Holly Hill hits her prime. Gentle wind and a few thermals complimented with some sunshine.

Martin is non-plussed due to his lack of light lift equipment

Charlie's Fox pretends it's in California

a nifty knife edge maneuver for the camera

low passes too

Martin manages to skillfully hang on with the Apache

but just then, the lipo battery in the Fox spontaneously combusts....

leaving only piles of ash where once stood happy aero-modellers

Oh well, at least we end up with one of those rare blog entries where the flying shots outweigh the incidental gumpf!

spring pre-dawn

2011-02-06T19:36:00.007Z

Thursday brings us the first glimmer of spring, the promise of sun and a decent wind brings a good crowd of fliers to the hill. Unfortunately the Goodwind camera is not in attendance, so here's a reconstruction of a few of the highlights

the sun

the crowd

the superb thermals

Jason enjoys the Sigma....

Deryck enjoys some low passes

Paul's been enjoying some lead fumes

We all enjoy Gary's Habicht

snippet of summer

2011-01-31T22:58:00.007Z

It's all been a bit cold and miserable round here recently, so here's a reminder of what it's like to fly in a tee shirt!

I'm an inland soarer, get me out of here!

2011-01-22T20:34:00.009Z

Deryck, Al, Bob and Paul hit the chilly coastal clime of Beltinge. We have intermittent drizzle and a wind that swings progressively NNE as the afternoon rolls on. You can't beat coastal lift for smoothness, but this contrasts strongly with the nasty rotor. It's working hard to claim a victim, but the only casualty today ends up being Paul's underpants following two particularly lairy landing approaches.

Deryck slips on by

the rotor lies in wait

Deryck's unphased

and continues his grooving on the lip

After all the roaring around these F3F wanna bees can take, they break out the foam and make best use of the northely blow heading off on a cross country to Reculver Towers. The cliffs have to be 'worked' a bit to get there, and by the time the elevation drops down to promenade level, both Paul and Deryck end up on the deck.

near miss with old briny

the bowl beneath the towers works well

but the light is fading

quit while you're ahead

On heading back to the cars, we bump into Janet Street Porter striking out across the cliff tops. A recent eye operation leaves her in a less than photogenic state. So despite the fact she'd love to be in close proximity to two grown men with their toy planes, she politely declines the opportunity to have a go on the sticks, or feature in the blog!

2011-01-16T20:44:00.003Z

leakage

Col

nosbiG

giingggggger

asboed

sunny 2011

2011-01-09T22:55:00.009Z

Big Al enjoys the big blue, the thermals are out there...

we don't call him 'Big Al' for nothing...

see, absolutely no camera trickery

Trev's been chomping the Christmas balloons again

and turfs out a deflated specimen from trap two

'right, let's get some flying in'

Trev's on test pilot duty

a couple of Rutan Vari-thingies do a fly over

narrowly avoiding the Photoshop 'sharpen' filter

76 and still got a decent launch arm on him!

Mick dusts off his Lipo sack

he's planning to spend all of next week on the hill...

'is it just me or can you smell/hear/feel something burning?'

new year gloom

2011-01-04T19:21:00.012Z

They tell us the days are getting longer, but the first working day of the New Year sees many of the usual slacking suspects shrouded in dim cold clag on the brow of the Downs.

this morning's solar eclipse lasted until about 3.30pm at Thurnham

It's a day for floaters that can take a large moisture deposit on their wings and still keep scratching along. By the time we're all chilled to the core, the sun puts in a brief appearance that does little to warm our cockles, but at least it brings along a sprightlier breeze.

silhouette theme today

The patch is flat and fluid, and Deryck makes the most of the skid pan for long landing slides, model to temple impact concussion doing little to quell his fervour.

There is some thermal activity though, or is it just the dog turd bonfire behind the pub stirring things up?

I'll show you mine if you show me yours...

and then BOOM! the sun came out

Holly today

2010-12-27T19:40:00.002Z

It's hard south at Holly today, lots of snow on the ground but the roads are clear. It's punishingly cold on the fingers, but even so we're all fairly sure the localised bubbles of lift are winter thermals.

the patch is staked as close to the cars as possible

serious stuff...

Simon gives the E-Luna an airing

Beltinge again

2010-12-27T19:35:00.003Z

Sunday 12th and we congregate in the mid winter gloom of the Kentish coast.

midwinter midday

lots of foam

Alan lands out

F3F posse rip up the cliffs

longman on the 11th

2010-12-27T19:20:00.004Z

Two weeks before Christmas and there's a weekend grouping at Longman to celebrate Paul's birthday. The wind is light and a fair way west, but after lunch the breeze picks up slightly and teases with us with the odd 'on slope' flirt.

Barry sports vertical stripes

while Jim goes for the streamlined approach

Deryck settles into his new Ellipse well and is soon in haircut mode

the cheese is eased up to room temperature

we won't mention why Jason has such a sweat on

the vegetarian's Achilles heel

Amigo gets airborne

it may not be enough to generate a thermal

but the BBQ makes a fine slope side heater

remember the summer?

2010-12-13T21:39:00.006Z

a couple of weeks ago

2010-12-07T21:48:00.005Z

We all went down to Beltinge a couple of weeks back. It was freakin' cold, but we all had a good time. Plenty of combat and a cross country along to the towers cut short by a mid-air

guess the hooter

you guessed right!

the big 'm' again

2010-11-22T11:56:00.003Z

It's another month until the shortest day. But even so, Sundays dark chill on the Kentish coast has a misery to it that can only be lifted by a well insulated slope soaring session. There's a hearty turnout and the combat continues well beyond dusk. You'd better get used to it chaps, this week holds the promise of deepening arctic conditions still to come.

heavenly holly

2010-11-17T08:41:00.004Z

We get a lovely little slot on Tuesday afternoon. It's a calm morning but all the forecasts show sun and an increasing breeze for the afternoon. Holly is at her best with thermals and mild slope lift. The air abounds with floaters and electric assist for some laid back, early winter soaring.

it could almost be spring time

good weather and good company

not enough swearing going on here, where's Ray when you need him?

Colin tries to decide if his motor is knackered after the castle incident

Ray finally arrives and gives us all a lesson in model rigging, we got it down on video and Paul Naton has shown interest in using it for his 'Soaring Master Class' series

don't worry viewers, winter really is here...once the sun goes in it's chuffing cold and we even get some rain.....hoooraah!

a wet big 'm'

2010-11-08T09:21:00.010Z

The forecast doesn't come up to scratch on Sunday, at least not at Minster. There's a street of rain clouds marching across the estuary with clear sunny weather either side. So the day is spent with quick forays into the sky, then scrambled landings and back to cover in the cars.

80% of the afternoon looked like this

boarder line too windy for the Wildies

An elegant solution from Dave....apologies to John, he tried to hold off. When do we get to see yours?

clearer weather breaks through, and the winds ease

so we carry on past sunset

Jason's found something in the bushes...it's Colin!

and look! there's a model in there too

success!

beyond the call of duty

wouldn't be a decent session with an 'incident'

we missed you Steve......until next time

far from summer

2010-10-27T21:42:00.006+01:00

It may not be summer, but with the southwesterlies back we can all enjoy something warm and moist in our faces again. So it's back up on the third rate lump that just about passes for a hill to enjoy our toys.

Alan sets the speed standard for the afternoon with the Aris

Colin T gets today's spot landing award

Colin P rips it up in an old school stylie

usual crowd

Colin P provides a little surprise for Rob

whilst Rob comes through with a money shot

bow in praise to the god of slopiness

we prepare to leave respectfully

but just then Colin T arrives with some urgency

hell at holly hill

2010-10-21T21:52:00.000+01:00

the big 'M'

2010-10-19T19:27:00.037+01:00

High pressure and northerlies point in one direction for Kentish slopers...Minster! This weekend the shallow, erosion defended inclines deliver the goods for two days on the trot.

good shelter behind the bushes

Eric preps the Weasel....
meanwhile at Firle

...while Deryck preps the Wildie..... meanwhile at Firle

inverted hand catch from Dave...... meanwhile at Firle

Eric chucks the Weasel off, it tears down wind, arriving in a garden. He deftly hooks it with the 5 metre retrieve pole, raises the foamie over the fence where upon it gets airbourne again and then takes roost in a hedge!

oh for the want of a video camera!..... meanwhile at Firle

Dave cleans the salt spray off his glasses

good lift ceiling on Saturday

another inverted hand catch from Dave

Sunday starts off blowy, but eases through the day. The afternoon begins with a benign 10mph breeze which eventually drops off to nothing, this of course heralds the arrival of Ray.

early afternoon is ideal for the paragliders several make it as far as Warden Bay and, more importantly, make it back!

Steve laments the lack of flat land equipment

a fine Firle Thursday

2010-10-19T19:21:00.002+01:00

Paul and Simon head off down to Firle for a Lear re-maiden

Concorde stays grounded for health and safety reasons

locals throw abuse at each other from their relative vantage points

Lear's keen to go....

but Luna says no

oh well, maybe next time