04 October 2011

holly delivers

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..



15 September 2011

a friend indeed!

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 !

12 September 2011

closing season



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 :(




05 September 2011

relate

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).





22 August 2011

Thurnham at its best

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

Sunday at Allen's Ashdown cross country contest





16 August 2011

a sunny sunday




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