holly again

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

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

old school scale

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

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

last spring

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

antiques slope show

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

xc success

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