Sunday 17th August

The morning started with low cloud and drizzle and after the usual optimism that it would clear by lunchtime, most members had given up and gone home. But the Trial lesson booked for 12:30 decide to hang on and her perseverance paid off as by 3pm, the sky had a cleared and thermals were popping. 

Pete W,  today's tuggie - and keen as ever to go the extra mile - got the Pawnee out and Guy, today's Duty Instructor gave Elizabeth a fantastic half-hour Trial lesson for her 70th birthday. Elizabeth came down beaming  from which she loved being able to take the controls and was so enthusiastic that her partner Peter also decided to experience gliding. 
Visitor Peter being tempted by the wonderful sky
 Elizabeth and Peter were over the moon that we were able to give them such an enjoyable afternoon. 

By 16:30, the wind had strengthened and the kit was put away.

You have to be here to fly........ Heather

Junior Nationals - Lasham
There was lots of rain as the cold front came through, but it was forecast to be soarable in the afternoon. So by 3pm, we were briefed and ready to launch into a 25knot headwind on a 85km into-wind task. 
I struggled massively in the start zone and climbed to the base of 3500ft and pushed off into the distance. I had a choice of 2 streets to follow, one was very overdeveloped and raining in places and about 5km to the north was one that looked much less overdeveloped, as if it was just starting with nice white puffy cumulus. I decided that the latter was the better option and so pushed to the north. By the time I got there, I was really low, and I just got lower and lower and ended up in a field about 20km away. - Liam