Harting Down Monday October 12th

Soarable right up to about 11.30 but after that wind dropped almost nothing at times. Tim, Brian, Steve Gale, Paul Harvey, Alan (surname evades me) and myself turned up. Tim had a problem rigging so had to go home.   I had my first attempt at flying when I spotted a buzzard circling out in front about 250 metres away. It flew off I'm told as soon as I joined it. Got a very weak climb to drift along at 4 mph and it was a NW flow. It petered out to a zero over the hill so opted to top land.   2nd attempt around 2pm and joined another buzzard to the left of take-off but it too flew off as I joined it. I failed to find the thermal initially but headed out from the hill a bit to core a 2-3 up that eventually stopped at 1400ft asl. Headed out to South Harting...nothing headed... NW towards two birds seemingly circling but they were just playing with each other and I landed in the field beneath them!   A friendly couple watching us all at take-off kindly retrieved me! Many thanks to them. Steve Gale had a go on his Sky floater, he bottom landed and I retrieved him. Paul Harvey had a go and managed to hill soar the beacon before opting to top land.   I had a 3rd go as the sky still looked so good I had to try again. Took-off 4.30 and could hill soar the beacon in a 12mph NW. Had a real privilege sharing the sky with a Harris Hawk, what a stunning looking bird these are.   Alan had a go and managed several beats during this time before opting to bottom land. I got a weak climb to give enough height to top land. No classic flying but I enjoyed it all.   Tony