A very pleasant afternoon, suprisingly bouyant considering the rain we've had the last few days. Completely blue with moderate 12-16mph NNE breeze. Tony S. and Alan B. joined me early afternoon. Tony had the first launch of the day and immediately grabbed a thermal to 1,600ft. He disappeared off along the Downs to Graffham and beyond - not to be seen for most of the afternoon. I had a 25min flight then landed to help Alan off for a short soaring flight followed by a bottom landing. Second flight I reached the Beacon - it was working consistently and I got several climbs over 1,000ft ATO. Mooched along the Downs to Treyford and back. Tony reappeared and cruised back to launch where he lost most of his height. Wind had gone a tad more easterly. He scraped back to the Beacon and topped up again. Lift was fading on the Beacon so I elected to glide back for a top landing. Lost all my height, fouled up the top landing approach, (overshot) and ended up in the bottom field. Alan kindly retrieved. Back up to launch, got Alan off on his second flight then packed up for home. Another 90mins for the logbook. Excellent.
Brian.
Yes a fun but not spectacular day. Hi-light for me was sharing the sky scattered all along the south downs ridge run to Barlavington with Buzzards, Kites and other types of birds of prey. They were out in abundance today, I feel very privileged to fly with so many.
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