Devils Dyke 20th April

Wind on hill. NNW 10-18 MPH   The forecast was for an excellent day and it did not disappoint. I headed for Devils Dyke with an out and return in mind. I needed to be ready to fly the following day as that was forecast as epic too so I had to try an out and return.   My flight was declared as Dyke to Cocking and back, some 78 kms in total. In radio contact with Ron Richardson as he fancied trying the same task too. It turned out we never did fly together.   I took off just before 12 and was soon on track. Several strong climbs encountered as I approached Parham gliding club, some even 8 ups! Steve Cook joined me on his Phantom by catching me up and passing me.   Conditions were more difficult on approaching the Arundal gap, the wind had now become a 30 kph head wind. I was getting readings varying from 330-270 degrees. Two attempts were needed to make the jump, though I never dropped below 2000ft. I also saw a PG bomb out near Arundal. Joining Cooky and a sailplane thermalling in the middle of the gap proved fruitless and it was here Steve Cook said he headed back to the Dyke. He couldn't stand the cold in his hands anymore!   Getting across on my second attempt I made good height and needed it as the strong headwind made it tough and exhausting. After three good climbs coming off the ridge I finally had enough height to making the Cocking turn point after setting off 3 hours earlier.   Looking down there was another PG on an xc. We shared a thermal briefly though it was at least a 1000ft below me. Now with a tailwind the flying became so much easier and I just bimbled along relaxing and despite this the 39 km to the Dyke took just 46 minutes.   On the ground I caught up with Steve Cook and we both had plans to try out and returns the next day. Steve aimed to head up towards Harting from the Dyke and I said I intended to do it the other way round. We parted saying "may well see each other tomorrow on route".   What a cracking day, a new PB out and return distance of 78 km.