I have been a bit quiet on the blog lately - mostly because I have been busy!
Got back to Lake Keepit on Monday 22 October. Dad is now home from hospital and doing well, but still not quite back to where he was. No more swimming for another couple of weeks!
Had a problem with the brakes on the Callair on Tuesday. Ian Barraclough stepped in to tow in MIE before flying himself with Boris in the ASH. John Wakefield was at the club fixed the leaking brake, but it still felt spongy. Tim Wilson flew his LS6. Cirrus came over in the afternoon, but apparently the soaring conditions were good.
The next couple of days were rainy. Boris still has not got his licence from CASA but he has received his medical certificate and ASIC. In the meantime he has been very helpful around the place, and has been running wings and towing back gliders with the quad.
I have had a student Bernie Rea-Taylor this week, with occasional visits from his friends Floris and Mattijs. They are all staying at Godfrey Wenness' place and are at varying stages of learning paragliding. Bernie was hoping to start paragliding, but dislocated his knee, and opted for flying sailplanes instead. He has been progressing steadily during the week.
Floris and Mattijs came out one day when it was too windy for paragliding, or the wrong wind direction or something. As it often seems to be too windy for paragliding, we may see more of them!
Everyday this week we have had bad forecasts, but every day it has been quite good! Yesterday was excellent, and Bernie flew to the Borah launch and back in the Puchatek. The paragliders were unable to soar however - not sure if it was a problem with the wind direction, or strength, or just that the thermals were too far apart.
Today we were supposed to have continuous rain, but there hasn't been a drop. There was little or no wind either, so it was perfect for circuits. Todd Clark flew down toward Springridge, then back to Manilla and Split rock in his LS4 IID. Garry flew the Twin Astir solo, and after a late start had an hour and a half or so soaring flight.
Our Japanese member Tadashi Yoshida has arrived and visited the club today with Garry Speight, but did not fly. His friend Mr Iwata also came out. Tad will be flying the LS6 next week, and Mr Iwata will be flying with Garry in the Twin Astir.
Bye for now
Jenny
