Just in case anyone is still looking at this blog...!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXXVKhzyHDk
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Sunday, 24 June 2012
Ok that's it.
The 18m video will be available on the UK Junior Gliding TV YouTube channel as soon as we can get it finished off.
A cracking week which the weather did its best to destroy but did not succeed.
Thanks to Ron for a very well run comp.
Hopefully see you at the regionals.
Poz. Out
A cracking week which the weather did its best to destroy but did not succeed.
Thanks to Ron for a very well run comp.
Hopefully see you at the regionals.
Poz. Out
Before everyone deletes the blog from their browser
I thought I would use this opportunity to highlight the fact that we have 10 spaces left at the Hus Bos regionals this year.
Hopefully the weather will be better than we have had this year.
Jerry Langrick is directing the comp and it therefore promises to be a well run and good fun week. There is a mixture of first timers, club pilots wanting some organised flying and some grizzled old nationals pilots - so whatever your standing in the gliding world you would be more than welcome. We will also be running some maggot racing in the bar in the evening so an element of training will be available.
It starts on the 4th August.
Please ring Ursula or Sarah 01858 880521
I'm really impressed with myself actually...I have done an entire week without mentioning www.komettrailers.co.uk - it would have been very unprofessional to mention this well built good value trailers on here ;)
Pictures from Prize Giving will be posted later
Hopefully the weather will be better than we have had this year.
Jerry Langrick is directing the comp and it therefore promises to be a well run and good fun week. There is a mixture of first timers, club pilots wanting some organised flying and some grizzled old nationals pilots - so whatever your standing in the gliding world you would be more than welcome. We will also be running some maggot racing in the bar in the evening so an element of training will be available.
It starts on the 4th August.
Please ring Ursula or Sarah 01858 880521
I'm really impressed with myself actually...I have done an entire week without mentioning www.komettrailers.co.uk - it would have been very unprofessional to mention this well built good value trailers on here ;)
Pictures from Prize Giving will be posted later
Scrubbed
Prize giving 12:30
Derren is Double UK Champion.
Does anyone have a standard class/club class glider as he has aspirations of world domination
Derren is Double UK Champion.
Does anyone have a standard class/club class glider as he has aspirations of world domination
It's getting darker
Gavin "nice eyes" Goudie has emerged from the caravan and destroyed a breakfast.
I personally cannot see anything but a scrub
I personally cannot see anything but a scrub
Ron is inspecting the field
He has set sail down the newly formed River Bosworth with the vague expectation of finding dry land
Well that got well out of hand
Close to £1200 behind the bar last night.
This morning is briefing at 11 DO NOT GRID BEFORE or you may drown
This morning is briefing at 11 DO NOT GRID BEFORE or you may drown
Saturday, 23 June 2012
The hog roast looks amazing
No one has keeled over yet which is a bonus.
A few notable faces who have made the trip:
Anna/Leigh Wells here/on the way.
Gav Goudie also here
A few notable faces who have made the trip:
Anna/Leigh Wells here/on the way.
Gav Goudie also here
Spot landing competition on the runway at HB
A couple of unnamed pilots reckon it reminds them of a story that included a small airstrip at the overseas, an overcooked landing, a dented rudder and an angry pilot
An insight into what goes on in the scoring office
This was played in briefing this morning to shouts of "how do you score them?!"
Ron is clearly enjoying himself
Ron is clearly enjoying himself
Hog Roast tonight
If you don't have anything to do tonight then why not join us at HB this evening for some grub and beer.
First launch 12:30...possibly
First launch 12:30...possibly
Day 4 (again)
With tomorrow looking like a write off already today is our final chance.
Happily the airfield looks a touch drier after reasonable winds all night and no rain.
There is a semblance of sunshine almost.
Hopefully the wind drops enough to make a day out of this
Happily the airfield looks a touch drier after reasonable winds all night and no rain.
There is a semblance of sunshine almost.
Hopefully the wind drops enough to make a day out of this
Friday, 22 June 2012
5 more views and we have 11,000
Thanks again for the interest. I just wish we had had a few more days flying
Looks like a few competitors have headed home already.
Task looking likely tomorrow.
Looks like a few competitors have headed home already.
Task looking likely tomorrow.
Rory is the final pilot to bed
Bumble, Minime and Ben Langrick just arrived and have hit the vodka roulette game.
Tomorrow
Could very well be flyable!
After considering relocating the comp to various airfields with runways we've decided that we will fly from the tarmac here if needed tomorrow. Could be an entertaining launch as it will require each row of gliders to be pushed on line one at a time.
Anyway, we're about to settle in for a night in the bar...
After considering relocating the comp to various airfields with runways we've decided that we will fly from the tarmac here if needed tomorrow. Could be an entertaining launch as it will require each row of gliders to be pushed on line one at a time.
Anyway, we're about to settle in for a night in the bar...
I forgot to say...
It is scrubbed. Thanks Matt for helping put my glider away.
The field is still saturated. The wind is getting stronger. The rain is getting harder.
The field is still saturated. The wind is getting stronger. The rain is getting harder.
9992
8 more page views and we have 10,000.
Thanks very much for putting up with the drivel I have served.
Thanks very much for putting up with the drivel I have served.
Dunstable forecast
Andy is a bit more positive. Wind slowly reducing throughout the day. Showery but sunny spells...could we get a window?
Directors briefing in 30mins when Hugh Brookes will tell what's occurring.
Ron was last seen at 9:30pm with the Chateauneuf du pap so thinking about it...make it 08:15 for the directors briefing.
Meanwhile I look out of the window in the club house and wish I hadn't put the Vertigo's on and instead just put the glider in the trailer. It looks very sorry for itself out there
Directors briefing in 30mins when Hugh Brookes will tell what's occurring.
Ron was last seen at 9:30pm with the Chateauneuf du pap so thinking about it...make it 08:15 for the directors briefing.
Meanwhile I look out of the window in the club house and wish I hadn't put the Vertigo's on and instead just put the glider in the trailer. It looks very sorry for itself out there
Windy
The wind is battering the caravan. The awning floor is underwater.
Kind of wished I had stayed at work.
What a cr@p summer so far.
Kind of wished I had stayed at work.
What a cr@p summer so far.
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Today
The rain this morning was unreal, so much for the airfield drying out! It's all damp and horrible here.
In briefing now. Hugh isn't too confident about the weather, maybe 4-500 foot cloudbases with a huge area of heavy rain predicted here for 3pm ish. The cross section looks like a child's scribbled all over it. Not much hope for tomorrow either I'm afraid.
Therefore today is scrubbed.
Tomorrow
Isn't looking that great on the synoptics. Few pilots still in the bar so they're obviously not that hopeful!
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
No finishers
Turns out no one finished. A few made a last ditch effort at getting to the control point but turned back whilst still within glide of the airfield.
Here's what the first leg looked like for the guys from the start zone today:
Think that explains why lots of them hit the spuds so early!
Here's what the first leg looked like for the guys from the start zone today:
Think that explains why lots of them hit the spuds so early!
352 has just landed
Don't think he's been round the control point though.
Few have made it back to sywell. Think the days dead now
Cock of the day
Will most likely go to Richard Browne in XS, who landed out at wittering, got an aerotow retrieve, then promptly landed in a field. Oops!
Landouts
Lots of them. There was a big gap for them to cross right at the start, I guess around 30-40km and it seems many of them didn't make it across.
Not sure what its like in east anglia but its picked up nicely here so if they make it round they'll get back fine.
Lots of crews phones ringing as I type and some pilots have asked their crews to set off to the east so it obviously isn't that good
Lots of relights
Big areas of spreadout in the drop zone and over the airfield. Drop zones been moved and they're all off again
First launch 12.00
However its looking a bit soggy/low here still. Spreading out already in places too. Sky should have sorted itself out by midday though
Today's tasks
A: HUS-Bury St Edmonds-Wendling-Caxton Gibbet-HUS 345KM
B: HUS-Bury St Edmonds-Caxton Gibbet-HUS 268KM
B: HUS-Bury St Edmonds-Caxton Gibbet-HUS 268KM
Morning
Briefing 10.30. The sun is shining. Gliders are gridding at the west end.
Looking like we'll get 5,000ft+ cloudbases but there'll be lots of top cover around. Expecting them to have a 300+ task out to the east.
In other news, the diddly diddly doos have scratched Jaynes legs to pieces this morning.
Well this sucks...
On the other hand at least it isn't raining.
My iPhone isn't quite as negative about the rest of the week now re the weather
Hopefully when I get back to HB on Friday the weather will have perked up.
My iPhone isn't quite as negative about the rest of the week now re the weather
Hopefully when I get back to HB on Friday the weather will have perked up.
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
That's it from me for a few days
Hopefully Matt will take over posting for the next couple of days whilst I go on a training course in London.
Thanks for all the hits so far and the positive feedback
Catch you soon
Poz
Thanks for all the hits so far and the positive feedback
Catch you soon
Poz
Re-brief.
I think I just heard rebrief. I can't believe it is a change of task. The weather is looking fantastic.
Matt and myself have set 267km within the task area.
Keep an eye on soaringspot now as I'm off to roperun
Matt and myself have set 267km within the task area.
Keep an eye on soaringspot now as I'm off to roperun
First launch likely to be 12
It is already looking bombastic out there.
Some serious humpty into East Anglia. I wouldn't be surprised to see 120km/h today
Some serious humpty into East Anglia. I wouldn't be surprised to see 120km/h today
Tasks
Naseby West - Diss- Towcester-Ramsey-Hus 426km
Naseby West - diss - st Neots - Ramsey - Hus 334km
Naseby West - diss - st Neots - Ramsey - Hus 334km
Thanks Vertigo Covers for my new canopy glove
Looks like their professionalism is as prevalent as ever ;)
Thanks Andy, the address got a good laugh
Thanks Andy, the address got a good laugh
Airplane spotters
I think I will set up a new website soon.
I reckon we should start taking photos of the spotters and put them on the Internet with their addresses etc
Hus Bos crawling with them this morning. What is the fascination of G-reg's???
I've not seen any removing the covers of gliders this morning for a change however if they do perhaps we can has an x-rated version when we remove their clothes...see how they like that!
Rant over
Anyway gridding is pretty much all done. Briefing still at 10:30.
I reckon we should start taking photos of the spotters and put them on the Internet with their addresses etc
Hus Bos crawling with them this morning. What is the fascination of G-reg's???
I've not seen any removing the covers of gliders this morning for a change however if they do perhaps we can has an x-rated version when we remove their clothes...see how they like that!
Rant over
Anyway gridding is pretty much all done. Briefing still at 10:30.
Director's briefing
That was a happy Hugh Brookes.
Thumping climbs today. Monster cloudbase 5k+ into East Anglia
Going on late. Starting early
450km on the cards
Thumping climbs today. Monster cloudbase 5k+ into East Anglia
Going on late. Starting early
450km on the cards
View out of the window this morning
Andy Roch at Dunstable is forecasting 5000ft cloudbases.
RASP isn't.
I think I will go with Andy Roch.
The airfield is only mildly swampy now.
RASP isn't.
I think I will go with Andy Roch.
The airfield is only mildly swampy now.
Important trip
I won't be posting too much this morning as I have to get to Rugby train station at 08:45.
It's looking reasonable though. Expect a grid before brief at 10am
It's looking reasonable though. Expect a grid before brief at 10am
Monday, 18 June 2012
Scores on the doors-provisional
Derren 1st 872
Chris Curtis 2nd 840
Russell 3rd 778
Iain Evans 3rd 778 (joint)
Afandi 5th 773
Andy Davis 6th 759
Rest of the scores on soaringspot.
Well done to Ron and John and Hugh for a well set task.
Matt and I went for a rumble down to Bicester and back and didn't really get any further than Northants. It was a tricky day that was perfect for the 18s.
Chris Curtis 2nd 840
Russell 3rd 778
Iain Evans 3rd 778 (joint)
Afandi 5th 773
Andy Davis 6th 759
Rest of the scores on soaringspot.
Well done to Ron and John and Hugh for a well set task.
Matt and I went for a rumble down to Bicester and back and didn't really get any further than Northants. It was a tricky day that was perfect for the 18s.
Scores not too far away
A few issues with the scoring software but I've been assured they are not far away
Loads more finishers
Including Phil Jones, Mark Holden, Nick Tillet, and a club K21.
I couldn't type quick enough to get everyone down
I couldn't type quick enough to get everyone down
Its now sunny
We have regridded as its a bit of a lake where the grid was.
For those that know HB we are now behind dads hangar...first time in HB's history that we are launching from back here...what a summer!
Keep and eye on soaring spot now for updates as launching will be fairly soon.
Hope work is good for everyone :)
For those that know HB we are now behind dads hangar...first time in HB's history that we are launching from back here...what a summer!
Keep and eye on soaring spot now for updates as launching will be fairly soon.
Hope work is good for everyone :)
Church notices
Italian night in the club house tonight
Met - similar to yesterday but less spread out, more sun, better to the south. Hugh is more confident than yesterday.
Tasks in a previous post but they head as far south as they dare.
Met - similar to yesterday but less spread out, more sun, better to the south. Hugh is more confident than yesterday.
Tasks in a previous post but they head as far south as they dare.
Tasks
Hus-kingsclere-welford (not the one near Hus Bos)- Kettering south-Hus
277km
Hus - did - Kettering south - Hus
206km
277km
Hus - did - Kettering south - Hus
206km
Previous comment
Whoever commented about the 3 S's thank you! Ron and Hugh thought it was very funny.
More input would be great if any of you get bored at work.
More input would be great if any of you get bored at work.
Morning campers
As the dulcet tones of Boomer Bridges rampage across the swamp that seemingly was the campsite until last night's biblical rain storm Hugh Brookes and Phil return from a late night dub step rave
No news on gridding/mooring yet
No news on gridding/mooring yet
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Good night.
Lovely evening in the bar.
Everyone has cleared off now after reading Dave Masson's forecast for tomorrow.
Everyone has cleared off now after reading Dave Masson's forecast for tomorrow.
BBQ evening
What a turn out. I reckon most of the competitors have come along this evening. All cooking their own food. Surprisingly good mood at the club considering the weather we had today. I believe we only have 1 or 2 cases of trenchfoot so far.
Football is on in the bar...Netherlands vs Portugal.
Football is on in the bar...Netherlands vs Portugal.
It's a very depressing scene here.
Lovely cu to the south but another shower on its way.
A real shame. One less shower and I reckon we would have launched
A real shame. One less shower and I reckon we would have launched
14:15 is is earliest first launch.
Shower on its way through and then it looks good. Sniffer is up in the air. Keep an eye on soaringspot for further updates as we are getting Matt's glider ready and then rope running
No sign of this sunshine.
I'm putting the caravan awning up so can't here the tannoy but it drizzling at the moment
Concentrating during briefing
Chris Curtis and Andy Davis listening hard during Sunday's briefing.
Grossing straight after briefing. Clear skies about 20km south of us and moving this way. First launch not before 12:00
Grossing straight after briefing. Clear skies about 20km south of us and moving this way. First launch not before 12:00
It's that fine rain
I woke up to glorious sunshine. Had the 3 S's. Walked out of the shower blocks and it drizzling. However I have been assured that things will improve.
It is touch and go today. Certain they will grid though.
Personally looking out of the window it looks a bit cold and wet
More to follow after 8am when we have had the directors briefing.
Quote of the morning:
Frank Birlison "is this rain showing on the charts?"
Nick Tillet: "no but it's showing on the airfield"
It is touch and go today. Certain they will grid though.
Personally looking out of the window it looks a bit cold and wet
More to follow after 8am when we have had the directors briefing.
Quote of the morning:
Frank Birlison "is this rain showing on the charts?"
Nick Tillet: "no but it's showing on the airfield"
Saturday, 16 June 2012
Really positive feel from the pilots tomorrow
Tomorrow is looking OK.
Meanwhile Matt Waters, Ollie Barter, Alex Jones, Ben Langrick, Mini Poz and (actually on the a34 somewhere) Will (Chopper) Chappell have all made the journey north to drink with me and the wench
Meanwhile Matt Waters, Ollie Barter, Alex Jones, Ben Langrick, Mini Poz and (actually on the a34 somewhere) Will (Chopper) Chappell have all made the journey north to drink with me and the wench
Scrubbed
After the various church notices, great Video by Matt Davis, and various mobile phones going off Ron has scrubbed the day.
Briefing 10am tomorrow.
Briefing 10am tomorrow.
Briefing at 11am
Hugh (the metman) is not overly confident today.
Red Arrows are coming past at 10am for anyone who can brave the breeze
Red Arrows are coming past at 10am for anyone who can brave the breeze
John Wilton owns a hairbrush???
Whilst speaking with John of 634 fame this morning in the gents, I noticed he owns a hair brush. Anyone that knows John will also know that the days he needed a hairbrush disappeared with Spandau Ballet and Kevin Keegan's perm. Any ideas on its possible use please comment below (keep it clean please).
Anyway, the important stuff. Sadly my optimism earlier for today has not paid off. 40mph winds at 2000ft (700m ish for the international readers) will probably mess up any chance that we have of flying.
Briefing is at 10am.
You cannot grid before briefing as the cones would blow away (probably with you glider).
News from last night includes Jayne Bridges standing on one of her 6 week old kittens - don't worry though...it has recovered and was last seen heading up her faux velvet caravan curtains
Anyway important
Anyway, the important stuff. Sadly my optimism earlier for today has not paid off. 40mph winds at 2000ft (700m ish for the international readers) will probably mess up any chance that we have of flying.
Briefing is at 10am.
You cannot grid before briefing as the cones would blow away (probably with you glider).
News from last night includes Jayne Bridges standing on one of her 6 week old kittens - don't worry though...it has recovered and was last seen heading up her faux velvet caravan curtains
Anyway important
Friday, 15 June 2012
Soaring cafe
I believe we are now world famous on the Soaring Cafe.
Hello everyone abroad! I would love to say the weather is incredibly hot and sunny sadly having spoken to the met man it's not looking great tomorrow but Sunday, Monday and Tuesday looking reasonable
Hello everyone abroad! I would love to say the weather is incredibly hot and sunny sadly having spoken to the met man it's not looking great tomorrow but Sunday, Monday and Tuesday looking reasonable
Awning+wind=good fun to watch
I'm not sure who is braving the conditions out there but there is a very flappy awning being erected. Providing entertainment for us in the bar.
Kevin Houlahan and Graham Smith just registered.
Kevin Houlahan and Graham Smith just registered.
The bar is filling up
I have just seen Bob Thirkell, Jerry Langrick, and Rich Hood turn up. We have already got through 1 barrel of Youngs in the bar. The Football is going to be on in the bar later.
If anyone is looking forward to the food this evening we have Cajun Chicken, ham egg and chips or goats cheese salad
If anyone is looking forward to the food this evening we have Cajun Chicken, ham egg and chips or goats cheese salad
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