Fever broken.

Well I managed to break my bombout fever today. The wind was very North on Mt Tamborine today. I didn't expect a good day at all. But we headed up and found that there were times when the wind was coming up the face of launch and not too cross wind. But while I was setting up the wind came straight down the road and nearly blew a few gliders over. We kept setting up hoping we could get off the hill. A task was set of Rathdowney with an infinite line.

I managed to launch into a blustery Northerly wind. But I found some lift half way to the bombout. Then climbed to about 3,200ft. I followed Wrangi and Big trev over to Misery ridge where we found a reasonable climb to around 4,000ft. We then went down towards Witheren peak and found some light lift near there with a wedgetail eagle. Fortunately he wasn't aggressive and didn't attack any of us. Although I later picked up old Trev who told us that he got savaged by a Wedgie near Witherin doing much damage to his glider. He was not happy.

Crossing the Kerry valley I lost Big Trev and Wrangi and found myself low on the West side of the Jinbroken range. I picked a landing field and headed for it. Suddenly I hit a good thermal which took me back to 4,000ft. I headed for Rathdowney but ended up low again just 8km short. Again I picked a landing field, but I found another good thermal and was able to get back up to 3,700ft. I thought of heading south towards Kyogle, but looking at the sky and with the strong Northerly. I thought a landing in the hills near the range would not be pleasant and decided to land at Rathdowney.

I took these pics and landed in a gusty North Easterly wind in a field just south of Rathdowney along with Ronald, Cam, Jonny, Tony, Wrangi and Neil. Big Trev dropped just 3kms short, but may have got goal anyway with the infinite line. A big thanks to Mark G, who decided not to launch in dodgy conditions and came to take Neil, Old Trev and myself back to Canungra.

Thermalling just SE of Rathdowney.

Near Rath again.

Looking West from near Rath.

Mt Lindsay from near Rath.

Neil packing up at Rath goal paddock. Tony and Wrangi in background to right.


Video of flying near Rathdowney.

An unexpected great day overall. A good way to break my bombout run. Can now happily do another weeks work before having another go flyin off a hill.

Bomb out fever.

Well, I've had a bit of bad run lately with my flying. Of my last four flights, I've had a pack up on the hill (1/9/08). Then a bomb out (7/9/08), . Then a bomb out last Friday (12/9/08). Then another bomb out last Saturday (13/9/08).

Here a couple of videos of people landing at the bomb out near Mt Tamborine on the 13th of Sep.

Ant landing.

Mark and Cameron landing.

Big Pete landing.

Marty Landing.

Trip to Melbourne

I recently went to Melbourne to visit family and spend time with my dad on his birthday (24th of August). He recently had a mild stroke and is now recovering well. He had a good birthday with some old friends and liked the present from Cam and myself of a putter, ball return device and balls.

Veiw leaving Coolangatta airport.

Dad and James putting.

I managed to fit in a some mini golf with dad (68), Cam and James. Also a game of golf with mum (70). Mum and I also visited Werribee Zoo. Which I can recommend to anyone. Young or old.

Meercats at Werribee Zoo.

Mum at Lion enclosure, Werribee Zoo.

Lions at Werribee Zoo.

I caught up again, on my last day in Melbourne, with dad and his girl, Beth at Cam's place where dad played a good game of table tennis. And I got beaten by Cams wife Sally. A bit embarrassing. Well done Sal.

It was good to catch up with everyone, but it does make me appreciate living on the Gold Coast.