A FLIGHT!!!! FINALLY!!!!

I managed to take a break at lunchtime and head down to Southerndown with my trusty Wasabi in tow. I'm really quite fond of this plane and should probably spend some time on giving it a refurbish as it is looking a little tiny bit tatty.
When I got to Southerndown, the 12-15mph SW wind (which would have been absolutely perfect) had morphed itself into a 5 mph SSW wind which was butt-clenchingly light!
I must have either taken my 'brave' pills or was just desperate to fly, because I launched into wind that seagulls were flapping in ........ and flew!
I had a couple of moments where I needed to decide quickly to land and managed to do so successfully!
In hindsight, I probably should have turned right at the top of my road instead of left and headed to the Back of the Wrecker for more lift and to catch up with the guys getting ready for the SWSA Woolybacks F3F tomorrow. It would have been great to catch up. Maybe I can escape for an hour or so today to say G'day.

Anyway, I managed to get some video today. Enjoy!

Great Video from Chris Studley

I can't believe I haven't put this video on my blog before now!
It is probably my favourite sloping video of all time (so far) and it isn't just because I am in it with my Skorp. It represents one of the best days I have ever had on the slope, hanging with my mates in beautiful scenery with silky-smooth lift and gorgeopus sunshine. AND it's all 20 minutes drive from home!
How did I think I would ever be able to stop slope soaring????

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays / Seasons Greetings

Enjoy the Christmas period everyone!!!
Be Safe and enjoy yourselves.
Hopefully you will get out on a hill somewhere too!!

Soaring at Southerndown today? Hopefully!

Hi. My name is Clayton, and it has been 4 months and thirteen days since I last had a tipple at the fountain of slope-soaring.

I nearly failed in my abstinence about a month ago and was rewarded by tripping and nearly removing my foot at the ankle. Still can't walk properly, but am going to attempt to go soaring tomorrow at Southerndown. The forecast isn't inspiring, but I'm hoping the rain will stay away long enough for me to get some flights and video done.

On a family note, our new son, Adam was born on the 11/12/2011 at 0340hrs weighing in at 3.27kg. Clare and Adam are doing very very well. Here's a quick photo from his birthday:

Light wind relaxation on Rhossili

I decided to make the most of my last free day of my annual leave this past Friday and took the Wasabi and Gentle Lady to Rhossili for a nice session with Andy and Roger.

Was a nice relaxing morning that got very crowded with 30 paragliders showing up to make the most of a really nice day. Most of the paragliders were really pleasant and gave us some space after we moved to an area of the slope requested by the club Secretary. As so often happens, there were two paragliders that disregarded their own safety and decided to fly directly through the tiny area of sky we had been allocated to use, without giving us any warning. I nearly accidentally hit them both on separate occasions, and my polite requests for some space were ignored with a smirk. Kind of put a dampener on my day and caused me to get a bit grumpy.

To add further to my frustrations, I misjudged where my plane was and managed to have a mid-air with Roger's Ocelot. No damage to the Wasabi and creased the leading edge on the Ocelot, Sorry Rog.

I didn't get any videos and only took a couple of Photos

Can't quit totally!

I managed to keep hold of my planes and will be using them now and then. I won't be committing to racing any more though as it was my competitive nature that was keeping me from my family, and I was wasting a LOT of time on forums, so will continue to refrain from posting on them.

I will be getting out for a sports fly when everything lines up and will continue to try to get videos and photos to share with you when I do.

Should have an opportunity to go flying at Rhossili on Friday. Roger should be maidening his Stingray!! And Andy should be maidening his Ascot!! Very exciting and even if I haven't fixed the Wasabi and Skorp by then, I will go along just to hang out.

Anyway, it feels good to have revised my 'knee-jerk' reaction.

More after Friday!

Thanks for reading.

Thank you to all the people that have taken an interest in reading the drivel that I write about my slope-soaring adventures.

Unfortunately, there will be no further slope-soaring adventures from me to write about and share with you from now on.

I had a revelation on Sunday while I was driving home after spending my Daughter's 3rd birthday fighting Mother Nature to try to complete an F3F event.

I am not giving my family the time, effort and attention that they need, want and Deserve.


Hopefully, when time and money permit, I will be able to get back out onto the slopes and enjoy the fantastic company, scenery and flying experiences again in the future.

Thanks again

Kind Regards

Clayton Landells