Too tired to to do a proper write up :)
Here is a Slideshow,
Ben Toaig to Glencarron - 31st May 2010
Another fantastic tour of the highlands and I finally cracked the triple digits barrier in Scotland.
The best 40k to fly in the UK - Sun 2nd May 2010
Aonach Mor to Bridge of Orchy covers some spectacular mountain scenery.... flying it in tricky conditions just made it that bit more special.
Here is my day as a Slidehttps://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNZhceYLBBFzUFHxRzvc-8nlJxuSwBbAHFO74z7show.
Flying with golden eagles - 18th April 2010
I still get a buzz from the moment when my feet leave the ground; the suspense of disbelief once more. However, sometimes you get to experience something really special.
About 25km south of take off in glencoe near dalmally, I was joined in my rather lumpy thermal by two golden eagles.
They were feeling spring frisky and were doing the courtship dance where one flips upside down as the other approaches and they pretend to grab each others talons.
The other game they were playing was mocking my flying skills - diving 100m below me and converting back the speed of the dive in a smooth, steep arc above me.
They didn't stay long but those few minutes will stay with me forever. Perfect moments of pure interaction with true masters of wild highland air and a rare privilege.
A slideshow of pictures of the day including three shots of the eagles is here - I didn't manage to get any when they were close. For some golden eagle's viewpoint of flying click here.
Early season flying - Jan to Mar 2010
There has been some very enjoyable flying already this year and some duff days as well... here's a selection
New Years Day - snow up to our thighs on Tinto north, me doing an impression of a starfish 3 times as i failed to get my big plastic boots to fit into my pod harness which resulted in some rather tender hanging on the harness straps... Finally got comfortable but then stupidly decided to land to help some others take off in a spot with knee deep snow that was below the wind (complete calm). Only just got off myself!
Jan 30th - messing about at Stronend
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| pic ba Alastair T |
Sun 8th March - A trip to the Lake District to run away from the gloomy skies in scotland with khaled, jamie and david t. The cloud sheet cleared after 1 hour 55 of our 2 hour drive and we knew we were in for a good day. More than 50 gliders on blease and great conditions to test out my new skinny wing in +3m/s thermals and interesting air (NNE met, E mid level, S anabatic on blencathra/jenkin/skiddaw and WNW sea breeze pushing in gently towards the end of the day) Here is some video footage of the day by local lakes pilots.
Sat 20th March - fantastic xc flight down from Ben Leanachan / Burger Van Hill to Callander with trias and bob g and paul m. only 20k but sporty thermals and plenty of wind (20 to 35kph). straight to base at 1300m in a hail shower before a sinky glide across lochearnhead to ben our. trias took an impressive line into the NE side of ben vorlich before getting a great climb out and then pushing SW right over ben vorlich to join bob and I ridge running down glen ample and the bushwhack ridge. So close but so far to getting a last climb to get all three of us out over the flatlands of the carse and on our way to gargunnock... so we all landed within a km of the village centre for ice cream (me) and fish & chips (trias). A great feeling to go xc in the spring air with friends...one to remember.
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