Sunday 30th Dec. The Park No Fly Zone….

Another grungy day.  Cloud down to the ground when it seemed pretty clear all around us.  The Park Doom Cloud!

Most people predicted it correctly and chose to do other things.  The self selecting few did some odd jobs then left site by about 2.30.

Let’s hope for better on New Year’s Day when Alastair will be presiding.  

Happy New Year to both (?) our readers.

I wonder how many people are receiving and reading these Blog messages. It’s a medium we should grow in 2019 if we can as it does allow easy message sharing access to and by all members who’d like to be in touch.

Mike T

(No) Flying Sunday 23rd Dec

Message from Mike Jenks

The weather tomorrow looks hopeless for gliding, with low cloud and drizzle.

I have therefore cancelled flying and have stood down the duty team.

I will be at the airfield a.m. should anyone wish to do any groundschool.

If we have sufficient manpower, LPM needs to be rigged.

Better luck next time.

Happy Christmas!

Mike

Monday Flying. 10th Dec.

Well it didn’t rain and the field was dry enough to use.  We filled up one log sheet with 2 seater flying, Astir and Venture flights.

The elusive wave remained just so, although there were promising clouds and bits of reduced sink.  

About a dozen of us enjoyed a chilly but respectable day on the field, with Mike Jenks instructing, Graham Hoile and Andy Huggins winching, and Chris Chappel making sure we all turned up and behaved.  Thanks for organising us Chris.  She’s been given detailed instructions on how to write a Blog post today so let’s all look forward to her first efforts shortly…….

Indoors, on the new floor, Mark Player began the Tug annual in ernest.  The bottom fell out of Steve Lambourne’s trailer.  Geoff and Phil were doing stuff in the hangar.

Mike Thorne

Sat 8th Dec Christmas Dinner

Christmas is officially under way at the Park.  Last night’s excellent dinner party prepared by Julie and John Hull was enjoyed by over 40 of us.

The rain hammered down on the roof but we were warm and cosy, fortified by Julie and John’s super food, wine supplied generously by Clive, and pre dinner tipples supplied from the Bar.

Presents, prizes and cards were distributed. Chairman Martin presented flowers and bottles to Julie and John thanking them for their considerable efforts in preparing for and running the evening. Special mentions also to Mick for managing the new floor laying and to absent friend Sue for her continuous work throughout the year in the club’s catering, bar and so many other things.

The ever-hardy Pike family camped overnight in their camper while the wind howled and the rain poured. Parking the van across the wind seemed ambitious but let’s assume it stayed upright……

Optimism isn’t what it was

Sunday’s weather was worse than forecast so no flying.  Workshop activity as usual and some digging around the site while the new hangar-floor continues to dry off.

Maybe Weds will be flyable….

Mike T

Sunday 2nd Dec

Second day of meteorological winter!

Forecast looks as if flying might be possible if the showers hold off.  Possible ridge day?  We need to make what we can of days this time of year, so the duty team will be there.   Mike T

Phase 2 concrete day today

The hangar floor second half will be concreted today Tuesday 27th Nov.  Thanks to Mick Longhurst, Alec Thomson and Andrew Simpson for getting there at crack of dawn to get the kit out of the hangar.

See Facebook page for 12th Nov for what happened in phase 1.

I see that Christine Chappell advises that there will be no flying tomorrow on account of the vile weather forecast, but that Mike Jenks will be available for ground schooling for those who wish to take the golden opportunity.

Mike Thorne

Hangar floor

A cold and clear Saturday day after early fog saw lots of people making up for the past couple of wet weekends.

Our three Puchacz were safely tucked up in the hangar on the new floor after flying . They didn’t sink. It didn’t crack. They went in under fingertip control with minimal pushing. There was just a bit of shouting as usual!

The committee met afterwards and approved the purchase of a 230V off grid solar power scheme for the building. Big decisions!

Look at that shiny floor.  What else could we use it for?

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