A nice looking day in Ettrick today. I did some work this morning and decided to head round to Bridgend in the afternoon. I was on the top at 3pm, wind was light but stuff was coming through.Keeping an eye on the bracken down the hill to see any potential thermals coming my way it was only a matter of minutes before I could feel the wing wanting to go so of I went.
lots of weak lift and easy to stay up but I could not get any higher than 300ft above take off, this flight lasted about 35min and despite my best efforts I was unable to gain any more alltitude.
I had to land back on the top as it all dropped away. A buzzard made a pass right along the face flying really slow in desperation but even he could find nothing. I had a little sleep, total peace.
Then the cloud of death arrived out of the north, a good few km`s wide and blacker than a tramps neck. I clipped in...ready. I could see the effect on the water and as soon as the breeze appeared I was off again. Better but I still was unable to get any real height, I tried everything, pushing out, gentle turns, S turns, slowing right down in the weak lift...I could get no higher, but it was nice flying and it lasted for a while. Back on top again.
A single Tornado jet came cruising up the loch, so that was a bit of excitment.
By this time the sky looked great with a definate strong line running east / west and the wind made another appearance so I was of again. I spent another 20 min hoovering the hill but still I could get no height. I could see other folk arriving now, I watched them walk up. It was getting harder now so I landed beside the two Chris`s and Gerald and had a chat. By this time it was all over and we all lauched off for a fly down.
An interesting day, plenty of time to observe the day, I enjoyed it.
Tommy.
