It's Friday (NE), it's five to five and it's .... crackanackajackered!
Best plans and all that soon failed when found myself still with work well after 5pm, so Bridgend was out of scope. Still, with NE there was always the possibility to get a wee fly down from Hillend. To be honest, felt very late and tired to be making the effort, but with such poor forecast for week ahead grabbed my kit, jumped in the car and was at bottom of the hill in 12 minutes. Beat that anyone!
Time was now after 6.30 and very light breeze so felt ready to can it before I even started...until I saw Seb and Graham suddenly appear from launch and cruise easily across to the crags, getting lift and soaring easily above the rocks. Game on and away I went, suddenly with a new sense of energy. Quick ascent using the ski tow, and was on top laid out and ready to launch before 7pm and a just-flyable breeze right onto the hill. Took off into small bubbles of lift but had to scratch and scratch until I slope landed. Kited back up and relaunched, this time with some better formed lift so boated around a short while then headed down for a lifty descent and some (very small) wingovers to get down into the landing field.
Not epic, not even half that, but sometimes just sneaking in a quick flight is the best way to remember why we enjoy this sport. And we all got a lovely sunset and pint too before heading home.
DaveH
