It is now. The Northwesterly is back and the ridges are humming, there's wave over site but frankly I am shagged out with too much flying.
For the record that was 8 days flying, over 50 hours and 3000kms and an excess of jolly good fun. Klaus, Marta and the Quo Vadis team were yet again unbelievably friendly, helpful and great to be around. Only 51 weeks left until next year's trip...
Saturday 27 June 2009
Friday 26 June 2009
KABOOM
It didn't take long for the storms to get going today and when they did they were quite impressive. We launched at 1115 and cloudbase was relatively low at 7500' amsl. we set off as a pack towards Grenoble and the lift was strong. We nipped along the Vercors and wound up just East of Die on a plateau and scrabbled about for a climb. A flock of over 20 Griffon Vultures showed the core and the entertainment of missing the beasts was high - those guys know how to centre!
We carried on over the Vercors plateau which slopes very gently out to the West and gradually it dawned on us that cloudbase was coming down, the ground was coming up and options were shortening. We therefore turned and ran South to the Mt Ventoux and enjoyed 6-8 knot climbs and some good lines of energy. Arriving at Ventoux we entertained our public and ran on towards Vinon. A huge cell was dumping water and electricity on St Auban but was also setting up a gust front that we joined abeam St Auban and ran down the Durance valley. We turned Vinon and headed back up the gust front and then started heading East. For a moment we discussed turning Fayence but Thor the Thunder God had other ideas and the sight of two bolts of lightning striking the ground just 1km from us persuaded us to make like shepherds and get the flock out of there. We ran back over the Lure and up to Serres and decided we'd pushed our luck far enough so landed by 1530. Dinner is on site and Paella tonight!
Thursday 25 June 2009
A day out in Italy
Today was forecast to be a bit iffy with a few showers and potential thunderstorms over the high mountains. Fortunately things were better than expected.
The day started early and we were launching (with two tugs and a chastised tuggie in attendance) by 1115. We set off in various splinter groups and progressed North East. Once again a nifty convergence line helped us from Barcelonnette to Sollieres where we turned right and along the face of the Gran Paradiso. The views here were stunning - running over ice fields alongside jagged peaks and all at 12500'.
Sadly we were denied getting all the way to the Matterhorn as one rain cloud had heard the forecast and was raining on Aosta.Instead we went over the the South face of Mt Blanc and climbed to 13,000' before running South, exiting past the ski resorts of Courmayeur, Les Arcs (pictured left), La Plagne and back into the Sollieres valley. We carried on South as far as Barcelonnette and facing another shower decided to run West out as far as Die. I'd almost pushed things too far and had a bit of a squeeze coming home having to wait 20 minutes to get high enough to cross the Col de Cabre and get back into the Serres valley, then decided I didn't need the field I'd picked and could get into Aspres, then decided I could probably make Serres, then decided I had enough energy for a beatup. A perfect end to a damn good day.
Henry and Geoff have nearly got the LS8 undercarriage fixed so we may be full strength again for the last two days. Time now for beer and trough at the onsite restaurant.
Dan's trace shows we did something like 600kms but then we did fly for 7 hours - again. 48 hours in 7 days is probably not bad value.
The day started early and we were launching (with two tugs and a chastised tuggie in attendance) by 1115. We set off in various splinter groups and progressed North East. Once again a nifty convergence line helped us from Barcelonnette to Sollieres where we turned right and along the face of the Gran Paradiso. The views here were stunning - running over ice fields alongside jagged peaks and all at 12500'.
Sadly we were denied getting all the way to the Matterhorn as one rain cloud had heard the forecast and was raining on Aosta.Instead we went over the the South face of Mt Blanc and climbed to 13,000' before running South, exiting past the ski resorts of Courmayeur, Les Arcs (pictured left), La Plagne and back into the Sollieres valley. We carried on South as far as Barcelonnette and facing another shower decided to run West out as far as Die. I'd almost pushed things too far and had a bit of a squeeze coming home having to wait 20 minutes to get high enough to cross the Col de Cabre and get back into the Serres valley, then decided I didn't need the field I'd picked and could get into Aspres, then decided I could probably make Serres, then decided I had enough energy for a beatup. A perfect end to a damn good day.Henry and Geoff have nearly got the LS8 undercarriage fixed so we may be full strength again for the last two days. Time now for beer and trough at the onsite restaurant.
Dan's trace shows we did something like 600kms but then we did fly for 7 hours - again. 48 hours in 7 days is probably not bad value.
Wednesday 24 June 2009
Are we having fun yet?
Yes we are. This morning we woke to the sound of little birdies which makes such a nice change from the sound of wind rushing past the chalet. Launching didn't happen until 1200 when the cumulus started popping in the Serres valley. It has to said there was a little hiccup with launching as we have two problems. One: a lazy Parisian tug pilot who needs 240v across his tender parts to WAKE HIM UP and Two: only one tug as the second tug - a very asthmatic Rallye was feeling under the weather. This is not so bad as tows behind it really can be character forming.
Anyway, we got away on the local ridge and quickly climbed to 8000' and pinged onto Pic de Bure to climb to the 10,000' cloudbase. From here we crossed into the Ecrins where some did well (Ben), some didn't (me). Ben romped North East up at 12,000' and had a really good run to just 20kms short of the Matterhorn.
I scrabbled about under a stubborn inversion near Prachaval and took ages to find a punchy thermal that let me get back up. Most of us went up to the Gran Paradiso before turning to head South. We stopped off at the Glacier Blanc to give it a little seeing to and carried on South. Jay and I ran down towards Nice and stopped around 1845 to head home.
The valley breeze was working nicely so there were plenty of places to top up on the way home and still have plenty of energy for the mandatory beatup. Averaging 6 to 7 hours a day leaves minimal processing capacity in the evenings so once again we were in the Hotel du Nord where Steve Ell had the opportunity to try and work out just where the hell he had been during the day.
Anyway, we got away on the local ridge and quickly climbed to 8000' and pinged onto Pic de Bure to climb to the 10,000' cloudbase. From here we crossed into the Ecrins where some did well (Ben), some didn't (me). Ben romped North East up at 12,000' and had a really good run to just 20kms short of the Matterhorn.I scrabbled about under a stubborn inversion near Prachaval and took ages to find a punchy thermal that let me get back up. Most of us went up to the Gran Paradiso before turning to head South. We stopped off at the Glacier Blanc to give it a little seeing to and carried on South. Jay and I ran down towards Nice and stopped around 1845 to head home.
The valley breeze was working nicely so there were plenty of places to top up on the way home and still have plenty of energy for the mandatory beatup. Averaging 6 to 7 hours a day leaves minimal processing capacity in the evenings so once again we were in the Hotel du Nord where Steve Ell had the opportunity to try and work out just where the hell he had been during the day.
Tuesday 23 June 2009
Thank the Lord - less wind
At last - the wind stopped blowing so hard. This morning we had just 10kts Northerly so whilst the launch point at Arambre was still reliable we weren't destruction testing the airframes. I used the trusty T6 wing dolly to tow out still adorned with last year's mustard sachet taped into place in homage to the mighty Dane Dickinson's awesome sense of humour. Jay's undercarriage collapsed on take off which delayed proceedings briefly but we were all in the air by 1230 and ready to head North.
This was a little tricky as things in the Serres valley were pretty stable and we had to jump ridges from Arambre to St Genis to Chabre to Gache always below 5000 amsl to get started. 
A decent climb on Trainon got us to Auribeau then Blayeul and out to the cumulus where things really got going over Cheval Blanc. Heading North we worked up to the 11,000' cloudbase and into Italy where surprisingly the first person to work out where we were was Ben. There's always a first time.
A decent climb on Trainon got us to Auribeau then Blayeul and out to the cumulus where things really got going over Cheval Blanc. Heading North we worked up to the 11,000' cloudbase and into Italy where surprisingly the first person to work out where we were was Ben. There's always a first time.We poked our noses into the Modane valley and decided it looked crap so climbed over Sestrieres to head towards Mt Viso on the Italian border. Geoff was the first to circumnavigate the peak so the gauntlet was thrown to the floor and it was up to Ben, Andy and I to take up the challenge. We ran round the peak at 11800' and marvelled at the good visibility in the Italian Po valley.
After this things got messy. Steve and Ryan were low near St Crepin for a while, Ben opened his brakes to help out Andy and Geoff and I ran for home. I got to the Malaup at 5000 and the day was dying so climbing here wasn't going to happen. I could see a 10kt Northerly so set off across the valley for the Chabre which I reached low down at 4000' on the treeline. The singing vario showing 7 kts was music to my ears and I climbed back up to 5500' and was back on glide to Serres. Geoff joined me later and we were both mighty relieved. A phonecall from Ben advised he and Andy were down at St crepin but were aerotowing home.
After this things got messy. Steve and Ryan were low near St Crepin for a while, Ben opened his brakes to help out Andy and Geoff and I ran for home. I got to the Malaup at 5000 and the day was dying so climbing here wasn't going to happen. I could see a 10kt Northerly so set off across the valley for the Chabre which I reached low down at 4000' on the treeline. The singing vario showing 7 kts was music to my ears and I climbed back up to 5500' and was back on glide to Serres. Geoff joined me later and we were both mighty relieved. A phonecall from Ben advised he and Andy were down at St crepin but were aerotowing home.The wind had dropped at site so it was ripe for the first decent beatup of the week, made all the better by a beer on hand as the canopy opened as the on-site restaurant was open for the night. The St Crepin dirty stop-outs soon showed up and we feasted on Lardon salad, chicken pasta, cheese and ice-cream for supper as the sun gently set as a backdrop. Tomorrow is at last forecast to be a good day which should make up for the mediocre weather we've so far had to put up with.
For those that missed it, it is worth checking out the Serres webcam for the personalised message service. We have proof.
Monday 22 June 2009
Yet more wind
And now I do mean the beer matron - we need to lay off the entrecotes if we're going to be above 10,000' so often.
Today we launched at 1200, failed to swarm and instead flew as a variety of groups. Getting into the wave was easy on the West edge of the Cretes des Selles and 5-6kts carried you up to 10,000' there. So instead I went West and got violently shaken in rotor that gave a 10kt climb rate but shook most of my fillings loose. Eventually I learnt and moved across the valley to join the other gliders. Moving into wind to Aspres gave another 5-6kts up to 16,000' and Ben, Ryan, Dan and I set off North arriving in the lee of the Ecrins at 14,000'.
Another pummeling ensued here as we were too low for the wave and were still in rotor, so given we lack patience we set off West to Aubenasson on the Western edge of the alps. Half an hour later Jay, Henry and Geoff showed how it should be done by waiting to get up to FL195 at Aspres, crossing into the Ecrins 2,000' higher than us and continuing North up to Sestrieres and having a restful, if cold, cruise round never getting below 16,000'.
The four of us turned Aubenasson and crossed via Vaumuse and Cusson onto the Coupe mountain and further East to pick up yet another stunning convergence. This one had a base at 5,800' and tops at 11,000'. Dan and I picked up the system with a 8-10kt climb in the "dags" and with Ben ran South to the Verdon gorge.
Heading North we ran the system back to the Cheval Blanc and then moved onto the North end of the Trois Eveches for a climb in the sunshine to 10,500' and the 70kms final glide home to Serres, landing at 7 p.m.
Just for a change we went for dinner at the Hotel du Nord in Serres where, bless them, they now know the order for 11 biere serieux and start pouring before we walk in the door - what stars!
Saturday 20 June 2009
More wind
Yes, more wind - and I don't mean the effects of the beer, no Matron.
It's gusting 20-25kt NW'ly again this morning which meant a replay of yesterday and this time we'd fully understand what's going on. Yeah, right.
Steve Ell joined last night so we are now 11 strong - Jay and Henry Rebbeck, Dan Pitman, Ben Flewett, Ryan Priest, Andy Holmes, Geoff Tabbner, Mark Holden, Pete Hurd and myself.
It's gusting 20-25kt NW'ly again this morning which meant a replay of yesterday and this time we'd fully understand what's going on. Yeah, right.
Steve Ell joined last night so we are now 11 strong - Jay and Henry Rebbeck, Dan Pitman, Ben Flewett, Ryan Priest, Andy Holmes, Geoff Tabbner, Mark Holden, Pete Hurd and myself.
We released at 1000' above the field (3300 amsl) onto the Arambre again and enjoyed 4-6kts straight up to 5500' and wandered up the spine to the West. Here we stumbled into wave up to 12,000' amsl and congregated to negotiate the task for the day. Surprisingly this was relatively brief and we agreed on Mt Ventoux/Vinon/Logis du pin/Bardonecchia - roughly 450kms in total.
The run out of the wave down to Ventoux was fabulous - drop over the cloud marker and accelerate to 110kts, punch through the down wave and pull up into 8kts wave in front of the next cloud - and so on. We dropped down to 7500 amsl for the airspace and arrived on ventoux together in order to smoke the summit.
Reswarmed we headed along the Lure and had a good run arriving at 120 kts along the smooth ridge and moved out to the cumulus to climb to 7000' before heading for Vinon.
The cloudmarkers were behaving and some good climbs easily led us to Vinon and then on to Logis du Pin. An interlude to allow regrouping was all too brief and we moved on directly North towards the East of Barcelonnette. The summit of Cime de Bonnette also required smoking before we moved toward Bardonnechia in Italy. Dan found us a rather pleasant 11kts climb to 11,500' just before the turn and once again we were - surprisingly - together as a group. Of course, that couldn't last and the run back South saw me go way East, Dan get low in Barcelonnette and Ryan doing his own thing.
Reswarmed we headed along the Lure and had a good run arriving at 120 kts along the smooth ridge and moved out to the cumulus to climb to 7000' before heading for Vinon.The cloudmarkers were behaving and some good climbs easily led us to Vinon and then on to Logis du Pin. An interlude to allow regrouping was all too brief and we moved on directly North towards the East of Barcelonnette. The summit of Cime de Bonnette also required smoking before we moved toward Bardonnechia in Italy. Dan found us a rather pleasant 11kts climb to 11,500' just before the turn and once again we were - surprisingly - together as a group. Of course, that couldn't last and the run back South saw me go way East, Dan get low in Barcelonnette and Ryan doing his own thing.
Around Blayeul at 1800 the mood changed and the lure of
burnt meat and cold beer was too strong so we headed for home. Landing was once again excellent entertainment and saw Steve Ell check out the very far end of the runway - I hadn't realised it went that far until today.
Another splendid day under the belt - roll on tomorrow!
Mistral magic
The clue to today's weather was the way the wind kept shaking the chalet last night. A gusty 25kt Northerly was blowing this morning which made launching easy. The tug has time to make a 180 degree turn and is then on the Arambre mountain which sits right behind the airfield. Here you can release and be straight into the ridge lift which today was giving a constant 4-6kts lift.
The other slackers were late launching so in the meantime I nipped dow
n to the Chabre ridge for a little ridgerunning out to the West and met our German friend JJ in his ASH25.
The rest were in the air by 1230 and we swarmed over site and agreed a 400km task to Logis du Pin and Sollieres. In typical style we managed to get all 11 gliders together - briefly, and cruised back onto Chabre then overhead Sisteron onto the Gache mountain. Arriving at 3500' we were below the cliff-face and on the treeline but it was working well and we were soon back up to a comfortable height. A bit of faffing and we arrived on Blayeul in 6kts and climbed to cloudbase at 8500'.
After this things were easy and good climbs abounded on the way South East to the first turn. Best climb en route was averaging 10kts and we made good speed.
From here we tracked North into increasingly good air. More 9-10kt climbs led us to the Cime de la Bonnette - an 11000' peak with a road running up to the summit. A quick beatup and we moved East into a convergence running along the Italian border. The clouds were really sucking well here and we peaked at a cloudbase of 14500'. It looked marginal ahead so we ran over to the Ecrins and home via Pic de Bure.
All in all not a bad day out. Landings were a little exciting in the strong Northerly and varied from PIO through too damn low to "my God Geoff's a bit close - Run!"
The other slackers were late launching so in the meantime I nipped dow
n to the Chabre ridge for a little ridgerunning out to the West and met our German friend JJ in his ASH25.The rest were in the air by 1230 and we swarmed over site and agreed a 400km task to Logis du Pin and Sollieres. In typical style we managed to get all 11 gliders together - briefly, and cruised back onto Chabre then overhead Sisteron onto the Gache mountain. Arriving at 3500' we were below the cliff-face and on the treeline but it was working well and we were soon back up to a comfortable height. A bit of faffing and we arrived on Blayeul in 6kts and climbed to cloudbase at 8500'.
After this things were easy and good climbs abounded on the way South East to the first turn. Best climb en route was averaging 10kts and we made good speed.
From here we tracked North into increasingly good air. More 9-10kt climbs led us to the Cime de la Bonnette - an 11000' peak with a road running up to the summit. A quick beatup and we moved East into a convergence running along the Italian border. The clouds were really sucking well here and we peaked at a cloudbase of 14500'. It looked marginal ahead so we ran over to the Ecrins and home via Pic de Bure.
All in all not a bad day out. Landings were a little exciting in the strong Northerly and varied from PIO through too damn low to "my God Geoff's a bit close - Run!"
Friday 19 June 2009
Shakedown day
It is not such a bad drive to get here. Once again the other drivers on the peage were very friendly and regularly waved on the way past - or were they signalling something about snaking trailers?
9 hours from Calais and Geoff and I met up in time to put his "tent" up. In truth the "tent" is an enormous structure that doubles as a hangar for ASH25's and comprises East and West wing sleeping quarters, kitchen, drawing room and study. The construction was complete by dusk and a nice cup of tea brewed in time for Klaus and his lead and follow to appear over site at 2115hrs.
Thursday morning dawned a little too early for my tastes as Geoff was at his laptop loading turnpoints into his Cambridge logger at 0600hrs. By 0730 he had realised he'd made a mess of moving to continental time so we went to rig instead.
We launched at 1230 and had a bit of a scratch to get away from site and headed for Grenoble. Things were a bit weird to start with as the cumulus didn't realise they're supposed to mark lift. However, it sorted itself out and we ended up on a convergence running along the Vercors with cloudbase 6500' amsl in the Eastern valley and 8500' amsl on the West. We turned at Grenoble and set the challenge of running 85kms to Sisteron without turning, which turned out to be a doddle and we arrived on the Gache mountain East of Sisteron at 7000' amsl.
Geoff headed for home as he was a little tired (not surprising given the early start!) and I cruised into the Barcelonnette valley, climbed to the 12,000' cloudbase over the Siguret mountain and checked out the oxygen system.
A big shower was blocking off the valley North of Pic de Bure but the glide home was simple and after a limp beatup it was time to land, derig and drive to Nice for the flight back to London and Friday's business meeting. Hopefully I'll be back in Serres Friday night in time for the rest of the gang to show up.
Saturday is forecasted to be Mistral which means ridgerunning fever and wave - yeeha!
9 hours from Calais and Geoff and I met up in time to put his "tent" up. In truth the "tent" is an enormous structure that doubles as a hangar for ASH25's and comprises East and West wing sleeping quarters, kitchen, drawing room and study. The construction was complete by dusk and a nice cup of tea brewed in time for Klaus and his lead and follow to appear over site at 2115hrs.
Thursday morning dawned a little too early for my tastes as Geoff was at his laptop loading turnpoints into his Cambridge logger at 0600hrs. By 0730 he had realised he'd made a mess of moving to continental time so we went to rig instead.
We launched at 1230 and had a bit of a scratch to get away from site and headed for Grenoble. Things were a bit weird to start with as the cumulus didn't realise they're supposed to mark lift. However, it sorted itself out and we ended up on a convergence running along the Vercors with cloudbase 6500' amsl in the Eastern valley and 8500' amsl on the West. We turned at Grenoble and set the challenge of running 85kms to Sisteron without turning, which turned out to be a doddle and we arrived on the Gache mountain East of Sisteron at 7000' amsl.
Geoff headed for home as he was a little tired (not surprising given the early start!) and I cruised into the Barcelonnette valley, climbed to the 12,000' cloudbase over the Siguret mountain and checked out the oxygen system.
A big shower was blocking off the valley North of Pic de Bure but the glide home was simple and after a limp beatup it was time to land, derig and drive to Nice for the flight back to London and Friday's business meeting. Hopefully I'll be back in Serres Friday night in time for the rest of the gang to show up.
Saturday is forecasted to be Mistral which means ridgerunning fever and wave - yeeha!
Friday 12 June 2009
How to add that finishing touch to an airfield
Wednesday 27 May 2009
2009 Edition
The time is fast approaching for the slackers who comprise the annual soaring trip to the mecca that is Quo Vadis to gather. We're looking like having a dozen competitors, sorry, attendees this year with the old stagers accompanied by a few new faces to the site.
Once again, we're looking forward to the stunning hospitality of Klaus and his team and a week or so in the sunshine beating the crap out of the mountains.
As a little test here's a shot of last year's fun in the Ecrins - the boys showing how important it is always to stay above the tops. Click on the photo to spot the three sailplanes...
...and another to prove that just occasionally we get it right - 17,500 feet overhead Susa, Italy.
If the flying, poker, beer and nuts don't get in the way I plan to update this blog for the week - forward to Dover and the ferry!
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