There is something about the Mediterranean attitude, the latin mood, the relax, la vida loca, the laidback-ness.

Also the always and ever present abrasos (hugs), the kissing of the friends, the warmth amongst its people.

And there are colours, kids everywhere. Terraces are full with people having a tapa, chatting in the evening breeze, a stroll in the park with the family, and the friends, the neighbours, tremendous.

But you have to make an effort and go out, meet the spanish, meet the spanish life-style.

Don't go to the 'Dick Turpin's '-bar, don't go to the quiz, don't go karaoke, have something else than beans on toast.
Look, check out, what Spain has to offer, and you will not be dissapointed. It's fantastic.

Of course the sun has lots to do with it. It makes life so easy, so warm.

Life starts at 5 pm, a la cinco de la tarde, that's also when the bullfights start and this since ages.

That's when we are out to play. Spread our wings and have fun over the mountains. From 5 pm, temperatures are more mellow, thermals are more inviting.

On the photo the fun we had today. And all this fun, after enjoying the Med, the beach, the food, the siesta.... . It's fantastic.

Foto by Allan (www.glide.dk)

Cliffs of Santa Pola. Lot less pilots today monday. Conditions were thermal dynamic, not so strong as yesterday. It all eased down at 7 pm, all landed near the beach-bar for the refreshing coronita on the beach.

Flying with the sea breeze, temperatures in the upper 30's. We were the

first to arrive at 5 pm, immediately flying.

Soon more pilots arrived, at 8 pm, ther were about 25 pilots in the air. Verano !

Foto's, take off Niviuk Artik, Boomerang Sport, and then the flights over Onil.

Life is like a nose as I told you before, you have to get everything out of it.
We did. We left for Reconco, probably the site where we could have been surprised with some convergence. South in the valley and east up high. But it wasn't epic.
The nice thing was meeting the pilots from the other valleys lets say and spend the flights together. Thermals got bitchy at some point although only +3 m/s. Hard to find them, and not easy to follow.
Champ of the day, who else ¿ Rafa again, took off first and landed last, transition towards Santa Anna.
We had a plan to follow the ridges to Santa Anna, Biscoy. We took off together, but as soon as I saw him getting low I headed out to try the lee-side thermals (off the western faces in the sun at that hour, sheltered from the eastern winds) and then the thermals of the industrial zone of Onil. Managed to climb out a bit, but soon after plan b to get to the industrial zone it was a mistake, only sink and cobblestones. When landed for the first time, I saw Rafa still very low over the ridges. Very low, thinking he would have to land on the slope any second now.
When I got back up again we all flew, conditions got somewhat better. The air got cooler, the sea breeze crawled under the hot air of the day. It was a matter of taking off fast and find the uprising air on the front ridges. Had some good thermals but nothing epic as said before. After half hour fighting headed down for the rewarding freshdrinks after a hot day.
And who all of a sudden showed up near take off, Rafa of course.
When he saw me he was a bit dissapointed that I hadn't followed him scratching those hills. Sorry Raf, next time I will tiptoe with you over the ridges, you are a champion, a natural. We all know, there is no doubt.
(Rafa never reads this blog, don't worry, but actually why worry, he's not the redneck type at all)

See you tomorrow !

Morning, midday, late afternoon, evening.
An ordinary day of flying in Alicante in summer,
it doesn't get much better.

Relax and fly.

As a result of my cameralens not opening fully I took these shots. Not bad eh ? Above Nick senior Brit, Achim German pilot, Hendrie ex-international rugby player from Holland. Alex your foto will be on it tomorrow, today's was not the cutest.

We flew at Carrasqueta, mainly because we wanted to change sites. We were planning to fly to the peak of Jijona, see picture 4. But thermals were too weak, inversion, high pressure.
Only Rafa managed to make the transition to the village and bummed trying to find thermals over the valley.
I was turning every little climb I found, because as I saw everybody bumming out, it would have been a nightmare to walk up. My Niviuk Artik did the job.

Look closely at this picture, isn't there something wrong ?
I see the pilot flying backwards with leading edge so behind him. But risers are not twisted ? Hm... who the hell would that be.

Never could understand why people talked so much about après-ski. Everybody tired, all dressed in big pullovers, boots, hats, just getting drunk, listening to out-fashioned music in caves or unpleasant hotel-bars.

I prefer the après-fly !
Ok you have to pack the glider first, and this in the heat. But with some assistance it's ok. And after that there is a refreshing drink with your friends. And the obligate jump in the pool !

One of the foto's is taken by Rasta Scott !

Happy people at Cabo again.

On the foto below, the container near my house. Yes, even grandma's wheelchair has to be dumped.

Sea breeze kicking in. We will wait till temperatures die off, wind dies off to go fly again. Guaranteed. 5.30 see you there.

I was just having a coffee at the ciosco Susy this morning and I DID IT !!

Spanish tend to leave rubbish behing. So this morning again, I saw the whole terrace wiping off their faces after their morning tapa and throwing the napkin on the ground. No not even laying it on the table.

With the wind, all napking were blowing around, on the street, in the palmtrees, nobody took notice but me, I think. Weird behaviour. It's one of the things hard to understand down here. But you have to get used to it, although it is sick.

But I DID IT !!

I had a tapa, wiped my face, and threw the napkin on the ground myself. Looking around with a bit of a guilt feeling if somebody saw it. Nobody gave me the evil eye. Uf ! DID IT !

Minutes later I was in my car heading back home. In front of me, young men, early twenties. At the red light. Throwing out a plastic bag with rubbish, just like that on the street.

I used to talk to those people, in my (very) broken spanish. They always looked at me, what the fuck¡s he talking about. A couple of times I picked up the filth they threw out, and threw it back into their car. Instead of getting angry, they looked at me as if I was an alien.

Anyway I stopped doing this, don't worry.

But it is very common to see people throwing things, plastic bags, filth on the street, it is very common to see baby napkins on the beach. Filthy, showing of no self-respecting behaviour.

Last night I was having a walk with Paco and Kath on the beach. Everywhere filth, even glass beer bottles just laying in the sand. No, not one, but several all over the beach. Unbelievable.

Something ecudational should change, but when, it is already 2007, and we're all Europeans. Spite all rock-concert trying to save the planet, environmental conscience is very very low down here.

A blog is personal, and I don't care if I write down words which could offend people, although it will never be my intention. It is and should be a personal view on things, to be read by all who is interested.

I love it down here, don't misunderstand. Just in case the ministry of tourism is reading this -hey if you hire me in as a tourist guide, I will be critical !!!

Fantastic summer evening. All day too much wind, very hot. Beach weather, with every 15 minutes obligatory jumps in the water to cool down. Feeling alive.
At 6.30 pm, I took off with Rafa, it was great at the Cabo.
Tandems, lots of pilots, good fun.
Again a fantastic summer evening of flying.

See you later in the season or early next year Doogle !

A day off, too much west wind. Toix was probably flyable, but a bit out of our league with the present pilots.

I get late bookings lately, by pilots who live up north. The weather in England and Scandinavia really has been a nightmare since april. I understand they want to come down, see some sun, beach, and gets lots of flying in.
Some of them ask if there are things to do for the family.
Well I tell you what, I think this is one of the best regions in whole europe to bring your family down.
Without selling the Costa Blance of Spain as a tourist guide, I like to sum up what families can do, whatever they prefer :
- culture, Elche , biggest palmtree- park in Spain/Europe, cathedral, Alicante castle and old parish.
- culture/history, castle route, Castalla, Sax, Peter, Villena, Biar, Novelda, all with their own castles, not overrun by tourism (yet !)
- leisure, beach, beach and more beach
- leisure/sport, amusement parks like Terra Mitica, Terra Natura
- watersport, one of the bigget Aqua-parks in Europe in Benidorm, 30 minutes away from us

What else ? Kite surfing, Santa Pola is the site where in August the nationals are held. Go karting, diving, sailing, jeep safari's, mountain biking, paintball, rock climbing ....

You want to shop ? Elche is shoe city number TWO, Milan Italy is number one, but you'll sure find your thing at spanish prices by the way in Elche. Many malls with all kinds of boutiques.

Food ? Well Paella is our main dish. Gambas, calamares, ensaladilla rusa.
Drinks ? SANGRIA !!
Olé !

Magy and Pep (oh the body !....) and Bob (but an old foto, couldn't resist Bob) the bushman of Santa Pola.
Magy and Pep stayed a couple of days, they are pilots from Tarragona up north in Catalonia. Hope you will be back guys, see you take care.

In the afternoon we left for inland flying again. At 5 pm, already flyable. Toni Blacker, Kath, Nick, Erwin, Eric, Dave, Toon, John in the air.
Struggling at bits, to get into the thermals. Cloudbase not the highest, but playing till 8 pm.

I had a tandem flight with my Paco, my 8 year old at Palomaret. We flew at the coast already, and now did it inland. It is always different flying with your kid. Always a little bit more nerveus, challenging.
I never asked him to fly with me, I waited till the day he asked. And the first time that was when he was 6.

Hot day, waitingfor thermals to calm down. Flew at 5 pm, solo first, too rough for tandem. But pleased passengers with superflight later on.

When it died off we still registered thermals

+ 5 m/s. Although cloudbase was only 400 m above take off, it still was big fun. Especially for first time visitors at Alicante.

More flying at Palomaret today. As wel at La Molla and Carmen had her flight on her own at Cabo.
It was special with special friends.
Rafa managed to fly from Palomaret to La Molla where most of our club members flew. At La Molla on this dates you fly over the procession carrying the wholy virgin around town. Then you all go land and celebrate her arrival at the little chapel.
Fiesta, the spanish way.

Hi mom !

Had a day off flying. I know my buddies were flying inland from afternoon onwards. I took my family out to the wonderful theme park near Benidorm, Terra Mitica.

If you are down here for a flying trip with us, you should visit this park on our rarely non-flyable days.

Great rides, wild togobans, scary wild water rides, hair rising rollercoasters, etc... .

On the side the karting track of Finestrat, where you can race.

'Hang' they called it in the scandinavian countries. Means soaring. And that's what we were up to at the cliffs of Santa Pola.
But for some of us the winds were too off to the south, so more thermals than 'hang' actually.
Enjoyed it though, scratching and circling the tiny bits.
But hot, humid, sweaty today And inland such a big inversion couldn't dream of walking up Hondon. Another day for that.

You couldn't see El Cid from the coast. Early morning fog, high presure. Inversion.

Left in the afternoon to fly tandems with Paul and Claudio from Argentina.

Their first time in the air, under a paraglider, loved it. Gonna follow a course in Valencia, cause that's where they live.

Cloudbase was not so high, but it all gave us opportunity to circle up the thermals and refine our skills.

God, if we practice that much, knowing up north they still don't fly, we're gonna be champs be the end of summer !

foto Allan Denmark, you're a star http://www.glide.dk/

We need birds, we need big birds !

We need them, to tell us where the thermals are.

Let me moan a bit. In Alicante the paragliding tuition is poor, very poor. There is no professional schooling. The local schools just learn some groundhandling, get the new ones 15 flights in, sell gear and that's it. That's the package of the course, and we all know. That's what you pay form, so no illusion. There is no 'after'-service. And this has been the case in Alicante for many many years.

Through the 8 years that I've been guiding I've seen it numerous times. Students come and go. You see them on the hill, full of passion, eager to get better. But there is no one to help out. There is no feedback, no chat, no help getting them in the groove. And after a while, they don't show up any more, or just the odd weekend, and then they are danger for themselves and the others. They lack practice, they are not confident with the traffic rules, the miss take offs.

And they are not to blame !

I am gonna give a hand to all newcombers in the sport. I want to talk with them, and give them some of our humble advice, share some of our longtime flying experience.

Today it was all so obvious. Most of the pilots were flying routine. Routine, as in = they always fly at Palomaret, they flew as if again it was a thermal dynamic situation. Although it was obvious it was not at all thermal dynamic, because there was no wind. Pilots were waiting at take off for a gust, to take off, while others (few) were circling up in thermals out in the valley. Obvious signs so.

With some knowledge then you know you have to get out in the valley, bits away from the mountain, no need to scratch the bowl. Head out and look for the house thermals which are kicking off from the same place all the time, but are not inclined towards the hill that much. Simple ? Yes and no.

Not so simple if you have flewn this site 20 times in thermal-dynamic conditions after your meal and siesta at 5 pm. And always managed to get up high. Not so simple because you need to get that click in your head and change strategy, when conditions are not equal.

And that's what lots of newcombers need, some advice from the older, more experienced pilots. That's why we should be there as well. Pass on our knowledge and we'll soon profit from their young and daring skills !

We don't parawait. And that's good of course. But ! But when you parawait you talk to each other. And that's good as well. So maybe we need birds to show us where the thermals are, but need some parawaiting so we can kick on each others advice.

A couple of weeks ago, we were parawaiting at Monte Cabrer, Rafa, Dudo, Antolino and me. We were just bits lazy, lazy to hike up in the heat to take off... but we were looking at some birds of prey, and how they circled, how they had their own low-saves. And where ! And how ! And who was the better bird-pilot ! It was great fun, and interesting, and instructive.

But most of the time, we arrive with the car, quickly get our gear out, fly, and when we are in the air, pilots jump in their car and leave the hill. As if stressed. Relax damned. Lets share our experiences a bit more.

From most of the local schools, I don't expect anything, they are in it for the money, but us, some of the locals, clubs, should make an effort this way.

If you think I am wrong ,let me know. This is my blog, and I write this down after thinking on my drive back home, after some good flying personally.

The refreshing sea breeze was very welcome on the beach. Because temperatures were just over 30 degrees today.
No luck for flying today, it was windy all afternoon.
It is 7.30 now and still 30 km pr hour wind. So relax.

Isamel and Nacho had a midday flight at Palomaret untill things got too strong, and too cross.
(confirmed by Reuters)

Very strong seabreeze today, up to 40 km per hour. So went inland where Alex and Carmen checked for M Cabrer, but too strong. Later news from Reconco too strong. So left for Palo.
I flew first, and with such a heavy eastern wind decided to land in the valley of Agost. Passing the few hills which could cause rotor.
But things died off. Half an hour later Carlitos from Valencia, let his students take off already. And even with a Alfa3 of Advance the guy was gaining height. We could see him missing the thermals as a beginner.
Time to go.
John, Trond from Norway and Bob from England were next.

Later the wind veered to the east again, resulting in two students of Carlitos class, landing in the trees.

So it was fun, even not thinking to fly today. But that's Alicante for ya.

Reconco gave us our flights today. While the pilots of Onil, Ibi had their thermals at the neighbouring sit of Biscoy.

Strong at coast, nobody would have believed it was gonna be flyable anywhere nearby.

Kike and Miguel were already in the air at Reconco, we were just a bit late. When we were airborne the winds were too much off to the east, so thermals were broken, and didn't get us high. But hey, we got our wings out, Bob flew a new site.

After the flying we met the others at the landing of Biscoy, where they had their traditional friday evening 'botellon'.

foto take off Reconco, Remi french pilot on previous occasion, think may 07, hello Remi !

Good decision by Jose Luis Segorb and Ismael to try out Caudete this morning. Before prevailing winds they had a very good thermalling flight up to 1700 ASL, is about 600 m climb ATO. They messaged smooth flying, 2 to 3 m/s. And that's exactly what we're looking for.

Bob and me stayed at the coast, Bob still needs to get lots of airtime in, and that's good for Cabo.

Meanwhile doing tandems with Danish and Swedish families. Great fun.

And maybe this is something for you. I do have a great offer, a brandnew Niviuk Hook and brandnew sup'air X-alps harnass, and sup'air reserve all together only 2600 euros. Yes, 2600 euros for all of this.

My friend Paul bought this kit last May. He had a bad landing (his error, nothing to do with the equipment if you would have thought !), and wishes not to fly any more.

So he is selling his gear at a ridiculous cheap price.

If interested let me know, ok ?

His glider has flewn 3 (three, drei, drie, trois !) top to bottoms. Nothinbg more. It has personal colours, nobody flies this colours, he choosed the colour frame himself. The harnass is brandnew as well, only those three flights. His reserve is older, but in excellent shape. So, maybe that's what you were waiting for.

Foto of the glider attached.

foto 1 : everybody who was flying was touching cloudbase, thermals max 4 m/s bu sweet
foto 2 : Bob waiting it out till conditions were smoother, after his rough landing in the gulley yesterday. He flew my friend Antolino's old glider Gradient Onyx. Got all his confidence back and is ready to write all of you a postcards with his achievements ! Above him, Kath.
foto 3 : ahum.... someone showed me his modification of his glider. Because he couldn't reach the lines to pull big ears, he modified it with a pulley system. I cannot promote anything of this. I do not think we should modify anything on a glider. They are all designed by top designers-pilots , so we should not change anything on a glider. And not on a harnass either.

Hot day at the coast, cool in the air. Nothing epic, but a sweet day inland, smooth thermals, giving us a three hour window to fly after our siesta.

Jogging, flying,. scuba diving, all things to do in Alicante for the moment.

We choose for flying at the cliffs. And took Mel first time off the ground, under a paraglider.
Below Chris Joel (Sussex club), putting her shoes on. What a couple eh

Nice afternoon, unfortunately Bob decided to 'land' in the gulley .....
But he'll tell you all about it later, when he is home. Nothing to worry about .......

All morning cloudy though, but at 2 pm, bright sunshine.
Some of us were inland, flying the flatlands, between Agost and San Vicente I heard.

See you soon again, Stevie, Pete, Warren !

Banner above, the windspeed still 41 km p/hour at the coast, and this at the time I am writing this. Very very strong at take off at the cliffs, all day. Gusting to 50 km per hour at times.

But !

Inland clouds were forming by the very humid air coming in from the see. These clouds could block the wind, so we could probably fly on the leesides of them.
So we did.

This photo shows we could play ! The warm valley gave off its air and all was rising to the forming clouds. Great fun in smooth conditions. As Bob said, amazing with this conditions at the coast so nearby (only 15 k crowflight), stress flying.

This was about local knowledge of the meteo and the sites. And of course with a little help from our friends, fellow local pilots. Hasta mañana !

siesta

When I picked up Bob this morning he looked tired, but then he always looks tired.

When you would have seen him minutes ago, you would think he hasn't slept for ages.

Bob had on his first day, a bit of a scare. Didn't realize he was in Alicante, having to deal with the punchy thermals.

Although flying a super safe wing, Gin Bolero, his glider had to be controlled when the thermals passed through.

It was 6 pm, when first time he got in the air. and it was still not so friendly for low-airtime pilots. At 7 pm, he stopped shaking , waiting another half hour and flew again.

Lots of pilots again. Some of them coming back from Yeste. Where the comp was held. Strangely enough they didn't fly today at the comp. Although the weather looked very good to do decent XC's inland. West-wind, cloudstreets... instability inland. Just what you need for XC. well they were there, I was here.

I could only see the instability forming in the back (inland) overlooking our hills.

It is summer. More and more tourists around, also spanish pilots from inland. Lots of them bringing their paramotors with them, bringing them motors to our playa's to have fun.

Also the international paragliding magazine CROSS COUNTRY is publishing a magazine all for paramotoring now. It looks that paramotoring is getting more and more popular.

But advertising it in this way is a bit over the top no ? .....

The model ? .... PAP maybe ? ....

(no David you cannot enlarge the photo)

Yeste festival near Murcia, that's where most of the local pilots went and flew. Just heard it was strong, broken thermals, and not so nice.
Some of the Valencian pilots went to Monte Cabrer, had 800 m climb above take off, also broken thermals and conditions pretty rough.
We stayed at the coast, where winds didn't die off. Didn't dream taking my tandem pilots inland in those rough conditions.
So another day flying for Xavi and Enrique at Monte Cabrer.

Strong east at the coast, so had to go inland. To our favourite hill near Alcoy. Monte Cabrer.

Arrvied at 4 pm, just nice to have an easy walk up, enjoy the afternoon thermals untill the seabreeze was gonna crawl under the hotter air. Magic lift.

Sylvia was flying her new Skywalk Tequila, and she was damn, looking good !

Luc van Sant was here as well and threw his UP around. Of course Rafa, Kike, Juanma, Xavi as well.

Morning beach, snorkeling, swimming, siesta and then when conditions start to permit, going up the hills, summer in Alicante, you hate it or you love it.

C'mon. What a photo no ?

Worth many subscriptions to XC magazine.

Well done Allan, you're a star.

I am making a photo show on flickr, and I asked the pilots who joined us on our roadtrip to the Pyrenees to send me their best 10 photo's. So I can show you, how it went.

Well I will of couse, but meanwhile you can enjoy the foto's of Winnie and Allan, the danish couple that was with us,

check out their website www.glide.dk and click on 'billeder', go to 2007 and then roadtrip of course.

I know I have to get a new tandem, but my Sherpa still flies so gooooooood.
It's 4 years old, and beaten up by the rough terrain and the salty air.
I don't know what to get, I hear such a good things about the Gradien Bi-Golden, but I prefer the Niviuk Takoo I guess. Have to save some 'plata' and decide in september.

By the way, all afternoon gliders in the air at the cliffs. Inland no flying,. cloudbase very looooow.

I hear from british pilots that the weather is really crap this year. I would say get a cheap ticket Easy Jet and join us. It doesn't get much better.
(foto Jan Bernaerts)