Bit frustrated we are. It looks like we were gonna have a great day. Promising clouds, hardly any westernwind. Bt no.
Rafa and Ismale got to cloudbase, dark clouds, rainy... .
High pressure installing after lots of rain inland yesterday, not the best recipe.
First, all has to burn off, and secondly, high pressure is subsiding air, for us from the northern parts of Africa, warm air. So low cloudbase.
Only had some (not wanting to mention) flying in at Cabo. Dave with his Nova Tycoon did best and had about half hour soaring.
It was just all against us, ....., beer o'clock damned.

There is almost always some flying going on in Alicante. Just be prepared to make an effort. Only if really blown out, you will get the chance to enjoy other parts of the region.
So we left for Benidorm, to look at some sites and hoping for the sun to burn through. But the sun didn't, so forecast was more right than ever.
However driving back from Benidorm we saw some eastern, southeasternwinds and more sun. So off to the cliffs where two of us couldn't resist spreading their wings.
Both toplanded, hoorah, beer o'clock.
After the last three days, most of us were happy just to watch them.

Hello-ah !!

Tomorrow cold front passing, one day maybe bad. But that means pssible good cloudbase the day before, thats today.
So off we went chasing for the best hill to fly on. Sierra del Corque - Fortuna, it's been a while.
The group who we host this week has experience, so it should be a problem with the bit 'spanish' take off near Fortuna.
Once there it was clear, it was gonna be good. A gentle breeze up the slope, and the back the front slowly approaching.
From below came the breeze, from above came the meteo wind.
S'Hin with his AxisPara Vega2 just had the climb we all needed. One thermal with max 4 m/s got him to 2200 m ASL, which is appr 1400 meters above take off.
He looked and was invited to go XC, but the winds up high were as foreseen northwest. Northwest from the back so on our southeastern hill.
He made the good decision and on cloudbase moved towards the front. Once more down profited from the breeze again and made a nice triangle flight. Very well done.

Today you were locked to go XC. There was no clear path to go anywhere. Still S'Hin made the best out of it, congratulations.

Marcel as well, with his SOL Synergy glider, flew the longest and made a toplanding on our next hill to fly on, El Bordello.

I go a few inquiries about the new supair Altirando XP, so here we go.

I had a testflight with the new Altirando XP, the newest version.
Here are some foto's. It felt very comfy, very light of course and very sup'air quality. What has changed on the previous the original Altirando you can find on my blog, last week.

Second picture tells you very well how the protecion is. No doubt I think that the whole back and 'butt' is protected. Lots more than on many other harnasses, especially the 'butt' is better protected. Important if you land hard and hurt your coxis, I mean it.

Most important thing was getting everybody in the air, most of them just arriving. And we delivered !

And on top of that a nice tandem flight for Victor, who is now very eager to learn the sport and join us.

We were not in a hurry. Just like we wanted it. Time for coffee, a chat, a check, a briefing and then going up to take off. For Sin, Mark and Ken after a short night, a wonderful day 1. Sin got two hours in of thermalling, after dissapointing months in England of just some soaring.

The only stressy bit were a couple of Skywalk Chili's flying around as if they were on a joyride. Luckily the gliders are brandnew, and with the Skywalk's bright colours, their design were very easy to spot.
No stress, they are visiting the region with their instructor Peter, who we know already for years. No doubt he watched them silly stuff as well. And he is a biiiiiig man...

Now home checking the forecast for the upcoming days. Looks like we are all gonna be knackered by the end of the week. Non-stop flying it'll be.

Dave came to pick up his new glider Niviuk HOOK today, and left again this evening for England.

He flew his new glider, his new baby, for hours this afternoon in our smooth february thermals.

He choose to buy it from us, because we gave him the opportunity to test gliders last Xmas. Although he could have bought it cheaper elsewhere. Thanks for this loyalty, makes us feel good.

It feels better than receiving complaints from foreign schools, insulting me selling gliders to THEIR pilots. As if my mom and dad would be doing something wrong buying cheese in Holland, getting wine in France. It's Europe, wether you like it or not.

Anyway, most important is the flying. And there was some. We had a sunny day, sunny enough to burn of the moist of yesterday, and treat us with smooth thermals.

Hallelujah, it is february, but to be honest, it doesn't feel so.

Dynamic today. Eastern winds, when it was not raining this afternoon, we could see lots of gliders in the air from my terrace. Me, myself and I had a rest. No guests till tonight, and Moritz and Filip left this morning.

Although their weather forecast on arrival last week was bad, they still managed to fly 5 days, so no complaints, luck on their side.

It has to be said, true is true.

Outstanding performance from Kath last night, I mean this afternoon. Again winds were gonna howl near the coast. So we needed our fellows from inland to inform us, to move.

At middag leaving for Reconco, yes again. And again, it was the best choice.

Rafa took off like a rocket with our demo Niviuk Peak. Of course he didn't linger and moved along the ridges to reach Ibi in no time.
Soon after, one by one took off, one with more one with lesser succes.

Kath who was asked not to look for dynamic lift, but fly opportunistic and check if there were any valley thermals. Bingo. Soon she was top of the stack, followed by Ismael. They flew greatly in team. Cloud at 1450 m ASL.

All three had best height today and gave it a try to go XC towards Ibi. But those eastern winds were withholding the party.

It became clear. The window for the best flying was soon over. The easterns were moving in.
It gave you still opportunity to fly the thermals, as they were strong. (Bruno registered 7 m/s thermal... yes february...). But the thermals were broken by the wind.

You could fly the thermals, like in levels. Every height level had a thermal here and there, but they soon all got broken and were very hard to follow.

So one by one started bumming out, tired. It was time to skip chase for thermals, and look for the dynamic lift.

Good party, again good friends, no hassles.

While the southern coastal line between Almeria and Malaga are tortured by huge winds, we had a great day out near Onil.
Forecast was, once again, strong eastern winds at the coast. So looking for a winner, near Onil, Reconco. And we won.
Dudo, Rafa Elche, Rafa Caudete, Ismael, Alex, Filip und Moritz jawohl !, were getting their thermals in all afternoon.
Dudo went XC to Villena, Rafa went XC to San Antonio and bummed out near Ibi on his way back. Others got to 1500 m ASL. Splendid days in between lesser days we have.

Foto above, Niviuk Peak, second, new harnass Skyline Racer Dudo, below Rafa Caudete skyhigh with his Chili Skywalk.

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Miguel Poveda in concert tonight, pure flamenco to enjoy in Elche. Gotta get my dancing shoes on, where did I put them. http://www.miguelpoveda.com/

If you look at the flags, you can tell there was too much wind today.

So there are other things to do. Chill, go to a village, go climbing, visit a city, go shoe shopping.

We just went for a drive and met this small party.

A priest, his blonde, his lover, a cook and a band. Always a 'summery' feeling, blue sky.

Nice one today for us. Not expecting to fly and still having more than a good hour of flying. Lovely.

In the morning strong north-western winds, but dying off luckily and with its northtern component just good to fly at the coast.

Meanwhile my buddies from Wales have been in the air as well. We'll all see them in a couple of months. Meanwhile we can enjoy their scenery, by the foto StevieG sent.

Bryncaws near our Swansea sea, Wales.

Not Costa Blance looking like, but flying ! Over the cliffs near Santa Pola. Two young german boys from Dresden, Filip und Moritz.

In the morning weak, in the late afternoon splendid. Very sweet and smoot lift, excellent for low airtimers today.

They were a bit bored chilling the last two days of bad weather. I can only imagine they were too shy to meet them spanish girls downtown Alicante. Adelante chicos !

Christophe, un saludo y recuerdos a los amigos belgas.

Unstable today. Inland no wind, but drizzly. On the coast too much wind. Both no good.

Windy day, eastern winds, lots of clouds.

This mornings flying. Checking Chris's new HOOK. At Cabo, untill things got too strong. 30 km per hour winds at take off, wasn't the best. But after flying at the coast we had a plan for the afternoon and it all worked out.

Last three pictures from the flying this afternoon. Awesome flights over Reconco. Dynamic to get higher up, to where thermals/cloudsuck let us play untill we were cold.

It was easy to get up, easy to bum out. You just had to follow the rigde up in front and then gradually work your way upwind towards the east and do it.

Reconco, it always works better when the winds are cross. And definetely is a good choice when this east is blowing, creating very low clouds near Maigmo. Once passing Maigmo, you get a whole different sky.

10 second window, but missed it.

Weather was as predicted, too much eastern wind, bringing in lots of clouds. Too bad, enjoyed the day, hiking, and having an excellent paella in the woods.

Never to forget no ? 4 stages in flight.

1/ complete check-up
2/ take off
3/ flying
4/ landing

Hola there. Harnasses. Season is nearby. Lots are asking for new gear. Gliders and harnasses. And you know that harnasses are as important as gliders.

In a harnass you should first thing, be comfortable. And not just be comfortable for five minutes, but for maybe hours yeah ?

Ok, so just sitting in a harnass for a few minutes is not enough when trying. Try to sit in it for 20 minutes or so, and see how you feel, how stiff you are. How's your back. You feel like you are sitting awkward ? Try another one.

But do some homework first.

What do you want, a racer, sitting upright, maybe acro, maybe a light one ?

Make a choice, then go for the models.

I like the sup'air harnasses, because they have been around for ages. And serve good quality. Other brands to me, often make them too big, and are a pain to fit in the rucksack. Or are too heavy to take on a plane.

Now this is important. Carrying it up the hill all the time ? You may want to get you a light one then. Or with the charge for luggage in mind on planes nowadays (and more and more, you wanna make a bet ?), it could be a good choice to see what lights there are on the market.

Sup'air has several ones, and the last one I liked the most was the X-Alps. Guess what ?

They stopped making them, damn !

So I want you to show the newest harnass, with irreversable (correcty spelled ??) rucksack.

The sup'air Altirando XP with airbag.

The original Altirando had complaints, the rucksack was too small. It only fit small gliders, vacuum packed. They bettered it. The changes ? The volume is bigger now, and any glider, neatly folded fits.

It weights slightly more (350 grams), because of the better cloth being used for your back.

And now delivered with speedbar and footstrip, which gives you the opportunity to fly it little bit more supine if you please. And it has airbag protection.

If you want one when coming down, maybe let me know beforehand, so I can order. The cost just a little bit more than the original one. But, you get stirrup with it, and it is more comfortable, better designed this one. Ideal for travellers, or pilots who have to hike up the hill. It weighs less than 3 kgs.

Just checked on newest gear for you all, because winds were too strong for us today.

Some foto's sent in by fellow pilots.
first one Teo Viorel flying with the monks in Bir Billing, India
Second one is from Hans Henrik Pederson, Denmark at their CABO.

Third one from Stefan Huysmans, flying over the canal in Belgium.
We ourselves were grounded as the weather is shitty. Sunny, cloudy, sunny, cloudy, sure wil have some drops later in the evening.

This was the closest we could get to flying today. Sunny, cloudy, rainy in the end.

You hate it when you see the locals thumb up, they have been waiting for this rain for months. But not us !

Early morning calls... no I don't think we can do anything either today, figured that out ourselves Nick.

But at 11 in the morning, I felt the sun and saw it burning holes in the cloudy sky. Lets call the troops.
A bit of mistrust I felt at meeting point this afternoon though. Things like : are you sure Nick ? At the coast it is not that strong. No, no, no white horses. You think same site like yesterday ?.... ? ahum...

Now I had to score. And luckily nine years living here, flying daily when you can, helps making the right decisions sometimes....
So after the superb flying today at Palomaret, everybody was a lot more mellow.
Dudo, Imre, Ken and Ismael, later Kike, all managed to get to El Cid and back. And it was easy, the thermals got you up to 1250, some tailwind to get to El Cid and bingo.

All the others got to cloudbase and stayed in the thermal for more than an hour, then needed to land because it was getting too cold up there. Martin made big ears just to get rid of some height and land. Immediately putting his hands between his legs. Nick damned, you have to brief where the sink is ! (a happy kid, Hazel ! and when are you gonna sit on my lap again doing a tandem ?)
Helmut, Arild, Jalmar and Frank, all at cloudbase, hip hip.

The weather was strange. Early morning cloudy. Then gradually more sunny. But very strong eastern winds, norhteastern winds, at the coast. Best to detect on the maps of 'theyr', a website of the Island meteo-institute ( I think private owned, I think, not sure .) You have to pay to have access to that site, but it is one of my favourite tools on iffy days. And of course the phone calls to my friends in different valleys to have a global view.
Once at take off, the plain valley was heated up, and generated the thermals up to the (ice) cold air coming from the northeast. But not bumpy, only higher up some windsheer but nothing dramatic.
Another fantastic day, and this for midwinter.

Pretty windy at take off in the morning at the coast.

Just my Artik and a Boomerang sport in the air, untill it was time to go land, because the sea was getting too nerveus, windspeeds rising.
In the afternoon 1650 m ASL, for most of the pilots. At Reconco it was amazing. Overall lift. I actually better briefed and explained where the sink was today. Feb 2008 !
Oh by the way, the forecast was cloudy. But only blue sky. Alicante showed its nice face again.

That's how we land at 30 km per hour. No brakes, ready to pull the B-lines when you touch ground. Turn around and even with a hurt knee (old basketball injury ...) you easy get it all under control.

Only on gliders with high aspect ratio the risers are sometimes too close to get your hands in between comfortably. But this should work with all DHV2's I guess.

Out of the hat. No way to fly at coast, but inland we found Reconco flyable. Weird, the only valley where the northeasterly wasn't blowing hard.

Also near Caudete there was some flying going on. And Col de Rates, but that was too far north to be good.

When we arrived we saw Antonio and Juan Pedro having their flights over the village of ONIL. Soon after we were airborn. It was nog a big window, just a nice welcome for new arriving pilots from the cold north. Norway, Ireland, and England.

Late afternoon shots. The sun setting already and still flying. From midday we were cautious that the forecasted eastern wind would ruin our day. But it never got to us.

It was a thermalling day, with the odd hammer thermal here and there. But mostly calm.

When we drove home we saw a huge snake being overrun by a car. Unfortunately one cannot avoid it. They sleep on the tarmac, and before you know it you run over them. It is a shame, but what can we do.

When I tell visiting pilots to be aware of snakes and scorpions they look at me as if I am Ozzy Osbourne having a laugh. Well here's the foto that shows you how big those snakes get. Almost two meters and thick as a wrist. If I upset animal lovers with this picture, I am sorry.
One several on my briefings I warn pilots not to land near certain areas, because I know scorpions can make your life less nicer if they pinch you, and imagine a snake like that crawling in your leading edge, realizing it when you in flight already. Sweet dreams.

Eastern winds kicking in. Air from the sea, humid, lowers cloudbase.
Cloudbase at 1250 m ASL, which means just enough to reach El cid.
And that's what Pepe and Dudo reached.

On fotos, part of the decor behind the take off of Palomaret. The movie Asterix and Obelix at the Olympics was shot here last year, and now to be seen in your nearest theatre !
Last year we were not allowed to drive up the hill, due to the filming. Gerard Depardieu, Alain Delon, Claudio Cardinale and many other famous actors were in Alicante for the set. The road which was pretty fucked before all of a sudden was tarmac-ed.
Thanks Hollywood !

And another one. Another flying day.

We needed a change though, we needed some challenge. That's why we were chasing for other sites. Nice cumulus forming inland, and if the southern breeze would kick in, it could be a nice surprising winter day. Slightly catabatic whereever we went. No worries, we can always head back to the coast.

So on Toni's last day, we didn't want to wait too long. And decided to head back and fly with the seabreeze closer to Alicante.
Nothing huge, cloudbase was low due to the seabreeze and some inversion. But outside playing !

Thermals +3 m/s, cloudbase 400 m above take off before we arrived. When we were flying the air got more and more humid due to the seabreeze and cloudbase sank. Nevertheless more than an hour for our dear Irish buddy Toni. See you soon my friend.

Western wind, usuall not to play with. But after the strong cycles in the central hours, it was our time.
Just before the norwegians left, they had a good one.
Irish Toni (above) had his adventure, had to fight to get down when things were veering up before it was too strong for all of us.
Sunburned, because all day in the sun, in the wind. High pressure coming in again, which will give us airtime till this weekend I pressume, then stronger eastern winds.... .