Shittin on tall cotton

The day was so comfortable, it reminded me of the phrase "shitting on tall cotton", do they still use that ? It's been a while since I heard this. Anyway, we had a fantastic, using this word too much, at Palomaret. Hours and hours for those who wanted to fly hours and hours.

More activities we say today, rock climbing, and BBQ ....

Mazarron flying

I got a surprise for you, I just said about Mazarron flying, well here it is, just today some friends sent me a video about their flight at Mazarron, here it is soaring in Mazarron , filmed and edited by Johan v Bernalt. Thanks.

Chill on the beach, and a very rewarding flight at Carrascoy

Chill on the beaches of Mazarron. A lovely place, not spoiled, excellent for diving, food and drinks, socializing with spanish culture. And a site nearby actually.

But we moved back to Carrascoy, where we saw Pani being pinned in the wind. So a wait at take off, and a very rewarding flight later in the day for all of us.

As usual some strange upcoming winds from the north late in the afternoon. There is something dodgy about this site. Lots of times it is just not rough enough to call it rough, and it is always teasing you with valley winds later in the day.

Carrascoy Murcia

Grey sky, but very flyable. Howling in Alicante but down south again bingo. Northwesterly site, good enough for us. Take off at 1100 m ASL, no local pilots to be seen, although site was just reopened last week. After hunting season. They missed one, I saw bunny.

Ann Wauters, see you again lady.

Lazy sunday afternoon

Lazy sunday afternoon, I got no mind to worry, close my eyes and drift away.

Untill my 12 year old wanted some attention. Game over, had to cycle, had to play football, had to fight, had a great time.

Too much wind anyway to fly, so time for the family.

Western winds too strong, but very very warm today, as summer is here.

Booking possible already for the Parahawking season starting soon in Alicante Spain

Parahawking in Alicante. Unique in the world, shouldn't miss it. Bookings possible now. If you book for may or june 2011, you will get the special launch discount of just 100 euros, that's a 20 euros discount on normal price. Spread the word to all who wants to share this experience with us. Why not buy a surprise gift, talk to us.

Inland now, again a nice day out flying

Filling up the boots before going back to the low dunes in Belgium, that was the plan. They did, and so much better than in the beginning of the week.

Less opportunistic flying, more strategy. Off for a huge paella now.

Frans photographer on foto.

Cabo Santa Pola - Doyouwanna

Weather back to normal, som words from Frans Dechaene, belgian pilot :

Small wonder that when Nick called in this morning with the magic word 'Cabo' we were no the roll in no time! Wind was a tad northeast, but in no time we were in the air for a first flight which ended in a bottom landing, when the Big Fan was all of a sudden switched off. Little were we prepared for what was to come... The afternoon started quietly, but all of a sudden orographic clouds started to form on the cliffs and we were climbing and climbing amongst the most fantastic views. Soon we were above clouds, what fabulous views! Soon there were 25 of up enjoying these very rare conditions. All of us raked up again a number of hours on the counter. Frans Dechaene

Viva Cabo de Santa Pola - Alicante

What a day. Awesome. Orographic cloud over the cliffs, soaring the clouds. And just when lots of Belgians came in, my native fellowmen.

One about 5 days a year we have this conditions, very special, very fotogenetic.

That's how my friend Dirk is as well, nice to have your around Dirk amongst lots other friends.

Airport checks

Ok, again a grey day, winds too strong east. Not even possible to groundhandle, again not paradise for paragliders these days.

Someone else sent me a foto of a control at Alicante airport. When the blue gloved men start telling you not to worry because they mean well, be aware.

Not paradise today

Hola chicos, chicas,

No, it wasn't paradise today for paragliders, and we need more days of patience. Strong easterlies are hitting the coast, with cloudy days ahead.

A shame, but that's the way things go sometimes.

Luckily most of guests went horsebackriding or did something fun. That's the attitude, good one.

Just be aware of the moustache when coming in Alicante airport, he tends to take his surveillance job too serious.

The Band

Hans, Ulf, Mike, Frank, Els, Stijn en Asa,
rest were still in bed ....

Cliffs at Santa Pola

Knicked that foto from Carmen, hope she doesn't mind. People watching us near lighthouse at Cabo de Santa Pola.
I just had a little flight this morning, checking wind, conditions to make sure all was fine to fly. And it wasn't. Winds were kicking in stronger after I landed, and take offs were tricky with winds blowing up 30 km per hour and more.
Especially if you don't like two ancres holding you down, and then being pushed of by some strong arms, it is not real flying is it. Imagine a bird needing help to get into the air. So we had a nice chill today.

On the road

Some great flying at the coast. Cabo de Santa Pola, for those who never flew on this site, a reminder of how others speak about it.
After it got too strong, we left for inland. Reconco, where thermals and dynamics were giving us more airtime than we ever dreamt of today.

Better, lots better take offs today, I guess all were a bit rusty. Understandable with the winter just behind and living up north.

Windmeter out, Bobcat out.

Reconco, flights with a view.

http://www.doyouwanna.net/

We got a winner and she's called ...

Champ of the day !

Maybe her name is badly pronounced or written, I don't know I call her Skygod, is that ok ?

Here she is holding the trophee, a Doyouwanna bottle of red wine, not cheap, mind you. She outflew all of us, top of the stack, and managed to get the furthest flight in late afternoon heading for the village of Agost.

More news about the day ? Well a typical Alicante day. Bright sunshine, thermals to fullfill everybody's needs.

Be a bit milder Nick, we know sometimes you get too enthusiastic ... well to be honest, lets face it, 5 pilots not making the huge landing field today, a sprained ankle of some sort, it is not the hottest news is it.

Locals a bit worried about the skills of some pilots. Please coming down to Alicante requires a bullet proof take off and a spotlanding ability. No tree landings, no opportunistic approach to the flying down here. It is got to be said.

Best take offs today, the 4 girls, Asa, Lena, Ann and Kath, swear to god.

Tomorrow more for some soaring I guess. Great day after all, hope all enjoyed it.

A happy Asa and a happy Ulf.

Beer o' clock

We do welcome Ása Rán from "The Flying Effect", undoubtedly known by many paragliding facebook users. Check 'em out, girls on tour

http://www.theflyingeffect.com/

After the flying there is always a beer. The best tasting beer is always after the last flight I think.

On the foto the "bar", thanks Marc.

Vladimir, my buddy took the foto's, un abrazo.

Stickers 5 euros - 2011 helmet stickers for the sites

Some time ago, a belgian pilot (no name, too embarrassing ...) wrote that he doubted if I sold the stickers for my own benefit, or if I really did give the money to the federation of the sold stickers. I felt sick. I couldn't believe someone can get so sour, so bitter to think that way, and on top of that insulting me, on a forum, ready by many not knowing me. I told my fellow local pilots and federation about this under the belt attack. Here is their answer, translated in English for all of you. We hope that person never stands foot on our sites ever again.

Translated newsletter from our Valencian paragliding federation :

Hello,

The Technical commission of Paragliding wants to inform you that we will succeed with the sticker project, started up last year. To collect money and use to maintain and improve our take off areas, first of all the one of Santa Pola.

If you are member of the federation, you can ask for you sticker through your club.

We also wish to thank all of you who made this project possible, making the sticker, distributing it, and selling them. Especially DOYOUWANNA with his "giris = foreign visiting pilots" for his tremendous colaboracion.

We see each other in the air,

CTPCV

Comision Tecnica Parapente Comunidad Valenciana.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Thank you, thank you, thank you

A big thank you from our federation to all of you guys visiting our lovely sites near Alicante. You have all helped with buying the 5 euro sticker, all money that will be fully used for bettering, maintaining our sites. Down below the words from the technical staff of our federation. Thank you all. The 2011 stickers are red, next year green and we'll be rasta !

//////////////////////////////////////////

Hola,

Desde la Comisión Técnica de Parapente os queremos informar que seguimos con el
proyecto de las pegatinas que iniciamos el año pasado para recaudar fondos e
invertirlos en mejorar nuestros despegues, principalmente el de Santa Pola.

Si eres de los que te has federado, ya puedes reclamar tu pegatina en tu Club.

También queremos dar las gracias a toda la gente que ha hecho posible que este
proyecto vaya adelante, ya sea por su trabajo haciendo las pegatinas,
repartiéndolas o vendiéndolas, en especial a DOYOUWANNA y sus "Giris" por su
tremenda colaboración.

Nos vemos en el aire.

CTPCV
Comisión Técnica Parapente Comunidad Valenciana.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

it was good

It was good, it was very good. The flying was good, yes it was.

Back to normal with the weather, back to lovely bright sunshine, back to a breeze kicking in afternoons, giving us lots of airtime. Giving us playtime. For all of us, some earlier some later in the day.

Not a lot of inspiration, I have been hit by the sun I guess.

Carroscoy open

Breeze didn't kick in firm enough, did only get to Orito and not to our hills like Hondon, Palo etc... .

Bad luck, but weather has improved so much already, flyable definetely tomorrow afternoons. High pressure is settling. We just have to be aware we are in march/april in southern Spain. So relax, chill and fly safe.

Winner

Photographer; Louise Grahame, Pilot; Dave Neal, passenger; Roger.

Send in your photo's, maybe you win a weeks Doyouwanna stay at Alicante, which means a rent a car, accommodation and us guiding you. Value 365 euros for a week.

Calpe

A foto taken from my friends Alex Campo album. Last weekend flying at Toix, Calpe. Today was a more grey sky, with lenticulares.
We took a roadtrip, visited our coastal sites, including Toix.

Angry Sky

No flying today, sky way too angry. Westernwinds too strong as soon as sun was out. All this instability in March is not uncommon, and that's exactly what we need to have those splendid flying days in between. Waiting for the right wave ....

www.doyouwanna.net

http://www.doyouwanna.net/

Still under construction, little work to be done, but check it out. I like it, hope you like it too. If you want some changes, hey let me know eh.

Saludos !

This is not today's sky. But yesterday's sky. Clouds coming in early morning, lovely XC day clouds, street from Carche to Peña Rubia.

Today the sky was angry, and we saw it coming late afternoon yesterday. Stronger winds at take off Palomaret and more and more from the east.

Today we were hit hard by strong winds from the coast. Jose and Toni flew at Cabo but discouraged us to fly, once in the air it was too much. José flies a DHV 1/2 glider not the fastest, but Toni flies a Nova Triton, known for its speed. Even on his Triton he had to escape on our coastal site with full speedbar on. So no game today.

You could see the clouds, even mamatus over the sea, which meant instability all over. Windfinder is a good thing,but it narrows the knowledge of lots of pilots, just looking at the wind speed. I think safety wise it is better to have some more knowledge than only finding windfinder nowadays. As a paraglider I think you should be on the wave of the weather. Follow it, see it moving, see it growing in the sky. I talked to wave-surfers years ago and I was astonished about their knowledge of the meteo, how it affected their waves, their sea. I wish more pilots were into meteo again, it is by the way a great topic to talk or bullshit about.... .

Peña Rubia - Palomaret

Early day at Peña Rubia, northwest. Northwest better flying in the afternoon, but it was already working early in the day.
A southwestely later on could have given Chris and Bill a nice XC flight but had to get back to airport going home.
New guys arrived, Justin Mooney and friends. As soon as landed, airborne with their own wings at Palomaret.
All of a sudden, last weeks bad weather was forgotten.

Buenes Aires Elche

Yes, wings out today. In between raindrops to be honest and not any world record beaten.

Not the best week we had, cloudy and rainy last days. Hopefully this spell of bad weather will be over by tomorrow.

Yeah Wendy better look the other side.

Rory Gallagher

For over twelve years I keep on looking for a good radio station down here. Awful they are. We have those rockstations like Kiss FM, which keep on playing Dreadlock Holidays and Hotel California every other day. I mean good if you have amnesia, you can cheer that these have potential to become a hit some day, but if no amnesia it is pretty damn boring.
The state owned radio stations are not better at all. They try to be trendy by having a special about lets say Neil Young and manage to play, or better, they manage to not play his major hits like Helpless, Cortez the Killer, Soul Man, Like a Hurricane and so on. No they play dragons like 'Long may they run' for instance, or the B-side of his great hitsingle 'For what it's worth' when he played with Buffalo Springfiled. Frustrating.

So coming back from a night out I tuned in on Radio-1, the classical tunes. Surprise surprise, cruising back I had a programm on about noises in nature. Noises in nature recorded in the seventies, believe me, waterfalls and squeeling and snorting horses.
Then with the most serious voice introducing another track from the University of Bogota, birds at dawn. Special birds !

That's why it is nice to just surf on YouTube and look for Rory Gallagher for instance. Play this one very very loud, it is meant to be.
Ladies and gentlemen, here he is RORY GALLAGHER !

new website

Relax, too much wind today.

Website down today, soon our new website will be launched. Thanks.