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We flew early today, before 2 pm, nicely at Palomaret. Before the rain hit us. Yes rain in Spain, but not at the coast where we are based, but inland.
Nice flying, cloudsuck untill base got to near and we were getting wet.
It's been one of this weeks in spring. Rare weeks that we have not the best weather, but cloudy and rainy inland. It happens every year, and if you are here just then, it is frustrating reading all those messages from other having flewn up north in france and germany.
At least Phil, Ian, Toni, Guy and me, we all got our feet off the ground and enjoyed it today.

Lots of messages from friends up north, they have been flying in France mainly. Unfortunately 4 fatal accidents last week. 3 Belgians and one British pilot lost their life. Sad, very sad.
Keeps us reminding we practice a lovely sport, but we should always be very careful.
I do not mean by this that these guys were not careful, I am 1000 or more kilometers away from where it happened. I just hope their friends, family, mother, lover will have the strength to overcome this loss.
We didn't fly today. At our coastal site it was south and not east as it should be. I flew it before when south, but one collapse because of rotor, can be very painful, so no risk. And inland it was cloudy, very cloudy and various weather forecasts were predicting thunderstorms and rain inland.
I remember a couple of weeks ago, we were at Palomaret tempting to fly. But my nose told me something different, it felt too cold up there. Not normal for that day, not normal for the time of the year. Too close to base ?? ... ? Don't know, didn't do it. Stayed down.
The day after I heard from Alex that they measured 100 km winds under the cloud in the back near Peña Rubia. Scary. Luckily I do have huge respect for clouds, and especially this time of the year.
Actually we had a very interesting experience at La Cortina the other day. In no time, clouds were forming and winds picked up from nothing to very strong gusts.
Yes, we all know, basics, we are taught, ..., but it is good to experience it once again with our own eyes. And feel and respect this nature forces.

All day on the lookout, but didn't find a safe window to head out and play today.

One out of the hat ! Not expected, brilliant flying at the cliffs. Phil and Toni, and Chris filled their boots.

When we arrived, waiting .... winds south damned..... all of a sudden windlines coming from north ! Weird. Phil in the air, ooops, lift ! Aaaah, bummed out.

Come up again. Things got better, for a while .... .

Lets go home. Or wait, look at this grass, it is east ! Lets check it out. Resulting in brilliant soaring till 6 pm. Freak of nature, if you'd ask me. All against weather forecast, who cares, we had a great afternoon. Lets go ice-cream now.

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Views of today. Theme park Terra Mitica below us, further down Benidorms' highrise.
Second foto is view from western side, facing take off.
Last foto, was the cloud development just after we packed our gliders again.

We tried to fly today, and had our gliders out. I danced a bit with the glider at launch, but felt too much rhythm in the air. No constant rhythm, but here and there a cross wind, a gust, a collapse. Meanwhile flags at bottom were veering from spot on to 90 degrees off. Soon clouds in the back foretold a angry sky. After half hour it felt nice not to have tried to fly.
May hammery thermals, low pressure, active air, veering winds and overdevelopemt by afternoon. Black couds inland. No good.

Most ot the local pilots are back from having their SIV course at Entrenuvols in the Pyrenees.
Entrenuvols, Jordi and Ramon, having their SIV courses over the lake near Tremp. They tow you up to 800 - 1000 m above the lake behind a boat. As SIV instructors, then teach you step by step the maneuvers you need to know. From basic maneuvers to big acro stuff, all gradually according to your ability and confidence, and will to learn.
They do speak english, so if you are in search of a good SIV team, beautiful scenery, great atmosphere, get in touch with them.
www.entrenuvols.com

Toni is still around, and he is a hell of a guy, been flying his Independence Avalon for hours last days. But today no luck. Bad weather forecast, cloudy and even rain. We left early and see what could be done before that weather arrived.

Just this morning a bit of flying inland, nothing big. Phil was happy to have his first flight in though, and got above take off, which was an excellent achievement with the little conditions we had.
Later in the day, from 2 pm onwards the sky more and more overcast, evening rain which is quite excepetional for this time of the year. Problems is, there is still more to come this weekend. Bummer.

Grey day, rain all day. Up north in France, Belgium, maybe even England it should be more flyable down here for the moment.

Fron of El cid, three take offs, one west, two southern take offs.
Over the back you can see the town of Petrer.

Only Pepe flew today, and reached El Cid at altitude of 1650 m ASL. Had to stop flying before noon, things were getting too strong.

At the coast from early morning it was already windy.

Now evening, still lots of eastern winds. Luckily the last three days were epic, so filled our boots luckily.

Shit man, been singing the same song all day. Did quite a few tandems today, and there was a girl who was singing 'holiday' from Madonna during the flight. It stuck to me.

We were flying over the mediterranean sea, all sunny, beautiful turquoise water underneath us, cristal clear. Toni did as well, for hours.

We were flying all we could today, because next days could be a bit windy. Just have to check if there are any fiestas for my guests. Or maybe chilling.

What fiestas ? Where fiestas ? Here fiestas !
Nice shots Allan, check more out on his website soon.

Niviuk Icepeak XP above, lower the Avalon of Independence. Lowest foto, Pepe flying his new wing.

All at Palomaret where in the morning lift was weak, but in the afternoon lift was fine.

Just after 3 pm, the air became cooler all of a sudden. The seabreeze had kicked in.

It was not as rough any more as before, smooth thermals, but of course lower cloudbase. A typical summer day. Lots of flying if you want, but inversion who kept cloudbase under 1200 meter. Only ridge runs possible, but fun.

Kike, Federico, Rafa, Pepe, Toni and I. Some local pilots are up north following an SIV course. Hope the weather is good up there.
A tiring day for Toni, who had one of his best flights of his three months stay. He is getting lots smoother piloting in active air, you can tell.

Breezes and possible thunderstorms inland. Didn't with hold for some of us to fly at Caudete. The site with the windmills.
At the coast nothing happened, winds were weak and not strong and on enough to enjoy smooth soaring.
With Toni aboard and Richard, who is low airtime I didn't decide to go fly with nearing angry skies. In the end thunderstorms were more inland than predicted, but I do have lots of respect this time of the year for these forecasts.

After th ehuge fiestas we attended yesterday, it was time to fly again.
Toni flew for three hours, and we are still trying to wipe the smile off his face.
Winnie and Allan finished their Alicante trip with several flights as well. See you again you danish, and don't forget to send us the foto's.

Inland too strong to fly, but at the coast it was as if summer started. Lots of Madrileños, and even some very noisy paramotor pilots today.

The fiestas at Caravaca de la Cruz (what a name), lets say it again, Caravaca de la Cruz, si señor.

The fiestas that were held today called, Caballos del Vino.

Loads of horses are decorated with embroidery. And I have no idea how many hours, days, months grandma needed, but the decorations are enormously detailled.

In the streets of the fourth holiest city of catholic church in the world, the streets are packed with people. All wearing a red scarf in honour of the fiestas.

All day long, brass brands, playing up to each other, youngsters dancing around it. Lots of drinking, especially the sweet red wine of Caravaca de la Cruz itself is consumed. Bottles are passed around from early morning.

Everybody chanting, having fiesta like only the spanish can in the world.

In the afternoon the race is on. The horses have to race towards the castle higher up. The horses are held by four men. They all have to finish together, the men holding on to the horse.

They have the race on sandy stretch of street, again on both sides packed with people jumping aside as soon as the horse and men get nearer.

Surely in any other country this would be forbidden, too dangerous, too wild, people could get hurt. Not in Spain, where fiesta is held high as a cultural treasure of tradition, olé !

Later in the day more processions with Moros y Cristianos. The Moors and the Christians, conquering the castle. Again lots of booze, bottles going from hand to hand. People singing, eating, embracing.

Most of them at night pretty drunk, as if this is bad eh. But what is so amazing is, that all is held in a brotherhood atmosphere. Lots of hugs, kisses, embraces, singing together, drinking together, all with a peaceful attitude. Again, even with lots obviously been drinking too much, havent't seen an argument, hence a fight. What a country, if only you can adapt. Fantastic.

Some little windows at Cabo de Santa Pola today. You had to be on the spot for take off. Raul from Murcia had some flying in, more gale hanging actually.
Windlines on the sea, was not too inviting for low airtime pilots though.

No flying today, winds too strong.

As forecasted, the front burning off today. We saw it coming in from the back yesterday over the ridges. It was gonna be a non flying day today.

Thanks for the picture Benedict. And say hello to Pierre and Jacques.

Nice foto of the launch with Anna, assisted by Pepe, upcoming comp pilot after years of acro flying ? Lets hope, he's doing well lately.

Morning tandems with Nicoletta Italia.
Winnie from Denmark soaring with her independence.

Sexy dressed Anna from Britain ready to fly tandem. Matching socks.
My Niviuk TAKOO, never let me down yet. Flew it in all conditions and feels very trustworthy.

Full day of paragliding. Morning soaring at the coast, with the odd punchy thermals at the cliffs. Tandem flights with Nicoletta from Italia. She loves it, as she loves sky-diving as well

Later in the day more of all that, at Palomaret. Where Guy and Allan enjoyed the stronger thermals. Earlier in the day there were 7 m/s thermals and cloudbase 1000 m above take off at 1850 meter.
I registered on the tandem flight still 5 m/s and it was 6.30 pm already. Absolutely april.

Flew with Anna, Guys' girlfriend and she loved it.

In the air thermals were still strong, and the air was cold. The front bothering the northtern part of Spain is approaching, that was clear looking over the back seeing the cloudformations.

erin

Joachim German pilot : "For once I have it right now, nobody is watching."

See you again Joe, keep on doing hours of groundhandling like you are used to. Say hi to the goodies in Deutschland.

Flying tandem with famous belgian comedian Wim Helsen.

Take off with a little help from my friends, Toni gracias !
Lots of tandems today, Alejandra from Bulgaria and lots of others from Erasmus in Alicante

It was a good old sunday afternoon, all in a jolly good mood, nice and summery, hours of flying, toplanding, playing, chatting, taking off again, and ICE CREAM !!!