Wednesday 23rd January 2013

Blizzards to the north and east of us... The summit of snow-covered Cox Tor wreathed in cloud - but with a glimmer of brightness along the north face of the Moor...  And even lower and darker cloud glowering at us to the south and west, as if to say: 'If you fink you're 'ard enough - just try me!'

So having 'walked the course' and found a few solid(ish) patches of grass amid the snow and mud at the west end launch point, the handful of us present took up the challenge by firing up the winch and getting K13 DMX on line. With everyone current, abbreviated solo circuits were expected to be the order of the day.

K13 G-DDMX getting ready for another flight

However, our decision to fly was justified, and we achieved launches up to around 1200 ft, and enjoyed stately circuits above the spectacular scenery in some of the smoothest air any of us could remember.

The lowering cloudbase eventually put paid to the fun.

But then the cloud achieved what it had been threatening to do and rolled in to put a stop to our antics. So it was back to the hangar to wash off the kit - then into the clubhouse to bask in front of the woodburner with can of beer in hand. Thanks, by the way, to John Howe for bringing a bulging sack of freshly cut logs, to augment the sodden sticks with which our 'super stoker', Ged Nevisky, had been struggling.

A special mention, too, to Dave Bourchier and our Vice Chairman, Colin Boyd, for slaving away in a cold hangar as they continued with the renovation of K7/13 BVB's skid assembly.

Bob Pirie