Wednesday 14th October 2010

A classic autumn day with possibly a record line up ( for a Wednesday) of 10 gliders, with plenty of members to fly them, plus visitors. Good to see Phil and Andrew up in their Astir, and Bob Sansom resurrecting his lovely K8 (after six years in its trailer).

A competion grid?   No  just a Wednesday at DGS

Our sympathy goes to to Don Puttock whose parked T61 was found to have suffered from the (amorous?) attention of a cow. Weatherwise, last weekend's wave had died, but there were some patchy thermals, with Ged achieving 1.5 hours in the Open Cirrus.

Good to see so many visitors; especially Andrew and Ericka Thompson from Lostwithiel. Andrew came along for a voucher flight, then Ericka (who is disabled) was persuaded by our resident 'meeter and greeter', Heather, to give it ago - twice! From a backseat perspective, it was wonderful to hear Ericka's laughter and share the joy the experience gave her. Thanks to all the members who gave them such a warm welcome.

Vistors Andrew and Ericka Thompson (centre) with instructors David Jesty and Bob Pirie

Two other visitors were the Harmers from the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club. Pete is their CFI (and a former Lasham colleague of mine). After submitting himself for a site-check, he took wife Jill for a short soaring flight in the K7/13, which made a change from their Turbo Duo Discus. Such visits help to cement the increasingly close links between our clubs and I am sure DGS members will be made welcome at North Hill (which, incidentally, was socked-in by the weather yesterday, while we were basking in sunshine).

In all, a respectable 43 launches were achieved.

A big thank you to all who helped out - which was most of you - and commiserations to Colin Boyd and Alan Bamford, who worked particularly hard but remained earthbound, so that others might fly.

Bob Pirie