Dartmoor Gliding News–Talgarth Expedition

Sunday 23rd March 2014

On Sunday four intrepid ridge runners Andrew, Phil, Malcolm and Roger all travelled to Talgarth - 970 ft above sea level ( ASL ) in anticipation of a weeks exhilarating week of soaring the Welsh hills. A party of young glider pilots from HMS Culdrose were also spending the week there with our chairman Martin as one of their instructors

Gerry Martin, duty instructor, explaining the field.

The weather forecast for the week was not looking good and although the rain forecast for Monday did not materialise the wind was southerly which apparently is the one direction which curtails flying from  the site. Consequently as is usual in these situations Don went into lecture mode and gave everyone including the Culdrose contingent a talk on ridge soaring .

Having had enough of Dons lectures  or maybe as he was by then hoarse we decided to go to Hay on Wye for coffee travelling by the scenic route via Hay common which he explained was the place to land should one fail to soar the hill from  Y Das to Hay Bluff  ( 2338 ft asl ) . Very reassuring !!

Circuit planning in K6, field below, Talgarth town in the distance

 The wind on Tuesday was North  Westerly 10 to 15 knots so we cracked on speedily ( Phil having his check flight even before the official briefing ) so that we all had our first check flights before lunch time when again we were curtailed by the incoming rain. During these check flights all four of us had chance to practice ridge soaring on Y Das .

Gliders on line

Wednesday the wind was from the north west , fairly light so that Mynydd Troad ( 1998 ft asl ) was the hill to be soared. By mid day we were all cleared to fly solo in our own aircraft so that each one of us had half hour flights or so  in the afternoon although the hills were not  working well.

Later that day the wind backed so Don took Malcolm onto Y Das where they enjoyed a good hours soaring.

Andrew waiting for the 'all out'

That evening we were all looking forward to having a full days gliding in our own aircraft but sadly on Thursday the wind had  turned easterly with low mist and rain so in the morning we had a detailed lecture on the Tephigram  from some odd looking kamikaze pilot.

Don briefing in mysterious 'kamakasi-style headgear.

After lunch the weather was still unflyable so reluctantly we all pulled up stumps and returned home.
Clearly we would have liked more flying but it must be said that we all enjoyed ourselves and thanks must be made to Roger and all his sou chefs  who seemed to magic up lovely evening meals. Mind you the reason might have been because the beer and wine was stored in the kitchen.

Andrew Beaumont