An occlusion snaking N-S across the west of UK did not make for comforting
reading on the Met Office F215, but on arrival at the airfield, the cloud-base
being just greater than ‘tor height’, and the wind a mere zephyr, there was
nothing to prevent us from flying – and so we did!
But that was not the only business of the day: first we had to celebrate our
Inspector, ageing rock star Colin Boyd’s birthday. This we did with a delicious
chocolate and peanut butter sponge generously provided by Paula Howarth, which
was gratefully gobbled by all attendees, some of whom were almost moved to a
twinge of regret that Colin wasn’t there..! Colin, who normally arrives at the
sort of time you would expect from an ageing rock star, was at home convalescing
after his recent hip replacement operation.
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| Colin Boyd’s birthday cake – before |
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| and after ... a pity he wasn’t there to enjoy it..! |
Once we had got the airfield re-arranged for the south-westerly that was
predicted (and duly arrived) we got going with club trainees Dave Downton and Ed
Borlase taking the K-13s whilst Roger Appleboom took the club K-8 and Leith
Whittington flew his immaculate Dart 17R. Cloudbase was, it must be said,
‘variable’, causing Roger A on one occasion to disappear for severeal seconds.
With no visitors to cater for today provided an excellent opportunity for
members to practice launch failures, thus remaining current for when the season
begins.
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| Ed Borlase prepares to commit aviation. |
All was proceeding smoothly until, at the stroke of 2:30pm (‘precisely..!’)
the occlusion arrived, dropping cloudbase to the deck and soaking us all within
5 minutes. And so it was a long and sopping wet trudge back to the hangar to
squeegee off the gliders before we could reward ourselves with steaming hot
cuppas all round.
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| The occlusion swept in within 5 minutes. |
Thanks go to Inspector’s Apprentice Dave Downton who, loyal to a fault, saved
a piece of birthday cake for Colin – for doorstep delivery on his way home!
Martin Cropper
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