Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 19 May 2024 - Aston Down Expedition - Day Zero

Sunday dawned bright and sunny.  There was a little fog and general mistiness in the Tamar Valley, when viewed from the high part of the A390, whilst I headed to the club.  Sensibly, I took the opportunity to top off the tank before my car transmogrified into a 14-metre leviathan (Ed: You mean hook up your trailer).

Six members starting from Brentor today; Rick, Adam, Peter, Mike Bennett, John Allen, and I.  Scratch meanwhile was caravaning it with Val riding shotgun.  Hugh brought his caravan up on Saturday (Ed: I thought that DGS was a gliding club and not a subsection of the UK caravaning club).

Five of the Aston Down Expedites hooked up and ready to roll

Last year there was the incident of the hare and the tortoise.  This year, food and number plates were not forgotten, but the incident of the day was trailer stabilisers not raised as the trailer was pulled out of the glider rack (Ed: Ouch. Less haste, more speed).

After getting all the gear out for the Sunday Soarers, we decided that we didn't have time to help derig the Puchacz for an inspection by Colin as he hadn't yet arrived. 

The Expedities helped the Sunday Soarers to get the toys out

The convoy turned left out of the gate, and soon we met the first of several groups of cyclists, these coupled with a pony on the main road, slowed progress. When on the A30 good progress was maintained.  The hare leapt ahead, wanting to fly today.  The rest of the convoy took a break at Sedgemoor services, and most managed to consume our beverages rather than wear them.

Ouch, that coffee is hot

Amazingly, the convoy managed to stay together in the labyrinth that is Stroud (Ed:  Follow the signs for A419 and then Cirencester brings you past the airfield).

After a welcome mug of tea, despite the hard water (Ed: A shock to the soft Devonians and Cornish), we decided on prudence; we would rig and be ready for flying tomorrow after being suitably rested (Ed: The tortoises then. I hear that the consumption of a glass of red wine made the decision for CFI).

John got to fly and got away after a relight to explore the cloud base at 5,000 ft AGL.  Andy had started much earlier in the day and had flown north-east up to near Banbury. He reported that the conditions were difficult and that he didn't manage his planned task.  We were regaled with Sean's tales of his progress during the preceding week.  He had transitioned to glass in the K-21 and now was flying in the K-23.  He managed over an hour and a climb to 5,000 feet (Ed: That's your Silver Height gain the Sean, congratulations).

Tonight's culinary extravaganza was Spaghetti Bolognese courtesy of Mrs S followed by a piece of one of her famous banana and chocolate chip cakes. 

With that the expedition retired, ready for the first day of flying tomorrow.