Whilst Lawrence, Stu and Nigel were flying, my early landing allowed me a bit of time to have a go at Kelly Farina and his dog Otto.

Another PB for the week with Lawrence smashing his PB by X3 with an epic run to the NNE and 150km.  Nigel made 118km and Stu 95km.  Big conditions with climbs to well over 4000m.

We will need to go to La Lastra today in order to ensure a take off, though it will probably come onto PN later, though crossed from W.  Decent climbs to c3000m and a distinct convergence from the Sierra de Avila moving NE (far to N of Segovia).  This may give us more leeway to move N of the airspace, but also with the lower forecast thermal tops we will have less problems than Tuesday.  Overdevelopment (spread out) is likely around Avila.  Also along the convergence line there is a high risk of towering cumulus and storms which might shorten our XC day.

Briefing at 10.30 for 11 am departure to La Lastra.

What seemed a classic forecast was ruined somewhat by OD [spreadout].   Tim was able to snatch a thermal from the sun in the valley and do a nice out and return in the Salamanca direction.  The rest of us had multiple attempts with some slow thermal climbs

An amazing day if we believe the forecast.  Light winds, so circuit flying the best idea.  Some convergence into the Avila Valley, and behind launch and the Pass.  Perhaps, the Bend in the Road, Barco then back.  Most things would work today with this forecast.

small inversion around 1500 early in the day and trigger temps around 29ºC for valley so a relaxed start once again.

Briefing around 11am

Very pleasant conditions yesterday with mostly the group flying circuits around the valley between the pass and Baroc.  Helen probably did the most with about 50km.

A NW flow in our valley but probably NE in the Avila valley.   Strongish winds in the Barco area.  I would suggest we will be crossing the Pass and returning when the headwind gets the better of us, probably before la Torre.

An extraordinary day with climbs early in the day to 4000m and a light NW wind.  These are some of the names and distances.  Nigel 181km, Stuart 174km, Bart 139km, Tim and Steve  212.9, Marc 213.9km, Mishal 126km,  David 66km.

However, due to the tremendous thermic conditions it was exceptionally difficult to keep below 2900m in the NOTAM area, and unfortunately, without exception we all infringed airspace at some time or other during the flight!

On such  days we should not really enter , but detour to the North or do an out and return!

This should be an excellent day with good quality climbs to near 4000m .  convergence on mountains, but not useful to us.  Average wind is NW, but lower level NE will make things tricky for a big open distance, as will the problem of a high base within the airspace area.  Segovia is an option, as is an out and return or other circuit flight.

A great achievement for Stu and Marc yesterday with their successful out and returns.  Also many other over the pass and doing a decent section of that flight.

7hrs plus in the air for some!