After a week of southerlies we finally get back to PN for a great day out.  A tricky day though with SE up high and NW down low.  We struck of from the Pass at above 4000m to the North and trying to connect with the convergence north of the Avila Valley.  However, low down we were against a 20km headwind.  Ian and Luc returned for nice out and returns.  Myself and Colin flew and erratic course, finally going quite a way north before heading back a little.

Track Log Luc

Track log of day

It has been a difficult weeks with strong winds from the south and very hot on the ground.  We have only managed some evening flying since Sunday with a 20km XC by Hans on one of the days.  Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountains at Pedro Bernardo, the British Open have been flying in the strong conditons.  Today we visited there and shared most of their 100km goal  along the south side of the Gredos.  Best distance by Colin at around 90km.

Unfortunaly a forest fire started infornt of take off and has become quite extensive.  It can be seen in the early stages in the photo below.  When we arrived hom in Piedrahtita the smoke had crossed the mountians to our valley.

Tomorrow looks like it will finally become a bit more normal with condtions over 3000m an the wind on our normal hill.

Take off at Pedro Bernardo

Track Log of today

An early start at lastra around 11am and reasonable easy conditions the whole way.  Mark and Eric were down to the north of the Piedrahita Valley, but myself, Rob, Doug and Hans had an easy time of it to around 50km when we had two land.  High cirrus slowed things and Doug and I were scratching  a bit towards the end.  However, just after Doug landed things started to pick up for me and I think as we landed before 3pm, it may just have been a potential 200km+ day.

Plenty more to come!

Steves tracklog

An overcast day starting with light southerlies.  4 of us flew from La Lastra, with gains to about 4800m and  a slow flight in mostly overcast condtions from cirrus.  Very pleasant with lots of low save adventures.   Wind later came onto PN, but then went off before the eveing flight.

Steve’s track

A slow day to start with climbs not much above 2600m in the Piedrahita valley.  However, Martin and Bryan to Avila and Flo, after 6 hours 20 minutes reached the goal of Segovia for his new straight line personal best on his last day here.

According to the online contest, also the longest flight in Spain of the day.

Flo’s flight

Perfect Cumulus streets running along the Sierra de Avila towards the horizon beyond Segovia.  Climbs to 3400m and in some cores of 7m/s, so a bit hectic at times.  Flo landed N of Avila so I followed him down to land back at Avila.  Ondrej a bit further back.  We had set the goal at Segovia, which was more than possible if not for the spot of bad luck at Avila.

Steve track to Avila.

A pleasant day flying around the valley, myself once again trying out the characteristics of the new Magnum3 tandem.  After visiting the local Fiesta de la Vega in the middle of the valley for a late lunch after landing, we went up for the evening flight which allowed soaring along the whole length of the mountian.

An excellent day with most of the group over the pass and towards Avila.  Steve B made it over the City landing to the south of the town.  I test flew the new Magnum 3 tandem with Rhoda, landing also at Avila along with Eric.

Steve B’s first XC.

A forecast today with a nice convergence running 100km plus to he NE, the wind never came on the hill well enought to launch.  Also some cirrus calmed things too much.   We had some very nice soaring on the south side of Serrota between Chia and the Garganta de Villar sites.

Martin test flying the M7 today

After a run of mediocre days,(No flying on Thursday and just local flying on other days) Friday came good.  Due to low cloubase earlier on we made a first flight staying local untill the base rose.   Then, after warming up (a very cold day at base), we took off again around 4.30 pm and all but 2 of us went over the Pass.  Florian reached Avila first, taking the middle of the valley river route.  Those trying the moutain route had a slower time of it.  Helen and Eric made it to El Fresno, near the Y junction to Avila, the others be spread back along the valley.