Relative low pressure due to the heat low over the Peninsula, but in general good thermal  soaring conditions and the slightly more northern flow will make it less turbulent on the hill and give us a better evening flight.  Thermal conditions similar to yesterday but the wind being more N will probably keep us this side of  Avila.  Quite cool temperatures still, tomorrow getting warmer, but also some cool air coming in at higher levels from the N.  The latter should keep far enough away from us, giving the Pyrenees and NE storms.

Wind on take off at 9  am is a very light NW

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wind on track

section over time

What Happened

Nice conditions early on but climbs only to around 2300m.  Myself and many decided to land before the Pass as it looked to be getting a bit strong.  Chinny and Frank went over ,  Chinny getting to near Avila but stopped by the N wind.

A cold front is passing through the north of Spain, but like the pattern which seems to have occurred all through last week, all the rain and storms should be limited to the N and the Pyrenees.

Winds are SW but should come onto PN.  Blue convergence expected and a good day for flights beyond Avila.  Winds perhaps a little strong at 3000m, c 30km/hr.

Briefing around 10.45am.  We  want to be at take off by around noon.

1pm

winds at 3000m and track

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What Happened

lioght at launch and very nice smoothish conditions. Chinny, Dave and Simon just past Villacastin and Tomas before windmills with both Chris and James in Avila.  Great day, great conditions.

A heat low over the Peninsula and a cold front out to the N.  A SW flow which will give us the classic convergence and reduce the problems of getting stuck at Avila in a N wind.  Cloud base above 3500m though mainly blue thermals outside of the convergence.

This is a potential 200km day, however there are a few problems.

1. SW wind.  will it come on to Peña Negra or will we need to go to  Lastra.  A biggish decision

2. Airspace restrictions after Avila.  Not enough S in the wind to detour to the N like the big flights a month ago

Temperatures need to get above 29ºC for it to get good, but we should be on our way by 2pm.  if we go to Lastra in the air by 12 and at PN if it comes on, by 1pm.

Briefing at the house at 10.45 where we will cover airspace and a few other things.

Trackers are set up.  See web page for you number.

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section over time on route to Segovia

A flyable day but with the cool conditions and inversions  we will have a struggle early in the day going above 2300 and 2600 later in the afternoon.  Temperatures would need to go to 30º to get to 3000m, but that is unlikely in most areas.  Flights towards Barco and the Cherry Tree valley.  With these conditions as forecast it will be a struggle in the CT valley and also not that easy for a return flight from the CT pass.  However, yet another paraglidable day to finish an excellent week of conditions and PBs.

Brief at a round 12am.  Wind over back from SE  at 9am.

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winds at 2400m at 1400

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Similar to yesterday but slightly more west and higher base.   Today it may be more difficult to come back from Avila, though also may be difficult to push much beyond it due to the north wind effect, though it may be worth it, but flights beyond 100km may be difficult .  Thermals will take us into the NOTAM area, so be aware of the limits after Avila if we continue.

With the more westerly wind the evening flight should be very very good.  We should go low today if we have the same problems as the last 2 nights with winds not dropping off till the very end.

Once again a late start, probably briefing around noon and take offs between 1.30 and 2.30.

winds at 2400m

What Happened.

Goal in Avila for David, Andreas and Bill , with Sondre at the windmills and Bernt between windmills and Avila.  A nice day!

Not disimilar to yesterday with valley breezes probably to the W early on then more NE predominating later in the day.  Perhaps a chance of going over the pass to Avila and return with these conditions, or a similar task to yesterday, though I would favour Avila and back today if the wind stays light.  Inversion again around 2600m with possible climbs to near 3000m late in the afternoon.  It will be a late start due to slow conditions so we will brief around 12

1pm

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mid afternoon winds PN to Avila

winds mid afternoon

What Happened,

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Amazing conditions with climbs to above 3000m later in the day.  Bernt to the Pass, then Barco then Home for an epic 80km flight.  Bart steamed over the pass on his new Mentor for  a 30km flight and Sondre made it close to Avila and flew back to top land at take off.  A very determined Norwegian if ever I saw one!  His 2nd PB of the week after his 100km+ on Monday.

Bart Blue, Sondre Red, Bernt green

Low cloud early this morning which will hopefully lift to around 2600 by late afternoon.  Supposedly blue thermals later on with wind from the N to NW.  Probably a day for a flight to the Pass then down to Barco via the flats.

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Late afternoon from the Jerte Valley on the left, to Avila,

Bits of the cold front originated with Hurrican Bertha lingering across the north of the Peninsula and another to pass actually through our area tomorrow.  Mainly blue thermals to around 3000m and some hints of cirrus.  The north will make it difficult to go beyond Avila, but persistence as with Sondrey, may give some results.  Wind around 20km/hr at take of level and up to 30km/hr near 3000m.  It is going to be rough!

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route

section over time

What Happened.

Lenticulars in the distant NW during the morning flight.  Light low down and  over 25km/hr above about 2200m.  I flew first and found light generalised themal lift and then hit what seemed to be wave lift further out.   Most of us chose to fly early and land before it got windy and turbulent.

Bernt and Sondre flew over the Pass but had a windy ride in the Avila valley landing half way along.

During the evening flight we took of late and all flew in wave.  Lenticulars formed along the main ridge.  An unusual  experience for a pg pilot!

High pressure over the Azores, and a deep depression over the UK and a heat low over the Peninsula.  A cold front is moving through the N of Spain, which may twitch up the winds a little today and tomorrow, however the winds lower down are generally light initially though may mix down as the day progresses.   NW winds, so good for the Avila valley, but probably not much further.   Quite cool and the skew dry adiabatic quite a long way to the right so perhaps a late start.

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X section over time to Segovia

What Happened.

It took a while to get decent climbs, but after over an hour messing about on the big spine we went towards the Pass.  Most went down, though David and Sondrey went over.  Bill , myself and Bart flew back from  the Pass as it seemed quite north.   David got near Avila and Sondre battled on to 100.3km.  His track below.

Sondre´s 100.3 km

Once again we have a forecast of 20 to 40km/hr in the boundary layer, so although possible elite yesterday, this will not be a particularly nice day to be in the air.  Wind is strongish and over the back (SE)at 8.30 am, so going up for an early sled ride is not possible either.

For tomorrow and the rest of next week looking OK with N and NW lighter winds.

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