Back home now to quite nice flying weather in Piedrahita. Yesterday we managed to get an hour or so at Montellano before going to the airport. Most had over 6 hours flying this week, with young Ed showing much promise for the future. No XC conditions the last week, but nice soaring in pleasant conditions on all days but Saturday.
No more trips now until March when things should start to get interesting down South and will start to warm up a little here in Central Spain.

No flying but a bit of tourism in Ronda.

A good thermic flight today for Richard on the Blacklight, though the others got off a bit late to take full advantage. The second flight pretty much a downflight. Now back in Algo for probable rain tomorrow

This morning and looking so for tomorrow, very windy in Algo. We came up to Cenes for a couple of flights protected from the strong SE wind by the Sierra Nevada range. Tonight into downtown Granada for an Indian meal.

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Gentle thermic conditions and light wind at the SE face of Algodonales . Ed continues to impress us with his first day dealing with thermals and often near the top of the stack and flying for around one and a half hours.

Another sunny day at Algo and another trip out to Montaellano. Ed further boosted his hours and Richard has now got to fly both the U turn Black light and the Rush 3.

Our first day down here in Southern Spain at Montellano with a strong N wind. We spent the morning on a hike to the Castle, but after lunch the wind had moderated to go from the lower take off. A few hours for most and flying till sunset. Ed, our new CP who to now had only 15 minutes, has quadrupled his airtime today.
The weather has now turned for the better down here after quite spell of poor rainy conditions. So, looks like we are to have a lucky week

A few weeks back we were at Cenes next to Granada city and with the sun so low and staying on the South side for most of the time it seemed that flying the spur to the left of Cenes would be better.  Years ago we flew from Purche, though now if you walk up (as Felix did) you can have a quick attempt at the thermals over that South face.  I think now they have build on the take off at Purche, perhaps that is why they no longer fly there.   I have found some shots of me flying my Voodoo 1 and a Black Magic from Purche and from Baza in Granada in November 1992 when I was making a dealer tour of the region

Also a photo of me on my all mylar K2 from March 1991  on the SE face at Algodonaleswhich is now far less rocky and good for PGs after condsiderable improvements for the HG Worlds.

I am going back next week with a group from the Malverns.  The group numbers have dropped dramatically so there is LOTS of space if anybody is interested for next week.

I should have the Blacklight and the Rush 3 with me for those who want to test fly them.

Baza in Granada 20 years ago

My all Mylar K2, SE face at Algo in 1991

A long drive yesterday after the airport drop at Malaga.  Finally some more flying at El Bosque on Saturday, though the previous 3 days we spent in Seville and Ronda sightseeing and doging the rain.  Very autumnal in Piedrahita with frost and the Populars turning golden.  Things are also a lot more green now.

Next trip to the South in 2 weeks and hoping for a better hit rate with the weather.

A trip to Otivar today. I have not been here for 18 years and remember it as the place where Puri overshot the tiny landing field and went into some trees below. Today some nice thermic conditions, though Bart undershot the landing twice. A mention in dispatches for Nigel who braved the deep vegetation to help recover him. A memorable indian meal lasy night in Granada, perhaps our last night there tonight.