And The Lord Taketh Away

Morning brings another clear blue sky so we once again breakfast and go to take a chill pill in the landing field. We have decided all we will practice here is our accro. As was foretold by the sky gods it is almost impossible without exceptional skill or conditions to get away from here so I mothball the new UP to save stretching the lines, decide to stick to the trusty freex, taking an oath to get it upside down or die trying. The l.z as usual by midday has a few pilots practicing sporta nationale and we join them for a spot of training. This is always time well spent with tips and tales changing hands continually until 3 oclock or so when the first vehicles begin the short winding drive up to launch. Wingovers as it has been said many times by those who know are the basis for almost every accro trick and it is where we must begin to sharpen our skills. We are both capable of the odd wobbly wingover to a little over 90 degrees or so but what we want is to really get high above the wing with no collapses as we have seen. Weight shift and timing are the critical, and having been coached by the word champ we set about our task. The mountain has other ideas today and is not lifting as well as it can thanks to a nearby storm cell spreading light cloud over its valley. We work our best with what we have heaving on the brakes with gusto but things just are not really working out for us. Better, but no trophy winners. When we land that evening Alex Rodreguez, of the Rodreguez and SAT dynasty no less, approaches to give us more ideas for tomorrow. This does us no harm atall. 80% weight shift early and only 20% brake at the 5 oclock on the dive is what he tells us and allow the glider to gain as much energy as possible on the dive hands up. He is very specific and helpful and we get to know him and a few others that evening. It also comes to light cops have been sniffing round the Skylark while we were flying so we decide for the sake of 5 euros a night we may as well go back to the luxuries in the campsite tomorrow to save any hassle and what can be hefty fine for illegal camping. Also Joe is leaving tomorrow and we are heading for Barcelona to meet our new friends who have promised to guide us round town so will have a secure place to leave the Skylark. He will, Im sure, continue his practice in the U.K. We eat curried chicken for dinner and make ready for the trip.