27^th night Flugschule  Jura, Markus Stuurman,  arrived with 14 pilots and another 4 pilots later on, an hour after dropping off the last group.

We had a few hours of sleep before driving  to the Wilderness area, stopping for breakfast after three hours of driving, and arriving at the Map of Africa about 12h30.

 We saw a few gliders enjoying the blue skies, soon there would a lot more traffic, the wind was slowly picking up and we were all in the air with in 30 minutes, now the blue skies were dotted with colour, 14 Swiss pilots soaring around enjoying their first day of flying, some of the pilots had about three hours before we had to land due to strong wind on the sea.

Flying over the beach, over the sea, is a new experience for most, enjoying the warm air and not having to dress up like a snow man. Flying in shorts and t-shirt.

Wow what a great first day and a new site for this group.

Dinner at Montecello’s was excellent as usual, for the hungry masses ordering Espatada’s, the night was short as everyone was exhausted.

 29^th Jan, we left to go flying at 8am after picking up refreshments, headed up to Gerricka’s launch another new site.

 What a view looking down onto the crystal blue sea 121m below, spotting a pod of dolphins playing in the breakers. The wind was light while we were preparing, but within a hour the first pilot launched on the tandem Markus and his son, Nico.

 Soon the rest followed, a bit of a cliff launch which made it exciting, but easy at the same time, glider up and a few steps and you are off.

Most pilots had more than 2.5 hours in the air, soaring over the breaking waves with over 50 Hammer Head sharks swimming around looking for food, just behind the breaker line, but looking so magnificent moving slowly under the surface. During the day the wind picked up and then changed and we had to land on the beach below.

Back home for a swim and a early Braai Fillet steak, and to bed.

We flew Paarl rock in the wine land area, the second time trying to fly there on this trip, and it worked, what an amazing place to fly and spectacular take off site. I, Barry was the first to launch to show the other pilots where to climb up, it was not long and i was above launch, looking down onto the other guys preparing, on this huge Granite Rock.

One by one the braved the launch, but it was well worth getting off early, and experiencing this beauty that lay underneath you. Cape Town to the West and Du toits kloof pass the East, with Franchhoek tucked away in the next valley.

We had a fantastic lunch with wine tasting at Delheim wine estate, this is living life to the fullest.

Next day was difficult in Cape Town with the Strong SE winds around, so we head for Porterville, what a day it turned out to be, Felix a lower air time pilot flying his PB 16km, well done, while three pilots of the group flying over 100km with the furthest distance of 157km and 6 hrs 4 minutes, well done to Dominique, Albert, and Taggi.

Last day in SA, some guys going to Cape Town, to the warter front doing sight seeing and other a last time to fly Macassor,

macassor was working but only for a while and we used this time to soar around over the False bay sea, with the white caps aproaching, what a way to end a fantastic three week flying adventure in South Africa.

 

Flying Sir Lowry’s pass, the takeoff was quite over whelming for some pilots, as it is very small and instantly in the air, most pilots had a good flight and getting used to thermic conditions again, after a day site seeing.

We went to Porterville on  Tuesday  16^th ,arriving in Porterville town it was already very  hot everyone sweating , buying lots of water for during the day to keep hydrated.

  Martin Dockerill launching his new Artik3 and having a very good flight and really enjoying his new toy.

 Arriving on takeoff after doing a detailed briefing we prepared as we were running a little late and the wind was picking up in the thermal cycles . Everyone preparing and we were all soon in the air, a few dropped out  and were not able to relaunch, ^.while the rest of the group  did well.

Most pilot first flying to the south to the end of the ridge then North again, ^,reaching altitudes of  2300 flying past take off, later on the highest height gain was 2850m asl.

Well done to Laurance for flying 88km and getting to 2850m asl, while other flew to the south then North to bumpie and back to Dasklip pass, distance of about 76km.

We had three good days in Porterville, with very high temperatures reaching up to 42 degrees, staying high meant, keeping cool. Some pilots doing their best flights and most bumpie conditions, despite this the guys did well and enjoyed the flying.

Next day was a very early start to Hermanus, arriving to wet skies, it was raining but it would clear. After a few cups of coffee, it started to clear and we were packing out  to fly, we stayed on the ridge admiring the views, top landings, touch and goes and having more relaxed flying.

Filichie really enjoyed Hermanus flying and flew for along time, getting good air time and experience.

We had two good days at Lion’s Head, on the second day we flew first at Llandudno, but only 6 pilots got off as the wind turned SW, which makes Lion’s Head very good and it was.

It was not long after a few pilots had launched, the first pilot, Taggi, flew across to Table Mountain and got up to cloud base the started to fly down the apostles, a few of our group then followed and also got up and were off along the apostles, making this a dream flight.

The orogarfic cloud forming on the top of Lion’s head is also very special, this set the scene for the most amazing flight, and for great pictures. Barbera was in most memorised by this flight and took some great pictures.

 SE erly was setting in again in Cape Town, so we headed for Porterville for two days, staying the night at Eendekuil hotel.

Todays flight was fantastic with very nice cums all over the place, the ridge and the flats were working well. Some pilots getting climbs of 6 to 7 mps sustained and climbing like a bullet, topping out at 2200m asl in the afternoon. Good distances were flown by all even the lower experienced pilots, while the top distances was flown by Dominique 65km, Marcel, Barbera 76km, Adrian 78, Andy Fleuhler 85km and Christian about 100km. Some pilots landed in the stronger SW erly wind and bit forward , a bit backwards, but land well and safe.

The last few days we have some more exciting places to fly.

 

Sunday we planned to fly at Paarl rock, but due to the strong SE winds we have been having in Cape Town it was a 50/50 chance to fly, arriving on the Rock over looking Paarl town there was no way we were going to fly the SE erly would not let up.

A alternative program, some guys going to Hout Bay, for a boat ride to Seal Island, to see the stinky seal in their natural habitat, while the other did the Cape Of Good Hope tour. Firstly passing Maccassor flying site, with a howling SE erly and the sea was white, then stopping at Simon’s Town to see the Penquines,

 on the beach trying to hide from the wind. On the route to Cape Point we saw the Baboons (monkeys) strutting their stuff, no cares  in the world, only eating.

Cape of Good Hope always very beautiful, but every time we go its different in some way, today it was blowing even the gulls had to fly with big ears, wings tucked in. The trip home along Chapman’s peak  is such a scenic drive, with view points to stop at, to take pictures, for fond memories, once back home.

Everyone had a great day out.

 

Over the next few days we have been flying the Cape Town and Porterville areas.

Firstly flying Lions Head, conditions improved during the day and we were able to reach the summit, after a bit of working on the rock face, we also did a few Tandem flights. The views flying from Lion’s Head in Cape Town as just spectacular, looking back into the city and in front landing area, the sparkling sea that meet the crystal white beaches, filled with bodies laying in the sun tanning golden brown.

Franchhoek was a early start, but it also blew out quickly, Nick who got ready first had a great flight and doing a big ears launch as the wind was picking up.

We then went to lion’s Head again for the rest of the day, also very good flying.

We had the privilege of being able to fly Paarl rock, a easy drive to launch and flying  from this massive granite rock, very intimidating, but everyone got off and climbed up to 1500m asl, we flew there in a wind shadow of the SE wind.

Good thermals and not rough to fly, enjoying this majestic scenery of the Paarl valley. After flying relaxing, at wine farm, with a good lunch and wine tasting.

Porterville once again produced, a reliable place to fly in the summer, with a light SW forecast, we decided to flying North. Getting good climbs of about 4.5mps and cloud base of 1750m asl at first, reaching Bumpie peak  we hit a slight NW we flew out into the flat lands towards Eendekuil,

 the flats were very good and the base had lifted to over 2000m, we finally flew distance of 44km and nearly back to Porterville.

Next day the SEerly was to blow Cape Town away, but we managed to get a hour of soaring at Maccassor , sandy cliffs, soaring with the sea gulls over the sea, while the wind was picking up.  One can see all the way to Cape Point and Seal Island.

Today was also a early start driving to Hermanus, arriving at 9am and soarable, soon we were in the air, flying with a few Falcons, ridge soaring the cliffs, a beautiful day, but it blew out by 11.30am, we flew for about 1.5 hours, with a few top landings.    

A non flying day Candice escaping into her world, diving in the Two Oceans Aquarium, feeding the fish.

Sunday 18th Nico, Kirstin from Australia and Heiner and Eva from Switzerland arrived to join our group, Monday 19th 5.30 am we drove to Sedge-field, arriving the wind was strong, but it was predicted to die off by late afternoon.

 3pm we raced to Holiday Inn and could fly immediately, soon the skies were pretty crowed, the ridge looked beautifull  with all the different colours of gliders floating around, close to 6pm the wind died off and some guys made it back to launch while others not judging too well landed on the beach and had to walk for a while…

Tuesday a later start, after a good breakfast we arrived at Sedge-view, a quick study of the conditions, briefing, before launching.

We had a four hour wind of good flying before we went to the Map Of Africa.

Flying at sedge-view was great good themals, exciting flying a bit active to keep you on your (toes) finger tips. We managed to get some climbs to 540m asl, this opening the possibility for Xc some day and the views were fantastic.

Map Of Africa, we spent the rest of the day soaring around, doing top landings, wing overs and more easy type of flying.

A well deserved landing beer and a good meal to end off the night.

From:Mike

It’s midsummer day 21st December at Sedgeview. By 9.30 nobody is going down – the air in front is on a rolling boil due to the sun on the town and the inversion above. There’s not much circling either – not needed for staying up. From the ground the flying looks quiet, unless you look closely. The non-stop action in the harness required to prevent more than the odd wingtip flap can cause minor concern at first, but it won’t get worse, and it’s great active flying practice. Top landing is fun. The smooth landing site makes a gap in the bush and the wind plus thermals are attracted. Even a grass level approach from in front will have you hoovering upwards with increasing ground-speed. Patience over your downwind limit is required – traffic permitting. 

From Hans

Where to start? For us it’s (now) just every day a flying day in Wilderness.

For me the yesterday flight from Gericke Point impressed me again. It’s a ciff-start, wind was strong but still ok to start, well I have to say with the help from Barry.

It impressive to fly there with the ocean below you…

We hoped the wind would become more south, so that we could continue along paradise ridge, it didn’t so we went for option 2, landing near the new birdmen house.

It’s landing at the edge of lot of water. I saw the others cross over first, so new I could make it as well. First I gained some more height, it worked perfect.

Link to flight

We ended the day with the famous aardappel-salade from Candice and delicious chicken braai from Barry.

I had a second and third plate, really good!!

Both Mike and Hans have been back multiple times for their flying holidays, with us.

 

Monday 12^th a post frontal day conditions looking very good for flying and a good Xc distance.

This was also the first flyable day for the PWC comp.

We launched about 12.30  Some pilots getting good climbs but not boomers, steady climbs of 1.5 -2.5mps. We headed down the ridge to Bumpie, then over to Citrusdal, working both areas, in the middle of the valley and others flying over the foot hills, the climbs were better, faster and higher but fare apart.

Citrusdal was within easy reach, but a few pilots landed just after the town. At constriction I managed to climb to 2500m asl and headed on a glide towards Clanwilliam, just before Clamwilliam the NW sea breeze come through and I could not go anywhere ,but down and backwards finding a safe place to land.    

Another frontal system hit Cape Town and everywhere was rained out, very uncommon for this time of the year. Tourist days, going to the Aquarium, Water front etc.

Thursday 15^th back to Porterville for a day trip also good flying, but quite bumpie, so some pilots flew to Porterville and other hung in there for 5hrs 20 flying past Porterville then returning over the flats flying to Eendekuil, very well done Martin and Jim.

 Friday 16^th we had a epic day in Franschhoek ,arriving in good time to do a briefing and to get all kit ready, before the thermic wind picked up making launch difficult.

Franchhoek is one of the most beautifull places to fly, Mountains all round with this quaint village below , filled with lots of people walking around and having something to eat at the local restaurants. The views flying in this valley is something to remember, beautiful laid out wine farms, and the warmth of the day providing us with good thermals and the small dams indicating what is happening with the ground wind.

 We had excellent flying until 3pm then headed home for another excellent Braai.

Saturday 17^th we flew SLP Sir Lowry’s Pass, arrival was perfect, one, two, three, and we were in the air thermalling, well above launch, and trying to fly down the ridge to Hanskop, some guys getting there, but most returning to make sure they do not sink out.

 Mike managing to get high and fly to Gordons bay to the beach.

Sunday 18^th Hermanus was the only place to fly, once again arriving in good time, wind was light, but soon we were all in the air, the last  Whales displaying themselves floating close the shore line.

 No xc  just enjoying the day doing top landings and eventually landing at the Marine hotel for a beer, then a stop at the penguins on the way home.

 

We had two days non flyable, due to strong winds and Southerly direction running parallel to the ridge, so of course we did alternative things, the 8^th we went to Ceres as it was blowing very strong in the Porterville area, driving into Ceres, absolutely no wind the mountains all round were blocking the wind. We went up Gydo pass to see if it was flyable, when we arrived it looked ok, but then changed so we waited for some time after 2 hours of looking and debating, I prepared and launched, but did not stay up and got washed out and landed, day over.

We had a great lunch at a wine farm on the way home, and a T-bone steak braai that evening.

Friday 9^th conditions good for flying, our plan was to fly as far as we can, flying down the ridge then over the back to Citrusdal , then to Constriction and through the gap to Clanwilliam.

Launching quite late we were hoovered into to the skies with strong thermals and quite rough, but as the day went on and we were in the citrusdal valley the thermals were easier to fly and not so strong but still good. The climbs were about 5.5 mps and up to max height of 2500m asl, a few good thermals got you a good distance, good climbs I got were before citrusdal, after town at the foot hills, then at constriction and again half way past Clanwilliam dam, we landed due to the westerly sea breeze breaking though, some pilot flying over 100km all in all a very good day.

 Arriving back at our cottage at 8.45 pm, got the fire going and settled the night with a Lamb chop and Boerewors braai with good wine and happy faces.

Saturday 10^th we launched early as the wind was predicted to pick up by 2pm, so we stayed in the porterville valley and flew to Rhenosterhoek and returned along the gravel road, max distance of 70km.

The skies, clouds all the sins were looking good for a good day, all our pilots had good flights, and on arrival back at our cottage all the electronics came out to down load our track logs etc.

Monday 5^th we had a mixed group of pilots arriving at different times, the day was spent collecting everyone and getting our kit organised for our Porterville.

Tuesday 6^th we left home early as we had a lot to do before getting to take off, food stuff and unpacking , doing a briefing etc

The skies were looking good, we launched about 11.30 – 12 o clock and the plan was to head to the south to the end of the ridge and see if the wind will swing to SW or stay NW.

 Some pilot struggled a little but getting a low save got up and were doing well, other like myself got up after takeoff and pretty much stayed high, the air a bit scrappy in the beginning and lower down, higher was better.

A few pilots landed at the end of the ridge before the crossing to Saron peak, while Andrew and myself kept high and got onto Saron peak the and were soon climbing in a very good thermal up to 1820m asl, flying further south before making the crossing over to Tulbach.

The thermals were very light but smooth, we flew in the middle of the valley, as the wind was picking up, later on I saw the trees really moving around and the dust pretty flat on the ground, it was time to land and not try to go the extra mile and get into danger and problems with landing.

We fly for fun and enjoyment.

Staying on the mountain we had a Fillet braai, with veggies salads and good wine, but a early night for all.

Wednesday 7th wind is stronger than predicted, on takeoff, some time feels ok to fly, then the gusts come through with avengence 35-40km/h. We watched for a while and decided not to fly, back to our cottage for coffee and relaxing, reading sleeping and just hanging out, enjoying being up here on the mountain.