3 more days practice, Mistral, party tricks and kayaking

After 9 days straight of getting a fly, the Mistral has started. Strong gusty wind that can blow for days. My glider turned up at last with Carl Freisenbichler and Robert Reisinger, though everything else in the box is still in Austria. My two T shirts are getting well cycled. I had a good fly around on the 3.5S just in time and it is flying just as good as it was at Dalby.













Everybody is here now with Jonny coming in from Spain. Bill, Molly and Vicki came through Italy. The Aussies and Americans continue to have gastronomic feasts in the evening. Jeff OB entertained us with a neat party trick.

Some of the Aust team flew Aspre which is an alternative launch to Chabre and about 20km north. I was impressed. Nice grassy rounded mountains facing the sun. We went onto Pic du Burre and did a tour of the valley north of Gap. My instrument pod wouldn't fit on the old Laminar hence the dodgy looking setup.

Yesterday Davis, Belinda, Katharina, Scott and I went for an 18km 2,5 hour kayak down the Durance. It was good cross training.

I needed a harness zipper replacement before the comp. Phil Truman (below) lives six months of the year on the very edge of the landing area at the Camping at Laragne. He has an industrial sewing machine and makes waterproof bags as well as doing other repairs. How handy is that?

http://gliderbags.com/