Kevin Beale - Cross Country Flight

Here is a report about Kevin Beale's cross country flight from Ditchling Beacon to Jack & Jill last Sunday.

''Went to Ditching Sunday morning at 8:00 to try a cross country, had to be home by 10:00. Launched on the west side of the car park and scratched around for 10 minutes or so before setting off west hoping for some better air. Got to the paragliders who were all sitting on the ground. But had to land as lift died. Couple of launches found nothing then spotted a bird just start to turn a long way out. With a strong launch I aimed straight for it, dropping bellow the top of the ridge before finding the thermal. Climbed a good 250m and set off past the paragliders.
 Got to the high point before the decent to the windmills but I got stuck in the bowl in week lift not able to get enough height to go any further west.
The wind dropped to nothing so headed out again to where the thermal should be and found it. A good climb and set off back east. The paragliders where now flying but not very high so with a shout to them sailed past several 100m above them. Reached the start point with good height and the slope lift was now very good so with a couple of circuits came in for a smothered approach so caught the experience pro by the nose. Now 10:00 so would be 1/2 hour late home but nice flight with a 2 mile walk and Sue was OK as we went to the Cranleigh classic car show to see some friends.''

Thanks Kevin, sounded like a very interesting flight.