K-Blog

Forbes Practice Day 3 - Attempted triangle

Jamie and I were going to go for a speed record for women around 100km today, but were told 5 mins before launching that we were not to fly to Parkes because of airspace...that was frustrating, we were all excited! AND we had to change our points in the air. Confusion over which 'Bogan' to go to -  Bogan gate, town or field...funny stuff trying to stay in a thermal, talk on the radio and work your instruments at the same time.

I ended up trying to do the 110km triangle Curt and Jonny set - Bogan Field->Trundle->Forbes. After a shit start I started getting some seriously good 9ft/min smooth thermals to 8000feet. I made the first 2 turnpoints and started to feel airsick and bumbled my way along upwind on the final leg before landing around 30km short of Forbes. It's hard to work the lighter thermals when your motivation starts to wane...especially if it's not a comp day. I just wanted to be on the ground.

Good day though. My aim today was to pick good lines...I could see others gliding and staying high and others sinking out going to same direction, in the same gliders quite close together. It was interesting to observe and play around with. It was also interesting to see which people lead out and which people stay, stay, stay until someone makes a move. Tactics play a big part in this funny game. I see now that the stage I am at now I either do not care enough or do not have the patience to wait for others if I am ready to go.

A few made it back to goal, not many though. Jonny, Blinky, Shawn and Nick...not sure who else.

I hear tomorrow is looking good too. 52 pilots here already!! The pre-comp party in Forbes continues!!!

Forbes pre-practice day #2

Beautiful looking sky. Happy pilots setting up in the sunshine talking about possible tasks. Some decided to go to Blainey over 100kms downwind, some did a dog leg to Trents' place near Grenfell, some flew straight to Grenfell and back, more went to Parkes and back....Jamie and I decided to do the Grenfell task.

We didn't launch till after 2. Jamie stayed up and I had to refly...despite the sky looking amazing it was a wierd day, a bit stable, unless you could find the right spots. Some were getting 4500ft cloudbase and some 7000 towards the latter part of the day.

 
Landing back at the airstrip

Flew again and while Jamie and I never met in the air we both set off on the same task. Had a really really nice flight, made it close to Grenfell after going to the ranges and hoping to find somethere there to bring me all the way to goal. Alas at 5.30 in the arvo things were getting pretty light.

 
Climbing out over Forbes

Landed in the biggest field imaginable and Delores and Jamie picked me up just as I had packed up. Perfect. I was smiling to myself a lot in the air yesterday. The thermals were smooth, the temperature was just right and I felt pretty damn good.

Of course it's not just the flying. Helps if you have a nice place to stay, some good company and home cooked food...

Got to have your home comforts! 

 
Steve does a mean BBQ while the other's look on :)

Epic first day in forbes

Didn't arrive till 4pm, but got a good 1.5 hours of Sweeeeeeet smooth thermals and buoyant air. Lots of happy pilots today...forecast looking even better tomorrow!

Christmas eve...

Quite a different setting than The Mills Inn in Ballyvourney!

Choices?

Is my new workplace trying to tell me something?

When I asked my colleagues what was the message behind the 'choice' walls, they started at me blankly. They had never noticed them.

I don't know about you, but when the first thing I see when the lift opens is "be careful of your choices", I instantly get the urge to turn around, leave the building and keep walking :)

HappyBod Christmas Lunch

Myself and Lou (good friend and business partner) have had a pretty good end of year with HappyBod. We celebrated today @ the Opera house for a champagne lunch.

Nice being outside enjoying the arvo with a good friend while most people are at work :)

Love And Other Drugs

Nice movie. Great chemistry between the co-stars.

A movie for those who have never experienced what it's like to find "The One" person who gets you, lifts you to higher places because they believe in you more than you have ever believed in yourself.

And for those who have experienced this ..it's a good reminder :)

2010 - It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Thought I would have a look back at the year and capture some of the memorable moments that pop into my mind....

January

Fireworks in Brighton and NY Bondi with my hang glding friends from all around the world.

Competed in my first Forbes Hang Gliding Championships in the Sport class. 10 day of flying awesomeness. PBs broken, goals reached. Lots of fun in so many ways..

February

Work work, not memorable.

Split with my boyfriend :(

February not so good.

March

Trips to Brisbane, dune flying and flew the finished baby Malibu 166 in Stanwell.

April

Went to Tumut with Jonathan. It delivered some great flights and laughs.

It's getting cold. Having lots of baths.

Start work in KPMG. Mad being back in the city again. So buzzy...

Feeling a bit lonely, but a trip to Forbes with friends sorts that out.

May

Ordered my LiteSport! Counting the days till it's built!

Following the disaster that was the Tegelberg Womens World Hang Gliding Championships.

Getting some small wintery flights in Stanwell.

Settling into city life...

June

Spending quality time with Jorj in Coalcliff and in her new home Wombarra. Love the South Coast.

First flight on my new wing. Ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Trip to Canberra with Noma-san. First time flying Pig and Spring hill. Lot's of fun. Cold as hell but some nice flights alongwith an interesting nil wind launch that I never want to repeat again.

Parachute repack fun...

Ordered new WW Covert harness. Very excited!

July

Work work, getting excited for Europe...

Really cool hang glding weekend in Rylestone. Got my ground tow certificate. Car towing rocks!!

First airtow on my Litesport. Surprisingly smooth and eeeeasy!

Finished in KPMG. Yeay!

August

Too many highlights!!!

Sydney->Rome->Sigillo, Italy->Bassano, Italy->Slovenia->Laragne, France->England

Free flying at the Monte Cucco during the Pre-Worlds.

Partying, eating and flying...NOTHING BEATS IT!!

Competed in my first European competition on a WW Sport 2 - The Dutch Nationals. Amazing scenery.

House hunting in Bassano with Jamie and Maria. Drives across Europe with Jamie. I couldn't drive so I would read books aloud to keep us entertained.

British Nationals in Laragne - back to French hang glding mecca. The Brits are cool. Not as good as the Irish but close ;)

Long drive through Europe with Jamie and Carl with stop offs @ Swiss Nics and Strasbourg F1 hotel.

I miss my cave in the back seat of the BMW ;)

THE most enjoyable flight in summer  - where? Wales of course!!!!

September

Whirlwind Ireland trip...lots of family, food, drink, friends, spa weekends in wicklow. Miss you all :(

Rome for 5 days...quality time with my beautiful nephews & Orla and Luca! Miss you too!!

Back to OZ, move down to Wombarra. Commute to Crows Nest kills me.

Find a place to live in Cronulla.

October

Canungra HG comp  - 4 flying days, the rest of it is a rainy mess. Stayed in beautiful Beechmont with Jonny and his lovely family. Some good flying experiences nonetheless.

Moved into Cronulla. A week later I find out the place has been sold so have to move again :( Sick of living from a suitcase.

Lou and Pauls wedding in Stradbrooke Island. Great group of people. Amazing beaches. Fantastic weather. Highlight.

November

I move into new place in Cronulla. Love it and never want to move again. Cronulla has the best beach and great atmosphere. I am happy with my new location. Edging closer to Stanwell....

Eagle attack @ Lake George :)

Interesting flight with Jono @ Blackheath in the rain

HOW GOOD IS GULGONG! - Raining before and flooding after. We were so lucky. 6 tasks. Flew over 100kms yeay! Really happy with my flying & my glider. We squeezed as much fun as possible from the little Gold Rush town.

December

Wierd weather patterns. Not much great flying but we try.

Nice trip to Canberra.

Working working so I can take some time off for xmas and Forbes this year.

Happier than I have been in years....thanks to getting over bad experiences and having some new amazing ones. You have to have the clouds to see the silver linings. As Jamie would say 'sometimes you need a good poke in the eye with a sharp stick...." :)

Happy Christmas and NY to everyone :O)

 

(Pig Hill, Canberra)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Magic of Blackheath

 

Had to post this shot Jonathan took in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains on Monday. I have yet to hear about the details, but the picture says it all ...along with Jonathan's words "Faark! Hanggliding officially blows my mind!!" :)

Women With Wings 2011

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