Valentines Day
roses, chocolates and champagne, what more could a woman want?!
Well it’s Valentines day… and considering we’re a couple of romantics, a lovely surprise of a dozen red roses, my favourite champage, and a box of Lindt chocolates was a real pleasure to behold!
Ah, after all these years… warms the cockles of me heart… we had a lovely meal out in the Poêlon Savoyard, where the food was delicious if not a bit too generous.
Well work still goes on, in the shape of Transfers. There were Lenticulars over the mountain, and after the high cirrus appeared, the more substantial cloud moved in fairly swiftly looking like they were laden with precipitation. It clouded completely over within a matter of hours, but as yet no precipitation.
We’re considering a ski in the morning, but we’ll do a webcam check and see what the state of play is.
Steelbarrow?
rustic wheelbarrow
Not much more happening today… although I was rather taken by this rustic ‘steel’barrow, never going to have to change the tyres on this contraption!
Wouldn’t like a ride in it though, a bit rough I’d say!
Still hankering after some flying, but it seems the foehn puffs were a little more prevalent today, so not recommended. doable but not so pleasant. There where paragliders floating down, and I think at one point one glider managed to get above launch. The weather looks like it’s certainly on the move, at long last as the clouds are showing signs of disturbance… maybe some snow after all?
Just Maintaining
gliding out from Varan
The last couple of days we’ve been tied up with Transfers. Which has been ok really, considering the weather and all…
During the day, there were people flying, but I didn’t see anyone get above launch. I was contemplating a drive up but I’d got driving commitments later so I could’ve ended up cutting it a bit fine. The wind direction was not favourable, coming from the West/South and foehn puffs were also forecast to arrive within the next couple of days, so decided to get other jobs done. I’d got shopping to do, and whilst out noticed one or two gliders hanging around Varan, they were just maintaining over launch but didn’t climb much more than that. It’s all looking positive though… we’re gradually taking steps towards thermic conditions.
The forecasters are predicting some precipitation to arrive within the next couple of days… it’d be nice to do more skiing I have to say. Apparently, there’s more water skiing than snow around just now…! Well in the lower resorts anyway. I do wish I could muster up some enthusiasm to want to go and ski, but I suppose I’ve been spoilt and like “nice” snow…. It’s the French holidays for the next couple of weeks and normally snow is always provided, this year however, not so.
Limping Sock..
Stable day today… Dennis had a long transfer and I had stuff to do in the house, but I was hoping that I might get out to fly. It didn’t happen, but I did go out to attempt to do a bit more ground-handling by the lake.. when I got there, the windsock was really limp and in a sorry state, it was barely worth getting the glider out of the bag! I waited for a while, then decided to bin it.
limp sock
I spoke to Dennis who was driving past Annecy at the time, and he was saying how still and calm it all looked, he didn’t see anyone flying, which is very rare for Annecy! I saw a couple of gliders ploufing,but decided it may take me a heckuva long time to get home if I can’t get a lift back up and for a minor plouf I decided to leave it. The weather is looking ok for tomorrow although it looks like it might be a bit too stable… which doesn’t really matter as we’ve both got Transfers booked.
Happy and Healthy
new glider! first time fully out the bag, in sunlight!
I finally managed to get to inflate my Delta… but it took some struggling… why? because there was barely a breath of air. A flat windsock for the whole time with a feathers breath of a zephyr on a passing virtually imperceptible moment. So a couple of big efforts on my part inflations, and the rest of the time, thinking about enrolling on an origami course to figure out quite the best way to fold it.
Dennis also checked Alex’s glider, as requested… Alex if you’re reading this some pictures of your lovely glider are in Daily Pics, with a few others. You’ve nothing to worry about, it’s in perfect condition. It’s all safely packed away waiting for you! We’re looking forward to flying with you, in a couple of months!
Well, my glider looks exceptionally happy and healthy! and I’m really looking forward to flying it. Shame I couldn’t get out yesterday, as there was a light notherly working gently, but working all the same. Today however, the influence was from a Southerly to Southwesterly direction which is a typical foehn bearing. It was all good, managed to get out, ground handle and have a look at my new wing, Oh, and I’ve almost recovered from my cold so all is well.
This weather has got me completely flummoxed??!! – It felt like spring, or even summer temperatures, for that matter. 
don’t know if we’ll get more use out of our ski passes??
Just one transfer this evening and then a couple of days off… yes!
Flying, Just around the Corner
one glider, floating down from Plaine Joux
Still not fully recovered, but managed to get out and walk…
A bright day, with a few gliders dotted around the valley, it really was looking good for flying with a light northerly helping things along. I wasn’t up to it, didn’t fancy a frozen face, especially with a runny nose..! So had to use good judgement and allow myself to recover first.
another managing to do ok, mid-valley
More transfers, but the evening was free, and we had arranged to go out for a meal at the yummy Poêlon our local Savoyard restaurant with four of our Irish friends. We all enjoyed some very tasty local cuisine and had a very enjoyable evening with much merriment, and good cheer!
Tricky Transfers
Saturday, busy day for Transfers. I managed to do the ones I was booked to do… It was a bit of a situation as we had a call from a young man, with a wife and new baby, who had just been let down from one of the other Transfer companies, the day before they were due to arrive.
Well we managed to ‘step into the breach’ and Dennis and me did a swap, as apparently there were some very strong winds in the UK, causing more flight delays. It all worked out in the end. A funny thing struck me at the airport though. Everyone was wearing the wrong clothes! Snowboots, thick jackets, etc… it was hot outside, positively spring time weather.
Caught Cold and Cranky!
The weather has really improved, not for skiing, but definately for flying… was hoping to get out and groundhandle my new Delta, as well as give myself a lesson on folding and packing the glider. Unfortunately, it wasn’t and still isn’t to be…. I’ve caught myself a blinking cold, and feel like crap! Missing a potentially fun filled day 
I’ve just seen a glider floating down from Plaine Joux… Ok, calm down, relax, forget it and breathe!
Delta VT
Still haven’t had chance to get out and fly, had a lot of chalet stuff to do today, whilst Dennis was out on the road for most of the day, but the weather’s looking really good this coming week so it shouldn’t be long now!
Saw this video on the Ozone site yesterday, but it hadn’t been finished then.. but now it is.
… and what fun! 
After seeing this video, can’t wait… maybe this is the glider that’ll keep me in the air long enough to consider some of those pamper(s)ing thingies!
Delta Dawns!
Delta Delivery!
Well it’s arrived… a shiney new DHL delivery – Yes! - my Delta has arrived… all I need now is some good weather, and some time….
Unfortunately, the weather’s still clagged, and I’ve got chalet work tomorrow, so it’s not looking possible for the next couple of days.. still I’ve got a nice new manual to read in the meantime. Dennis is still awaiting his, there was a delay in getting the darker blue coloured cloth, but it’ll be on it’s way later this month. Really looking foward to getting to know my new wing.
Even though it was another claggy and cold day, we had Transfers so productive non the less.
