raef mackay <<email>> writes:

http://goldcoasthgpg.com.au/index_files/Page445.htm

We have started the tour. We had a little trouble shaking the wives off but its amazing what a big stick can do.

We didn't leave till Monday and a trough was passing over Manilla headed for Canungra. After viewing the weather map we decided on heading straight for Manilla as the trough should have passed when we arrived. We arrived at the pub by 4pm Dave Seib and Steve Elliot were at the bar so we joined them for a quick drink. After a few more it was getting dark so we decided to set up camp at the caravan park and walk back down for dinner.

Apparently a heap of pilots had come up for the long weekend and got stuck on the hill with Northerlies and strong inversions, etc. So we are extremely happy with the clear skies and light winds. There is still a little snow down south and a southerly wind so it has been cold. Can you believe it? I never dreamed I would be cold in Manilla. but there you go.

We signed up with Godfrey and he had a couple of paraglider pilots going up the hill so we all jumped in the basher which makes life so much easier. Phil is flying the Fun 190 and it was his first flight in it.

We discussed the bomb out area and trigger points and launching technique and timing. It was a fresh WSW wind with cycles and we didn’t launch till late, but everyone got off smoothly and had a boat around landing back at Godfrey’s. Today should be better. We have some high cirrus coming over, but I am confident of cues today, we'll keep our fingers crossed.