Moneylaws

Flying Moneylaws on a very windy post frontal day with strong thermals. Steve Hall and I got away from the ridge almost together. The climbs were quick and the sink great. Steve lost it going over the moors towards Cheviot, no tracks just a mega carry out. I took a chance and headed for the Bizzle Burn on the North face of Cheviot. I was concerned about the wind strength but didn’t want the same carry out as Steve. I arrived half way up the face of Cheviot and turned east along the ridge instead of west. The wind was more Northwest and although I was going up like a Fenwicks elevator I couldn’t penetrate along the ridge. As I approached the top of Cheviot I was going backwards with the bar to my knees….Oh shit here we are again. I edged along the ridge to the east with the bar to my gonads and got deposited on the shoulder of Cheviot.
It took me a good 20 minutes to get unclipped and get the glider down. I waited “All Day” for the wind to drop and take off again as I had to fly to a road somewhere. The only pleasure I got sitting by myself for hours was watching the white triangle shape slowly making it’s way across the moor….Yes Steve Hall. He had no water and was living off wild berries. When he was picked up later that night after flying off the top of the Yeavering Bell he looked like a man possessed with red stains all over his face.
I eventually took off in what was still a very strong wind and had one of the roughest rides of my life flying low between Cheviot and Hedgehope. I flew over the top of Dunmoor and was then drilled on the lee-side but managed to make the road that went through Ingram Valley. A memorable day with MUCH beer drinking and laughter….After the event!