Anyone else getting "frustrated to the max" with the lack of co-operation of our weather this year? I have never seen this many Qualicums and NW'ters here on Hornby like we have had this year. Sub par flying hours and the huge number of "almost" flying conditions has just increased my need to fly, to the point now that I have to be very carefull when making a decision to launch.

Today was a case in point. I had several chores to complete this morning and was watching the tv, and my computer for weather reports. The Weather Network on-line forcast for Comox had the wind at 4kph from the W. Yet at my house it was a good 12kph SE. What the hell, off to the farm to see what was happening.

It was booting in pretty good when  went past Little Trib, whitecaps everywhere, usually a sign things were too strong, but I continued on to make sure. Cresting the hill and starting down to the pulloff I took a glance at the gulf, and no whitecaps, so it looked almost perfect. Slid into my parking spot, jumped out and ran back to the view area I've cut down (an ongoing chore as the maple stumps that litter the bluff keep forming dozens of new shoots). The flags were all exactly where they ought to be, and that had me running back to the truck like I was on fire. Muttering "Finally, FINALLY!!!"

I got dressed and had to dig out my flying jacket liner as it was colder that a whitches what'sit (snow down to about the 1000' level along the Beauforts). Locked the truck, heaved my bag on my back and scrambled down the trail to the fence. Hoofed it over the fence then slipped and slid my way along the trail to launch. Jeez, the rains have turned the marbles into mucky marbles, with the trail squishy as I moved along into the open. Sat for a few minutes and watched the wind play on the flags, checked out the gulf, whitecaps coming, but miles away, then got busy flaking out. It's been so long seemed quite weird to be actually getting ready, something in the back of my mind was nudging the "carefull, somethin' not right" nerve, but I ignored it and ran around excited as could be. Checked my lines, but had a little difficulty as the breeze was lifting the trailing edge and fluffing it up to the leading edge. I'd then ease it down and gently pull the brake lines to stretch out the wing again. This happened several times, but eventually I got all the "A's" separated and free and untangled the rest. Had a little problem with the right stabilizer snagging in the dead grass and weeds, but managed to worked it free.

Ran over to my harness and climbed in, plopped the helmet on my head, and turned on the little Solario. All straps and fasteners checked once I was hooked in. Stood up straight and checked the flags. Hmmm....look a bit more snappy, whoa, coming cross hill, checked the uphill flag, it was still pointing straight up launch....phew....Then another puff from the right, with the little Solario giving a beep..what the... Great, all set up and it's swung from SSE to SE, oh well I'll wait for a cycle to come uphill. I stood for a minute or two and an uphill cycle came through so I leaned out and began my run downhill. Wing came up, but right away there was no resistance, nothing....and I'm gaining speed.... full out torpedo postion.....In 4 steps I'm a canonball turning into a runaway train. Behind me I can feel the wing rotate 180, catch some air and inflate a midge, enough to pull me upright from the torpedo, but now it's a battle between my legs and my inertia on wet slick clay scree. Another inflation tug and I'm coming under control, but I'm now heading downhill towards the big rose patch, time for a decision, yup, bail. I must have slid about 60' down the hill in the muck and cow poop, but at least I came to a stop before the roses. I lay panting, and gave my leg muscles some time, and eventually they stopped screaming.

When I finally stood up my legs were like rubber bands. I waddled and slipped about the hill like a drunken sailor and gathered in my wing. That job done, I slipped and skated on the scree down to leveller ground.

Now what the heck was wrong with the wing? I flaked out and found a huge cravat, rightside, two lines from centre. I thought, it must have been there from the beginning and I simply missed it, that nagging feeling I had. But then I remembered. I flake out first to the right, and then I have to walk along the leading edge to attach clips to keep the glider from "cigaring" because of the steepness. I inspect the left as well when I pull it out and clip. In this case the line forming the cravat was right where I place the clip and there was no line there, of that I'm positive. So it had to have happened on my inflation, and I'll bet it was a gust from the right that folded it in on a shortened cycle, damn weather........

I tried to kite but by then it was too strong, so I packed up and headed back up to launch to sit in my chair to watch the weather and the wildlife. The wind was quite strong now, 30kph, and coming from Lasqueti, meaning too much east. But the gulf clouds were approaching Hornby SSE at about 800'....if only....sigh. The gulls and eagles were getting mega lift, going from 60' to 600' in a heartbeat. I watched the gulls in particular as they were spread along all the bluffs boardering the sea side of the farm, and the lift they were in was everywhere. Within a half hour the wind dropped to about 17kph and swung SSE, again perfect for flying, but now the tide was high (1:37pm, 11ft 7in) and the bombout beach was awash, nothing but logs tumbling in the surge against each other, and with my luck.... well, I just packed it in and came home to make myself a nice bowl of hot soup. I'd get out of this chair if I could and go do something useful, but my legs are making me feel a little giddy....kinda got that first day of skiing season feeling......r-u-B-B-e-r-y, such a nice word.