Winter wunders
Five Gauntleteers tried their best in the SE wind on Saturday. This meant trying on the Victoria Peak to Villiersdorp mountain range. The conditions were difficult on the south side of the Stettynsberge; Cornelius and Mark landed out there. Cornelius made a groundloop while landing and that in the field next to where GOK was damaged last year. Mark landed in a sandy field across the road and stopped within 15 m thanks to the loose matter. It looked like beachsand with the loosseness of dunesand. Peter F went the furthest on the day (as usual).
Lots of other flights were made; we saw the Stemme in the air, Peter W polishing his motorglider and his landings, the usual Rotax Falke touch and go’s, two pax rides and getting the feel of a soaring plane.
Not satisfied with all the activity, a small band participated in the Cape Airborne Antics - Balloon build, much to the concern of the onlookers. It is not everyday we see lighted petrol baths on the airfield!
Fortunately, they were not totally unprepared for the conflagration which followed, and they were definitely heard to say, "We'll get it right next time!".
Some slightly more sane members were seen to "stand well back", but most involved seemed to have had a good laugh.
The evening started with Glühwein in the clubhouse provided by Alison. That pan of wine was soon empty. Hereafter we drank Rico’s wine with the potjiekos which this time arrived quite suitably around seven o‘clock.
We had further a very enjoyable evening with kids, dogs, old and young (at heart) around and under the table. Pity is that this sort of successful winteractivity is done at the end of the winter- we don’t have much time for repeats now.
Lynn Milne was there for the renaming of the Gauntlet Trophy. It is now the Garth Milne memorial trophy.
Sunday saw a beautiful winter’s day. Fickle to no wind on the ground with a nice temperature. A bit up there was a stiff NW breeze. Clinton Birch from GGC went solo on our Cirrus. He owns the only LAK up country I believe. Johan and Ian were on the Langeberg in erratic thermal and wave lift for close to two hours. Nice to see Dick Steer again. Phil and Peter C were the instructors on duty and did each two instructional flights.
The next Cape Gauntlet will be on 1st of September, we hear. Be there! Maybe this time we will have lift-off.
Lots of other flights were made; we saw the Stemme in the air, Peter W polishing his motorglider and his landings, the usual Rotax Falke touch and go’s, two pax rides and getting the feel of a soaring plane.
Not satisfied with all the activity, a small band participated in the Cape Airborne Antics - Balloon build, much to the concern of the onlookers. It is not everyday we see lighted petrol baths on the airfield!
Fortunately, they were not totally unprepared for the conflagration which followed, and they were definitely heard to say, "We'll get it right next time!".Some slightly more sane members were seen to "stand well back", but most involved seemed to have had a good laugh.
The evening started with Glühwein in the clubhouse provided by Alison. That pan of wine was soon empty. Hereafter we drank Rico’s wine with the potjiekos which this time arrived quite suitably around seven o‘clock.
We had further a very enjoyable evening with kids, dogs, old and young (at heart) around and under the table. Pity is that this sort of successful winteractivity is done at the end of the winter- we don’t have much time for repeats now.
Lynn Milne was there for the renaming of the Gauntlet Trophy. It is now the Garth Milne memorial trophy.
Sunday saw a beautiful winter’s day. Fickle to no wind on the ground with a nice temperature. A bit up there was a stiff NW breeze. Clinton Birch from GGC went solo on our Cirrus. He owns the only LAK up country I believe. Johan and Ian were on the Langeberg in erratic thermal and wave lift for close to two hours. Nice to see Dick Steer again. Phil and Peter C were the instructors on duty and did each two instructional flights.
The next Cape Gauntlet will be on 1st of September, we hear. Be there! Maybe this time we will have lift-off.
posted by CGC Reporter at 6.8.07
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