Day 1 started at about 6am. Thankfully, I went back to bed for another hour. I had been warned that some people here are early risers so when I woke up, I was worried that they might be doing things. Oh yeah, I should mention that my bed is a converted couch in the living room. Comfy, but public.

Showers were had, several people made breakfast, I washed dishes and we were off to a paragliding site called Marshell. I had looked this up the other day, and it’s said to be a great novice site. It has a beautifully groomed grass landing, lots of room with an actual structure put up with picnic tables under it and all. Launch was wide enough that 4 gliders could fit across it. I was spoiled.

I decided to watch a few other people launch first. Partially because of nerves and partially because I wanted to take some photos of people doing their thing. My turn came along and I had a near perfect forward launch, a half hour flight with some decent lift and flying around with 7-8 other wings in the air, and a near perfect landing. I couldn’t possibly have asked for anything else from my first flight of the year at a brand new site!

Here’s a link to some statistics for the flight and a map! First flight

A few of us paid $10 for a shuttle back up to the top. It was windy and cold the entire day, but at least it didn’t rain and at least the clouds stayed above us so we could have little sled runs. My second flight was a quick little flight. Second to last flight of the day. Guy is on the radio telling me to stay above the sunny ridges because of thermals coming off of them. I’m on top of one that’s giving me -0.4m/s…but I want more so I go to the next ridge. Suddenly I’m sinking at -1.9…I sign and curse myself for getting greedy! I head down to the landing zone, thankful at least to have gotten another rust-removal flight in, when I find a quick little patch at 0m/s! Brilliant! I do a few loops in that before I start sinking again, and have another decent landing. Second flight

Drove back, about an hour and I sat down to deal with some photos and maps and such. Dinner is being prepared in the kitchen, lamb chops, some potatoes and a salad. I’m hungry!

If you’re reading this but aren’t on my Facebook, here’s a link to some photos. Enjoy!