This is the wave forecast for around 1000'. If you look closely there is a slightly stronger patch just to the SW of Cheviot and that is where the first contact was made. It gave 2 - 3kts up to around 6500' where there was a layer of cloud. The sky was quite confused and it was hard to decide where to go but, going on past experience a trip downwind to S of Wooler took your blogger straight into solid lift.
This is the RASP forecast for around 5000' and it shows a strong band of lift. It actually gave a pretty steady 3kts+ from around 5,500' up to about 11,500'. At that point a bit of a search then gave another climb which took me to just a fraction under 14,000'. The cloud cover was thickening by this time and so descending and flying down to near Alnham I met drizzle. The return, going back over to Cheviot and along the Tors was all through patchy rain and, shortly after landing this became quite heavy and we called it a day. What a day !
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| The view on the way up looking NW - not looking particularly promising above |
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| but with 3.7kts on the averager there was still some way to go |
