Annecy Trip - Day 5
Lots of hitch hiking
Jason launched from Entrevernes first, and was soon gaining altitude. It looked promising.
Today was an excellent day for flying. Conditions were very promising so we headed up to Irwyn's recommended morning launch to get a spot of flying in before Forclaz started working around 1pm. Jason launched first and gained height quickly. Jason and I gained enough height to head to the back ridge - Rock de Boeuf
We flew the length of the ridge and then thermalled at the end before leaving for a cross country adventure - well that was the plan
With a low powered radio we were reduced to shouting at each other for communication. Something got lost along the way as we ended up going nowhere either of us wanted to.
We ended up at the 'arse end' of Semnoz in an area of rotor and little lift.
It wasn't long before we were choosing a landing field. I had intended us to go to Semnoz and Jason misunderstood. I shouted to tell Jason I would follow him. I was alos pointing at the clouds over Semnoz. He had wanted to more southerly. We ended up flying somewhere between the two routes and between us we manage to bomb out in style! Still, it was a lot of fun flying together, even if it we took a crappy route.
Jason trying not to look annoyed at our premature landing.
We landed a little way apart from each other, but soon met up with the help of a lot of shouting. Then we both hitched back separately. I got two rides to Annecy pretty quickly, but I would strongly advise against anyone trying to hitch from the west side of the lake, as I was stuck there for several hours. It appears the tourist traffic is in no hurry to stop for strange people with large rucksacks.
Annecy town centre - very frustrating to be here when you can see pilots getting great flights in everywhere. Jason had a lot more luck, and managed to get back to Doussard for the 4 pm 'navette'.
Eventually I gave up on the hitch hiking and caught a bus to the Doussard landing field (nearly). From there I got the 6pm 'navette' up to the Forclaz take off for a sled run down to 'Maison du Moulin'
It turns out I missed some excitement at launch just before I had returned, with a female pilot chucking her reserve just after take off. She was unhurt.
The cravatte that lead to the deployment is clearly visible in this photograph.
Meanwhile...
Andy Brazier (this his for is loyal fan base back in Wales) was off on his own adventures ridge hopping from Rock de Boeuf to Charoon...along the ridge to Mt Trelod and back to land at Irwyn's (and no hitch hiking).
When Andy showed me his photos from the flight I was quite surprised that twenty of them look like this one! So here is the best of a bad lot.
Andy makes his approach to the Doussard landing field ready to go to the Forclaz take off for the afternoon flying
After a slap up meal and a few beverages we decided to go for a swim in the lake. We all piled into Irwyn's minibus.
We stopped off by the 'jumpy tree'
It was just after sunset when we got there and the lake looked spectacular.
Laura was in like a flash.
Shortly followed by 'flinty'
Back in the minbus - who's that sexy beast?
Jason sucking in his gut! Another great day of adventure.
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