Brantside/Murton and Cotterside

Kev launching on Brantside

Not a bad day, but at this stage a low base and high cloud coming in

Not a very inspiring sky to the SE

Kev rather dribbled over the back ... but hung in and did very well making almost 40k.

Murton Pike - another waiting session

Murton was possibly the worse site to be of many excellent ones. A long, windless wait until gone 2.30 when it started to work. Passing High Cup Nick heading N.

Looked OK to the south

It began to fill in to the north - but I carried on for another 5k

Eventually, past Dufton Pike I felt the first spots of rain - and it didn't look good! Turned back Another wasted day! In less than an hour the ridge was one long rain storm.

Chris taking off on Cotterside. Only a light breez - but it's one awesome thermal place - or it was given the day's instability.

Climbing out from the ridge. The thermals were strong and fairly plentiful. Whilst Chris was happy (?) to go to over 5000', I pulled out of each climb below 4000'.

We were basically an hour too late. Down the valley looked OK at this stage but large clouds were building in places.

Stags ahead with half a dozen gliders laid out. I had a 40k OR task in to just past Caperby and back. It still looked Ok.

Made it to Caperby TP but the sky was now quite threatening and the climbs strong in parts so mostly pulled out of anything threatening. Headed back west and landed by Askrigg for the cafe and bus. Landed here and met a nice, chatty women and child. Then it started to rain quite heavily.!