Tony Sorensen as our instructor had a torrid day of it starting with supervising the DI of GYK for Jessica, and IKW for the rest of us before moving off to 30 where we set up in the building heat. Thanks to Bob Turner for leaving his sickbed to come over and assist with the preparations before we moved off to our launch point.

 

Once in place, the rest of us clung to whatever shade was available before we had sufficient people to erect the gazebo but, by the time Jessica had completed her two training flights, it was evident that we would be required to move to either 06 0r 12 where most GA traffic was now active. Eventually, 12 was the choice of the larger aircraft so thither we went. It was not fun walking the wings to make this transfer; in retrospect, we must have been crazy to persist in the burning sun.

 

 

Yet again, we set up the gazebo and flying began again with John Nestor launched in JY nearly two hours after last launch on 30. Five more flights followed with Tony going through currency checks for Bob Hainsworth, Arthur Mailey and me and conversions for Ken Mitchell and  John - whereupon we called it quits at approximately 1630 and tucked gliders back into bed ignoring the pain of burnt fingers. Knoxy and Pat had retired for the day and Mike Grady had taken over the afternoon shift. Thanks to our tuggies who endured the scorching conditions in the tug.

 

Thereupon, Tony discovered to the great distress of all that the fridge had been disconnected. There were no cold drinks! The thought of that cold drink had sustained us all through the long, hot hours and we were to be denied.  Arthur and Mike gamely tackled the warm fluid with Arthur being congratulated for putting in a ‘Solo’ effort on behalf of the crew. Speedy gave up after discovering there would be no refreshing pause and departed. We can only hope everyone arrived home safely.

 

Stats: JY, one flight for 27 mins (flight of the day); GYK with Jessica’s two flights, 42 mins; and IKW recording 1.27 for its five flights with one exhausted instructor. Sterling effort, Tony.

 

NB:  Tony thoughtfully plugged the fridge back into the power board.

 

Stay safe everyone