neilc

Hi Colin, I may attend..............what time are you getting there ? Neil..

Hi Mike, sounds like you had a nice flight!!..... By the look of the weather it does'nt look like I'm going to get any more flight time before we go to France.... I'll have to settle for getting as much ground handling practise as I can in the next couple of weeks... Neil..

Hi Mike, I think they may do the bag in a medium length..... My one's the long and it's got loads of room in it (I'm fairly large build - 5' 11" And 15 stone). As regards the cost they're a bit pricey, I paid £400......I think you may be able to get one for a bit less on the net... I made a few phone calls, but most outlets don't stock them and have to order them in (4-6 week wait I was told!!). That's why I went direct to North Face. Neil.. Neil, how much was it? Does it come in sizes i.e. medium / large? I dont think we will be experiencing that type of cold............................gulp.....will we Simon? Mike

Went into Town this afternoon to the North Face store in Covent Garden...... Got myself a Polar Flare sleeping bag . I got talking to a bloke in the store who's been on various mountain expeditions and has used this bag down to -35 degree's!! with no problems at all. He said he had to use thermals, but was toastie and warm, so should be plenty good enough in France!! The bag compresses down nice and small, and as you can see in the pics, when in its sack is only as tall as a soft drinks bottle. Nearly there with all my kit, roll on the 1st!! Neil..

I think this is where the Gin flight deck will come in handy!!.......

Looks like great fun.........Until a car comes around one of those bends on the wrong side of the road..

great video and beautiful scenery!! Neil..

I didn't know the "Tundra" model existed!! I've been looking at other North Face bags and was considering the Solar Flare - RRP £400.... The -40 degree Tundra is around £325.

And there was me thinking about getting a budget sleeping bag!!...... If it's going to be a bit nippy, I think I'll go for the all out/five season/duck down/Everest conquering one!!!

Hi Paul, I'll be using a Garmin 495 GPS, with the iphone MotionX as back up.... I'm not sure about the suunto issue though.... Neil..

That's not long at all !!...........

If not a Synth or Revo, what other wing could you start with that is more forgiving or stable for a beginner ?........... Neil..

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I recently bought a pair of HanWags.....No problems with them so far, very supportive round the ankle, and comfortable too. Neil..

Not sure about the Synthesis.....I have a Revolution 26.... I'm still learning and I've only had one flight, but the wing seems very stable and I know alot of schools teach with them. Neil

Great video!!

The Cyclone looks like a lovely piece of kit........ I'd love one of those.......(better learn how to take off properly with my Macro first though!!.... ) Neil..

Another thing you can use is small electrical "P" type copper clips that are normally used to fix MICC cable (pyro). you can get these in either bare copper or pvc covered (red, orange, white and black are the common colours). They bend to shape very easily, and you can secure them using a short 4mm brass nut and bolt. I've used these clips myself for a variety of jobs, including fixing a Scotoiler oil feed line to my motorbike swingarm.....They're very strong and effective!! Neil

Brilliant video Mike!!.......Especially where you have the camera fixed to your wing, never seen that before. How was the camera attached ?........ Neil

Been up to my local Milletts camping store this afternoon and virtually everything's half price!!!....... I got myself kitted out with all the neccesary utensils, but did'nt know what tent or sleeping bag to get....... Anyone got any idea's as to what type and make to go for?.......I haven't got a clue with this part of the kit....The last time I camped out was 30 years ago with the Scouts!! Neil

That's me all paid up!!....... Not long to wait now.....

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I'm just hoping the weather's going to be kind in the next few weeks so I can get some flying practise in!!!!!........ Otherwise France for me could be......... Neil..