alan_k

A fabulous flight on 19th of April, conditions were superb. Wondered whether to go for a morning or evening flight, really glad I went for morning. Had to set the wing out twice as once the sun had come up enough the wind stabilised in a northerly direction. Took off and overflew the next field quite low on climb out, there were 5 horses chewing the grass but they didn't take a blind bit of notice of me, so that was good to know for the future. Quite a lot of traffic about as it was just after 8am, poor sods all having to go to work on such a lovely morning. Climbed up to about 800 feet, the breeze was a bit fresher than on the ground so my forward speed was only 10 knots, but I though what the heck I'm up here to enjoy it so it doesn't matter. Flew towards Kinver, passing over a couple of fishing lakes and saw there were a couple of fishermen already set up. Turned right just before Kinver and flew close to a large forest know locally as 'The Million', if I am to the north of this I know I am very close to Halfpenny Green ATZ. Continued flying over towards the river Severn, over some pretty big properties just outside Kinver. Continued over wonderfully open countryside and started feeling the onset of thermal activity so climbed up to 1600 feet, the air was super smooth at this level. I thought to myself 'does it get better than this?' Got over to the river and saw that I wasn't too far from Pound Green microlight strip so flew over to see what it looked like and exactly where it was. Turned around and then flew north following the river and enjoying the view. When I got to Chelmarsh Reservoir I called up the now open ATC at Halfpenny Green to let them know I was about and where I was. Had another 50 minutes tootling around to make it my longest flight so far, at 1 hour 47 minutes. Just superb!