dantheman Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 Today has been amazing, they guys have got over the border but been forced down short of Lockerbie by rain. Todays stats approx: 218 miles, 6 hours airbourne, 2 fuel stops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegasus1 Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Bl**dy fantastic boys! Well done!!! ( Message to Mark, the boys here would love a photo of Nessie).................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcusFlyer Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I see the guys have been stuck at Lockerbie for most of the day. I assume rain has halted them? any more news? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 It was actually wind (in large gusts) that grounded the guys at Lockerbie Manor this morning however tomorrow is looking smashing to get some distance covered, fingers crossed as usual.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 Found a nice pic that was taken in flight over the last few days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Taken a short while ago, the guys launched from Biggar a little while ago and are making for Cumbernauld to fly over and land at Thornhill. There they will ases the weather situation and decide where best to hole up to deal with the depression that is creeping in from the Atlantic. Here is Dan Burton taking a 'Happy Dan' snap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 They have just landed at Thornhill after a flight that Richard (Whitters) described as, "The best leg yet, absolutely beautiful!" The scenery by his description was exquisite and the weather just about ideal with a high cloud-base and light winds from the W-SW. They have taken loads of photos and I dare say they will be uploaded this evening. Thanks to George McCormack and Sue Ellcome who own the airfield and were there to meet them as they landed. The weather turns tomorrow, more later from Dan our weather man. First signs are that they will probably be grounded until the evening but if the winds play ball they might get airborne for Loch Tulla and Fort William later in the day. If you want to get a better idea of what the route entails you can look at 'The Planning Cell', this is the tool that we used to brief the team. They have less than 20% of the journey left to complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted August 8, 2008 Author Share Posted August 8, 2008 It looks to be around 200 miles left to go.....but the weather is turning . You can see the ugly systems moving right over our boys tomorrow lunchtime so we are holding out for a flyable window afterwards, however the met office did say that Sunday is also looking very unsettled with possible 30-40kt winds and showers so we are watching this pan out with baited breath. In the meantime a few pics from earlier legs... passing Sidmouth refueling break at Silverstone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted August 10, 2008 Author Share Posted August 10, 2008 Today was still windy but if you look at the tracking you will see the guys finally moving on a different course from the planned route, time and the weather is still against us so it's time to take as many short cuts and weather avoidance legs to the final goal as possible, no time to sight see. After Monday the weather turns nasty for a few more days so lets hope tomorrow will see some monster air time and a big party..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 From Whitters via text last night at Blair Atholl:- The guys broke out of Thornhill yesterday evening to make their way north via a route that would give them recovery options if they had to land for some reason. This the 'stickiest' part of the route (shown approximately below) as I am sure most appreciate as surface winds above 10 knots or so make passage through the valleys past terrain hazardous due to the turbulence as upset 'dirty' air from the hills tumbles all over the place. They made it just under half way across yesterday evening and hope to get out of the hills either early on today or this evening should weather permit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I think this was a plot hatched earlier to bog the lads in near the Dalwhinnie distillery just as Dan suggested. I suppose it could be worse...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 This is what is required...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 Yesterday afternoon was a bit hairy, some big CB's making it very bumpy so the guys only managed a hop past Inverness to make today the dash to the finish. They have had an early start and are making good progress, the man upstairs has made their 100 mile leg dry for this morning but he's likely to chase them down with showers so the race is on. They are on a one stop fuel strategy...... COME ON GUYS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Great call Dan, tracking shows them approaching Lothbeg which is MASSIVE! They clearly managed to break out of the hills and are now on the home straight! It had to be today I think or much later. Here is the BBC's take on the next few days. The wind is favorable being off the sea, not the hills inland - tomorrow it's not. Lothbeg is a pretty looking place for a refuel and go - at least it looks that way from space... That is the planned stop anyway.... let's see if they use it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 (edited) ++++++++ UPDATE +++++++++ The guys are on the ground refueling near Lothbeg, they made 80 miles on a tank of gas with a screeching tailwind that has now turned into a headwind. They hope to make John O'Groats today after a fuel stop near a location we called 'Last Chance Saloon'. This is a spot of ground (undefined) on track near a road for access by the Ground Support Team. They will stop, gas up and go for JOG. Yesterday was an eventful day, the runners (in Bold) for the final legs are:- Simon W Richard W Dan B Francis R Mike S Pete B Simon P GST Tony F Colin B Pete B (withdrawn pilot) Mike S (withdrawn pilot) Keg T Mark R Biker Support Dave Giffould That running order on the survivors takes away nothing from those who have had to drop out on the way. They put their heart and soul into their role and without them this event would not have been as colorful and exciting as it has. Their drive an enthusiasm was key, they have all done their bit on the way to build this amazing adventure and brought it to these final stepping stones. Let's all wish them the best for the final legs.... Edited August 12, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bathboy Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Found this home grown weather station near JOG/Thurso. http://www.tugmistress.co.uk/index.php? ... r&Itemid=8 Cheers Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 (edited) Nice one Paul - John O'Groats weather courtesy of www.tugmistresss.co.uk Edited August 12, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 Excellent links - thanks. Have been on the phone to the guys and checking with the Met office & Wick airfield, despite the forecasts - even the live windspeed readouts provided above (14mph with 20mph gusts), it's actually blowing a gale in their exact location so they are waiting for it to drop a fraction for the last leg, watch for them taking off anytime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Still on the ground and waiting for the wind to moderate at 20:10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 It's looking very grim, the guys are running out of time & weather. The wind did not drop tonight at their site till dusk so they are setting alarms for 4am for a pre dawn take off. Local forcast is for low cloud, a northerly wind (headwind) increasing in strength to 35-30kt @ 2000ft by lunchtime so it's going to be very very tough, you can imagine how the guys are feeling with the end in sight (literally) and the weather gods constantly hurling crap at them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irm750 Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Looks like they are making the final push for John o'Groats! Good luck chaps. Best regards, Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted August 13, 2008 Author Share Posted August 13, 2008 14 miles to go.......wind is picking up again....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 From Colin (GST). They have literally (0738L) just got airborne and the cruelist trick available has been played by the Gods. Simon has remained on the ground with a technical problem. Only Whitters and Dan have made it into the air for the last 14 miles. They can see John O'Groats from their position but are still flying into a 15-20mph headwind. What a finale, what a wicked trick but as Colin said, "If one man makes it across the line, we have won!" I find myself agreeing with him and keeping my fingers crossed that my private provisos to his statement are all met. I brim with admiration for their courage and fortitude - every man Jack of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 (edited) They have both landed safely at John O'Groats (1nm short of the JOG Hotel which is a rotting shell with nowhere to land near it) and if you listen carefully over the relentless howling wind here in the UK, you will hear the muted roar as many thousands release their breath. If there is a God then we all say, "Thanks 'Big G'. Our friends have certainly had your benevolent attention over the last sixteen days." Congratulations gents! In that final mile the surface winds started to increase and precluded a lap of honour around the peninsular, they took the prudent step of getting themselves on the ground asap! Edited August 13, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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