With smooth graceful movements he makes it up to 3/4th the way up and then making use of the cross wind he launches with ease. Within seconds he scratches his way up to the take off level and continues to easily rise higher to reach the cool air above.
The show over we stand up, dust the mud and grass off our behinds, locate our wings and begin to trudge up the hill so we too can find respite in the cool crisp air that awaits us above.
Waking up late on Sunday morning we looked across the lake to see the wind coming in from the east. Sanjay said it did not look good but the rest of us were seriously hopeful that it would turn.
Gokul who had spent the previous afternoon ground handling a new wing was continuing with his preparations to take Veda his precocious 4 year old daughter tandem. But the stubborn cross wind refused to turn disappointing pilots who had driven up for the afternoon flying fix from Mumbai and Pune. Friday and Saturday were both good flying days and those of us who had spent the long weekend at Native Place were not thaaaat disappointed
Friday was good but Saturday evening brought a special treat. A flaming golden setting sun ahead of us… a silvery full moon rising behind us over the cliffs of Shelar and van landers make it to our goal. Sunil, Graham, Philip and me leave the ridge after some smooth soaring and land out by the parking area a kilometer away in a steady head wind.
And Amol takes his first picture - the above picture was taken by a little ten year old kid who came across to help us pack.
The weather was cross with us on Saturday but both students and pilots had a great time ground handling. Piku, Dwane Dylan Hiren & Sunil were all there to add to the fun and camaraderie making a great weekend fantastic. The Fernandes brothers Dwane & Dylan both acquired spanking new wings an APCO Vista and an Airwave Gecko causing a lot of excitement amongst the entire Nirvana team. Yogi’s son Tank Kumar whose birthday it was on Friday seemed to prefer Dylan’s bright colored wing to the rest of his presents.
DC landed up on Sunday and brought favorable conditions. Or was it the duo Al and Graham who are back again to enjoy blue skies, good afternoon flying at Shelar and great late nights at Native Place. Sunday and Monday were both super great flying days with variable winds throwing up a lot of excitement and challenges in the air.
Nature’s canvas changes with each season. Here at the Shelar flying site the evening skies change dramatically from orange to purple over the course of an evening. The pictures say it all.