Task 2 - David

We got to fly again on Friday after a long pause. The day started clear and cool and with all the water lying around it was clear that it would be a slow days flying. A task was set with three start gates but by the time the first gate had passed there were still no gliders above the hill. Many pilots choose to move to the east launch as it was the only place with wind up the face but Louise and I and a few other lazy pilots waited stubbornly on the west. This proved to be a good choice as the first good cycle had us all up on our way to cloudbase in time for the last start at 15:15. I managed to stay with the lead group until just after the first turnpoint at Tarpoly where I got psyched out by a lot of agressive and uncoordinated thermalling by the next group of pilots who "joined" our thermal. Louise and a few others kept their cool here and were rewarded for it. It took me a while to get myself established again and most of the main gaggles were ahead. Fortunately I picked the same good line as the earlier group and glided all the way to the second turnpoint and then managed to catch up with the second gaggle over Manilla. It was here that things got really slow as we circled close over Manilla and up the Namoi Valley. I knew that we would need at least one good climb to make goal. After taking the last turnpoint I returned to the last thermal of the day 5 kms from goal just as the highest pilots were leaving it to glide to goal. Pretty soon everyone was on final glide and most landed short. It was frustrating to be so close again but the conditions of the last 2 tasks have taught us that you can't waste any time.

Yesterday was blown out so we went for a drive up to Horton Falls which was disappointingly dry after the last weeks rain. I was the only one who dared to swim in the pool at the bottom of the trickle that is called Horton Falls.

Today the weather looks better but it will be a late task again.