Sunday 29th June

A short fast fun task that got most people back, then it was time for prize giving.

Waiting to go - tail end charlie on the grid....

 Congratulations to Mike Gatfield who won the competition this year. Very sad to see eveyone leave but hope to see them all again same time next year....

Saturday 28th June

Conditions better than the day before, but another scrub day for the pilots. We had a fabulous Mexican themed party int he evening and most of the competitors dressed up. Staff at the local Tesco were bemused by the number of people looking for sombreros.....

Have a look at Damien's brilliant photos taken during the competition week at :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/sets/72157645256469531

Friday 27th June

A picture tells a thousand stories.....

Thursday 26th June

Grid squat! We started with small tasks which then got smaller as the weather failed to improve. At one point the task setter was seen at the launch point wearing a poncho and sombrero.....plainly desperation setting in......

Eventually we scrubbed, and given the poor forecast (lots of rain tomorrow) there was a mass derig.....Back to the clubhouse for port wine tasting and cheese......

Wednesday 25th June

A fabulous looking day.A nice big task was set - one of the new variable barrel tasks where the total length was 356km but the lower handicapped gliders would fly around 300km. We went off north east to Graham Water, then down to Burbage, and back via Bicester and Shipston. Top cover made the southern edge a bit slow, but the conditions back at Shenington were terrific, and didn't cut off as expected. A great day was had by all.

Just look at that sky as we packed up....The evening was gorgeous, and we had a lovely Moroccan meal cooked by Phil Atkinson, followed by a display of Middle Eastern dancing.

Monday 23rd June

Day Three, and third day flying. Weather looked ok, but due to close down early. Task was Westcott, Lambourn, Bicester East and home to Edgehill. Sadly the weather didn't play ball and we got top cover in early - many of the gliders ended up at Bicester (some on the way out, some on the way back) and I landed at Abingdon Airfield. Five gliders got round, which was very impressive! 

Four of the gliders at Bicester went back to Shenington on dual aerotows. Damien got some brilliant video shots from the tug - do have a look on YouTube.

The grass at Abingdon

In the evening Graham gave a talk about his gliding trip to Morocco.

Sunday 22nd June

Day Two of the Regionals and another sunny day. We flew our first Distance Handicap Task from Shenington and it seemed to go well with all the gliders back. Forecast still looking good for the next few days - yippee!

Saturday 21st June

Day One of the Regionals and some decent weather to start us off. Lots of first day activity with everyone getting their kit sorted, and a very full eight acre field. 

Christine worked miracles getting us some last minute tugs when our planned tugs went offline, and we had a relaxed 192km flight out to Bicester North (ok, everyone else but me went to Bicester North - courtesy of the task setter I went to Bicester North West  and scored as a landout - pah!), Gloucester South, Deddington then home.Here is a photo from abeam of the Gloucester TP.

A good start to the week, and the forecast looks good for the next few days.

We ended the day with a BBQ and a concert from the Abingdon Brass Band.

Don Birks

We are sorry to report that Don Birks, a former President of the club, passed away last week. His funeral will be held at Stourbridge Crematorium at 1.30 pm on Friday 27th June. Don will be remembered by many as an enthusiastic member of the club and excellent instructor and will be sadly missed.

The Regionals start on Saturday!

Hello All! Off down to the club tomorrow evening ready for the start of the sixth Shenington Regionals on Saturday. Hope to see you there. If you can't make it, follow the action at : http://shenington.onglide.com/current-day.xml