Day 7 task (task 5) stopped

Today we were to meet at the lift at 9:15 to find out if we are to go up or not. 

Up we went!  I ate early knowing there would be little time to eat up top. Pork sandwich for me today with 2 apricots and a cranberry bar for later. Yum.  Probably the best lunches I've ever had at a meet for carnivorous satisfaction. Meaty! Though we could use some sauce. Maybe I'll pick up some team Mayo?

Nprth wind could shut us down on take off we were told. We knew the day could overdevelop also, so the task was decided early, the meeting called and we were actually waiting for the live trackers to get there as we were doing things faster than normal to get away. 

As I opened my glider I saw a grasshopper in the wing tip and carefully fished him out. It seems that he had gotten in there yesterday before I took off. This means he made goal with me and spent the night  in the wing until today, retuned to his home after a 75 mile tour of his valley. Nice!

The window was opened and immediately closed due to north wind coming over the back (unsafe launch conditions). The start time and 'window open' (launch time) were both pushed later by 10 minutes.

Everyone was laid out and when the window opened again we all dove off the hill in a steady stream and in no time we were all at cloud base wondering what to do for the next 35 minutes or so as the sky grew very dark overhead. 

Lift was everywhere and the clouds were getting huge. 

Some were very high into the wispies but I saw no reason to play chicken with the cloud. 

Soon after, it began to rain a little near launch and shortly after that, Rob announced that the task has been stopped and to fly west to an airstrip used earlier in the week. 

As we flew out the could completely OD'd (overdeveloped) and the rain dumped out. Pilots made a dash to get on the ground before things got worse. 

Fortunately We all got down safely and were packing as the thunder and lightning began. A mild gust front blew through and cooled us as we finished packing in the clear.  Not a drop on us!

I guess we get a rest day. No complaints here. 

I tried this coffee vending machine.  50 "local" cents works out to about a quarter dollar US.  Yummy! Took a walk around town to get some things. 

There is a local spirit called Mastika that is like Ouzo or Anisette, having a licorice flavor. The locals mix this with Metha or Mentha which is a mint liqueur, serve it chilled and call it "Cloud". Been wanting to try this out, but thought I'd go with the trial size first. Served chilled.  Not sure what the proportions are yet. Hmmm. 

Found a bigger market, fun to see what they have. 

There is always something to remind me of home. 

Eclaires??? Mmmmmm. Maybe next time. 

Ice cream cooler on the sidewalk.  Gotta love it. Marketing at its very best. 

Movie tonight at the theater around 6pm. Invited to the British team house for mojitos some time or other and Ana will be seeing us at 7:30 for dinner, you can count on that!

Cheers from Sopot,

Marty

Yikes!