Some more photo's

Tuesday's flying in Annecy Petit tour du Lac

I awoke this morning to blue skies it had ben clear over night so the cool air and the sun ment for some good thermals later in the morning early afternoon.

i made my way to the Doussard landing field which is about a ten fifteen minute walk from the camp site

I manage to get a lift with one of the tandem companies that operate from Doussard, by this time the sky was starting to fill in and shutting the sun down. I got to take off around 11 the sky was filling in fast. So I sat around whatching the SIV classes go off one after another. after around two hours the sun started to break through and things started to work thermals were picking up. 

It was a dash to take off with other pilots who had been waiting as well having the same idea.

it was worth the wait straight off into a nice thermal over to the dents and acros the lake to Roc Du Beouff for a petit Tour Du Lac.

Paragliding map of Annecy

A nice map developed for paraglider and hang glider pilots who visit Annecy, showing direction of valley winds , thermal trigger points and an overall birds eye view of the area.
well recommended for a flying holiday early in the season, but still be prepared for the hoards of pilots who gather at launch  SIV courses tandem rides and numerous recreational pilots.
The launch at Forclaz has its own launch director to manage the take offs and helps with setting canopies out. If your prepared to wait and let the hoards go the launch area becomes less full giving a rather stressed free and not rushed take off. 

Todays Flying

Todays flying sun was out peaks shroud in mist thermals were strong, up around the peaks with some spectacular collapses, not all down to the thermals may be pilots not active flying. But all in all everybody seemed to be getting some good flying in. Tandem pilots were in full swing giving their paying passengers there monies worth. launching at Forclaz  and picking more passengers up at doussard landing field.

A few pictures heading over to the Dents as you can see shrouded in mist/cloud. within about 40 minutes they were clear and good puffy cumulus clouds paved the way to what was a good days thermaling.  

Above and below pictures heading back to Doussard landing field

Looking across to the Roc Du Beouf

Base camp for the two weeks in Annecy

The base for paragliding in Annecy  Camping Du Nubliere   caters for paraglider pilots and offers a discount to pilots early on in the season. only minutes to the Doussard landing field and on the shores of the SIV landing field with it being the centre for all SIV in Annecy.
A very welcoming atmosphere Camp site and will use again in the future, a must for all pilots who visit Annecy.

Paddle on Lake Annecy

Paragliding was out today as there has been low cloud and drizzle most of the day in the valley.

there a a lot of eager paraglider pilots chomping at the bit to get back in the air.

I had plenty of time on my hands so off I went for a paddle in my Sea Kayak on Lake Annecy, a really nice afternoon paddle although in the rain most of the time.  

There were some very nice homes along the shore line with some well manicured gardens  as seen above

Sat under the canopy on the camp site blogging and emailing on wifi

Month's tour of france paragliding & seakayaking

Some more pictures of todays flying, the lake, mountains, and a big sense of freedom, to get away from earth's grip relying on cloth, lines and the power of the sun.

Month's tour in france paragliding & sea Kayaking

Midnight ferry from Dover to Dunkirk on Tuesday evening, docked in Dunkirk 3 AM  french time drove for 2 hours then head down until about 9.30 then spent the rest of the day travelling south east down to Annecy  very popular area for paragliding.

going this time of year the season is just about started and there is not the usual mass of people that you would find say in july august. Below are some photo's taken today using the Forclaz take off. Absolutely fantastic start to the day blue sky sun out  made it to take off just after mid day, waited until all the SIV GROUPS HAD TAKEN OFF AS WELL AS THE TANDEM PILOTS. 

take off was into light thermals but as the afternoon went on they got more punchy and had some good climb rates. at around 3.30 big over development to the south storm clouds brewing everybody headed for the doussard landing field, within an hour thunder and lightening heavy rain within an hour blue skies again.

All in all a great first day

Today's Flying

Flying East Coast Between Filey & Bempton Cliffs

A Few Photo's of Todays Flying