Frist XC of 2010, the suffolk club demonstrating the power of tow launching

First XC of the year goes to RICH H (current Loxley trophy holder) who in bubbly conditions manages a respectable pre season 10km ending at a pub, who amongst us could ask for more from an early march weekend. When asked about contributing factors to his flight Richard said this "When I came out to the field today I knew I was going to go cross country. No ifs or maybes, I was going to go. Positive thinking obviously works!" Well done Richard, His full account of the flight can be read by clicking to page icon below left

10km - just!!!
My launch coordinate was TM137636
My furthest downwind prior to turning to land was TM037620
When I came out to the field today I knew I was going to go cross country. No ifs or maybes, I was going to go. Positive thinking obviously works! With such purpose I rigged first went to help set up kit second. Did subsequently feel an ickle bit guilty as poor Will and John had been there early (9.30am ish) and got stuck fixing broken equipment.
Got 1000' on tow and went back for something I'd flown through, climbed up from 950' to 1250' over the A140. It was a good size but not too strong.
I contemplated heading back as would make it on topless at a short walk if not back at launch but thought would be a bit of a waste. Besides, my XC rule is 1000' and going up - which I was (just).
Continued climbing up to 1750' after almost cocking things up in searching for a better core. Glide towards Mendlesham Green and the flight from then on was a succession of a few cores in very weak lift and glides onto possible trigger points (chicken sheds and the like).
Thought I was bust a few km before end but managed to stretch things. In fact, second half of flight I'd say was mostly below 800' which made it interesting as to which to concentrate on - thermalling or landing. A chose many, many, landing fields during this time which was made more difficult by lots of power lines but also not knowing which way the wind was blowing. My thermalling drift appeared to be at odds with the smoke on the ground and at times counterintuitive to the way I'd just come. Very strange.
Had around 300 to 400' when I committed to landing in a nice large field, I could have gone further but ease of field, retrieve, and potential of a pub just flown won.
Derigged in the shelter and warmth of sun before walking out of field to pub - closed (in fact, for many years according to Tim!) - and waiting in the cooler and then cold shade. Disadvantage of going XC this time of year is that its bloody cold. In fact, lost feeling in my left hand and was only in the air just over 20 minutes.
Many thanks to Andy Howells who picked up me very promptly, think only waited an hour. Very happy to see a warm car as shivering was getting noticeable. Twitched my ankle every now and again so passers by didn't think I was dead