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Trois Eveches
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Tete de Vautisse
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Ariane's turn to be the boss today. A good forecast prompted
a trip into the Ecrins, via Malaup, Montserieux and Dormillouse. A climb at
the tete de Lucy got us high enough to reach Prachaval, after which we
explored more of the Queyras, eventually turning back at Briancon for the
smoother thermals further south.
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The parcours was working well in the westerly breeze, with
cloudbase above 9000ft. We turned the Pont d'Aiguines at the lac St Croix
and made our way back to the cuvette at Sisteron for a landing in good time
for the end-of-competition party.
Prize-giving went very much to form. Several speeches by
various local dignitaries were made outside the new clubhouse, and all
glider crews were brought to the front of the assembled spectators and
congratulated individually, in order, from 15th to 1st, while Pierre LePhoto
filmed it all for the local news. There was a scramble for the aperitifs as
bottles of bubbly appeared on the buffet bench, after which we all drifted
off to the tug hangar where three huge tables had been set for 150 people.
Then - lucky old us - the comp organisers ran through the list of
day-winners, calling up all of the competitors one by one for their prizes.
Understandably, this took some time.
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NOW what's she doing??
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Aperitifs at the Pegasus
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When we eventually got down to the food, it was all very good
and there was plenty to go round. The new club president revealed his
mouth-organ skills by joining in with the 'band' (two singer/guitarists, one
with a disturbing resemblance to the enthusiasticly moustachioed one out of
the Village People).
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After we had eaten, the lights were extinguished and
the hangar doors were opened in
Pink Floyd style, to reveal a starlit night and an almost-silent illuminated
model aeroplane. wheeling and soaring to the musical accompaniment of Celine
Dion banging out the theme tune from Titanic. Again, a truly magical
experience (apart from the Celine Dion bit, obviously).
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Post-Comp Party
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