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This Year's Flying... |
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| ...was not so
brilliant, as it happens, but that was more down to the weather rather
than any lack of effort on our part. Storms limited our playground for the
first week and a half, while towards the end of our stay the Azores high
that we all longed for was only just starting to move in from the south.
Our daily consolation was seeing a low-pressure dartboard pinned firmly
over England, its spinning fronts causing floods, havoc and devastation in
our green and pleasant land.
My only personal regret this year was in not having the
opportunity to revisit the Sollieres valley, the scene of last year's
last-day cock-up. On the plus side, Ariane and I managed to survive three
weeks sharing a Duo without needing subsequently to contact divorce
solicitors, which was entirely the opposite outcome to that predicted by,
well, everyone we met, actually.
After a dodgy first couple of days, David managed to get
his Pik engine going pretty much every time, much to the relief of Marion,
who was able to get down to some serious holidaying down by the pool. Mike
Smith and Steve Gibson, the Chuckle Brothers of the Saga generation, continued
to embarrass us over our lack of commitment by rigging before briefing and
setting off immediately afterwards.
Richard Hardy took a more relaxed approach to his flying
but still managed to get in a few soaring flights when not out enjoying
himself with Jan. Martin ticked off a few more items on his wish-list by
visiting the Glacier Blanc and the col de Lauteret valley in his Discus.
It was also great to meet Glen Turpin in L7, Paul and Chris in 440, and
renewing an old acquaintance in the form of Phil Duffin. And the Talgarth
gang, split between Sisteron and Gap this year, also enjoyed themselves
hugely, although I must say Anne appeared to have lost her marbles when
she decided to go ahead with a spot of tandem free-falling from
Gap. |
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'New' Sisteron |
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Jean COSNARD (President)
Serge LECLERC (CFI)
Sablayrolles Jnr (Chef du piste)
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Whilst we have
always enjoyed our visits to Sisteron, there are other pilots who
prefer a more friendly ambience, such as can be found at clubs like La
Motte du Caire, and have made their views known by voting with their feet.
In an attempt to win back former visitors, the Sisteron club has made huge
efforts to transform it from a mere launch platform to a real club. The
Pegasus clubhouse is one visible sign of change, as are the weekly
aperitifs and barbecues (organised by the President's ever-industrious
wife, Evelyne), but what also struck us during this year's visit
was the friendly and accommodating nature of all of the staff, from the
President to the rope runners.
The CFI Serge has a relaxed but firm approach to pilot
management and his knowledge of the weather appears to be limitless. The
President, Jean Cosnard, gets involved when he needs to but is able to
delegate when the opportunity arises. And, as mentioned before, he can play blues
harmonica with the best of them, an essential requirement, in my view, for
any club president.
The club engineer, Jean-Paul, was always on hand to
provide some technical assistance where required - many thanks to him for
resolving our C4 computer issues when he should have been enjoying a Kir
in the bar.
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Evelyne
Rene GRENIER (Instructor)
Gilles (Insane Ozzy Frenchman)
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Muriel SABLAYROLLES
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And last, but definitely not least, there is the delicious Muriel in the
office - the first person the pilot meets on arrival. What better welcome
can there be than an attractive, coquettish French woman wanting to take down
your particulars as soon as you pop your head around the door?
In summary, everyone did their utmost to
help us to have a good time and to enjoy our holiday; as far as we were
concerned, it was a resounding success. We sincerely hope that these
efforts are recognised over the next year or two by a resurgence in the
number of pilots wanting to fly from Sisteron.
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So, till next year
then... |
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