We have enjoyed some remarkably good soaring conditions in the flatlands of the UK (and I am sure they will continue...), but for us it's time to don our scary hats and face the mountains of the southern French Alps.

Ariane and Charlie were dispatched early to France, to be joined shortly afterwards by me and a Duo Discus. There will be a slightly different feel to the holiday this year: Ariane and I will fly the Duo for the first week, after which she will do some traditional holidaying, and we will then swap the Duo with our syndicate partners, who will have towed down an LS6c for my subsequent soaring pleasure until the end of our holiday.