If reports were to be believed this was looking like the last proper XC day of the year. Arrived at the hill nice and early to compensate for my usual faffing, and was rigged and ready as the crowds arrived. Just Kirsty and I to start with, but the crowds slowly gathered.

With so many birds playing just in front of the hill couldn't resist a quick hop to see what the air was like - Hmmm. Buoyant! Radio woes meant a delay in taking off again, but eventually, after a few harsh words, I stowed the radio in a pocket and took off. Climbs were, well, very gentle. Slow even. Most flew around for a bit and top landed. I opted to play around high and left of take off until I saw a gaggle climb out and set off. I raced back and so began the 'chase of the lead gaggle'

Progress was low and slow, however eventually a large gaggle formed just past the lakes at South Cerney; leaders and stragglers all desperate to stay aloft. The main group pressed on toward Cheltenham with Richard setting the pace. Once again the group fragmented, with some choosing to stay over the high ground, whilst Richard, Mark and Kirsty pushed on in a more NNE directions.

Craig A had shadowed the lead group from the start and was now off on his own heading to Evesham, so I tagged along with him. The lift was even more scarce, with what few clouds there were well separated. Craig managed to find a climb just before Evesham and was gone. I clung on to scraps until I luckily found something a few K past the town. This climb was almost good enough to get me to Redditch.

After such a long day it was nice to have a landing as soft as the climbs: -)