30 May 2010 : Dunstable - Brecons - Dunstable : 434 km

Our Logbook reveals; Absolutely stunning run into a 20 knot wind, sky opened quickly after a lot of spreadout just before launch. Quite a few gliders in wave over South Wales, which contrived to mash low level thermals. Having got enough height to slide onto Hay Bluff, suddenly poor air and we are left floundering for a climb. 1:25 minutes later we try again for Hay Bluff, interestingly with the same height as before but decide to focus on the low level Talgarth ridge which produces. Run in and out of Brecon straightforward and the plan is to contact wave off the Black Mountains ridge, it was working all afternoon but by the time we tried the convection was too weak to contact. Did get a 10 mile run on wave past Pontrilas which led to a pair of stunning Cloud streets, perfect for a free ride to Lasham! Took last climb at 7pm but gave up at Thame totally exhausted. Adrian was great company but this was not the day for the heaviest club member!

Crossing the Severn, a lot of cirrus to the South.

The Brecon Beacons with the Bristol Channel just visible.

Down the valley to Abergavenny.

Pen y Fan, looking South West.

Fast moving cirrus, but kindly kept to the South (most of the time).

The Black Mountains main ridge.

and again..

There was wave above these cu, but the route upward was no longer available.