Stormy Weather II

[vinteuil]

I assume you have seen weather stations. I was shown the one for Kenley on the airfield on Sunday. ... This is a caged off affair open to the elements and with various gauges. .

...like this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevenson_screen

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[ ... invented, I learn, by Robert Louis Stevenson's father. ]


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[BBMmk2]

I see a yellow coloured circular object ina lovely blue sky this morning. I can't remember what it's called?!?!!?

[DracoM]

Tell me when you find out.......back to chilly damp yuk here this a.m.

[Dermot]

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... as a big fan of Laurence Sterne I've always had a hankering to visit Coxwold - but is there, in fact, much of interest there?


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On my two visits to Coxwold, over ten years ago, I stayed in both the village inn, the Fauconberg Arms, and the old forge which had been converted into a B+B. They were both fine, as was dinner in the inn. The curator of Shandy Hall, I don't know if it is still the same person, was a Sterne enthusiast and delighted to show me round the house and talk about the author. As the house was not officially open to the public at the time of my visits, I contacted the curator beforehand to make the necessary arrangements.

There is pleasant walking country around Coxwold. From memory, it took me between forty five minutes to an hour to walk to the White Horse. I then had to climb up the many steps to the summit. But it was worth it for the magnificent views. I ate my boiled egg this morning from a Coxwold Pottery egg cup, a souvenir of my second visit.

Having said all that, I am a Richardson rather than a Sterne man. For me, Clarissa is undoubtedly the greatest novel in the language.

[vinteuil]

Having said all that, I am a Richardson rather than a Sterne man. For me, Clarissa is undoubtedly the greatest novel in the language.

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... I think you may well be right. It's thirty four years since I read Clarissa, and I remember when I got to the end wishing that there were more. I have recently been trying to get into Sir Charles Grandison but am currently finding life too busy to allow the necessary time to absorb myself in it.

One of the most memorable put-downs I suffered was when I was asked by a very high-ranking superior, visiting me in a Middle Eastern capital, how I occupied my time in such a cultural desert, on my replying "O, I have at last had the time to read Richardson, I have just finished Clarissa... " he countered, after a telling silence, "Ah, Richardson! Yes! I too have been reading Clarissa. ... in German."

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[Lat-Literal]

Was sunny and then breezy and then a bit dark and it is soon to be rain.

Clung onto the bed for most of the morning feeling miserable and ill but then that is often the case when faced by dilemmas about a gear change. Talk about fight, freeze and flight. To go from an inability to move to any sort of movement has always required a massive self-jolt. If the pressure is on, it can on occasions be impossible. But the gist of it was this. When you initially go up in a glider, it is booked beforehand and afterwards you are given 30 days membership of the national association. This in theory enables further discounted trips but only for that period. As it happens, they are closed all next week and then there is the possibility I might be away. So it looked 90% likely that it wouldn't happen and given the gap that would then ensue that it would never happen again. At lunchtime, gliders were spotted overhead and along with the sunshine they appeared to goad. So too in a way another issue. In the discounted arrangement, there are no guarantees. You turn up to see if they can fit you in. It is like cricket. You could potentially wait a very long time for nothing involving to happen. Well, I did go in the end but not until 3pm. Getting on for a two mile walk initially through woods and then around the aerodrome. I thought that if it was going to be a "no" the walk there and back would be pleasant enough and I'd probably stop at the country pub for one pint as solace on the way back. In the event, when I arrived they said "yes".

Officially, the "girl" sitting next to her mother was to have been their last one but they were keeping to time particularly as the thermals hadn't been great. I asked her if she had done it before. She said "no" but she regularly dived out of aeroplanes with a parachute. I am beginning to get an idea now of what it is like to have a teenage daughter. The last similar one I spoke with was a seasoned mountain biker who hoped to become a professional trainer in whitewater rafting. She left us with minimal fuss although she was so light they had to find ballast. I asked the mother who in facial expression looked a more difficult proposition whether it was a birthday present. She confirmed that it was so and added "she's an adrenaline junkie like you". That is about as far removed from me as any description I have ever encountered but then it is often true that context is almost everything. I was about to put her right but was luckily saved by her decision to ask me a question. "How old do you think she is?" Oh dear. There is always one answer there. "I don't know". "She looks 15 doesn't she". "Yes" - although actually I felt she looked four years older. "She's 30". Now that was a surprise. "She and her husband also travel all around the world". "Oh, like where?" "They have just come back from North Korea - didn't tell me they were going there and I'm glad they didn't". "Now that is an adrenaline experience", I said, "I didn't realize people were allowed in, let alone out". She was in the skies for ages. Got the best flight of the day and good luck to her. In the longer term, she may need it, especially for any holiday in so-called Islamic State.

Then it was my turn. I left my keys, a bit of money and other stuff that could fly out of my pockets with the bloke in the tent. I had a little additional luck. It was the third best flight of the day although the clouds were closing in, no longer as predominantly cumulus. One thing that is now very apparent is how acquiring skills in reading both weather patterns and sky formations are bonuses if also essentials in this game. The young man on the tractor let out the winch a little too soon so consequently today's pilot apologized for needing to apply so much concentration that he couldn't discuss the terrain. He did his utmost to get us above 1,000 feet so that I could try to use the controls for the first time but it wasn't to be. Rather more bumpy than previously experienced, output by Joni Mitchell flashed across my mind as I surveyed the arrival of early evening. "Turbulent Indigo" and at one point "Amelia". But he was pleasant and so skilled that we were in the air for a full quarter of an hour. I enjoyed it very much and his ability meant I was in a fit state on landing to face greater anxiety tests.

Much had been made of how few gliders they own, their fragility, their cost and what parts you can and cannot lean on so once out of the thing what I hadn't expected was to be asked to walk it up to the hangar by one wing. The youngster took most of the weight by being back on the tractor towing it in but my role over some distance was to steer it ensuring that the far wing didn't scrape along the ground. This was achieved successfully. Quick greetings were exchanged with the team - a mixture of the nicely eccentric and ultra conservative looking - but it was clear that they were all in a rush to leave for their well earned week off. I then began my walk back to the tent at the far end of the airfield - a mile along the perimeter.

There was a brief moment to wonder about hallucinations. Beside what had been the pleasant but highly conventional RAFA club on Sunday were up to 20 high powered motorbikes, a lot of serious tents, a burger van and what could only be described as quite a few biker families. Have no idea what that was about but it looked like a mini festival. A couple rode past me on one machine with wide handlebars that could easily have been in "Easy Rider". Then, about half a mile up, I saw a modest looking vehicle on the other side of the field heading in the direction where the glider had been parked. Behind it was the tent so then I had no way of knowing whether my door keys were in it or if I should just keep walking. As further luck would have it a jeep suddenly appeared on the side I was on and travelling towards the parked glider. In theory, the London commons people although I suspect there is considerable MOD overlap. So I hailed it down and explained the situation. That I could be without my door keys for up to a fortnight. He said he would get a message to them that I was on my way.

So in what had become a military situation I retraced my steps including next to the leather fest and found the guy. It worked out pretty well before the full walk back yet again and beyond to the exit. If I ever needed to know, some of these recent experiences have shown me just how much of the unexpected there is to expect even when not flying to the other side of the globe. And, yes, there is a further thing about the weather. Clearly, the morning people had disappointments. I knew the changes are often quick and local but it is very local and rapid from a gliding perspective. Within minutes or if not hours the difference can be one of flying being quite easy and so tricky the gliders themselves could be kept in their beds.

[BBMmk2]

Sounds like a varied day there, Lat! Always liked flying myself but not thought of gliders. I would never do parachuting though! Never!

I think going to be a mixed bag today, methinks! No rain I hope. I think we have had enough of that.

Me and MrsBBM went to Brighton Marina yesterday. We walked, well, MrsBBM walked and I was on my tramper, from the Marina, for about two miles or more to around Ovingdean. Had a cuppa, then went back. Around four miles in all. Not bad going for us.

[greenilex]

Well done. Clearly your strength is improving.

[DracoM]

Well, given sky conditions now, goodbye perseids!

[Lat-Literal]

Sounds like a varied day there, Lat! Always liked flying myself but not thought of gliders. I would never do parachuting though! Never!

I think going to be a mixed bag today, methinks! No rain I hope. I think we have had enough of that.

Me and MrsBBM went to Brighton Marina yesterday. We walked, well, MrsBBM walked and I was on my tramper, from the Marina, for about two miles or more to around Ovingdean. Had a cuppa, then went back. Around four miles in all. Not bad going for us.

That's very good.

Well done.

I love the Marina and Ovingdean and especially Rottingdean and Saltdean.

I wouldn't do parachuting either - nor being taken round a race track at break neck speed. Weather ok if a little coolish. Went to "The Comedy of Errors" in a local establishment garden tonight. Not cheap but I decided to try it. A bit of a pantomime, I thought, but they did it well. Couldn't fault the actors. Unfortunately it was ruined from half way through by a live band blaring from the pub opposite and then I realized after the second interval that money had been lost. Difficult to be certain but I think I fell for an age old trick. Stranger approaches in the first interval as if he is on his own and chats about bits and pieces. Soiled and wayward bow tie. Reasonably erudite but ultra sweary which I tolerate seemingly of all ages and classes wherever I go although it doesn't appeal in the slightest. Why can't people talk naturally? Suddenly drops his full pint glass in overly dramatic fashion. Each of you retrieves it after which he chats a bit more, then someone comes from behind you and he says to them I'll get the drinks in for the group. £40 missing. I left before the end feeling disappointed. Walked back - about two and a half miles - mainly countryish roads with not a soul around which doesn't worry me - not as keen on the clientele on urban roads on Saturday nights.

Well, given sky conditions now, goodbye perseids!

Re perseids, yes, a shame.

[DracoM]

Well, actually, oop 'ere, skies cleared, and round about 4 a.m., skies wonderful, moon terrific, and - mirabile visu - perseids seen! Thrilling. And v.cold!

[Lat-Literal]

I suppose we could have another try at Perseids tonight down south but I read that there would be cloud cover. Beautiful day here today.....just right for a first kayaking Sunday Club but alas the charcuterie platter at lunchtime, the blackberry and apple from the garden early pm and a decidedly dubious hog roast with Will later put paid to it. Stomach not good overnight nor any activity feelings. I am contemplating strictly off-the-road motorbikes but you have to pass the on-road stuff first and I doubt I would do it. Mostly it is peculiarly idiosyncratic. At the top of the long term list are old fashioned tractor - one without a cabin, 1970s electric milk float and especially the c.1960 bubble car. All of these are still elusive.

Adrenaline it ain't.......it's about atmospherics and embracing history.

(same as with music which was always my first love and it will always be my last).

[BBMmk2]

Thanks SA!Feeling better today. We were thinking about going into A & E last night!

Lovely day down here, today. Unfortunately, for me I am not feeling very well. Temp having a bit of a spike. Only now felt like being on the computer!! Hoping be better tomorrow! Would be on the best day we have had, recently!

[Serial_Apologist]

Lovely day down here, today. Unfortunately, for me I am not feeling very well. Temp having a bit of a spike. Only now felt like being on the computer!! Hoping be better tomorrow! Would be on the best day we have had, recently!

Sod's Law in operation there, Bbm. Bad luck! - hope you feel better soon.

Yep, nice day today; temps still slightly lower than they should be for t'time of year, which made for a nice ride out over to One Tree Hill, located between Lewisham and Peckham and noted for fine views north of the City, and from there to Ladywell Park, following the Ravensbourne south, under the Catford S Circular gyratory and eventually leaving Bell Green for back up the hill to here, where huge road narrowing works are undersay to slow motorised traffic flow and make it more dangerous for cyclists such as me. Then a couple of hours sunning on the lawn with some local history books - the first sunbathing for over a month. I wonder if my legs will feel strong enough to do that Hammersmith towpath route tomorrow, should the weather look like holding.

[BBMmk2]

Not too bad a day here, so far. Might have a whisky this evening!!