Curium.

Today (well, technically yesterday) at Curium, was a good day. Quite light wind earlier, which meant that Tasos was able to fly with his two sons before it became too strong, then as the strength increased slightly we were easily able to make the cliffs at the near end of Zapalo beach and back to Curium no problem. I did the run twice before Manuel (who had been chauffeuring Tasos and generally helping out) showed up.

I knew he'd be straight over as soon as he saw me there and he didn't disappoint! "Let's fly over there", he yelled, pointing to Zapalo beach. "Why not?" I thought, since I'd been flying for at least half an hour by that point and knew Kyle and Elena would be waiting on Curium beach. At least that would be a different way from the norm to end this flight. So we went back to the point and I circled and watched as Manuel went for it, pretty much without hesitation. Part of me felt like going back to Curium and taking the easy route straight down to the beach there, but this was an option to do something different, so I thought "Ah, what the hell"! I would not have dreamt of this if Manuel was not there, as I did not have my phone, but since I knew he would have his and Elena had ours, it was the perfect opportunity!

So I followed, even though I could plainly see that Manuel was sinking below the cliff line and was clearly bound for the beach! There was nil wind in the little cove and we landed at two separate little beaches and were soon packed up. Tasos appeared moments later in Manuel's car to pick us up and we went back to Curium.

As we arrived there, it seemed perfectly flyable, so we got our gliders out and went for it. Of course, typically, no sooner had we set up, but the wind picked up again! Still, it was clearly doable and Manuel was first off and straight up. I had one failed take off, due to tripping over a rock at the critical moment and with a bit of help (thanks Theo and John!) was soon back up on my feet and ready for another attempt. Lucky me, because no sooner was I ready than a brief lull of a few seconds came and this time I made good use of it. I was initially lifted and 'hopped' backward a few feet, before letting up the brakes and off I went, forward and straight up! I was so elated to be so quickly airborne, that I rewarded the audience of onlookers with three or four big wing-overs close to take off. (Manuel, by this time was hundreds of metres away and nobody else was in the air)!

I flew pretty much straight out over the beach, practiced an asymmetric collapse and recovery and then landed in the car park near to my lovely little family, another good day's flying under the belt!

I rewarded myself with a meal at Chris' beach bar with my loved ones and then a run on the beach and a splash in the sea with Kylo. Nice day!