Hello folks, have you missed me? Bet not. I've not been entirely inactive, but changes at work have meant I've got more travelling to do which is eating into my time.
Anyway, Saturday 31st saw KKF doing its bit for light up the sky. We were in Margate and battling with little wind and sea mist, so ended up with two soaked kites again, but did manage to raise over £60 for Children in Need, which is great.
Sunday 8th November saw KKF in Canterbury for our regular fly in. Again it looked like low wind was going to spoil the day, but ultimately the wind picked up enough and it turned into a good flying day. Low level turbulence was a bit of a problem, but I got a conyne up to about 600 feet and it was quite stable up there. Not entirely sure it was legal though as I doubt I was 1000 feet below the cloud base. There was a big sag in the line, but tremendous pull, it would have been great to get a camera up there, but I hadn't come equipped! Silly boy.
Next weekend we've got a sports kite workshop in Tonbridge, so we'll have to see how that goes.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
OSOW 2009
After some sunshine on Saturday and the promise of more sun next week, Sunday 11th October was met with cloudy skies. But never mind, its OSOW time to go out flying! So around about lunchtime I headed off to Singleton Environment in Ashford where Kent Kite Flyers had scheduled their OSOW meet.
When I got there, the clouds were fairly high and there was a good stiff breeze. Lots of flotail deltas in the sky, so I decided to join in and soon had one of my own flying high amongst the rest.
Time to set up for some KAP. As the breeze was brisk, I chose to use a 56 inch rokkaku. This is a nice kite when the wind is up a bit. I launched the kite and pegged it down and went back to the car to get the camera rig. With the rig set up and attached to the line, time to try to KAP the visitor centre. Now I know I'm a bit dumb at times, but I had a funny feeling that the camera was not shooting. Of course it helps if you enable CHDK and start the USB script! So having been clicking away for a while, I recovered the camera, and enabled the script. Slightly more confident, I let out line, but we now seemed to be in a lull in the breeze, Still I managed to get high enough to get some photos.
As the wind had dropped a bit, I brought the camera and kite down and decided to have another go with a flowform 30. It was a bit troublesome to launch but soon gathered wind and climbed. By the time I was ready to attach the kite again, the wind had picked up a bit again, and the kite was pulling a bit. This time, I made abso9lutely sure that the camera was working before letting it climb!
So I launched with some confidence. But the kite was not flying with any stability and it really wasn't a very pleasant experience. I did manage to get a couple of photos that weren't too blurred, but the rest were rubbish.
Recovery became the next issue, as the wind was up, the kite was dancing a bit and the line was tight. But with the kite firmly anchored, it was a case of walk down, pull in and tie off until the camera was low enough to take off. The first spots of damp started to drizzle down.So I concentrated on geting the camera put away, and a couple of bits back to the car, leaving the flowform lifting a pig and the flotail flying. While at the car, the wind suddenly dropped, and two flotails suddenly appeared above. One (mine) landed in the trees, and the other (Gerties) settled over the fence in the school playing fields. Both being soaking wet, I retreived Gert's flowtail, and moved the line out of the road, then retrieved my own. Both were sopping wet.
So walking back to the field, I found my flowform had also landed in the hedge and the pig was also resting in the bushes. Bill volunteered to reover the kite, while I recovered the pig. Again, both were saturated! With the kites and laundry recovered, it was time to wind in line and help others recover their kites and line beofre heading for home. So tonight, there is lots of material hinging up to dry in various parts of the house much to my wife's annoyance.
When I got there, the clouds were fairly high and there was a good stiff breeze. Lots of flotail deltas in the sky, so I decided to join in and soon had one of my own flying high amongst the rest.
Time to set up for some KAP. As the breeze was brisk, I chose to use a 56 inch rokkaku. This is a nice kite when the wind is up a bit. I launched the kite and pegged it down and went back to the car to get the camera rig. With the rig set up and attached to the line, time to try to KAP the visitor centre. Now I know I'm a bit dumb at times, but I had a funny feeling that the camera was not shooting. Of course it helps if you enable CHDK and start the USB script! So having been clicking away for a while, I recovered the camera, and enabled the script. Slightly more confident, I let out line, but we now seemed to be in a lull in the breeze, Still I managed to get high enough to get some photos.
As the wind had dropped a bit, I brought the camera and kite down and decided to have another go with a flowform 30. It was a bit troublesome to launch but soon gathered wind and climbed. By the time I was ready to attach the kite again, the wind had picked up a bit again, and the kite was pulling a bit. This time, I made abso9lutely sure that the camera was working before letting it climb!
So I launched with some confidence. But the kite was not flying with any stability and it really wasn't a very pleasant experience. I did manage to get a couple of photos that weren't too blurred, but the rest were rubbish.
Recovery became the next issue, as the wind was up, the kite was dancing a bit and the line was tight. But with the kite firmly anchored, it was a case of walk down, pull in and tie off until the camera was low enough to take off. The first spots of damp started to drizzle down.So I concentrated on geting the camera put away, and a couple of bits back to the car, leaving the flowform lifting a pig and the flotail flying. While at the car, the wind suddenly dropped, and two flotails suddenly appeared above. One (mine) landed in the trees, and the other (Gerties) settled over the fence in the school playing fields. Both being soaking wet, I retreived Gert's flowtail, and moved the line out of the road, then retrieved my own. Both were sopping wet.
So walking back to the field, I found my flowform had also landed in the hedge and the pig was also resting in the bushes. Bill volunteered to reover the kite, while I recovered the pig. Again, both were saturated! With the kites and laundry recovered, it was time to wind in line and help others recover their kites and line beofre heading for home. So tonight, there is lots of material hinging up to dry in various parts of the house much to my wife's annoyance.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Fun in the sun at Hardelot
Well I didn't get to KAP, but it was great fun anyway.
Saturday 26th September saw KKF on their annual outing to celebrate Christmas, this year it was 2005. Its a long story, so you'll need to ask me for an explanation. Anyway as Hardelot festival had been put back from its normal May slot to late September, we decided to combine the two and have som efun on the beach.
Most of us took a leisurely journey, whilst the advanced party of 1 took the train and was asking where we were, whilst we were just leaving Dover! Gloriously smoooth crossingand arrived in Calais in good sunshine for the steady drive down to Hardelot. We managed to find somewhere to park on the beach, and spotted the advance party flying already.
She had already set up the Christmas theme, much to the surprise of those around us. So we got our act together and were soon playing in the sun and the sand. There were lots of interesting kites to see and with the tide out, plenty of space (please note Margate organisers!) We had a couple of hours flying and making friends. There were a lot of Kapers there, so I decided not to bother getting anything out of the car. Anyway, I was enjoying myself too much.
About 3pm UK time, we decided to go to find something to eat, but unfortuinately most of the restaurants were closed! However there was one that was willing to serve us, so we settled down on the terrace for our Christmas dinner.
We seemed to get a few strange looks from the locals as crackers were pulled and we generally caused disruption! Fed and watered it was time to head back to the beach. Where had everyone gone? Well the tide was coming in and most of the display kites had come down and the beach was almost deserted. Being muilt of stronger stuff at KKF, we decided to have a rok fight, and spent another hour in the sun before deciding that it was time to head off to catch the ferry home.
A quick drive up to Calais and straight onto the ferry, to settled down to crisps and Christmas cake for supper. Great day out and thanks to eveeryone who came along and made it such fun.
Saturday 26th September saw KKF on their annual outing to celebrate Christmas, this year it was 2005. Its a long story, so you'll need to ask me for an explanation. Anyway as Hardelot festival had been put back from its normal May slot to late September, we decided to combine the two and have som efun on the beach.
Most of us took a leisurely journey, whilst the advanced party of 1 took the train and was asking where we were, whilst we were just leaving Dover! Gloriously smoooth crossingand arrived in Calais in good sunshine for the steady drive down to Hardelot. We managed to find somewhere to park on the beach, and spotted the advance party flying already.
She had already set up the Christmas theme, much to the surprise of those around us. So we got our act together and were soon playing in the sun and the sand. There were lots of interesting kites to see and with the tide out, plenty of space (please note Margate organisers!) We had a couple of hours flying and making friends. There were a lot of Kapers there, so I decided not to bother getting anything out of the car. Anyway, I was enjoying myself too much.
About 3pm UK time, we decided to go to find something to eat, but unfortuinately most of the restaurants were closed! However there was one that was willing to serve us, so we settled down on the terrace for our Christmas dinner.
We seemed to get a few strange looks from the locals as crackers were pulled and we generally caused disruption! Fed and watered it was time to head back to the beach. Where had everyone gone? Well the tide was coming in and most of the display kites had come down and the beach was almost deserted. Being muilt of stronger stuff at KKF, we decided to have a rok fight, and spent another hour in the sun before deciding that it was time to head off to catch the ferry home.
A quick drive up to Calais and straight onto the ferry, to settled down to crisps and Christmas cake for supper. Great day out and thanks to eveeryone who came along and made it such fun.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Margate - better late than never
A bit late, but finally I've got some time to post a quick item on Margate festival. Wasn't it fun? Saturday was sunny and warm with a very gentle breeze. Everyone seemed to be moaning about the lack of wind. What was the problem? I managed to get a premier rok up to about 800 feet and later in the day, got my maxi dopero flying serenely above the crowds, stable like it was nailed to the sky!
Sunday was much cooler, much windier and much duller. In the morning, it was a case of flying a ribbon box, which again I let climb to about 800 feet. In the afternoon, I decided to do some KAP from a 56 inch rok. Now interesting, this is the same kite I used in Gillingham the week before, in less wind, but today it as providing less lift. The only difference was the amount of bow put into the spreaders. Anyway, it was a bit of a struggle. I had Matt flying while I operated the remote. We wandered around as best we could, but more of that later.
Lunch was provided at a local cafe and was excellent, enjoyed by all. Meanwhile others carried on flying.
OK that's the fun bit. Now here comes the criticism. Not enough space guys. If you are going to have a kite festival for the public, you need some space for public flying, but the only usable space was a walkway between the two arenas. More space next year please.
Sunday was much cooler, much windier and much duller. In the morning, it was a case of flying a ribbon box, which again I let climb to about 800 feet. In the afternoon, I decided to do some KAP from a 56 inch rok. Now interesting, this is the same kite I used in Gillingham the week before, in less wind, but today it as providing less lift. The only difference was the amount of bow put into the spreaders. Anyway, it was a bit of a struggle. I had Matt flying while I operated the remote. We wandered around as best we could, but more of that later.
Lunch was provided at a local cafe and was excellent, enjoyed by all. Meanwhile others carried on flying.
OK that's the fun bit. Now here comes the criticism. Not enough space guys. If you are going to have a kite festival for the public, you need some space for public flying, but the only usable space was a walkway between the two arenas. More space next year please.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tests seem OK
Following on from the Will Adams festival, I spent an hour last night testing the USB release of my camera without a problem. I noticed that when the LCD went into power save mode, it took about 3 - 4 seconds from operating the remote to the camera waking and taking the picture, but other than that it went without a hitch. Ah well, we'll try again and this time I'll try to count how many times I think I operate the shutter.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Will Adams Festival - a busy day
What started out looking like it may be a struggle, turned into a really successful day. When we arrived in the morning, we had been allocated an arena that stretched along one side of the field. Unfortunately, the wind direction meant that we were in the lea of some rather large horse chestnut trees and was blowing diagonally across the arena. Never mind, we'll just bomb the inoccent passers buy. We got the club gazebo up, then concentrated on getting teddy dropping set up. With the wind direction as it was, a long launch of a pair of stacked rokkakus was needed to get into the clearer air. But once up, the kites stayed there for the rest of the day. Whilst Bill tested gear, everyone else concentrated on getting out a display of kites.
With a bit of help from my friends, I managed to get a flotail delta and a 56 inch rokkaku up into the airstream where they were quite stable. But by now, with the crowds begining to gather it was becomeing difficult to launch from outside the arena. But the sun came out, and we spent the afternoon under clear blue skies.
After a while, I decided to try some KAP, so used the rokkaku that was already flying to carry the rig. This was going to be at relatively low level. Whilst wandering around, I was asked to move by the guy who was about to do a birds of prey demonstration. Interesting that birds of prey with very keen eyesight can't spot a kite line. Anyway, happy to oblige I moved away and got a couple of pics from the other side of the arena.
Meanwhile, the guys back at base were doing a roaring trade keeping the public interested in kites and handing out fliers and cards. A lot of genuine interest was shown, which makes a refreshing change. Bill was also doing a roaring tade with bear dropping. After a delicious lunch of noodles with ginger, I decided to go out and have another go from higher up. I must have speant a good hour wandering around, though I wasn't really taking a lot of photos as I speant a huge amount of time chatting to people who were interested in what I was doing - and surprised that I would trust a camera to a kite. See if you can spot the people in this photo who have spotted the camera.
A day not without incident. And I have to spend some time this week checking the trigger mechanism, as I am not sure it is firing every time. But a good day all the same.
With a bit of help from my friends, I managed to get a flotail delta and a 56 inch rokkaku up into the airstream where they were quite stable. But by now, with the crowds begining to gather it was becomeing difficult to launch from outside the arena. But the sun came out, and we spent the afternoon under clear blue skies.
After a while, I decided to try some KAP, so used the rokkaku that was already flying to carry the rig. This was going to be at relatively low level. Whilst wandering around, I was asked to move by the guy who was about to do a birds of prey demonstration. Interesting that birds of prey with very keen eyesight can't spot a kite line. Anyway, happy to oblige I moved away and got a couple of pics from the other side of the arena.
Meanwhile, the guys back at base were doing a roaring trade keeping the public interested in kites and handing out fliers and cards. A lot of genuine interest was shown, which makes a refreshing change. Bill was also doing a roaring tade with bear dropping. After a delicious lunch of noodles with ginger, I decided to go out and have another go from higher up. I must have speant a good hour wandering around, though I wasn't really taking a lot of photos as I speant a huge amount of time chatting to people who were interested in what I was doing - and surprised that I would trust a camera to a kite. See if you can spot the people in this photo who have spotted the camera.
A day not without incident. And I have to spend some time this week checking the trigger mechanism, as I am not sure it is firing every time. But a good day all the same.
Monday, September 07, 2009
Kites over Capstone 2009
Phew, that was hard work! Not the kite festival, uploading some photos to Flickr. It took three attempts to get them uploaded, and it was only 15 images!
Anyway, enough of a rant. Sunday was Kites over Capstone, a fun day at an event that, until 3 weeks ago was cancelled. Then it was suddenly resurrected. I have to say, the council did a sterling job in getting everything laid on in 3 weeks, and are committed to having the event agian next year, but with a bit more time for planning this time!
So what was it like. Well, as I drove over boxley hill, I could see the kites in the distance. By the time I drove into the park, they were all back on the ground! It was to be like that for a couple of hours until we finally gots some decent wind as it shifted around a bit. Eventually there was enough for me to stick a camera onto a rokaku and try to get some photos. But I wasn't allowed to fly where I wanted to be! "You can't fly that there." "Why not?" "Because it is a designated walking area" What utter nonsense. Eventually the council relented and let people fly and enjoy themselves. In the meantime I took a few photos of the ground and some kites.
Then a little later on, I decided to give my new pole an outing. I was quite surprised at how heavy the camera was on the end of the pole, how much the pole flexed, and how much the camera caught the breeze and tried to pull everything out of my hands. But I had a good wander round and managed to capture some of the goings on at the event.
Anyway, enough of a rant. Sunday was Kites over Capstone, a fun day at an event that, until 3 weeks ago was cancelled. Then it was suddenly resurrected. I have to say, the council did a sterling job in getting everything laid on in 3 weeks, and are committed to having the event agian next year, but with a bit more time for planning this time!
So what was it like. Well, as I drove over boxley hill, I could see the kites in the distance. By the time I drove into the park, they were all back on the ground! It was to be like that for a couple of hours until we finally gots some decent wind as it shifted around a bit. Eventually there was enough for me to stick a camera onto a rokaku and try to get some photos. But I wasn't allowed to fly where I wanted to be! "You can't fly that there." "Why not?" "Because it is a designated walking area" What utter nonsense. Eventually the council relented and let people fly and enjoy themselves. In the meantime I took a few photos of the ground and some kites.
Then a little later on, I decided to give my new pole an outing. I was quite surprised at how heavy the camera was on the end of the pole, how much the pole flexed, and how much the camera caught the breeze and tried to pull everything out of my hands. But I had a good wander round and managed to capture some of the goings on at the event.
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