East Malling 30th March

The day started with heavy rain, then during the morning more heavy showers made it look as if I wouldn't be getting out to KAP before going to Berck. But come lunchtime and the clouds rose, the sky brightened, there were even some shadows. I'd arranged to meet some people at East Malling so headed off to see what conditions were like there.

This was to be the first outing for my new Fled. This is a kite designed by Michael Anderson, and enhanced by Brookes Leffler specifically for low wind KAP. Well the day was certainly low wind, as there didn't seem to be any. I set the fled up and managed to launch it, but it quickly came back to the ground. But after about an hyour of accasional draughts we finally managed to get off the ground, and once the tree line was cleared, the kite was stable and pulling consistently.



I left it flying high and watched as it occasionaly drifted downwind and occassionaly overflew. As the afternoon drew on, I decided to try attaching the rig to the line. So I tied off the kite to a passing goalpost and started getting everything ready. Of course, at this point, the kite started to float downwards. But not to be put off, I put the kite on the line and started paying out line. The rig was spending its life no more than 6 feet off the ground for th emost part. So eventually I decided to bring it all back to earth at which point the wind picked up. So I managed to get a couple of shots.



But it was defintely not a day for trying to maneouvre the kite anywhere. So after a brief interlude, and with the rig once more on the ground, I decided to pack up. Of course at this point, the wind picked up, but too late for me.

I need to check out why the camera shutter is releasing of its own accord. It is being fired by a Gentled shutter, but for some reason, seems to be firing at random intervals. Something to sort out this evening, and also take the shutter servo off the rig to lighten the load a little bit.

Blean Woods 9th March 2008

It seems like ages since I last had the opportunity to KAP, and it has been about 6 weeks. So after the KKF AGM at Blean, a couple of us went over to the flying site beside Blean Woods and I decided to try some KAP. I put up a premier 78 inch rokkaku, and probably spent about half an hour trimming it to handle the conditions. The wind was very variable, but I was determined to get as close to the communications tower as I could.

This was the first outing with a new gentled shutter release, my previous one having failed at Margate kite festival. Pleased to report it worked fine!

So having got the rig on the line and having let out line so kite and rig were flying out towards the tree line, I made my way towards the tower. There is a gap in the trees just in front of the tower, and I was hoping to get through this gap and get the camera close to the tower. Unfortunately, the wind was very difficult, gusty and lumpy, so I eventually decided to stay well away and get some area shots. The conditions were presumably the precurser to the storm conditions expected to hit the UK tonight.



I was quite keen to let out some more line if possible, and get higher and closer, but the wind had picked up and the kite was pulling very strongly, so I couldn't release the larkshead holding to to my belt. So I had to make do with whatever pictures I could get.



So I headed back towards the carpark to attempt to bring the kite and rig down. With the kite pulling this strong, it was definitely a case of stake it downa nd walk it down. While I was there, I got a couple of shots towards Canterbury and the university.



Finally, I'd just got the kite packed away and the line on the reel, when the heavens opened as a squall hit. Not bothering to pack the rig away, I decided to decamp to the car. By the time I got there, we were all soaked and being hammered by hailstones. Definitely not pleasant. A couple of photos worth keeping but not really one of my better days.