Nordic Open is over

Yesterday was the last competition day at Nordic Open and the Swedish Championships in paragliding. Unfortunately I didn't fly as well as the other days, so missed two podium places but still got one.
Not a big deal - I have had a wonderful week with magnificent flying together with many friends.
Just what I needed.

Didn't make it to goal today but had a nice time anyway:-)

Sixth task at the Nordic Open

Today we flew task six at Nordic Open in paragliding in Ager, Spain. Close to 60 kilometers with beautiful clouds showing the lift.
I had a good day and climbed in the result lists. But there is one day left, so it's all really exciting.

Nordic Open day 3

The day started weak and hot. But suddenly the wind was booming and thermals turbulent. A task of 90 kilometers was set and off we went. For me it was a tad too windy for my low performance EN B glider. But I did my best and made 52 km along the course.
Now it is time for the barbecue!

Softening up in Sölden

New day, new village. Now we are staying in Sölden for the last few days of this trip. First activity was a very well deserved visit to a spa in Längefeld, the Aqua Dome. Surrounded by 3000 meter high Alpine mountains, we swam outdoors, softened up in hanging saline pools and whirlpools and sipped some nice grüner veltliner white wine. Then we discovered the huge sauna land, with seven different saunas and a number of pools. Being Germanic, this part of the spa was "textile free". As in nude.
Well, we are brave Swedes, so no problem with that. And my body felt renewed after almost six hours of hot water, salt water, cold water, bubbly water, steam, herbs and god knows what.

More flying at Cenes

Dirk ready for take off

Just packed up after top landing at Purches take off

Jorge - a local pilot - playing in the strong wind on take off
(this and following photos)

Had a long day in the mountains together with Dirk from Hotel California, with two nice flights from Cenes.
First flight can be found here.

Tapear in Sevilla

Arrived Sevilla today for three weeks of touring Southern Spain. I have seven stories to produce, so I am under no illusion that it will be relaxing. But it is of course fun anyway. We started with strolling around and having some tapas.

They say that tapas were invented here in Sevilla, and we did find some nice ones. But judging from what we have seen today, the undisputed kings of tapas (although they call it pintxos) are Bilbao and San Sebastian in Northern Spain (blog entry here).
Then again, Sevilla wins hands down when it comes to sights.