Second day at the Pre Worlds in Porterville

First competition day at Pre Worlds SA Winelands in Porterville

The bus up

Task committee at work

Pampoenfontein take off

Handing out the trackers

Task briefing

Gaggle over the flatlands

Adi and Johannes giving me a ride

Yesterday we started the competition. The wind was not cooperating to start with, but around lunch it was finally possible to take off. I had a decent flight, but when we had to head out over the flatlands I was drilled to the ground by the strong winds. Pilots with faster gliders (and higher skills) managed to penetrate the wind and continue the task.

I landed in a huge field in the middle of nowhere so had to walk three kilometers in the scorching sun to the nearest farm. There, I waited an hour before hitching a ride with a quad bike driven by two young guys, Adi and Johannes. Thanks! They drove me to the main road where Bonen picked me up.

Ended up fourth out of ten in my class and 93rd out of 113 in total. Numbers I hope to improve.

Wine tasting around Stellenbosch

Tokara's new beautiful Deli.

Views from Tokara

Tor, Bonen, Magnus, Jenny and me tasting some nice wines at Thelema

The cute accountant at Thelema set us up for the tasting.

Views from Vrede & Lust

Yesterday it was too windy for flying so we went wine tasting around Stellenbosch instead. Nice!
We started at Kanonkop, famous for their reds. Although they didn't impress much on us, but you never know until you try. Next stop was Simonsig where they are producing some good sparkling wines. Then we had a lovely lunch at the new deli at Tokara, followed by a tasting. Their Sauvignon Blanc is still good. Of course we couldn't miss Thelema just next doors, and it was as good as always. We had a fika in Franschoek and then stopped at a last vineyard, Vrede & Lust, on the way home. They had a pleasant rosé.

Today is the first day of the paragliding competition in Porterville. We will see if we can fly, right now the wind blows the wrong direction but it is forecasted to change. Lots of people araound, in fact 120 pilots from all over the world, including California, India, La Reunion and Finland to name just a few countries. Hopefully it will be lots of fun.

Nice days in Porterville

Dudes selling medical herbs and roots.

Crowded pick up vehicle

Sharing the back of the tractor

 

Today I have been out travelling for a Month. Four continents, lots of impressions and many friendly people. The last ten days I have been in South Africa together with Anders (a k a Bonen). We started in pleasantly cool Cape Town, renting a flat in the quaint Waterkant area and just enjoying the food and the nightlife.

6th of December we met Magnus, Jenny and Tor at the airport and drove two hours North to Porterville for two weeks of paragliding. Here the temperatures are more 34-38 degrees centigrade and the landscape rather arid. We are flying along a long ridge, over the flatland in front  of it and in the valleys behind it.

Some days have been good, other OK. Two days ago I managed a new personal best, flying 77 kilometers. While flying I spotted several eagles (and flew with some of them) but also two mountain gazelles and a bunch of klipdassies. Flying safari!

Yesterday on the other hand I landed after just 26 minutes, but hey, that is what makes the sport so exciting. I saw some giant red grasshoppers (or whatever it is)close to the bull pen I landed in. Out on the road I got a hitch with a tractor - people are very friendly and helpful out here.

A few pics from the last week in South Africa

A few mobile phone photos from Cape Town

In the supermarket

The Waterfront

The waitress shows the selection of meat cuts at restaurant Carne SA yesterday.

My dinner :-)