Belgian Open, Kobarid, Slovenia (Reg. Day)

Saturday 14 June

On the move again. Goodbye Camp Gabje, Tolmin, Hello Camp Koren, Kobarid.

The laden skies promised over development, thunderstorms and rain.  Time to pack up Betty before midday.

Lo and behold, at 13h34, the heaven’s opened, luckily just after arriving at Kobarid.

With the River Soça roaring some 40 metres below and finding shelter under the trees, Buxom Betty was wound up onto her chocks once again.

I must explain that the shade from the trees is a two-fold strategic move: to shelter us from the scorching temperatures we know that Slovenia can delivery (ref. this past week), but also to spare poor Betty from the perpetual dousing of downpours will are currently experiencing, and will be for the most part of this coming week.  I hate to be pessimistic, but unless Mark Luscombe can come up with anything to the contrary, we won't be tasking for a while…

The forecast is dire for the next few days and for those of you camping, I’d sell your tent and buy a canoe whilst you still have one to trade!

Luckily for me, I’ve had a terrific past three weeks of back-to-back comp flying: the PWC France, followed by the British Open, then the Polish Open, and now here for the Belgian Open, and so welcome a few days’ respite from the routine : Shower, Breakfast, Briefing, Shuttle, Task, Download, Shower, Supper, Results, Charge-Up, Sleep….. Shower, Breakfast, Briefing, Shuttle, Task, Download, Shower, Supper, Results, Charge-Up, Sleep….. Shower, Breakfast, Briefing, Shuttle, Task, Download, Shower, Supper, Results, Charge-Up, Sleep…...Zzzzzzz…..

Downloads between 5-8pm this evening went smoothly, no glitches and no queue. Brilliant! Red t-shirt, maps and pot of Slovenian honey as a welcome pack, and the MD seems optimistic for the week, which is great (don't know where he gets his weather forecast from - I'd like to see it!).  We will be using turnpoints in the Lijak, Tolmin and Kobarid flying areas.

It was lovely to see all the Belgian and foreign pilots in abundance and always a happy occasion to celebrating something.

Breifing will be at 09h00 tomorrow morning.  In the meantime,

manned with my brollie,

I take to the trolly of Slovenian food market fare.

A BBQ hearty to kick off the party, and Jacky brae-master’ll be there!

J

Bon appetit!