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OPC Committee next meeting will be held Wed 11th August at 7:30pm at the Hollytree
OPC Does EGGHEADS! Well we did it. Yesterday, OPC fielded a team to challenge the EGGHEADs on the TV Quiz show.
Ann Wagner, Dave Wagner, Ian Drummond, Jim McCall, Pierre Misson and I went off to BBC Glasgow to film the 80th episode for season 12.
After an hour in makeup, my usual panda eyes with hairstyle a cross between just got out of bed and dragged through a hedge backwards had been tamed to a Miss Piggy with dreadlocks. The boys were powdered to perfection and Ann was a vision (even the makeup artist said she looked fab).
When we went into the studio, the EGGHEADS themselves were lovely. They came over and introduced themselves and made us feel at ease. That really helped because at that stage panic was beginning to set in (I was starting to forget my own name). Special mention to Daphne as she was really wonderful.
Memorable one liners included from the makeup artist you guys have to know each other really well for the level of insults flying around; from the floor manager dont pick your nose on camera (looking straight at me); from Iain when told that the show would air in a years time but two of us will be dead by then.
I cant tell you who won or I would have to kill you, but what I can say is that I think that the club can be proud of the performance we gave and it was a real nail biting finish. (There was some spectacular guessing going on). The crew commented on how relaxed and how professional we were as a team. Dermot congratulated us on a really good show.
Hopefully we were good embassadors for the sport.
Special mention to Dave who did a terrific job as reserve. Although he did not get to play, it was essential that we had a reserve and he took some great pics as the official photographer.
We are planiing a BBQ at 4.00pm on Sat 14th Aug for our house warming as well as the Ochils PGC summer do. All members, their partners and families are very welcome but please give us a call to let us know how many are coming so we can organise the food. All donations are of course very welcome. There's some space in the house and plenty in the grounds for camping if you want to stay over but you will need to bring your own sleeping gear. Look forward to seeing you there.
I am just back from a flying hol in Italy which was fabulous. Roy, Stuart, Grahame, David F, Richard and I, along with other non-flying friends hired a house in Spoleto and flew the Castelluccio area which was wonderful. We contacted Mauri who runs the Prodelta Paragliding School and he showed us the flying sites and kept us legal by making sure we had day passes for parking at sites in the National Park and giving us the benefit of advice like - never never land in the lentil fields (as the Italian police will arrest you for this). Mauri did not speak any English, but fortunately Roy had invited Bill, who spoke Italian, to join the holiday and Cate had a phrase book so we did pretty well. The weather was amazing and we got flying most days. Food was great too. Big thanks to Roy for organising the holiday. Also congrats to Stuart and Cate who got engaged.
Buckies have now finished lambing and the site is now open for flying again. Stronend never actually closed this year but there are some horses in the lower landing area that are probably best avoided if at all possible.
Mobile number is 07711 842 162 - it's on Vodafone if that makes any difference. You probably can't read my writing on the membership application :-)
I am having a few probs with people's mobile phone nos - any thoughts would be welcome - Ann W, Iain D and Grahame T, I seem to get a lot of problems sending texts to you, I am wondering if it is a network thing. Robin - can you pls send me your new mobi number. Reminder to those who haven't paid the 2010/2011 subs that these are now due.
Raining hard here and looks like it's on for the day!
Nice to see some pics from Myreton. The set should be titled 'A Homage to Craig Ross'. !.
The cloud base at Stronend is too low for flying this morning but may lift later. Please note that restrictions due lambing are now in effect.
REMINDER that the Club AGM is being held on Saturday 17th April at 6pm at the Hollytree.
At last! We had a flyable weekend last week. Unfortunately, our drivers were not available as they were away for a long weekend themselves with the 4*4, so many thanks to Stuart, Mike and Ian who provided their motors and also to David who did some of the driving. On Saturday we had folk on Wee Myreton and on Sunday we were on Big Myreton. Bob V even took some pics: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/BobVeitch/Myreton100410?feat=directlink http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/BobVeitch/BigMyreton11thApril2010?feat=directlink
Buckies will be closed for lambing from 20th April until further notice. Stronend will remain open however there will be landing restrictions on the lower fields. A detailed map of the no go areas will be posted shortly.
Hard to call tomorrow, but I think the wind direction looks wrong for Myreton so I have not booked the 4*4. And it is going to be sooo cold.
Nae offence likes.
I've just asked a local if someone can take me tandem in Hong Kong and it looks pretty good, so when i'm flying that endless thermal and you're all scratching aboot or ttb off Myreton i'd just like to say:- "get it up ye"! Especially Richard.
a BIG Thank You to everyone who helped and everyone who came along to the OPC Xmas Party this year. The Hall and the Food and the Bar and the Band were great. The numbers were down a bit on last years bash, so not so much dosh was generated for the club as last year. But everyone had a great time. Special mentions to Richard, Angie and Sarah for the food, David and Fiona who worked on the bar, Roy who helped with the raffle, Andy who printed off the tickets and organised the band, Craig and Peter who manned the door plus everyone who sold tickets (especially Ann). It was a good mix - including a few folk who came along on the night who were flying when I first started and it was really good to see them again. A good start to the Festive Season.
OPC Xmas party tomorrow!! 7:30pm til midnight Coalsnaughton Village Hall Ceilidh, bar, meal and raffle. See you there!
New key for the padlock has been collected and we can get up the hill in the vehicle again!!
OPC Christmas Party is this Saturday - 28th November at 7:30 at Coalsnaughton Village Hall. (http://www.clacksnet.org.uk/hosted/coalsn/index.htm). There is a bar, ceilidh band and meal. Raffle donations would be appreciated.
Forecast pretty awful this weekend so I have not booked the 4*4.
slight problem folks - the farmer has put a wire fence blocking access to Myreton and the second gate has been padlocked and we do not have a key. I am sorting this out, but it is unlikely we will be able to get the 4*4 up on Sunday (8th Nov).
weather looking good for the weekend, 4*4 booked for saturday - as long as it isn't raining.
Forecast very poor this weekend. I have not booked the 4*4.
Weather is looking good for Saturday so I have booked the 4*4 for 11:00am at the bottom of the hill, usual place (back of the Hollytree in Menstrie).
It looks like it is going to be blown out this weekend so I have NOT booked the 4*4. If by some miracle the weather starts to look better, text me and I will try to organise something.
Forecast North going North East so I have cancelled the 4*4 today, Flying at Buckies could be an option. The Nationals guys are still trying to decide where to go but because the winds will be light, they are looking to go somewhere a bit higher than the local hills. They are meeting at Gordon and Tina's this morning. Anyone wanting to join the comp - contact George McGhee.
SUNDAY: 4*4 going up at 11:00am today
It is the Ochils round of the Nationals competition this weekend. We usually combine the club's own comp - the Ochils Challenge with the Nationals - so club member's performance in the Nationals comp will also count for the Challenge.
Meet at 9:30am in Menstrie on Saturday. At the moment it is expected that competition site will be BISHOPS HILL on Saturday.
I have also booked the 4*4 to be at the bottom of the hill at 11:00am for a run up wee Myreton for anyone who does not want to fly in the comp.
============================================================================== Directions to get to Bishops (thanks Gordon) Bishops is the hill used by the Scottish Gliding Center to east of Loch Leven just beyond Milnathorpe. We usually park at Kinneswood on the A911. Enter village look for school sign on left turn next left and park near top of hill where path leads on to the hill.
Poor forecast this weekend so I have not booked the vehicle. Hopefully next week will be better...
There was one trip up the hill on Sunday, the wind was very light and switching around a bit - but at least we got top to bottom flights. We have arranged to let Gordon know by Friday if we need the vehicle again next Saturday so here's hoping... The price to members will be £3 per trip as before, but if you have not yet paid your subs, the price will be £5 per trip. So if you have not yet paid your subs pls send them into Richard as soon as you can.
It was bad luck that the weather was not as good as expected today. Tomorrow is still looking good though and the 4*4 is booked for 11:00.
Hi Everyone, It looks like it will be flyable this weekend and I want to take this opportunity to trial a new way of getting folk up Myreton.
Gordon has an off road vehicle and is willing to use this to take folk up the hill on weekends. This means that the club saves the costs of having to own and run its own vehicle.
The way it will work is that we will let Gordon know if it is expected to be flyable in advance and he will have the vehicle available at 11:00am for a run up the hill. Gordon is doing this on a commercial basis and will charge members of the club £3 and non-members £5 for each trip up the hill, The club will subsidise members fares and will make the £3 up to £5.
Gordon needs at least 5 people per trip to make it worth his while, however there are obviously no guarantees there. We are planning to trial this new arrangement for a month and see how many people are actually using the service.
The idea is that if it is a flyable day, Gordon and his vehicle will be there at 11:00am. Hope to see you on the hill !!
The club summer BBQ was held at Roy's farm last Saturday and was a great success. A BIG Thank You to Roy for hosting and all the people who helped out (Stuart and Cate especially)and also everyone who came along to support the club. The food was great and how Roy managed to negotiate a rain free evening remains a big mystery...
4wd heading up Myerton @ 11.15am this morning. Prob light SE mainly thermic.
Looking ahead to the xmas ceilidh, Coalsnaughton Hall has been booked for the 28th November 2009. This is a bit earlier than usual - so please put this date in your diaries to support the club. Thanks.
CLUB BBQ is being held on the 18th July at Roy's farm at 7.30pm. Food will be provided. Bring your own beer etc. More details are being sent out by e-mail.
hi guys - sorry - the club vehicle is still out of action to my knowledge. It needs some welding to be done before it can go through an MOT and it has not been possible for anyone to find the time to do it. Most of the drivers/guys with the maintenence skills are in France this week. The car is parked off road at Robin's new place in Stirling.
Too much wind and N component tonight. Stuart will try again tomorrow at 6pm if conditions are better.
Wind expected to drop off tonight. Stuart is planning a 4WD trip up the hill at 6pm tonight if looks ok.
Committee meeting tonight at 7.30 in the Hollytree.
Light S winds and lots of sun forecast tomorrow hence there should be big thermals at Craigleith and Dumyat for the greater spotted paragliders and some more gentle ones in the bowl for the lesser spotted variety. The plan is to meet at Menstrie at 11.00am however a few 4WD trips may be required to get everyone up the hill if its busy.
The wind looks ENE 9mph tomorrow hence the new site at Braco might be good. I will attempt to contact the owners this evening to find out if its open. If anyone knows the status over at Bank hill then please give me a call as this provides a local secondary option. I would suggest meeting at at 10.30am Menstrie and take things from there.
Buckies is now shut for 3-4weeks due to lambing. I will post another message here as soon as its open again.
Stuart is planning to take his 4wd drive up to Myerton @ 5.45pm this eve if anyone interested.
Stuart & I fixing 4wd this morning but are planning to take the other 4wd up to the bowl if it's flyable at 12.00 noon of anyone wants a lift.
Craig, Tommy and I met Pauline Lamb from NATS on Friday 6th March 2009 to discuss the proposed changes to airspace, as these will effect the Gargunnock Ridge. Meeting was fairly positive. Will keep you posted.
Buckies is looking good according to the weather. Am heading along there about 11 if anyone interested?
Committee meetings have been re-scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month rather than the Tuesday. The time and place remain the same.
4wd battery out for charging. Will reinstall Tuesday afternoon.
Tickets are now on sale for the Christmas ceilidh. The ceilidh will be held at the Coalsnaughton hall this year on the 13th of December at 7pm. Tickets are £20 if purchased before December and £25 in December.Ticket price includes a buffet and a raffle will also be held in the evening.Please email Peter and i and let us know how many tickets you require.
4WD going up to the bowl at 11am. Expect light conditions.
Sorry for those who are'nt aware the message below is referring to The Borders round of the nationals which is this weekend.
message from Logan, if you want the pdf email me, I cant attach it to this message board.
Hi All,
Tommy asked me to provide directions for those who require them. There is a better copy as a pdf attachment for printing.
Just a reminder -
Make sure you have sufficient Fuel, Food, alcohol and Water for the weekend. There is water available from the river but the taste can be variable. It would be better to bring your own. A folding chair is good for sitting round the campfire after the Barbecue (bring your own food).
meet at the Boston Hall around 10:30 latest so we can get everyone to the chosen site and up the hill.
Weather closing in later tomorrow afternoon so the 4WD will go up the hill at 9.00am as well as 11.00am.
The bowl might be ok this afternoon. I'm planning to take the 4WD up at 1.00pm if anyone is interested.
This weekends round of the Scottish Nationals is cancelled, to be re scheduled whenever the weather improves.
Me and Craig going to look at Myreton at 3pm - could take the bus up if it looks OK.
AHPC round of the nationals this weekend, 26th & 27th.
The Aberdeen round will be based at Deeside Gliding Club in Aboyne - about an hour west of Aberdeen and under three hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Much less if you have a hire car :-) Check on google maps for AB34 5LB. (57.07227, -2.83965 for GPS users) Camping, nice food and cheap beer are all available.
Here's a link to Terrys latest video, if you were flying at Bishops on Sunday you might spot yourself.
http://www.justacro.com/video/paragliding-acro/sunday-bish
This weekend July 12th and 13th is the borders round of the BP Cup,based at the Tinto Hotel in Symington. We will have in excess of 100 pilots so its likely to be rather busy.
Site choice will be on the morning of each day at the 9.30 breifing. Free flyers are of course welcome.
4wd battery was flat but now charged but Ive left the earth lead off coz there's a power leak somewhere (will trace asap). The lead will need to be connected if anyone is planning to use the landrover (10mm spanner ... no harsh language required).
Scottish Nationals.
The Borders round is going to be re-scheduled for later in the year, due to the current forecast for this weekend.
PLEASE NOTE: This month's committee meeting has been postponed from Tuesday 1st July to Tuesday 8th July. Usual place usual time - Hollytree at 7.30pm.
A few gliders are heading along to Bank Hill Dollar at around 10.30. Its a long shot but it may be flyable late morning to early afternoon.
Looks like tomorrow might be flyable.
How to use 3Jam to text Ochils PGC group.
To start a group text send a text to the 3Jam phone number +447797806160. The text should start with the 2 words and the dot as follows: Text Ochilspc . followed by the text you want everyone to see such as I am flying on Myreton. Conditions are perfect.
To reply you select reply as you would with any text and enter the words you want everyone to see such as I'm at Dollar and conditions are good here as well.
That's all you need to know for basic use.
I'm off to do an SIV course in Annecy so unfortunately you wont get a response from the comms email until the Tuesday 24th.
BBQ and Fying June 28-29th in Blairgowrie. This is open to club and non-club members, tickets are £7 per person and include BBQ,Breakfast and accomodation in the house, camping in the garden and roll mats in lounge and dining room. The plan is to have BBQ on Saturday at 7pm and to fly on the Sunday at sites near to us. Last year the Aberdeen club allowed us to fly at Morrone and we had a great day flying, one of the few due to last years bad weather. If you would like to come could you confirm by phoning Peter or Sarah on 01250 870102, payment can be made on the evening.
4WD will be in Menstrie from tonight. Usual 11am taxi up to the bowl if the weather is ok.
Good chance there will be a lift up the hill at 6pm tonight.
This is the new chat system. Primitive but should do the job.
Why weren't you all at Buckies on Saturday?
Testing
Last call for the BBQ on Sat 14th. Catering staff will need to know numbers by the end of the week so if I haven't heard from you by that time then there won't be any BBQ for you! There will of course be one or two drinks for everyone but Id suggest bringing some along if you want more. Look forward to seeing everyone there.