Kite Blog
31/12/2023
Blustery showers put paid to any kite flying today but once again I travelled in hope and arrived on Blackheath in a moment of sunshine just before the next shower struck.
Just at the moment, now midday, the forecast for next Sunday is sunny and cold.
Felix
24/12/2023
I did travel to Blackheath today via Lauriston Village but the wind conditions 17-20mph base, gusting higher, were really not conducive to a 'gentle' fly.
We will probably fly next Sunday, 31st December, again, if the weather conditions are favourable...
Felix
17/10/2023 Blackheath
There was some brightness in the sky as we travelled towards Blackheath this morning.
On site the breeze felt lower than the forecast 13mph and initially measured at 8mph. While that was a bit light for the RSS sails we set them up and proceeded to fly with the kite medley.
There were occasional higher breeze moments but mostly it was about 10mph with a measured high of 20mph.
The final two sails from the set of eight have now been flight tested and all was well.
We will probably fly next Sunday, 24th December, if the weather conditions are favourable.
Felix
10/12/2023 Blackheath
The sky did not look promising on the way to Blackheath but on arrival there was some cloud definition to the south west. The 'nowcast' suggested rain would arrive in 30 minutes!
We decided to set up and fly and took the opportunity to test the two purple sails from the RSS set. All was well with the sails and the kite medley was started at the Bill Frisell piece titled 'Ron Carter'.
We got almost half way through the following tune, 'Harvest Time' by Pharaoh Sanders when the rain started quite abruptly.
A speedy wrap followed and although the rain through the afternoon was often quite light there were some further heavier spells. Not at all like the Miami weather 10 years ago on South Beach!
Felix
03/12/2023
Another drive to Blackheath but without kite flying today. The breeze was minimal 2-3mph on arrival and there was light drizzle, barely perceptible but the suggestion of more on the horizon.
I walked into Greenwich Park to the view point and by the time I was back at the car there was steady light rain.
Dinner at Pidgin this evening, in memory of our departed kite flying friend...
Felix
26/11/2023 Blackheath
Today there was less breeze than forecast, just 1.2 mph when I arrived on Blackheath. Fortunately there was a bit of an increase to 3 mph during our flying session but it never felt 'breezy'!
A grey high cloud sky was still letting UV through so I had a 'dark' view throughout. The rain held off and the grass, initially quite wet, was mostly dry when the kites were packed.
Zens and a slightly amended kite medley including Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio) worked well today in the marginal conditions.
Felix
19/11/2023 Blackheath
It was a fairly blustery wind today but considerably less speed than had been suggested earlier in the week. It was mostly about 15mph with occasional gusts to 20-25mph.
The second pair of RSS sails were flown after fixing a trapped bridle line on the yellow sail. I thought that I had dealt with all the snags after the modifications were done to all the sails but this one had escaped me. It make sense to check them all into the air!
We had a good flight with the kite medley ending on the Pharoah Saunders Harvest Time once again.
It just so happens that Joe Hadzicki used a couple of clips of the Decs at Portsmouth 2023 flying the RSS sails in his latest weekly video. A useful endorsement, both ways!
Felix
12/11/2023
I did drive to Blackheath today but arrived to find persistent light rain and 'no wind'!
A gentle stroll into Greenwich Park seemed in order to catch peak autumn colour if nothing else. I was not previously aware of the works being undertaken close to the Observatory to improve the viewing area overlooking the river.
Travelling back home was more circuitous than normal as Mare Street was closed for the Remembrance Sunday procession. I had to circumnavigate London Fields and was lucky to be able to turn off Graham Road at the back of the eastbound queue.
Felix
05/11/2023 Blackheath
After a stormy week the weather was forecast to be breezy and bright. Blue sky and some cloud with a measured 15mph westerly breeze was just right for putting up a couple of the recently modified RSS sails.
A full-on fly with the kite medley was just what was needed and although the gusts were quite strong occasionally there was just enough warmth from the sun to keep things civilised most of the time!
The sails were fine and might just be less liable to rattle in full forward mode. Some detailed images showed that some of the link elements were not fully tensioned but the new links did prevent the sail wrapping around the vertical spars.
Some new tracks for the medley and a string of musical events are lined up for later in the month.
Felix
29/10/2023 Blackheath
The weather forecast looked a bit precarious, shower wise, but I did make the effort to drive across, just in case.
The horizon looked decidedly ominous on arrival and the iPhone forecast was for heavy rain in 20 minutes.
20 minutes later it had not started so we set up kites and had a short fly with the full 1.5 sails. Then the first raindrops fell with an urgency that suggested a quick departure was in order. Torrential rain followed but had stopped soon after I arrived back in Hackney.
I am hoping that the showers stay away later in the day as I have a concert to attend near Kings Cross!
Felix
22/10/2023 Blackheath
Setting out earlier than usual at 9:40am the traffic had looked ok approaching the Rotherhithe Tunnel and onwards along Lower Road to Deptford. I got to the entrance of the tunnel at 10:00am and the traffic gradually slowed and at the exit it was clear that congestion had built up on Lower Road. I headed to the A2 and got to Blackheath one hour after leaving home.
Martin was a bit late due to a road closure but the conditions were worth the effort with full on sunshine, a clear blue sky and a gentle WSW breeze which was fairly consistent, probably 5-6mph as forecast. It was good for the full sail 1.5 sails and we flew with the kite medley again and closed with the complete Pharaoh Sanders' Harvest Time!
Northbound traffic at The Blackwall Tunnel was using the southbound bore so I got to drive over the new bridge in the opposite direction to last week.
Felix
15/10/2023 Blackheath
The new south bound exit bridge was in operation today at the Blackwall Tunnel but there will be another closure next weekend 21st and 22nd October.
It was a sunny morning on Blackheath with a mostly northerly breeze at or about the forecast 6mph. With occasional higher gusts the full sail 1.5 kites were just right. The temperature was about 10C, a considerably cooler value than the previous Sunday!
A good flight with the latest updates to the kite medley including one track released last Friday. We finished with the first half of Pharoah Sanders', Harvest Time.
I am contemplating a new kite making project based on the original Rev design that Jørgen did for the team.
Felix
08/10/2023 Blackheath
The Blackwall Tunnel southbound was closed again but a slightly earlier journey via the Rotherhithe Tunnel got us to Blackheath at the usual time. The prospect of light wind and sunny conditions albeit with completely unseasonal temperatures and it being One Sky One World made it an easy decision to travel.
2 mph was measured on arrival and by the time we left it was getting to 6mph and possibly more, completely in line with the forecasts.
While we did set up a couple of Zens the focus was on the 3m Jørgen Møller Hansen rokakku kites. All three were flown together, all with the SLE and 4 wrap spars as prepared last year. It was an excellent session with an occasional thermal and gently switching Blackheath breezes.
It was noted that we should really be using gloves for line handling with the rokkaku kites. There were a couple of blisters in evidence at the end of the session as grabbing the free running line is always risky!
Felix
01/10/2023
The congestion due to the southbound closure of the Blackwall Tunnel on Saturday suggested that it really was not a good idea to attempt to get to Blackheath today.
Work has proceeded on the RSS sails with just two sails remaining to be sewn. It may be a few weeks before we actually get to fly them. While the results may not be perfect at close scrutiny I think that they will be fine in the air.
As next Sunday is One Sky One World I hope to get more of the fliers to turn up on Blackheath...
In the meantime the web site hosting is being transferred at 9:00am CT on Monday 2nd October. It may take up to 24 hours for the new IP address associated with the Domain Name to propagate around the 'world'.
Felix
24/09/2023 Blackheath
There was a clear indication from both forecasts this week that 13-15mph would be on the cards with the possibility of a little brightness. That is what we got so it was another session with the RSS sails.
Flew to some new and old tunes today and saw a dispersed flock of house martins flying from the SE towards the NW. The starlings were putting on a show as well in a well defined group.
I have started work on the small additional component on the RSS sails. I expect that this will progress over the next week, or so. The closure of the south bound bore of the Blackwall Tunnel next weekend may mean that I miss the weekly flight. In the meantime the weather looks somewhat variable!
Felix
17/09/2023 Blackheath
There was no real convergence in the weather forecasts so it was a case of wait and see what arrived, on the day.
15mph easterly breeze with heavy looking clouds is what arrived. RSS sails and the regular kite medley from the beginning today with a new tune added at the end of the session, not, I hasten to add, the end of the medley…
The work on the JMH Double Malay was completed during the week and it will need a test flight. Today was not that day!
Felix
10/09/2023 Blackheath
Having been hoping for a Rok fly for some time all came good today.
A 4mph easterly breeze was reasonably consistent in strength even if it meandered from NE to SE over the course of our flying today.
The 1991 and 1992 3m Rokkaku sails with the SLE spines and the 4 wrap spreaders were just perfect.
Having watched the web cam at St.Anne's over the weekend I wonder if the new generation of stick kites have a place again. Maybe someone needs to design an inflatable sail that will glide downwind rather than deflating.
Felix
03/09/2023
There was restricted access southbound via the Blackwall Tunnel this morning and the usual alternative route was occupied by a half marathon event so I did not get to Blackheath today.
I have prepared lower bridle line sets for the JMH Double Malay and will set the ones that have been broken and temporarily repaired first to check that the new line is sufficiently 'stretchy'!
Felix
27/08/2023 Blackheath
A final summer Blackheath flight followed the pattern of the last few weeks.
Full sail 1.5s again with the kite medley started further down the playlist.
The work on the JMH Double Malay is almost complete, just waiting for some lightweight polyester line for the lower bridles that need replacing.
Felix
20/08/2023 Blackheath
Another gentle session with lighter SW breeze so full sail 1.5s today.
Some substantial cumulus clouds provided a slowly changing backdrop to the kite medley session.
My return journey to Hackney coincided with a football match so the approach to Blackwall Tunnel was not congested at all.
The JMH Double Malay set of sails is ready on the bench for spar pocket repairs.
Felix
13/08/2023 Blackheath
Another full vent session today in a fairly consistent SW breeze with some occasional broad patches of blue sky amongst the lumpy cumulus clouds.
A later section of the Kite Medley did provide some changes of emphasis but I probably need to re-jig the order of play.
I took a chance on the return journey but fortunately the Blackwall Tunnel approach was not congested.
Felix
06/08/2023 Blackheath
Full vent 1.5 sails were comfortable today on Blackheath and in the aftermath of Portsmouth that was all that was needed for an enjoyable session with the Kite Medley.
There were some curious moments with the cloudscape with possibly the remnants of an occluded front making a sharp division NW to SE from blue sky to quite dense cloud.
The Blackwall Tunnel was congested so I took the longer Rotherhithe route home, an hour rather than the usual 25 minutes.
Felix
31/07/2023 After Portsmouth
We managed to get set up early on Saturday morning and flew a session with the Jørgen Møller Hansen Double Malay Stack from 1994 along with five Revolution kites in his 1997 design. The stack was staked and the Rev 1.5 were somewhat overpowered in the brisk and turbulent breeze. The new offshore breakwater is somewhat substantial and with the war memorial the art kite arena is not the easiest place to fly in a WSW breeze.
The main arena had a more stable breeze for the two team presentations on Saturday when we flew the RSS Revolution sails in the bright sunshine that lasted most of the day. There was a late afternoon mega team fly of four line kites.
Sunday was grey and often wet with the wind occasionally stronger than on Saturday but with lulls. We did the first arena presentation at the previously allocated time, 11:30am but were called back soon after for a mega team fly as the agenda had been adjusted given the difficult, wet and windy flying conditions.
We did a final arena slot at 3:20pm and the event closed early.
Having watched the forecasts earlier on last week the conditions at the event were better than might have been expected. It was a successful event for us and there was some very well tuned team flying.
Felix
23/07/2023 Blackheath
The wind speed had moderated somewhat but was still about 15mph or thereabouts so RSS sails again.
The medley was started quite a few tracks in so we did get to fly with some recent additions.
All set for Portsmouth next weekend with a vague plan but mindful of the brisk breezes that are currently forecast for both days as an Atlantic depression sweeps across the country.
Felix
16/07/2023 Blackheath
Ahead of the day I was not sure if it would be worth trying to fly as the windspeed was forecast to be 16mph gusting 32+mph on the Met Office.
In the event things were a bit calmer but an initial flight of a full vented 1.5 sail was quickly substituted with an RSS sail.
The open vent kite by Revolution has been of good service to the team as it maintains good characteristics even when high wind lulls.
It was not a long session today.
Felix
11/07/2023 After Berrington Hall
The Leominster and Hereford Kite festival at Berrington Hall 8th and 9th July was an opportunity to spend time flying the Jørgen Møller Hansen kites.
The weather on Saturday was fine to start with a good but variable breeze so the Eight Diamond kite was flown in two sessions. A thunder shower around 2:30pm was very wet! We subsequently set up the Double Malay stack and were hit by a following shower. The kite was too heavy to be flown so was packed with the tails still wet.
Sunday started brighter and with a similar breeze so the Double Malay stack was flown dry. A second flight was accompanied by Rev sails in the 1997 graphic.
We left the site at 2:45pm as there was a large shower approaching...
Felix
02/07/2023 Hampstead
We knew the site was likely to be challenging but the breeze today was particularly difficult. Light and sometimes downwards at low level and strong but shifting higher up.
We did persevere with the Jørgen Møller Hansen Eight Diamonds from 1993 and were rewarded with an extended flight later in the afternoon.
The end of the session was an elegant avoidance of a kite eating tree with tails suitably draped. There was a break in one tail but it turned out to be at a point that it had previously been fixed with a temporary repair!
The 1997 design Rev 1.5 sails were flown as well.
Felix
25/06/2023
The southbound Blackwall Tunnel was closed this weekend because of works on the Greenwich end in preparation for the new tunnel.
The Rotherhithe route was slow but what I had not anticipated was the 'Fun Run' on Blackheath which as usual took up all of our usual flying area, and some!
Given that the wind was clearly at the top end of our safe range for the day's project we headed back towards Hackney only to find a circuitous diversion was in place for Northbound Blackwall Tunnel traffic. It was quite bizarre to find the way through the diversion and wonder where all the rest of the traffic went to...
Felix
18/06/2023 Blackheath
Another sunny day but with a threat of rain later which only eventually arrived after 5:00pm.
Light wind again so a short flight with Zens but the focus soon switched to the Decs original 3m Rokkaku from 1991 which had also been set with s lightweight frame with SLE spine and four wrap spreaders.
Happily it also performed in line with the other two 3m sails so we have a light wind contingency. The frames were originally prepared in April 2022 so it is great to have seen them all fly. Next up will be to get them in the air together and that is certainly on the agenda for Hampstead or Berrington in early July.
Felix
11/06/2023 Blackheath
Summer weather today and as the temperature was approaching 30 degrees Centigrade I did not stay quite as long as usual on Blackheath.
The wind was forecast to be about 2mph and from the SE or NE. It was mostly from the NE after an initial launch of the 1991 3m Rokakku by Jørgen.
It had the SLE spine and Revolution four wrap spreaders so the 'light wind' configuration. It flew really well and for a while sat at the very top of the window which is uncomfortable for the flier as balance becomes an issue when looking up almost vertically for any length of time. At other times it locked onto a mid window position. A great flight and I did manage to catch a minute of video and a few stills which are on the web site.
Felix
04/06/2023 Blackheath
It was another good day on Blackheath but the breeze was a bit lower than forecast and I was short on hands so did not feel sufficiently confident to attempt a flight of the Jørgen Møller Hansen Nine Squares from 1993. I had prepared a bow line rig to apply along the four outer spines but the application will have to wait for another occasion... next Sunday, maybe!
We flew mid vented sails with the kite medley so at least I got to fix that deficit.
Felix
28/05/2023 Blackheath
The weather was 'just right' on Blackheath today and although getting there and back was a bit slower than normal due to road closures for a sporting event it was well worth the effort. The Jørgen Møller Hansen Eight Rhomboids from 1993 flew very well with a light weight frame and bow lines. Thanks to Martin Linford and Ashley Mottram for help at crucial moments!
Another Sunday without actually flying a Rev... I'll have to make amends but I am very happy to have resolved the issue with Jørgen's 'flat' kites.
Felix
21/05/2023 Blackheath
Access from home was officially via the Richmond Road Bus Gate so the Half Marathon was not an obstacle today. The closure of parts of the A12 next Sunday for Ride London may have more impact on journey times to and from Blackheath.
Today I was prepared to set bow lines on the Jørgen Møller Hansen Eight Rhomboids sail for light wind conditions given that the new frame is about half the weight of the original fibreglass. It felt as if there was enough wind for a launch anyway and so that is what we did. A couple of short flights followed and it appeared that the frame was too flexible when the kite topped out. The breeze caught the other side of the kite in a similar way to what we saw with the Nine Square sail before the spars were strengthened.
I think that bowing the sail will help keep it centred in the window in light conditions and will reflect the actual wind produced bow that keeps the sail centred in higher wind speeds along with the very long tails. I did notice the elasticity of the bridle lines as well as the catenary they showed in flight today.
I did not get to fly a Rev but did get to set the stakes and 'safety' line for the single line kite as well as setting the bow lines.
Felix
14/05/2023 Blackheath
There was little prospect of a kite flying breeze so I had left the JMH kites at home today.
The grass had been mown but there was little more than an occasional breath of wind so after a gentle attempt to fly Zens we called it a day!
Hackney Half Marathon next Sunday will cause a slight deviation from the normal route out and back.
Felix
07/05/2023 Blackheath
We travelled to Blackheath with the full team kite bag, 40 sails and the groundsheet plus the ancillary kite bag to de-sand after Cervia. While there was not great volume it was everywhere, very dusty with it!
This task was accompanied by the kite medley and we did have time of a leisurely fly with Zens back on our 120ft lines.
Next week I might take the JMH snowboard bag but that will depend on the weather and if I can deal with it at home in the meantime.
I have been re-constructing the Cervia event from images captured by various people. The event was very intense and the 11 days passed very quickly.
Next up is a gentle event at Berrington Hall courtesy of the Midland Kite Fliers. It will be JMH kites only!
Felix
16/04/2023 Blackheath
I wanted to check the configuration of the JMH 1992 Rokkaku sails and had hoped for light wind conditions. There was virtually no air movement much of the the short time I was on Blackheath today!
I separated the red sail from the stack and checked the bridle components. It looked as if the bungee element had dropped out of the main stack bridle but I have some spare pieces cut and knotted.
I did get to launch the red sail briefly but it was not a sustained flight.
The main JMH bag for Cervia is packed but I may swap back in the 1991/1992 Rev stack which did not initially appear to fit. Letting the packed kites compress seems to allow for further additions. The big 1991 parafoil will not travel but the smaller one 1990 may be accommodated.
Felix
09/04/2023 Blackheath
Fortunately the traffic was light today and there were no diversions in place on the journey to and from Blackheath. The new footbridge over the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel from the south is in place and is bright yellow!
A slightly variable light south easterly breeze in warmish sunshine today so we were on full 1.5 sails. It was an opportunity to check 100ft lines ahead of Cervia and the change in handling of the sails was noticeable but acclimatisation did not take long.
I had set new sleeves on the 1994 set of 300lb 80 ft stack lines and so finalised the attachment points and attached handles. Four stacked 2007 JMH design Rev1 sails were flown to bed the lines and the 7-10mph breeze was perfectly manageable somewhat to my surprise. I had to revert to knotted leaders as prussic loops were not holding reliably!
I will hope to fly rokkaku sails next Sunday as a final preparation for Cervia but will not be too concerned if conditions are not suitable.
Felix
02/04/2023 Blackheath
With the southbound Blackwall Tunnel closed I did set off early and hope that the direct approach to the Rotherhithe Tunnel would not be too slow. Unfortunately traffic travelling eastwards on the East India Dock road is given lower priority compared to vehicles travelling west! Now I know!
The wind on Blackheath was at the top end of the forecasts often steady at 12mph so too much for the light wind spars in the JMH 3m Rokkakus.
Full Vent 1.5s were comfortable and were flown today with G Weave frames that had arrived on Friday. We were flying to the medley again but it was not an extended session as the sun failed to have a warming impact.
I did manage to shuffle some lines and see the heavy stack lines that I needed to locate for Cervia. There is an extra set of 150ft 90lb lines that I had not expected but the long handles attached will be good for the stacks as well.
On setting off to return by the usual route I was confronted by stationary traffic northbound at Sun in The Sands roundabout so set off back towards the Rotherhithe Tunnel. That proved to be very slow as well so I took a chance through the back doubles to Tower Bridge where there was a short delay but I arrived home about 90 minutes after leaving Blackheath. That was only about four times the normal journey time!
Felix
26/03/2023
The clocks going forwards, a forecast of rain and low 'feels like' temperatures made it quite easy to decide that kite flying could wait a week.
I did go to Blackheath and walked through Greenwich Park to check the view. The last time I did this I noticed an illusion that I wanted to re-visit. Seen through the trees the buildings of Canary Wharf appear to be much closer than they are when seen from the viewing point. This is amplified by the sense of approaching the viewing point as being 'uphill' whereas it is probably actually downhill as the view is of the lower portions of the distant buildings. All quite confusing and not easy to verify without access to a detailed contour map!
Felix
19/03/2023 Blackheath
While the windspeed forecasts had been unsettled we actually got 5-8mph which was just good for the JMH Double Single Eddy train from 1989 so after an initial moment of doubt it was unravelled, spars set and flown.
One spar pocket needs to be re-sewn and on looking at images captured there was one spar on the second pair of sails that had disconnected from the dihedral.
After wrapping up the stack we flew full sail 1.5s with the kite medley.
Felix
12/03/2023 Blackheath
A breezy session was forecast and the WSW breeze measured 12-14mph so it was really a bit much for flying the 8 sail Rev1.5 stack but we set it up with a view to bedding the knots of the new link lines. At the first launch it became apparent that there was not enough forwards on the handle settings so the adjustment was made and some images then captured!
We then flew full vented 1.5 sails with the kite medley. I'll have to do some further editing as it is at 4 3/4 hours of music now which is a bit impractical given that we do not have a whole day to fly at this time of year.
I will be moving on from the Rev stacks in Cervia preparations during next week. Not quite sure what comes next!
Felix
05/03/2023 Blackheath
Lowering clouds just didn't seem to be moving today but the sun was occasionally just visible as a disc but there was no feeling of warmth. The wind was from the west, mostly between 5 and 8mph as measured.
Full sail 1.5 Revs were comfortable, not overpowered or underpowered for the duration of the medley flying.
I had replaced some spars in the last two sails of the 1991/1992 Rev 1 six stack and was hoping to get a good test flight in preparation for Cervia. I used Maggie's set of 100ft stack lines (150lb?) on extended handles and the stack was very well behaved with the four wrap, three wrap and race rods installed.
The 2007 Rev 1.5 stack may need some link lines replacing so that is next on the list of preparation 'to do' for Cervia.
Felix
26/02/2023 Blackheath
The bright clear blue sky on arrival at Blackheath did not last long today. The breeze from the NE was as forecast 8 or 11mph but gusting a bit higher occasionally.
Full vent 1.5 sails were fine but I did not feel comfortable with putting the Jørgen Møller Hansen Double / Single Eddy up so flew the new three sail vented stack with standard race and 4 wrap centres. It was fine, even in the stronger gusts so will be on the list for Cervia.
Checking kites, switching spars and checking lines in preparation for Cervia is under way. Eight weeks can disappear quite quickly so I was keen to get an early start.
G Weave Spars should be shipped by the end of March for the second set of Not Zens that we hope to fly alongside the first set at Cervia!
Felix
19/02/2023 Blackheath
Thankfully there was no travel issue today and so I did reach Blackheath in a timely manner. The forecasts had been at loggerheads over windspeed and there was actually a bit of everything from 4 to 10mph from the NW so we flew mid vented 1.5 sails after I had initially flown a full vent with 2 wrap spars. I will have to re-visit personal spars having switched out a green race set for the JMH 2008/9 vented sails.
The feature of today was some warmish sunshine only occasionally obscured by thin, patterned, high level cloud that seemed to be forming and dissolving through the flying session.
We were occasionally distracted from the kite medley by the antics of flocks of seagulls offering a fair imitation of starling's murmurations on a physically larger, more dispersed, scale.
I will have to fly some of the JMH kites soon in preparation for Cervia!
Felix
12/02/2023
I set out as usual for Sunday kite flying but there were signs up on the A12 stating that the south bound Blackwall Tunnel was closed. Sometimes the odd sign is still showing on Sunday mornings after the regular overnight closure but the repeated signs were more insistent so I turned off at Bow Flyover and headed towards the Rotherhithe Tunnel.
On reaching the A13 close to the Rotherhithe turning it was clear that not only was the Blackwall Tunnel really closed but that the overspill traffic had ground to a halt. After having established that the line was hardly moving at all I set off towards Tower Bridge in the vague hope that I would eventually be able to get to Blackheath.
It was not to be... The traffic on The Highway was backed up to Cannon Street Road so at that point I gave up and headed for home via Whitechapel pausing to telephone my apologies to Martin on Blackheath.
Oh well... the forecast for next Sunday is looking promising!
Felix
05/02/2023 Blackheath
A very good Sunday morning session on Blackheath. The weather was kind with sunshine and a reasonably consistent northerly breeze for flying the stack of new sails based on the original Jørgen Møller Hansen designs from 2008/9. Reversing the stacked sail order certainly transformed the light wind capability.
Full 1.5 sails were also flown along with the kite medley.
As Cervia is not so far away now, preparations are underway in respect of checking lines and deciding on which kites to take.
We will be travelling to Austria in September.
Felix
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29/01/2023 Blackheath
There was some occasional fine drizzle blowing through on the variable SW breeze this morning. Although it did measure 8mph initially it often faded away so full sail 1.5 kites were appropriate.
As we had been flying various flavours of very vented sails over the last month or so the full sails felt very responsive and were flown against the kite medley that was started quite a few tracks in.
The stacked set of three sails did get in the air but would really need a higher consistent breeze to be comfortable.
The event agenda for 2023 is shaping up and I hope that we will be able to send a team to Austria in September. The Cervia event may include an organised flight of Jørgen's kites at Ron Gibian's initial request.
Felix
22/01/2023
While I did travel to Blackheath this morning there was no discernible breeze at all so I took a short stroll into Greenwich Park and notice a 'rising moon' effect while walking towards the view of the Dockland Towers.
I meant to check this view again but by the time I turned around the view was fully obscured by the trees.
We will do a 'not Rev' event at Leominster, Berrington Hall in July.
Felix
15/01/2023 Blackheath
A breezy session with westerly air flow measuring up to 16mph with occasional stronger gusts. It was brighter than we might have expected but on the cold side!
Another flight with the yellow and blue sails but the centre spar of the blue sail looked better as a standard race rod had been replaced by a green one. The final configuration will probably be standard race rods with a four wrap centre.
A 'not Rev' event for 2023 is in the planning now at the Leominster and Hereford Kite Festival at Berrington Hall, 8th and 9th July 2023.
We are waiting to find out availability for the Hampstead Kite Event on 25th June or 2nd July 2023.
Felix
08/01/2023 Blackheath
Blustery showers were forecast and the SW breeze measured 15mph gusting upwards.
A succession of part rainbows followed the showers that were mostly away to the north west.
The blue and yellow sails were flown today as once again the breeze was appropriate but the additional flex of the leading edge rods of the blue sail was very evident. I might try a four wrap middle spar in that sail.
An early finish today as the sails had dried from an earlier shower, another one was approaching and the wind was getting more blustery.
Felix
01/01/2023 Blackheath
The forecasts eventually converged on 12mph gusting 25mph from the SW and we did actually get a bit of hazy sun through the high level cloud.
The three new sails based on Jørgen’s initial 2008/9 design were flown together and images were captured for the web site.
We then flew five kites, the new sails and two full vent Revs in a session which was sometimes called but also free flying with the kite medley.
An interesting start to the year...
Felix
January 2025
Felix Mottram