More tandem flying with gecko fly parapente

James and Sarah came out flying yesterday, a present from their Sarah's parents. First time paragliding for both although they've tried their hands at most other activities, sail planes, hot air balloons, bob sleigh, mountain biking! Next week James is going up in a micro-light!
James had a great flight heading over the Santuario at Saliente and then up along the ridge, landing halfway back to Velez Rubio! James had stolen most of Sarah's wind though and her shorter flight gave her a closer view of the valley slopes and she was greeted by Ramon and his amigo landing down in the Rambla de Saliente.
Next time you're over Sarah we'll get you up in the air again!

Sarah said she felt like turtle in her gear!

Sarah and James raise a glass to celebrate "not being dead!!"

El Yelmo 2009

Still time to head for the 10th Festival Internacional del Aire in el Yelmo, Segura de Sierra, Cazorla this weekend. Take a look at http://www.fiaelyelmo.com/ for details.

Arriba, abajo...y arriba!

Simone, Keith and the family came down from Caravaca de la Cruz for a tandem flights at Saliente. More usually installing solar water heaters with Solar Directa, Keith has been keen to build on his earlier experiences of hang-gliding where he learnt on the same misty Welsh mountains as Steve did.
He and daughter Simone are planning on learning to paraglide so what better way to get a taste of free flying.........

Heres Steve giving a double safety briefing and below with Keith and Simone moments before they took off......

Smoke from a large wild fire near Lubrin marks out the inversion
level for us !





Keith learns that 'perseverance pays off' after being stuck
low for 15min we eventually climb out and top out
400m above takeoff, before a run down the ridge and a spiral
dive to finish!

Simone's tandem flight ended at the Rambla landing complete with fresh apricots courtesy of Ramon's senora - sadly we have neither a photo of this or any apricots as we think the Owen family went off with our share!!

Volando en verano

Hot summer evenings, pine and thyme scented hills...aah..... paragliding in summer in spain....here's Jerry clocking up a few more hours at Saliente and Steve takes passenger Steve for another tandem flight over the valley

Parapente en Almeria - perros y pilotos!

Domingo en Collado Garcia, pilotos de Almeria, Almanzora y mas, perros locos y velas en los arboles!

The Morgue

Morgan's been waiting for his birthday present for a while. More usually heard but not seen on The Morgue Show - Death metal and more....http://valleradio.eu/presenters_on_valle_radio.htm he finally got in the air along with a few others on sunday at Collado Garcia, Los Filabres.
Here he is looking mildly amused (bemused/in denial?), waiting at take off, in the air and finally a bit more relaxed with a beer and Brekky and Katie....

La primavera en Saliente

Back on the mountain after a few weeks away to find sunshine and wild flowers have taken over....... almost tempting to stay in the hammock instead of heading for take off.......

Oxford outing

A long awaited visit from friends from Oxford, Liz, Pete, Alex and Helen..first day activity was to get Helen in the air -here she is being briefed, with brother Alex, relaxed (nail biting?) spectators and running with conviction for the edge of Saliente mountain.

Years ago Trudy sung in bands with both Pete and Liz - check out their more recent musical dalliances http://www.blue-kite.org.uk and http://www.myspace.com/moietyoxford