Chaps trip to Lanzarote January 2008 

Escaping the winter weather we headed out from Cornwall bright and early on the morning of Jan’y the 10^th  for Birmingham to fly out to the island of Lanzarote for a couple of weeks of fun in the sun. Mark and Wanda arrived at Illogan at some unearthly hour where we all piled into the Surf, Chris got picked up at “Hamburger Hill” where we found him waiting looking like a homeless person out side the garage. 

Trip up was uneventful  and after the normal “hassle” at the airport with booking the Paragliders on we were off leaving a wet and windy UK and arriving in a bright and sunny Lanzarote some four hours later. Having renegotiated with the car hire firm we all piled into an Opel Astra Estate which was to be our faithful workhorse for the next two weeks.

Arriving at the villa we found Andy and Helen who had flown out on an earlier flight already established  and very welcoming, Andy had already unpacked his Hang Glider and was chilling by the pool. A quick unpack and it was in for a swim with the water tempature being best described as warm if not almost overly warm.  Being the first night we ate out in the “Port” with everyone relaxing and getting to know each other.  Early night to catch up on missed sleep and we were ready for the next day.

Day1

Dawned bright and sunny with a fresh N/E breeze so after checking the weather and starting off the great “boiled egg” debate we decided to head north to check out the sites. A visit to Mala bottom landing field confirmed it was still breezy and a vist to the top confirmed just how breezy! Still good to introduce everyone to the site so that when they next turn up to fly it is all a bit more familiar. Back in the car and its off to Mirador visiting the bottom landing field first which had shrunk in size due some large concrete units that were being stored there but still plenty of space to land. Looking up we could see Paragliders flying so without wasting any time we headed up to launch. The track to launch is rough and long resulting in a couple of detours still we arrived unscathed to find conditions as good as they get. 

A quick check out flight by myself and demo’ top landing confirmed it was good, in fact very good and Mark wasted no time in getting his wing out. Within minutes he was off quickly gaining height before exploring the lift which seemed to go pretty much everywhere. Chris having never flown off a hill before was a little more cautious but after a good talk through the options went for it and did a super take off to join Mark in the air. With gentle sea thermals coming in they both had cracking flights of well over an hour before coming in and performing first class top landings. A short break and Mark elected to fly again with the idea of checking out the bottom landing field where we would pick him up. Taking off into even better lift he had a cracking flight eventually having to pull Big Ears and using other methods to get down to the Blf where we found him grinning hugely. All in all a cracking first day which set the standard, back to the villa via the supermarket, crack open some beers, swim in the pool then make a meal fit for something from steak, potatoes and peas.  Down load photos sociable evening with plenty of Bud’ and some ball spinning then off to bed ready for next day. 

 Day 2

 Wanda and Mark go for an early morning run, some 10-12 miles or so, and Come back full of entusiasm.  Head off to mala but again a little strong for our liking. Decide to head to Soo where we played ground handling and catapult firing which Chris seemed to excel at. Just after lunch we could see paragliders flying at Mirador so headed off to find very light conditions. Having watched a few less than ideal take offs we decided to head back via Mala where Mark and Chris both flew whilst Wanda perfected her ground handling. Picking the guys up after dark we headed home where our now courdon blue skills were put to the test with Omleetes a la floor. Another session of wrist wrenching spinning ball saw the evening out.

Day 3

Mark and Wanda go running again, have these guys limitless energy, me and Chris relax. Super morning so we head off up the local hill (10 minutes) of Mache,r after visiting the blf, where conditions are pleasant.Mark takes off into light ridge lift then proceeds to fly out and thermal up for a super flight. Wanda is off next and also gets into some nice lift before heading out to try out the bottom landing. Chris launches last just missing the thermals but has a nice flight down putting in a good landing on target.  As  its now miday and getting quite bouncy on the hill we drop by the villa for a swim a chill out a bit of Mallets Mallet whilst waiting for the wind to come on at Famara. Mid afternoon we head off to the middle launch at Famara where conditions are perfect.Marks doesn’t hang around and is off to enjoy a classic flight in gentle lift mixing it with a few other paragliders and the odd hanger. Chris and Wanda watch as Mark cruises up and down, the wind drops and neither of them fancy the light wind take off so quit while they are ahead and we watch as Mark the last one in the sky heads out to thenever ending landing field.

Another full day ended with a meal out then back to the villa for photo review and bed.

 Day 4 

More running…..bright and sunny and we have now got the egg timing sorted with perfect boiled eggs every time. We check out Mirador but it is too breezy and too North so we head to Famara lower where we meet up with John Welch and his party from Flight Culture. Looking good so we get the gliders out, wind picks up so we put them away pilot tries to launch with assistance gets dragged, not pretty so we decide to head to the lower lower launch where we can see other paragliders launching.

Perfect, gliders are launching and heading off on the classic ridge run including a group from Wessex who we get to know pretty well over the next week. Also met some Germans one of whom seemed like he would like to get to know us very well, bit worrying really. Chris and Wanda have a great day practicing ground work and doing low flights on the classic slope making huge progress. Mark entertains himself taking off low, climbing onto the main ridge, scooting around, slope landing taking off again and generally having a good time. “Awesome” was his comment at the end of the day, what more can you ask. Pack up at 18.30 as getting dark. Evening swim at 21.00 and late meal, Marks energy is running out as he falls asleep with a beer in his hand.

 Day5

Off early and another nice day. Met the Weseex boys at Mirador where the wind a bit strong and a bit north so entertained ourselves with a catapult comp which Kernow won convincingly. Dropped into the spectacular Mirador Café for coffe before heading off to the lower lower launch at Farmara for some ground work. Shock horror a bit of light rain came along but not for long, wind veered more north so nipped over to Soo where Wanda got in some more experience. Plenty of gliders soaring including the Wessex boys one of whom had an interesting time which involved him bouncing on his head , fortunately no major injury sustained.  Went to see the sea then took short cut home across desert, got lost, got dark, got more lost, had to be rescued by Wessex boys, damn.  Late home ate out. 

 Day 6 

They are still running and now even further, me and Chris chill. Check out Mala bit breezy, Mirador top ending so check out Orzola beach, perfect. After making sure it’s safe by letting the Germans then the Wessex boys go first I actually get in the air and have a super flight inside the Mirador “bubble” before landing by the car. Lent on the Wessex boys car and nearly pushed it into the sea as no brake on, these boys are nuts.  Early day so went to the Port to look around and had an all you can eat Chinese for 6.5 euro absolute bargain. 

Day7 

Up and away early to check out sites ut as looking a little breezy and Chris’s last day decided to do tour of the island. Wessex boys flew at Orzola in breezier conditions and one got outside of the “bubble” and wished he hadn’t. Had a good day seeing the sights before heading to the villa for a swim then dropping Chris at the Airport and picking up Kaz who was out for the second week. Straight back to the pool then out for a drink with Steve Sarah and Malcolm who were also joining us for the second week.

Day 8

Mark and Wanda get early morning weather report by running to top a Macher amongst other large hills and report smack on but breezy. Forecast is to drop so we head up after breakfast. No problem so Mark and Wanda fly both bottom landing as lift drops off. Nip down to pick them up and leave Wanda and Kaz in blf whilst taking Mark back up for another flight. Wind now to breezy as island heats up so head down again where the girls are doing some ground handling inspired the “Guru”.  Nip back to the villa (5 mins) for a swim and relax and to wait for the evening lull. Keep an eye on it from the pool then head back up as soon a signs are good. Wanda, Kaz and Mark all fly and I meet them in the blf then of to the marina for an ice cream, lookm at the boats and submarine.

 Day 9 

NO RUNNING!!! Up Macher first thing but windy and rough so decide to take a look at small coastal site at Playa Quamada. Very light on lower ridge, Wessex boys decide to walk to the top, looks a long way, off they go. Mark and myself wait till they are out of sight then get a lift to the top in a Landrover arriving 20 minutes before them much to there surprise. Still light at the top but flew down any way to meet girls who were sunbathing and swimming on the beach. Back to Villa for swim whist watching the Hang Gliders flying Macher, Hangers getting lower time for a look. Leave Mark and Wanda by the pool whilst Kaz and myself check it out. Arriving at the top just as Andy lands I get a go on his hanger for 15 minutes then land as noe Paraglideable. Nip down pick up the guys and back at the top in les than 20 minutes.  Mark, Wanda and Kaz all flew rounding off a lovely day. Cooked in and had entertaining eveniong of spoons, Mallets Mallet and photo/video watching.

 Day 10

Windy so went to the beaches at Papogoya which could be in Cornwall except it sunny and warm. Target practice with catapult resulted in a direct hit at over 100 meters by Steve, pretty impressive.  Dropped in at Playa Q on way back where Germans were flying the lower cliffs but as wind backing off the hill decided to give it a miss. Got message that flyable at Mala so shot off to get evening flight in by time arrived very light and off but flew down anyway. Late back so did the all you can eat again, yummy.

 Day11

Windy day forecast again so decided to do the sightseeing bit. Wanda suggested the “Green Caves” which proved an excellent choice giving us much amusement as well as a top surprise. Checked out Orzola beach where windsurfers were making the most of it before showing Kaz top launch where must have been blowing 40 mph. Dropped by Mirador Café again to show Kaz the amazing views and got some good video of extreme rotor.  Back to Villa via scenic route, brief stop then down to Playa Q but not on , back to villa. Message that flyable at Mala, off we go. Mark and the gals get two flights in each whilst I do the driving then home again to a luxury BBQ.

 Day 12

Wanda and Mark go off for a long run and come back with tales of a cracking hill which they think flyable. We have a relaxed start and head off to Playa Q where the Germans are flying on the low cliffs. Hangers are flying Macher reporting that its breezy and bouncy, one connects with the wave and tops out at 1600 above the top.  We head off to Mala where Kaz not feeling to ggod so Mark Wanda and myself get to fly with Mark making the best of it and further improving his thermalling skills. Wanda gets lost and is spotted walking up a mountain side just for the exercise! Head off to café for a coffe and keep an eye on the hill. Paragliders start to launch again so go back up to find the Flight Culture boys there launching from the corner. We decide to walk to the top takes  about 10 minutes. Kaz feeling better but Wanda feeling knackered (about time). Mark and Kaz fly have a good flight although gets quite busy at time , both do really well in the ridge and thermal lift.  Fish and Chips for tea! Or inMarks case it was more like a small dolphin and chips.

 Day 13

Up early as light winds forecast and straight up Mala but to windy.  Decide to check out M&W mountain which we walk up by what is quite possibly the longest hardest route possible, good site but a little to windy to fly so wonder down again. Met Guru and went to Playa Q but too far off for bottom launch and not willing to walk to top.back to villa for swim and to feed lizards. Kept eye on Macher from pool watching hangers flying, decide things easing off so head up hill about 16.00 ish. Get another flight on Andys Hanger as wind gets good for Para’s.  Mark and Kaz both fly and Wanda gets offered a Tandem flight by the Guru and enjoys a good hour before he flies off with her into the sunset. Fortunately everyone eventually meets in the blf at the end of what we expect to be our last day of flying as we fly home tomorrow.  Evening spent packing but leaving Paragliders till last……..

 Day 14 

Up early ish and its looking good, will it happen? Off up Macher and its spot on at 14mph Mark gets his wing out and is in the air within minutes to enjoy 3 flights in succession. The girls linger a bit and the clock is ticking as we need to be at the airport by 11.30. By the time they are sorted the wind is filling in so they decide not to risk it which is very sensible on the last day. Mark top lands and we pack up the wings for the last time and head to the airport. The trip home was not quite so uneventful as the trip up but we all arrived home safe and sound with huge smiles, plenty of flying experiences and plenty of suntan can’t be bad.

Any one for next year????

In fact since our return we have had several requests for another trip this year so we are heading back out on February the 14th for a week, if you fancy getting away from this weather and getting some fun in the sun call now as there are still a couple of places left.....