Week 3 Day 5 - Friday 21 November | |
At last I've got the Soaring Spot links all working so from now on expect a regular update of flying news at New Tempe together with flight logs and photos, plus whatever social activities can be reported without damaging reputations.
And after nineteen days of cross-country flying finally a rest day! A huge thunderstorm started just as we were preparing to tow out the ASH25 and there was just enough time to get under cover before the heavens opened. Pea-sized hailstones on the hangar roof blocked any conversation for five minutes but surprisingly the mains electricity held up, despite multiple lightning strikes in the local area.
New Tempe Airfield is just WNW of Bloemfontein International Airport (BLM on the satrad image) and in the most intense storm area.
The more stalwart ventured into the torrential rain to check tents and batten down all hatches, protected by a combination of dustbin liner rain capes and Pick 'n' Pay supermarket bag galoshes. Lake New Tempe has been restored - at least until tomorrow morning as standing water drains into the parched earth quickly. The farmers will be happy, the pilots have a rest day and can enjoy this evening's Bloem Afrikaans cultural entertainment (of which more tomorrow).
Six more pilots arrive in the next 48 hours so activity is increasing ... hope the weather improves to suit.
| | author: Iain Baker 21/11 |
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