Just about bordering on odd, I see things through different eyes.The heading says it all - I live, I love, I craft, I am me...

11/10/2020

Flying high



We were making our way home - via a very long way round - after a magical couple of days out.  We'd followed yet another narrow track over the moors, where sheep were brazen and hills were huge. We bumped along the road, round the sheep and the potholes. Stopping occasionally to gaze at the amazing views.
We finally reached the col and decided to pull over and just appreciate the expansive vista.  We were not the only van up there, a small white one was parked closer to the edge and a third one was attempting to drive (rather unsuccessfully) through the mud.
The small white van produced a solitary bloke and his paraglider. Himself stuck the kettle on and we sat watching (in the warmth of the van and out of the brittle-cold wind) as we drank tea and munched chocolate digestives.

With a stride or two the red wing inflated and the bloke stepped into his speed-bag (the cocoon they sit in) and just lifted up and out into the void. It was amazing watching him free flying beneath the fabric wing.

It was magical watching him drift to and fro in front of us. Although he was not much higher than where we were parked, where he was flying he was above an amazing drop down to the valley below.




Then, just as our brews finished, he drifted back to the hill edge and landed. With a bit of tidy up of his equipment, he'd put it all away. I felt I had to go and chat to him - he'd provided a lovely 'show' for us whilst we sat in the safety in our van. So, with a nod to the advisory safe distance apart I thanked him for entertaining us and mentioned I had taken a fair few photos and would he like me to email them - so we swapped email addresses and I suspect if the wind was not so cutting we would have spoken longer.

That night, once home, I emailed a few of the better photos and almost immediately he replied, thanking me and to say that wing was new to him and he was giving it a trial. We continued our conversation we'd started through gritted teeth and chilly breeze whilst we were on our way home.  He told me that the uk record for a glider flight is 305km and the world distance record is over 600km! 

It is amazing who you meet and what you find out despite these times. It is good to reach out (in safety of course) and try and keep those links with folk as we did before :)

 And the van struggling with the mud? It took several attempts, reversing, rushing forward and squelching through the puddles and making it worse. Some people just don't think or even consider what they doing and how it damaging it can be....

19 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos! It must be exhilarating floating above the world like that - I’d be terrified but at the same time strangely tempted!!

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    1. Same here, I would love to have tried but eeek! I knew what a HUGE drop there was off that edge and just the thought of launching myself out into that void *shudder*!!

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  2. What a lovely surprise show! The things that happen when you take the road less traveled and stop to enjoy the view. Thanks for sharing your photos with us.

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    1. I agree, slowing down and just taking in the view can bring a lot of joy😊

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  3. Breathtaking vistas, even with your feet on the ground!

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    1. It was was staggeringly beautiful up there :)

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  4. Great to see and photograph but I'll not be going for a ride, not even tandem!

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    1. I would love to do it - but eek - that first step off the edge would really push my bravery to the absolute limits!

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  5. Hello Kate, I've just popped over to take a look at your blog. Wow, that Paraglider's got some balls! Amazing view. Your previous post looks like it is around where 'Our Yorkshire Farm' is filmed - one of my family's favourite TV programes. The landscape is just stunning! Lulu x

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    1. As the crow flies it is not that far from were we camping, so yes, not surprised you recognised the location :) thank you for commenting and visiting my blog :D

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  6. OH MY GOODNESS ME! I would never ever ever jump off a cliff edge like that! My stomach is turning knots at the thought! I just had a very quick flick through your art page for November - beautiful pencil drawings on there. Thank you for popping by my little bit of the internet!

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    1. Aww thank you - I've not drawn much recently - should get back to it, thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog x

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  7. That's one brave man. And one great show! I was hoping you would say that you would send him the photos. :)

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    1. Thank you😊 if felt right doing so as he'd put on such a show it seemed only right he got his pictures x

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  8. What a surprising & enjoyable afternoon. Thanks for the great photos & still speaking to people through our masks & safe distancing keeps us human & I'm sure helps with our sanity. I'm not brave enough to fly through the air, but certainly admire those who have the guts. Take care, stay safe & huggles.

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    1. Thank you, yes chatting to folk certainly helps keep things as normal as possible x

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  9. What a lovely post. Reading how you made contact and sent the photographs just finished off a perfect day. Thanks for sharing. 🦅🚐 xx

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    1. Thank you, It was just another lovely part of a really good adventure, nice bloke too😊

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  10. This is a great post with awesome photos. The Paraglider must be really pleased you sent him the photos. Isn't it curious how these things happen! It must have been quite breathtaking. Lucky you!! Keep well Amanda x

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