Finally got round to the paragliding flight. Phoned Renzo to ask if he was going to the practice field Sunday morning: he obviously had no other students, wasn't enthusiastic and said "But you've done the training field already?". Yes, I replied, once, four months ago... "Well come round and we'll arrange for you to go off the top" (er, that's 700m down, BTW).
On the way up in the van Andrea, who's going to see me off Monte Nudo, asks: how many times in the training field. Once, I repeat: he shakes his head; there are lots of laughs in the van at the prospect of me getting it wrong... I don't add that 2 of the five TO's I screwed up. As we drive up I try and mentally rehearse everything (that I've clearly forgotten).
At TO, we lay out the glider, and check all the string. I clip in, Andrea helping (would have got it wrong otherwise, I've really got to practice it some more). Not much wind, but when it comes through a bit I run, four steps, look up, seems like the glider isn't fully above so I run again, hard, down the slope. Doesn't take off... tug a bit on the brakes, finally airborne and through a bush... but I'm flying.
Get up in the harness better (I pull up on both the lines) and then tug a bit on the right brake and turn towards the Brusciatta. On the way vario squeals a bit. I go on through, then over the ridge I'm still above the top so I 360 it in the weak thermal, climb. After getting dizzy going round too much left, I go right and do the same. Climb maybe 200m (didn't bother with the altimeter). Cross over to Sasso, more of the same, climb up, enjoy the sloowwwwnnnneessss, fly with the birds, feel the air. Climbed up to the top of Sasso TO, so from about 750m lowest to 1050m, ever done 1000ft climbs for your first PG flight? OK, I cheated, done it loads of times on a HG...
Not sure I like the harness slithering about all the time. Talk about jelly on a plate – jellyfish, the only name for them. I know that 1st hand, now. But the control/weight shift worked OK. Hands got cold (wrong gloves) after 45mins so I came down, Renzo talked me through big ears on the way, and I made a perfect landing (except very short). Actually began to enjoy whizzing it round in 360's. Renzo said "you've transitioned", like I'd seen the light and was now in some inner sanctum. I think he expects me to give up hang gliding now...
Piece of piss, really. And quite good fun. Just the sort of day a HG would have been too much hassle. Sold (as in my other car is a Porsche).
9:58:41 PM 
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