19) Sjøvegan in the Sunshine

Talk about lucky. Since we got here, there have only been wispy clouds and 24 hour sun. Yesterday, saturday, was spent at the Salangen Seilflyklubb, Elvesness airfield. This was my goal for the summer, eased by starting from Ålesund instead of Åsgårdstrand, and I sure am pleased to be here. AND I got a ride in a sailplane. Jeay!

Salangen Seilflyklubb is a small group of enthusiaster, 12 present yesterday. The club owns one two seater, a “Blanik”, and two single seaters, and a few other single seaters privately owned.

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The grass airstrip lies 6Km as the crow flies east of Sjøvegan, beside an idyllic lake at the west end of the runway. (Don’t undershoot on landing). The club rents the end of several enormous hangars, relics of byegone days of official activity. The very first activity here, and only the second aircraft activity in Norway is commemorated in this monument. Note the aircraft, a Bleriot no less! That dates it.

The club is run very much on a cooperative basis, and the headquarters are simpe, but effective. This was the first day of activity this season, so there was lots to do. All qualified pilots had to have a confirmatory two-seater flight, before the pupils, three, before me, so I came at the end of a long day, when the air had largely settled. Magic, as always, at the feeling at take-off, after a rushing, bouncing ride when suddenly all is smooth. Towed up to 600 meters, back over Sjøvegan, where I could see my tiny toy boat, and then calm. What a sight! Green valleys, with snaking rivers, dotted farms, dark woods lying up the sides of snow-capped mountains. My P1 let me have a bit of a stir, but when we did hit the hint of thermic lift, he took over and tried. We didn’t really climb, but just reduced sink a bit.

Didn’t take any pics from the air. Had decided to concentrate on the fact that I was flying again. Pics on next flight. The chairman, Bjørn, who very kindly picked me up and drove me home, he’s beside the monument, (6 Km turned out to be 13 on the road, so I gave up on the intention to bicycle), says I am very welcome to stay as long as I like and have as many flights as there is space for. What an offer! So I shall remain for a few days, since the forecast is for continued fine weather. Fantastic!

Today sunday, activity starts after church time (there is an active chapel at the other end of the runway), so maybe I won’t get a flight today. I shall concentrate on my task, which has been to collect the tow rope after it has been dropped. Lots of walking on fairly bumpy grass, makes for very good knee-therapy. Take more to drink with me today!

Alls very well!