12 February 2016

Paragliders

This may sound a little crazy but frequently I drive up onto the nearby moors simply to read. I find a quiet place and sit in my car without distraction - totally focussed upon the book. Daylight helps to illuminate my pages.

And so it was on Thursday afternoon. Sitting right on the border between Derbyshire and Yorkshire, I absorbed two long chapters and then looked out across Burbage Moor. In the distance I noticed the unmistakable shapes of tiny paragliders, hovering about Stanage Edge, making use of rising air currents. Actually, they weren't tiny at all - that was just the perspective. They appeared like little may flies.

It was a reminder of the summer of 2008 when Shirley and I paraglided over the lagoon at Olu Deniz in Turkey. We were strapped to experts and lived to tell the tale. See this old post. For us it was literally a once in a lifetime experience but for others it is a mad passion that they revisit at every opportunity - even a cold February day. It's an adrenalin addiction.

Two chapters were quite enough so as that bright afternoon advanced towards evening, I decided to drive onwards to Stanage, hoping to snap some photographs of those daredevil paragliders. In total, I took sixty one pictures in twenty minutes, hoping that a few of them might turn out okay.

26 comments:

  1. Fantastic photographs. Such a clear sky too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have taken the liberty of booking a tandem paragliding experience for you Mrs Weaver. Remember to wear your thermals. Friday 13th of May 1300hrs at Stanage Edge.

      Delete
  2. I love that first photo
    Very james bond

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You mean the one with the green chute? I love the flier's pose - all set for lift off.

      Delete
  3. Great pictures, Yorkie. Beautifully captured.

    Just around the corner from where I live here on Tamborine Mountain is the take-off area for hang-gliders/para-gliders (see site below - it shows the area and other attractions this area here on the hill has to offer). I pass it every time I go to do my shopping. Those who partake in the adventurous fun gather there a few days each week with their equipment packed on their vehicles. I imagine they have a similar type of vehicle waiting somewhere down below.

    It must be such a thrill, and an exhilarating thing to do, but I freely admit, I'd not be brave enough to do it! One time years ago I almost went up in a glider, but the pilot decided the dusk was descending too rapidly and pulled the plug on that plan. And I never got another opportunity to do it.

    http://www.discovertamborine.com.au/hang-gliders-tamborine-mountain/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well that's a shame that you never got to fly like a bird Lee but remained earthbound like an emu. Please don't misunderstand me - I am not saying that you look like an emu. I went to the link but I shall not be phoning Ken Hill any time soon.

      Delete
    2. I'm probably more an old hen, Yorkie! ;)

      I used to love flying in the sea planes, though, when I was managing the resort on Hinchinbrook Island.

      Delete
  4. Awesome photos. These fliers have some very colorful gear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess you like the Red chutes best Red!

      Delete
  5. Great photos. I am fascinated by hang gliders and can watch them for hours.
    Best pic - the angled red glider...

    Ms Soup

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes in that picture you sense the pull of the wind don't you Alphie. They move so naturally and do not pump out engine fumes.

      Delete
  6. These are very good. It's something I've never done but always been drawn to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You would love it Adrian but in this Health and Safety Nation I am not sure if it is possible for paragliders to sell tandem tickets to customers.

      Delete
  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful photographs! I love the idea of hang gliding but would probably be too scared to actually try it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Drink a few whisky sours before you go up Jennifer!

      Delete
    2. Yeah, great idea. Then I could poop myself AND throw up! Good times!

      Delete
    3. ...and don't forget to wear your brown trousers Jennifer !

      Delete
  9. Great pictures! I'd like to give it a try one day, but am not so keen as to actively do something about the idea. It must be wonderful to see that landscape from the perspective of a glider.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To see the world from the perspective of a bird - with no engine sounds - just the sound of the air rushing by. It is a magical experience Meike.

      Delete
  10. Your photography skills are quite impressive YP. I also think reading in the car would be fabulous....although I have never driven to the moors to do it, quite often when I have arrived at home or somewhere else, and I'm warm and comfortable in the car, I quite often think how nice it would be to sit in the park or somewhere, with a flask of tea, and stay in the car with a book for a while.......it must be an old persons thing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not an old person thing but a rough-tough-testosterone-fuelled man thing Libby!

      Delete
  11. Lovely pics YP, and what a beautiful day for soaring like a bird. Have never tried this (too old now) but enjoyed a hot air balloon ride some years ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well that's something I have never done. It would be lovely to drift over the African plains in a hot air balloon's basket looking down on the creatures and the landscape below...

      Delete
  12. Hmm. I am a stick-in-the-mud. Or, in this scenario, a stick-to-the-earth! Never had a desire to fly, hang-glide, hot air balloon or anything of the sort. A mad gallop on a horse is about as daring as I've ever been or care to be. Your pictures are fascinating, of course.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Apart from my love of paragliding your post reminded me that I used to drive out into Wales and the Lake District and find a stream and just sit and read. It was a very long time ago though.

    ReplyDelete

Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

Most Visits