| Comments | :: | Took off at 11am when completely overcast. Gradually climbed out with a blue Mantra (Alex?) and pushed upwind towards the sunshine, taking a climb to 4000'. Completely overcast downwind, so drifted with it. Gradually lost height whilst the sky improved, but got a lowish save at 300' AGL back to an inversion at 3000'. After an hour trying to get higher, I followed a dark street and eventually got sucked through the inversion, followed by an average 1100fpm climb for 30 seconds, followed by big ears, speed bar, spiral dive and eventually a b-line stall to avoid the 4500' ceilng (by 22'). Had a "moment" releasing the stall too quickly, with the wing ending in front of me on the horizon, followed by more big ears, speed bar, b-line etc. Flew to the south of the restricted area to escape the lift to a landing near Reading. Quite content to be on the ground! |
