—You have an interesting selection of photos. I have a few photos of a friendly eagle who was kind enough to pose for his photo looking directly at the camera. —
Courtesy; Morgan Sandercock, Project Manager of the Perle Project . Thanks Morgan!
Alphen aan den Rijn Wednesday April 13 2011 ritzdeluy@hotmail.com
This time it feels different when I write the name Alphen aan den Rijn. The town has been unexpected world news and NOT because it is called ” the beautiful green heart ” , but because of this so unnecessary shooting on a sunny day at noon, when everybody likes to do the weekend-shopping. 7 People died including the 24 year old who hated the world. Tragic. His parents , who I happen to know, are lovely people , it is just unbelievable.
Heroes we have here in Alphen as well, as some helped others to escape. One hero did not survive her help!!! With over 100 shots it is amazing that not more people were killed.
Extra tragic is the death of a poet/journalist from Syria, who came to live here with his family, in a free country, to avoid the dangers in his own land.What can you do? He survived an attack in Syria decided to leave there as he was a peace- activist and came to live here in what he hoped a peaceful free part of the world…….He will be buried this afternoon.
As always life continues. So we continue as well. Italian club class pilots are still flying their Nationals and current World Champion Stefano Ghiorzo is in the lead after 2 days. Vittorio is on 2d place and young Davide at 3d, at this stage. Not too good weather over there. On day2 only 6 pilots finished.
It looks like Gianni is the competition director so here a nice picture from him made in Rieti.
The comps in Prievidza, look like a new possibility -to-win , for Sebastian Kawa. Still a few days to go but he won already the first 2 days! Also cancelled days over there, so not a lot happening at this stage. The weather looks like rain for today and tomorrow, BUT …then it is clearing , still with some showers but also with dry and sunnier conditions.
OLC then , more activities there! And for good weather yesterday we had to go to……the UK!!!! Dave Masson managed to fly a nice 766 km task in an LS 6!!! Great effort!!!
Sunday another 1000 km wave flight flown in Austria in an ASW 22BLE, best flight that day with 659 pilots taking the opportunity to share their flight with all of us.
And on Monday a duo discus flight was the best from Fayence in France, flying past Aosta in Italy and back;619 km.
From Rick in the USA I received the next good news for Blanik owners; THANKS Rick!!!
—Here is some news on the Blanik L13. There is a factory-approved
modification that is available for 6500 Euro, not including labor!
The modification is expected to receive EASA approval soon.—
http://www.aircraftdc.de/ENG/visionen_blanik.htm
That’s about it for this time. Tonight we , ” Holland helps Japan” with a concert and a soccer match between Ajax Amsterdam and a top club from Japan in the ARENA in Amsterdam. Hope it generates lots of money for the Red Cross in Japan.
Cheers Ritz