From: Steve Kittel Subject: Getting near the end Date: 9 August 2004 07:04 AM To: newton@atdot.dotat.org
I finally got my flight in a Wilga, I convinced Freda to take me over Bautzen so I could photograph the old part of town. Mathias and Gunnar came along in the back seat as well. After we got back we continued to pack up Swaantjes camp, which we had come to call Aussie Base. A caravan with an annex, a small mobile home, the van called bussy (boosy) and tents for each of me, Ralf, Mathias and Gunnar. It actually had grown quite big over the competition period.
Keith and the two Lisas arrive to take their farewells and we get a last group photo. The team all gather in front of Sierra Poppas trailer and Ralf, loaded down with cameras, takes the shots for us. Next to go is Ralf who is off to Braunsweig to get his place ready for us to stay tonight. He is followed by Mat and Gunnar. Many of the other campers have gone too and the place is beginning to look empty.
Most of the camp is down now and Swaantje suggests that we take a little time off and go into Bautzen and get lunch. This seems a good idea so four of us crowd into the Passat (Sabine wants to stay and keep packing). We head up to the club house where we see Benno. Benno is planning to fly out in his ASH 25 so we pick him up intending to drop him at the takeoff point where the glider is already waiting. As he gets out of the car I make a flippant remark which I don't even remember but it leads to Benno offering to take me as well!
We quickly unpack the wing covers and stuff from the back seat and grab a parachute from Helge's LS1. I pack myself in and get comfortable. I don't know where we are going, I think there are trailers to be picked up and the ASH to be derigged at the other end, but I am not sure.
The Wilga pulls us off the ground and I am fascinated by the bending of the wings, they really do flap about quite a lot. We get off tow at the normal 600m and start thermalling away. I look down and see Klix spread out below me, a large grass airfield which was the whole of the world. Well, in the last fortnight it seemed like it to us. The gable markers have been replaced to delineate the power strip on the field. The T marker indicates the gliders runway is to the north of the power one. I can see the Bocian below waiting for a Saturday afternoon instructional tow. I notice the grass which was under the trailers and caravans is a bright green, just as it was when we arrived. Ten days of German summer and competition have burnt it a noticable shade browner, like many of the people who were here. It's still green by Australian standards though.
We have met some old friends and made some new, but this time is now over. Benno sets out past the familiar power station at Boxberg. I don't really know where we are headed for, just a name on a map. I don't know who I will meet, maybe some surprises with people I know but didn't expect, maybe more new friends.
I have left Klix.