The Great Orme. The directions & the rules.

The Great Orme is a brilliant site for slope soaring but it must be treated with respect. There is supposed to be no power flying, but the odd bit of quiet flight power assist doesn't attract attention.
Just please don't spoil the place with whining Zagis or you'll spoil it for everyone.
Here's a brief look at the site.
Along the Marine Drive at Llandudno there is a cafe called the "Rest & be Thankful" ..... shortly after this there is a tank track on the left that leads to the car park.
Here's a view of the Tank track.


This shows the cliffs to the right that we slope off ....but this is looking the wrong way down the marine drive one way street. You can see that there is plenty of ground before the sea, so you don't have to worry about landing out at sea.


This is a brilliant site. please respect it.

Pol.

This shows an ariel view of the car park at the end of the tank track .... the red arrowes show the shortest routes to the best spots, but not necessarily the only spots available .... just the good ones .... red lines also show the cliff face edge & anywhere along here is a good flying point. .

The Orme has a road around its perimeter. This is "Marine Drive".
It's a one way system & a toll road ... I think it was £2.50 when I last went ..... probably about £250.00 now.
There is a back way onto it that joins the Marine Drive after the toll booth.... this does have a toll booth at the end, but it's the size of an outside toilet & often isn't manned during the winter months.
If you try to get to the flying site, you must not miss that tank track or you'll have to complete the entire circular route around the one way system & possibly pay the toll again.
I didn't suggest reversing slowly down the one way system.
The thing to look out for is a Cafe called the "Rest & be Thankfull".... it's on the right & shortly after this you'll see the tank track on your left.
Remember this is the countryside, as you are driving down Marine drive you'll see mountain rocks & falling goats ....... think I've got that right.
These goats aren't vicious & are very tasty...... if there's any left after Timbo's BBQ

Please don't bring fragile models, you'll be landing in goat muck & bracken..... plays merry hell with Solarfilm.
There's no bogs at the top, be prepared to rough it or do a long walk to the cafe....... Mikey admin had to have one there on his first visit, I just hope those leaves have decomposed by now.
Sarah is a nurse & is selling black market catheters & bags if anyone is interested..... (fitting extra!)
I'm hoping Timbo (Tim Mackey) from RCM&E will join us on our first meet there. I've e-mailed him & all being well, he's game for it. Had a few good sessions with Tim & it would be great to meet up again.
He introduced me to the Orme & lives just down the road. ..... Went to his house after one session & got the gift of a fly by off the Red Arrows.
If you look at the XC wind map here, you may get a 7 day forecast.
www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/llandudno
Alternatively, you can use the site's weather link, but Mike's still working on that.
If the wind map says 25MPH ..... then expect 50MPH at the top.... it's a rough guide, but just double what they say.

One misconception a lot of people have is that they'll be flying over the sea & "landing out" could be a problem .... trust me please, this is not a problem.
There's a lot of ground before you hit the sea, but if you're poor at flying, you may have a long walk .... I've done it.
If you decide to go, check on google or maybe with the Welsh Tourist board first, that there are no special events running.
Our first visit was scuppered when we got there because of a vintage car rally.... Our second visit almost scuppered because the Marine drive was closed for a film shoot ..... we managed to blag our way past because we told them we had an international meeting & people had come from all over the world ..... It was the PSSA meeting ..... (Close enough)
Here's a website you may wish to view if you're considering a visit.
www.greatorme.org.uk/marinedrive.html

From what Ive read Sarah will be walking a lot haha

The Beard wrote: From what Ive read Sarah will be walking a lot haha

Nah, she'll be on a buddy lead. .... I wonder if she'll twig when I hand her the master & tell her I need a pee? ..... I'll go back to the car for a warm & a coffee ... she'll have to learn to fly then.

Or you will have to start building.

Tea please, no sugar ta and dont forget the jammydodgers!! Just dont pee down wind of me and look the other way when I need to find a bush for meself!!

Or you will have to start building

ohhhhhhhhh ye of little faith

The wind has changed on that site again!!!!!

willowlea wrote: Just dont pee down wind of me

Want me to pee upwind & give you a spray job?

Ok, ok, dont stand UP WIND of me then! lol

Where will I be looking? I am a lady! I shall divert my eyes or cover them up demurely - whilst later on sell the pictures (With free magnifying glass ) on ebay! Doesn't bother me lol, have seen worse sights in my lifetime!!

The wind is North on Sunday!!!!!!!!!

The wind is North on Sunday!!!!!!!!!

The wind is North on Sunday!!!!!!!!!

THE WIND IS NORTH ON SUNDAY!!!!


re edit, awwwww shucks, there is an Orme in france- wrong one!!

Eric wrote: Promised to go and re-mend someone's computer on Sunday! (Once they get past the on/off switch, they panic and push everything in sight, and wonder why the thing has a fit and goes bonkers).



BonkERS, not bonkING, Pol!

Its the wrong Orme however, next saturday/sunday is showing better conditions