One Sky One World 2003

Hardwick Hall - 12th October 2003

As a change from the last two years there was some actually wind at Hardwick Hall for the One Sky One World event. The Sunday dawned with very little wind here in Sheffield, but as the day wore on more wind arrived, and so when I arrived at the field outside Hardwick Hall at 2:00pm there was plenty!

The wineglass field was already very busy with lots of the larger display kites, some delta's, traction kites and a fantastic Skydancer quad line kite which took both my eye and that of my wife. Leaving the family to go round the Hall gardens (well worth a visit by the way) I said my hellos to the other Sheffield Kite Flyers (who were doing the traction stuff) and found myself a quite spot for a bit of Revolution Flying.

Although the wind was gusty and did rise and fall over the course of the afternoon it was far better than our usual fare in Sheffield so I was in my element. Lot's of Revolution flying, changing over to fly the Deca after a while. I then noticed a Midland Kite Flyer chap flying a Skydancer near me with two very long tubular tails attached. I went to have a chat with him and admire the Skydancer - in the end he let me have a go - a very impressive kite to fly, especially with the tails. Something else on the quad line wish list (along with the Deca 15, the 'coming soon' Airbow, the Flame, and so on).

My playing with the dual line kites wasn't quite so successful - trying out tricks with the HQ Obsession ended (as usual) with the breaking of a wing tip (mental note to self: when trying to sort out a tip wrap on uneven ground do not pull hard...). The good thing was I could retrieve the broken bit form the ferrule. At least the Pyro is nearly indestructible in my hands.

The afternoon was rounded off with a spot of Raptor II flying - and my goodness that wind was strong at times - and putting away the kites. I also spotted someone else with a Synergy Deca so of course I had to say hello - never actually met another Deca owner in the year I have been flying it.

And that was One Sky One World 2003. A good days flying in a beautiful location and for a good cause.

Kites flown by me:

• Custom Revolution 1.5
• Custom Synergy Deca
• HQ Obsession
• New Tech Pyro
• Airea Raptor II