Swindon (aka Roundabout Town)
When I heard that I would be attending a course for my work in London, I immediately started finding out which kite festivals would be on during the time that I would be there. Turned up that the closest one would be Swindon.
After “loosing” my purse and having had to buy new train tickets, I eventually arrived in Swindon, very worried that I might never see my passport, cell phone and wallet again! Sam Eaton and Garry Box came to pick me up at the station, so off we went, around and around and around a million roundabouts, more than I have ever seen in my life!
As we approached the airfield where the festival was held, we noticed the trademark White Horse Kite Fliers huge soft kite, this time a diver’s legs (black with yellow flippers). After a nice bacon sandwich, we ventured over to the flying ground…
An early morning (while it was still a bit overcast) picture showing the diver’s legs (probably about 30m long) and some other single-line kites at the festival.
Garry in his buggy gear (I wonder why we didn’t see him for most of the day?!) He was kind enough to show me how to buggy and I managed to go up and down a few times, seemingly at the speed of light (although everyone else passed me!)
Sam (who obviously likes the Celtic knot) flying one of his kites.
Children playing with a huge soft football. They played for hours on end, punching the ball and jumping up and down with it.
Natalie and Neil, even MORE people from #kites on IRC!
The prototype Outer Space from Benson Kites, with an amazing bridle by Andy Wardley. What a piece of work!!
Sam watching Andy Wardly demonstrate a trick launch of the prototype Outer Space.
Natalie after being hit on the head by Sam flying my Rev 1.5 SLE. Now we know the SLE can withstand hard hits!
Two Stranger Level 7’s doing their strange/weird/wacky stuff. I flew one and managed to keep it in the air for most of the time.
Andy “Trick Socks” Wardley doing some really cool tricks. He makes it look so easy to do the most amazing things with a kite.