Skunks news page 4
Lawford
Well it was a bit confusing from the begining on this 'event' first of all I had read the e-mail from Cindy that it was going to be an event open to the public with tea and sandwiches and the farm shop available to the public,but then after news from the Essex kite flyers I understood it to be just a day out to test fly the field for the Essex group to see if it would be a good venue for their meets,and at the end of the e-mails that is what was in my mind for the lawford event at Poppy farm.
Bruce picked me up at nine thirty and we headed of to find Poppy farm at Lawford,the trip was quick and easy(as I was not driving) and we were soon pulling up at the farmhouse to be welcomed by Cindy's partner 
and son.Cindy's partner told us he didn't know much about what was happening only that he was told a while before a few kiters would be turning up,but I could put up the banners and stuff at the front of the garden near the road.Banner?? I looked confused and explained that I believed it was not a public event and that I had no flags,banners or anything else to advertise a 'kite festival' anyway we were soon shown round the back to the field and when we see the long grass Bruce and me looked at each other and both thought 'kiters nightmare' long grass will drive away even the most dedicated flyers as it tangles the lines and makes flying very hard.Cindy came along and offered us a cup of tea and welcomed us to Poppy farm she also asked if we could try and not walk on the longer grassed area (which was nearly most of the field) as it was being cut for hay later,after a quick chat me and Bruce set about testing the wind and where did the kites land ...yep in the long grass.
I gave up trying to fly the single lined stuff as the wind was very variable and light and kept landing them in the long grass,I set up the trusty rev 1 to fly and did have some fun landing on the out houses and letting the local children have a fly (with my help).Not long after other kiters started to roll in and we could see the horror on thier faces when seeing the field was uncut,Gareth and Kelly and John were not impressed with the venue and after a chat with me and Bruce decided to follow us to the Haven later (our local flying venue).As Bruce and myself left Cindy looked a bit surprised that we were leaving so early (around 12) I explained it was only a test fly and that cos the grass was long and the wind light we were heading to the coast for some better flying.
We headed back to our patch at the Haven and met up with Colin and Danny later being joined by Kelly,Gareth,John and Daz and loads of other families out enjoying some kites with the kids,from small kiddy kites to six metre power kites there was twice the amount of kites at the Haven than at Poppy farm.Kelly asked if we saw the sign at the front of Poppy farm as we left ...errr no what was it? it said farm shop and kite festival????Which I thought was a bit cheeky of Cindy to do as we ALL understood it to be just a test day for the Essex kiters to try out and not open to the public,I would not have minded if the venue was prepared properly for us,but it was not.Its a big enough field to have a 'small display' but festival is the wrong wording and I felt we were being used to get people in the place to buy from the farm shop and the tea and sandwich provided by Cindy...Nooooo for me thats not how I show my kites.
Back at the Haven we spent the afternoon having a great time with cool winds that did die off for a while
but soon come back,I helped out a family having trouble with a duel line kite and spent 30 mins or so showing him the basic's of two line flying,he was so pleased that I had walked over to offer my help and his boy see his dad fly the kite (briefly) I explained that the kite was cheap because its not a good kite and he intends to upgrade it soon,now knowing the basic kite things like larks heads,equal lines,setting the kite up and packing away.I love helping others out in trouble and seeing them smile as they fly the kite for the first time,in all it was a good day with lovely weather and people (except the scary clown,you mad fool lol ) as for Poppy farm well a lot of things would need to be sorted before I go back to fly.
Pictures from the Haven click HERE
Walton on the naze
The naze venue was arranged by Peter Smith and his wife Lyn,the event didn't start till 1pm so we had plenty of time to get things set,while Pete and the guys got the arena set up I helped the wife get the kite sales set up.Soon we was all finished with an hour to spare,an hour wondering if the wind would start to blow as it was coming in from the sea,usually the best way at the coast but the 'naze' has a big cliff where the land has eroded away and the arena was right at the top of the cliff making it hard to launch things.I decided to set up the turtles with Colins help and we had a play around with a new kite I just got.
X-KITES this is the brand name of the new kite I got and after seeing how good Colins dragon is I wanted the turtle kite for the sea theme.Colin and Bruce had already had a test fly in the week and loved it,didn't need any tweaking as far as I know and it has a very useful loop on its back so it hangs well from a pole,love this 3d (part inflatable part sparred) turtle and will be looking out on e-bay for the other 3d kites that X-KITES makes (sold at Costco shops).This turtle cost me £8.45 from e-bay and Colins dragon was under a tenna both fly real well and are big and colourful.
Back at the venue the naze wind was still not around and the clouds were turning darker I decided to use 
the time to look at the stalls around the 'Naze Summer Madness' and to climb the hundred and five steps up the tower,well worth the breathless lungs for the view.I could see Bruce and the other like ants on the field and thought it would be funny to throw my hat down to them forgetting my glasses was just above the brim,Yep over the side of the tower they dropped lucky for me by the time I got down the steep stairs a lady had handed them in to the cafe which is in the bottom of the tower,tea and coffee anyone.
Must say thanks for the free tea and burger from the organisers it went down real nice while hanging around for the wind,finally 3pm and the 81 lifter went up.Still very hard to get kites up out the bumpy wind low down but once above this it had a good pull ready for the food theme.With only two hours to go Pete and I rushed around putting up 
kites and windsocks,the hearts,guitar,food theme,dog and ball,and Martins flow delta and bee,yes Martin made a visit to the naze event,and it was real great to see that old grey haired todger again.Had the best times with Mike and Martin at the festivals over the years and will miss the people.
Belly dancers gave a wriggle around and the last couple of hours the kite den shop got nice and busy so Mike gets a bit of money on Monday(don't spend it on your boats put it towards the turtle order :).The net gazebo worked superb as the kite den kite shop,allowing you to see all around and hang the kites from the poles.By 4.15 the wind had blown in a storm,dark grey clouds loomed overhead and so ALL the martello flyers (see the profile page) helped to get things packed down and in the cars in the end leaving just Pete and Lynn to talk to the organiser about the kite show.
From the comments in the forum it seems the weather didn't stop the martello flyers from having a good day out at the naze and I for one thank Pete and Lynn for the invite to fly with them at the event.
Thanks Pam for helping Julie with the Stall.
Summer time at the Haven
Its unusual that a gathering of kiters get the chance to meet up on a Thursday but on the 2nd of July thats just what happened.I knew Colin had the day off and Bruce would be up there after his Thurday shopping trip,but the visit by Young Pete really made it a good kite day,the sky was full of items put up be Pete and myself while all the time Colin,Bruce,Nippa and Terry flew the revs,wind was perfect but the sun was burning down on our fases as the wind was heading into the sun.Through the day I didn't feel hot,well overhot but I was the joke at the end of the day when the wife said I looked like a lobster,laugh all you like it was worth it for the superb days flying with great mates.
While a number of the public came over to talked to us about the kites two ladies introduced themselves from the yacth club and said how wonderful the kites are and that its their regatte on the weekend of the 18th July (Sat/Sun) I explained that I couldn't do anything Saturday but could do the Sunday for her (with the other Martello flyers).For the other day I think Colin is going to fly the kiteden kites for them with Bruce so it should be great kite flying up the Haven on the regatte weekend.
More news from Colin is his two new kite bags from Lidl,made by Toy boyz the bag is ideal with two large zipped areas and a smaller side pocket,a great blue bag for many uses £14.99...Nippa say's 'I see em in the Range for £2.00 less'.
This weekend is the Long Melford weekend and the Haven will be quite with most of the Martello flyers going and it might be the next news on here.
Click here for todays pictures
Holland Haven
1....Flying area 2....Picnic area 3....Toilets 4.... Boat club 5....Car park
Holland Haven is our best local venue for our hobby of kite flying,its huge flying area is right on the coast so most days the wind is great,the grass is cut regular and other than the dog owners that don't clean up their dog mess its an ideal venue.Just down on the beach walkway is a cafe for snacks and hot and cold drinks with a superb view.The car parking price is a little expensive but a fiver for a superb days flying ain't that bad,and anyone from the Tendering area can get a yearly ticket for just £20 making it real value for money.
Although you get loads of kiters up on the Haven its rare to get power people up there (they seem to meet at Frinton)but down on the sea you will see the odd kite surfer or two.The most power stuff at the Haven is used for skudding and jumping and is alway well away from the single line kites.
On a good day(most often a Sunday) you will get 7+ revolution flyers as well as myself and Young pete putting on huge inflatable displays for the public to admire,and you do get lots of the public coming over to talk to us about the kites.Its a great place and if you want to come and fly there with us all then let the kite den know by way of the forum and I will give you all the details on when the next BIG meet is going to be,all are welcome.
New kites and windsocks 
I need some kite bucks...boo hoo hoo
David at Gombergs has released some new inflatables and I like them all,the newest is the frog and like Dave I loved it the first time I see it.Its designed by Bernard Dingworth (From Germany) and comes in any colour you like.As well as this great inflatable he has on his site a new lighthouse design and the new parrot (well not that new but I still need one). click HERE to go to Davids site
As well as these from David the guys at 'Colors in motion' have some new stuff as well and as you know I already am a fan of the turtles and have a theme growing for them,There is also a cow and some wierd looking windsocks(I think concected to sea creatures)and a jellyfish which I am testing out at the moment,if it works well with my sealife theme then more will be aquired. Click HERE for the site
