Kite stakes for all

       I wanted to make something for my kiting friends for christmas and decided to make each of them a personal kite stake,the only thing is they have already got them.Still better to get the use now then later,lol.I try and make each stake to suit the person it is for and here is the kite stake that kiters have already had and I will add the other as I make them.....

Got a great e-mail from Colin today

   Recieved a e-mail from Colin today that I have been waiting for some time...my new kite from Doo doo kites in China had arrived but what was even more funny was the way Colin told me...

 O.S.O.W means in the kite world 'One sky one world' and its a day in the year that all kite flyers from all over the world make a effort to fly on that day,this is meant to bring peace and harmony on our earth,most clubs make it an event and collect for good causes of their choice.

  I had arranged our first o.s.o.w at our local flying venue Holland Haven and wanted to make it the best I could and let all the Martello flyers know of the plans for the day,my biggest collector/flyer young Pete could not make it as he had to support his club the S.K.F and I agree that he should have done this,but it did mean a big loss to us as he has bags and bags of wonderful kites.I made it a friendly contest between the Martello flyers and the S.KF as at 3pm all the kites in the air get counted and recorded,and expected the S.K.F to beat our figure by miles...LOL

  The day had come and my lounge was ready with all my kite cases packed with kites chosen for the day,I checked the weather report which gave a cloudy morning brighten up with the chance of showers later in the afternoon...I looked out the window and it was drizzling with rain,mmmm not good.I said I would be at the venue by 10am and so packed up the car with the cases and headed off with my window wipers on.As I drove up to the Haven I was not expecting to see anyone there but blow me there was already a small gathering of shelters and flyers hovering around on the field.As I was greeted the first thing talked about was the weather but I said it would clear later(HA) I wheeled case after case up into the field and got the help from Darren to get as many sleds,foils and lifters in the air ready for the weather to get better,after a few tangles we had found the right spacing for the kites but the wind was horrible and making it all very hard to get them to stay where I wanted them.After the lifters were settled I had a sandwich and chatted with the other flyers,all the Martello flyers had arrived and so I called out some names to join me so I could give them their kite stakes that I am making each flyer of the group,Bruce,Danny,Simon,Pete was getting theirs today and Darren changed his frog for the 'b-series' one as he liked it so much.All were very thankful for the gift and Pete is still thanking me for his 'Posh Pete' peg :)

Two new quads came out of bags one was Pete's new hand made vented b-series for his son Simon for those higher wind days and the other which you would see from a mile away was the bright PINK quad made by Stuart for DEE,both kites got Bruces pass for being great well built kites with good flying ability,This from our Bruce is like a gold star as he is very honest with his opinions on home made kites.Dee looked pretty in pink with her kite and kite stake and I think I see Bruce later hand her a nice set of handles for her own,she was well pleased with everything and has brought that girly touch to the group on the field in her own PINK way.

Courtney (hope thats spelt right) had some nice single lines with him and Ernie also made the quad section different by having a speed series and his new Albatross as well,this quad I had wanted to see for a while as it is one design from the china quads that I like and it could be easy vented on the design,very nice Ernie.There were loads of other flyers kites that I like on the day but I would be here all day writeing them all down,but YOU ALL DONE GREAT and I am so pleased you chose to join the Martello flyers on this memorable day.We were not expecting to see you all today and in a way I was glad your venue was not up to scratch for flying and you joined us.

    Well as time went on the weather was getting no better and I thought well what the heck we are here and so lets do it,I threw Colin and Margaret the banner to set up for me and then later the turtle theme,while this was going on the quad flyers were having fun setting up and flying their kites.Harry and Danielle set out the bouncing bear heads for me,and Darren helped get some stuff on the lifter lines.It was all starting to add up and after the kite arch and kite train went up which is 38 kites on there own the count was reaching over 50....By 12 noon I see more flyers with bags heading our way and it was the folks from the Essex kite flyers club,more shelters went up and a lot more kites..Jade and his uncle Terry with a friend came along too so it was a nice gathering of flyers from across Essex.

  Gareth brought me over a huge clip  as promised and I cant wait to use it to bring down my sled 81 later(that never happened) I wanted to get a group photo but things turned bad for me after the 3pm count and I didn't get the chance to do it.The weather was the same until the count very grey and spitting now and again no sign of the sun at all and yes dead on time at 3pm the drizzle got heavier.Danielle did the count and we got up 116-118 items on the deadline of 3pm and 16 of them were quads our most to date so far.As the rain drizzled down I had thought I would get some of my stuff down and in its cases and with the help from Danielle and Harry we started to pack away some stuff.

   This is the point of the day it become very expensive for me because as I was getting down the stuff and was walking back to the cases I looked up and could not see my sled 81 and as I got to the shelter area Margaret told me it had broke free and everyone was down on the sea wall trying to get it.F#*> I headed off to the seaside to see most of the group looking at the water and in it was Danny wading out into the sea,(not a good idea)by the time I got to them and asked where the sled was I knew it was going to be a gonna,Danny come back in as it was freezing in the water and then next thing I knew Stuart was in his pants wading out he too had to return cos of the freezing water,both were very brave but very silly to enter into the cold sea just for my kite,yes I would have been really grateful for the sled back but not at the cost of someones life.So please if it happens again leave it to me to take the risks as I couldn't bare the thought of living with a death of a dear friend,it could happen so easy.

   While we all were trying to think of a way to get the sled things were no better on the field as another one of my lifters with the gecko on it pulled free from its anchor and rolled into all the flyers revs staked out on the field poor Margaret was trying to untangle the mess up there oblivious to us all down on the sea wall,it had got to be my worse day for loss and damages to my kites,and I put it down to the strange winds on the day.One minute down to 5mph then up in the high 10's it was so variable.Every one was kind about the sled and Bruce said to come back at 9pm when the tide goes out enough to see if the sled had caught on the water breakers,but by nine that night I could not face going out in the dark looking for it and if it was there getting it out the mud and water in the freezing cold...its just a kite and can be replaced.

  So other than all my problems of the day it was a superb meet for our O.S.O.W and I was pleased with the turnout and kites that was up,the people were great the weather was shit and to top it all at 4.30 as I was all ready to go home...yes the clouds cleared and blue skies and sunshine,sometimes I wish I could kick the weather god up the arse..LOL.

  Thank you EVERYONE for today and see you all again on the quad day with the Martello flyers.

Martello flyers quad day 09 

    The day had come,Sunday 25th October and the arranged quad flying day myself and the Martello flyers had arranged was about to happen.In the week the weather looked like the plans would have to be cancelled but by thursday the reports got better and even less wind than the said 30+....looking out the window at eight am the sun was out and blue skies,the wind was blowing quite hard at around 20+ but that was no issue.

  I packed everything into the car and headed out to the Haven and arrived there at 8.58 thinking that l will have time to get the gazebo up before the others arrived.The gate was shut...so I parked up and waited not realising that John was in the car just near me,sorry John wasn't being a rude kiter just a blind one...wasn't long before more and more cars rolled in getting the day ticket and then seeing the chain still on the gate,it got to 9.15 and I had had enough waiting for the council gate opener to arrive and told the others I was going up the gated route the other way and would park later,I got to the layby and parked unloading the car and started to get this in order for the day ahead.

  A funny thing had happened earlier to me and that was when the wife went up the shop before I packed the car she came back with a birthday balloon that she found in a bush...uncanny considering the day ahead...that was packed in the car with all my other stuff,and I had told the awaiting flyers about it before driving up to the layby,as I opened the boot to get the stuff out the balloon went flying out the front window and headed off skywards...I could hear the sniggers from behind ..lol

  The wind was blowing  and the gazebo was a struggle to erect even with all hands helping but in the end we had it staked down and it held firm throughout the days events,banners and flag poles were going up all around and more and more shelters making a big camp area it all looked very good at the end with the kiteden banner saying what the day was about. 'Martello flyers quad day 09'.I had asked that no single lines be put up on the day and soon I see a delta flying near the camp,bit my lip and thought ok,but it wasn't up all day I dont know if the wind was to strong or someone mentioned it to the owner about todays plans,anyway it was a nice delta and like I always say anyone can fly anything when they like,all we do is try and keep things safe on the field.

   By ten everyone was there and my count for the day from the group photo was 31+ heads and on the fields 24 quads it was an amazing turnout and sight to see at the Haven and throughout the day Bruce,Jade,Colin and others gave out their experience of quad flying to others that wanted it,I gave kiters the chance of flying my rev 2 ,sky dancer,and I had the chance to fly the 'Airbow'that Jade had set up.New kites made by flyers come out the bags with Old petes new b-series as well as Stuarts small black stacker that got the name 'the bat' cos it was fast and scatty..but gave all flyers a great laugh throughout the day.

  Mike from Kiteworld turned up with Marks order and Mark was pleased with the result he got from Mike for the stuff,Colin brought me my new 'EL-WIRE' ready for L.U.TS in a couple of weeks time and Stuart seemed to like it alot and no doubt will be getting some in the near future.Gareth gave me my figure 8 clip that I had asked him to get me,but the Best thing new on the day must be the new tent shelters that Gareth and Mark brought with them.I have decided that all the new Gizmo's and gadgets that we find and use in the kite world will go up on the page 'links' and those who have experienced the use of them,so keep an eye out on the page for things we use and where to get them.

   The morning went fine with kiters chatting,flying and learning new things from others,and soon I was getting reminded that we were opening the buffet at 12.30 and it was 12.40,thanks for the heads up for calling time on the field.EVERYONE did brilliant in bringing something for the table and the cake that Darrens daughter(Paige?) made was superb and everyone took a peice home with them,for me the favourite was the fruit cake made by Marks mum,if only my mum could make cakes like that mmmm....everyone had platefuls of food cold and hot drinks and was enjoying the break off the field,and after giving the group time to devour the feast I had some things organized before the kiters headed back to the field of quads.

  First was to get the group photo while everyone was in one spot(the food break made this much easier)after the usual camera problems I give myself I got the timer working on the camera and got that all important snap of the day,and gave Gareth's camera some great shots of me on the way back to my camera lol.....Next was a thing that myself and Bruce had talked about and that was to give Mark and his family (Harry,Danielle and Chloe) an Albatross quad for him and his family,Why,well I for one like this family a lot it shows me that there are still nice families out there that have morals and manners I dont know Marks ins and outs on his life but I do know that in these times it must be hard to bring up a family of three as a single parent and he shows us all that it can be done and have a lovely family,I hope Mark understands that this gesture by the Martello flyers is not charity but us doing things for others that deserve it and warrant it within our kiting friends.I had the Albatross sitting there being unflown and it needed a good home and now has one,Harry,Chloe and Danielle can now stop asking for dads kite and fly their own shared one.

  Another fun moment was Carol's birthday,yes Dannys mum had reached that great age 50 and  I wasn't going to let her just get away with a day chatting to the other women about life,I called her out and told her the kids had something for her as it was her birthday and with silly string cans in hand Danny,Chloe,Harry and Danielle pushed down the buttons and covered Carol with spray string it was a surprise to everyone as the string kept coming and coming and it was everywhere,I helped try to get the string out of her fur hood but it was quite hard to do,I have had conformation that Carol got all the string cleaned off at home and no damage was done except to her pride ..lol (you got off light missy).

Talking of silly string we had some on the field as well after Harry joined in the group fly LOL

  So after all this fun it was time to get back on the quads for more flying fun and frolics and throughout the afternoon thats just what was being had,the sun was still shining although a few black clouds were rolling in from afar,kiters were trying different quads and talking about the lack of Revolution improvements and trying to get out a fairer deal on the market,but instead all that is coming is an embroidered badge on the bags..woopie doo, opps and the Zen which I doubt we can afford.Lucky for us the China outlet has something in the pipeline for us to look at later.

  As I was going round the field talking and helping others Colin came up to me and handed me a wallet for a minute I thought it had been dropped by someone and wanted me to find out whos it was but no..he explained that the Martello gang had a whip round for me for my loss of my sled 81 a couple of weeks before gulp feeling a little choked up I said my thanks and now wish to THANK YOU ALL for this very very nice gift (see Mark its not just you their nice too) If the wife don't get her hands on it I will get a new 81 as its the best lifter I had in my kite bags,shame Kiteworld has none in stock yet.

  The day was coming to an end and as I started to sort out getting things packed away,again my new little helper 'Harry' helped me,we got down the banners,flags and other bits this time I didn't give him a hammer as he already bashed a finger with it in the morning,have to say he squealed a little at first but no tears or complaining after a few minutes past,brave little lad I have hit my finger with that hammer and know just how it throbs afterwards and mine didn't have blood coming out of it.The food that was not opened I tried to return to its owners and the rest was given out to those that wanted it,rubbish all cleared away and dealt with by Mark and his family and the gazebo was down in minutes with lots of help from others,remember that black cloud well it was over the Haven now and a small quick shower fell as we packed up but we all had such a great day it didn't matter.

   Gareth and Marks !! NO not Marks as he sold his one to Colin I learn't today,while I was busy elsewhere some fun was had timing how quick the new shelters are to fold back into the bag Gareth did his in around 3 minutes (cos of a mistake in the folding) but Colins was done in an incredible 90 seconds.WOW these new shelters are great,but have yet been tested for overnight stays and rain!!but they will be.

  So thats it folks yet another superb meeting with the Martello flyers and friends,it went the very best that I could hope for and our next biggish event is the Light up the sky at Frinton on sea on the 7th November if you can make it with or without kites and lights then get along, see the forum  for details......

  Thankyou all for making this an awesome quad day heres my pictures from the day and I am sure many more kiters pictures will be around as well...its good to have friends but even better to have kiting friends.

L.U.T.S 2009  (light up the sky)

   It was a big last minute rush for me to get ready for the light up the sky night I had organized with the Martello flyers and guests,but after arriving an hour later than planned I was greeted by a few flyers that had already got up their shelters and were flying.I got my loo tent up that I had brought as my shelter (worked well for me) and started to set up all the banners poles,sled,revs and numerous other items.

   As time went by more and more kiters arrived and set up there part in the light show for the Frinton-on-sea folks to enjoy,guests included Martin Corrie and flyers from the EKF and I have to say for me Martins delta was the kite of the night with its programmed light show on it,fantastic.Saying this there was also so many other things that I liked,Stuarts and Dee's pink quad looked great as did Gareth's back lit quad infact everything on the field was good in its own way.

  As for me and my outfit I think it went down well after getting it all on and lit up with the help of Margaret,I had called her to help me get the suit on as some wires were sticking out and we was having the right giggles as some sexy inuendos come from the tent we were in, like,'does it go in here' 'push harder' 'pull that there' and 'pull it harder Margaret' we was laughing away in the tent thinking what it must sound like outside...

  I got so many great comments on the suit and even a couple of police came over for a chat about the luts night,I was mostly on the far side of the field and did not get to see all the public that come to watch but Lynn and Pete told me that there was loads asking about what it was all about and when Lynn told them its something the kite flyers do for 'children in need' they was only to happy to throw some change in the bucket and Lynn collected thirty quid for the charity,which was great as she didnt go round asking and only got money off the public that asked her...Lynn also organised the chip shop run for the kiters and Kel's kettle boiled up many times for folks to have a hot drink,Mark and his family had a soup tent going for hot soup all that was very welcomed as the weather was nippy but we had the wind we wanted and the dry night.

  The night was filled with fun and laughter (kel again could be heard at Jaywick lol) and Gareth and me set up his dropper to drop lights from the night sky,first was twenty snap lights on parrachutes but these did not work that well so we dropped them without the chutes getting the kids to try and catch them,but the big parrachute with the white light under it worked superbly with it floating down with the chutes canopy lit up really nice,this was dropped a few times as it looked so good.

  As the night went by it got colder and a few folks started to clear away their bits and by nine we all had packed away and headed for our warm houses,it sounds early but that was still six hours fun and frolics in the cold night and was enough for any kiter to bear....Got to give Colin a thankyou for going back there the next morning to make sure everything was picked up and left as we arrived,he found a few tent pegs and a couple of bits of paper but in all we all did well in the dark to leave the venue in a clean and tidy way....

  This year was better as we had the wind and more folks there,but next year we will have a prize compo for the best light outfit...so start think about yours now.Thanks to you ALL for the surport you give the Martello flyers and myself on these fun flying events and hope you all had a great time as I did..