John's Musings

Ah! that Hovis moment!

2009-05-31T17:46:00.003+01:00

Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset is exactly as you would expect it from the adverts!

World Wide KAP Week 2009

2009-05-03T17:39:00.003+01:00

This week has been the second World Wide KAP (Kite Aerial Photography) Week. From all corners of the globe we have been out with out cameras hanging from our kite lines seeing what we could photo (or "KAP").

Like last year, we hope to publish a book at the end of it all.

The week started on 24th April, and all geared up I set off on Saturday 25th to Walsall to try and shoot some canal boats. I could not get near enough, so flew from nearby Aldridge Airport. As usual I had a good conversation with passers by, and took a few mediocre shots.

I then moved onto Sutton Park to see if the flying was any better.

On Sunday 26th, I decided to try my luck at Middleton Quarry. It had been a lovely sunny day, but the sun and wind had died by the time I got there in the late afternoon, Still, I was pleased with some of the images.

I hadn't been able to fly during the working week,but had studied the forecast and maps and wanted to fly near Curzon Street in Birmingham City Centre on Saturday 2nd May. I was up early and was in town before 7.00 a.m., but despite the forecast, there was zero wind.

I decided to try on Barr Beacon instead. Despite this being the highest point locally the wind still eluded me, so I went home for breakfast.

Sunday morning was wet, but cleared by 7.00 a.m.so I set off for the City Centre again. This time the wind was too gusty and turbulent. I was in danger of landing on the railway overhead power lines, so without attaching the camera, I abandoned the shoot.

A few hours later I decided to make one last attempt for the week. The wind was very strong, but armed with my trusty Dan Leigh "Trooper" kite and 400lb line, I went to Wishaw and the back to the quarry at Middleton. Both venues were successful , if not hairy in the strong wind.

Mission accomplished.

You can see more images here

3.6 m delta

2006-09-23T21:21:00.001+01:00

3.6 m delta
Originally uploaded by John Williams ("j-t-f").

First flight of my latest creation, a 3.6 metre Delta. I built it to fly in very light winds, and to collapse down to 80cm length if needed.

This flight was in 2mph on the ground, which rose to around 6mph. In these winds it has a steep flying angle, enabling me to walk it quite close to obstacles, e.g. between trees and bushes, without problems.

I tried it with the autokap and it seems perfect:- not quite as stable as the Dopero, but not far off. It is certainly quick to assemble when not fully collapsed.

The day was very foggy, and I forgot to set the infinity focus in teh camera, so the KAP photos weren't worth saving!

Same colours as usual!

Rowlands Flowform

2006-04-18T09:22:00.003+01:00

Rowlands Flowform
Originally uploaded by John Williams ("j-t-f").

Rowlands Flowform

Built Autumn 2004. Maiden flight, December 2004.

Dopero

2006-04-18T09:22:00.002+01:00

Dopero
Originally uploaded by John Williams ("j-t-f").

Dopero

Dopero, first flight May 2004

8' Delta

2006-04-18T09:21:00.000+01:00

8' Delta
Originally uploaded by John Williams ("j-t-f").

8' Delta

Flying at Barr Beacon. One of the first kites I built.

Barr Beacon Obelisk

2006-04-18T09:20:00.000+01:00

Barr Beacon Obelisk 5
Originally uploaded by John Williams ("j-t-f").

Barr Beacon (743 feet above sea level)was used as one of the beacons to warn of the Spanish Invasion by the Armada in Elizabethan times.

It now forms part of a country park. Although not high, it is very high in the locality so gives amazing views. To the North, West and South one can see Birmingham, Walsall, and all the Black Country, with the hills beyond, and sometimes all the way to Wales. To the East the world seems flat. It is said that the next highest ground going East is in the Ural Mountains. I've checked this and what I though was an urban myth seems correct!

This photo was taken early on Easter Monday 2006 using a Pentax Optio S60 suspended from an 8' delta kite. The camera was operated by "Gentled Auto".

Playground at Boldmere

2006-04-15T09:35:00.001+01:00

Playground at Boldmere
Originally uploaded by John Williams ("j-t-f").

This is an example of my aerial photography. It was taken at Boldmere Gate playground in Sutton Park.

Berwyn Mountains

2005-12-31T17:00:00.000Z

IMG_0105
Originally uploaded by John Williams ("john the franchise").

It's been a whilst since I made an entry to this Blog. So here goes...

Last August we had a brilliant walk in Wales, and when I get round to it I will update this site and www.jlwilliams.co.uk with the walk details.

Dragonfly Kite

2005-04-01T15:45:00.001+01:00

dragonfly
Originally uploaded by john the franchise.

This kite was first flown on 1st April 2005 in Sutton park. It was loaned (given?) by a colleague at work who had brought it back from China some years ago as a decoration. I suggested it ought to be flown instead, so here it is!

About this Blog

2005-02-15T08:42:00.002Z

My main hobby is kiting in all its forms, but especially competitive sport kiting.

I have flown kites for as long as I can remember, and somewhere in the family albums are pictures of me aged around 8 flying my pirate kite on Woolacombe beach.Interest took another step forward in the mid 1970's when I purchased a "Peter Powell" stunt kite. This kept me busy for many hours, including my days at Birmingham University studying Chemistry. With aluminium spars in, I discovered the art of two line kite fighting to destruction!

Years rolled on and the flying stopped, but a year or so after the birth of my first son, My wife brought me a two line stunt kite for my birthday (1989?). It only lasted a few months, so the following Christmas she gave me an "Aircrafts Zonda Whispa". This made the habit become an addiction. A flexifoil 6 followed for the next Christmas, and there was no stopping me.

In the mid 1990s I discovered the internet, and found that other people also flew kites! This led to me joining the Midlands Kite Fliers (MKF). And I started going to a few festivals and fly ins.

In 1999 I received an e-mail circular from MKF mentioning the STACK BOOT CAMP. I wanted a short break, and this seemed ideal. The weekend was cold, wet and very tiring, but incredible fun, and I made a lot of new friends. I also learnt a lot about kites!

The outcome from this was threefold:

I ended up buying more kites
I started taking part in Winter Leagues during 1999/2000.
I started flying in pairs with my eldest son.

2000 saw my first season in STACK National competition, where I won the Novice class.

I still fly various Shuriken Omegas in pairs, but these are now not really competitive, so are generally avoided.

In 2003 I purchased a set of used Airdynamics T2s. This took my flying to a completely different standard. Then during the middle of the 2004 season I switched to a Carl Robertshaw Fury (skyshark frame) and this moved my whole flying on more still. I still fly the T2 ultralight when the wind is very low. I am still finding out more and more about the Fury, especially when it is "stuffed". It is a very physical kite that deserves its name!

I also make kites. I have a few of my own sport kites which are good fun, and lots of single liners.

Walks Around Sutton Coldfield and North Birmingham

2005-01-01T16:11:00.000Z

Some Good Walks Around Sutton Coldfield and North Birmingham

In September 2004 and January 2005 we found two super short walks around Sutton Coldfield that are worth sharing.

Use OS map Explorer 220.

Around Middleton Hall and Kingsbury Water Park

Park near the Dog and Doublet pub at 198961.

Map for Middleton Walk

Walk west along the road towards Aston Villa training ground, but beforenyou get there cut north along the foot paths to Middelton hall via the quarries and Coneybury farm.

At Middelton Hall turn right towards Newhouse Farm and head towards the canal.

Cross the canal and return to the start, or extend the walk through Kingsbury Water Park.

This is a excellent and varied walk, with lots of points of interest and a pub at the end.

Allow 2-3 hours.

Around Canwell Estate and Hints

Park near Canwell Caravans at 140003.

Map for Canwell Walk

Follow the private road past the Church and through the estate ( Brick Kiln Lane,Brockhurst Lane, and Rookery Lane). This is a quiet metalled road all the way to Hints.

As you approach Hints. look out for a path on the right after the ford, going up hill to Hints Church. Go through the Churchyard a turn right, following the road to Botley House. Cross the bridge. and go through the field and up towards the woods (Roundhill wood).

All the walk is now on open fields and is muddy in winter.

Navigate to Hints Farm, where you pick up the heart of England way going west. Cross the fields at Stockfields, through the woods to the A38 and back to the start.

Allow 2-3 hours.

Victory at Bosham

2004-12-28T20:36:00.000Z

Whilst enjoying our Christmas celebrations in 2004, we spent a day with the family at Bosham near Chichester in Sussex. Never having been there before , I really enjoyed it.

Here is a lovely picture at Dell Quay in winter.

I'm not sure I would want to go in summer through