Trial runs rule

Well, Day 1 of the comp brought no flying but lots of practise.

We're up at 4am to cruise into the 5:30am briefing - or, as it is at the moment...to arrive at Launch site and read the notice board about a delayed start.

And after the delayed briefing we go on notice for a supplementary briefing 45min-1hr later.

Europe has been hit with a sudden end of summer. 35C last weekend, 10C this weekend. And light rain.

David Levin the Director is running a great breifing, even if the organisation is well behind schedule, and weather reports are good, even if the results aren't encouraging.

So 2 practise runs today went well, radio comms between team members is helping a lot.

11ish saw the Comp photo taken with lots of laughter with the comedian-photographer.

Then the official launch and lunch followed by a great airshow from prop craft. Wow, these Austrians are mad with their flying. All stunts being done at low level (eg 10 feet) and over the crowds heads too. Team Gibbs retired for a bit of kip in the middle returning for the 4pm briefing - delayed but a possible 6pm green flag. Not too be it turned out.

So like all good Aussies we took off, with Team Tongue-Kiss, to the 750 year old pub micro-brewery recommended by Werner, our local pilot-occassional helper. What a great place and it wasn't long before Team TongueKiss were into drinking games-although I'm still not sure what eating horse raddish has to do with it, but go Toby!

Last night was the official opening ceremony which was a lot of fun, including Walzing Mathilda being played as the Aussies paraded past (and Abba for the Swedes). Night glows, fireworks, live bands, it was all happening.

With all this waiting around Deano has found time for lots of sex. Well that's what the packet of cigarettes is called. At least he has moved on from 'foreplay' and will soon be onto 'police'. But as Austria still allows smoking everywhere we can't figure out why police will need to be called.

One strange thing we're noticing is that all the little children collect stickers and badges from the teams. We're thinking that if we run out we'll have to race the Brazillians to pinch the magnetic signs that Team America has stuck all over their cars.

Mind you, we could also see what happens if attach the american magnets to Ed Michell's new GPS enabled pie-balls and see where they land.

So, its now 9:30pm local and as we're up again at 4am we're all retiring after a fun but non-scoring day.

Tchuss