Day 4: Transfer To GV

After a trio of days into the trip our visit to Castelo draws to a close.

Today is to be a transfer day as the drive to Governador Valadares (GV) will take in excess of 6 hours and everyone is going to be right tired when we arrive. The word from Steve: no flying until tomorrow.

Ashley drying his just laundered shirt during the commute to GV.

The group is split amongst the pair of vehicles with Steve taking Ashley, Rob, Dean and myself in the truck.

The trip is rather uneventful, just the typical Brazilian road experience. Peeps passing in turns on double yellows while speed cameras and sleeping policemen abound.

To break the monotony, Steve stops at what he describes as the 'best' coffee shop in Brazil. The qualifier of 'best' is relative. The general consensus amongst gringos living here is that the Brazilians export their best product and push the leftovers on the locals. So this shop serving the 'best' simply means it serves 'good' by international standards.

The cafe.

The interior.

Back patio overlooking a Koi pond.

By early evening we make GV and are checked in at our hotel, the Ibituruna Center. It is a reasonably decent hotel all in all (4.5 star  by Brazilian standards - 5 star being the Pousada I stayed in last year as it had a room safe). There is a rooftop pool, a breakfast buffet, room service, AC, stocked fridge with Skol + Brahma, and a smattering of English language channels on the tele.

The room, small but functional.

... and doesn't smell funky or is falling apart like the place in Castelo.

Tomorrow we head up the mountain and get down to the business of why we are all here - to rack up airtime and km's.

A strange sense of deja vu ...

Flying amongst Condensation Castles:Part 1

Day 2:
A write off on my part due to health issues. The lads (and lady) have a great day of flying. Mr. Murphy paid us a visit in full with the overheating of the van on Day 1 but Steve saves the day by hiring a farmer plus his flatbed truck to haul the crew up the mountain. Word has it the ride is far faster than what the van is able to do. As witnessed the year previous - when things go awry, Steve comes up with a Plan A, B, and C.

Day 3:
Conditions today are expected to be more unstable with a risk of overdevelopment, maybe even rain.

The main group is to depart in the van @ 10AM and meetup with the flatbed at the Church located at the far end of the valley. The remainder of us (4 in total) are to join Steve in the pickup at 1030.

10 AM rolls around and the crew begin loading up the van. One of the lads, Ashley, returns to inform us Dean is sending him up in the pickup instead (there are only 4 seats and now 5 people). Looks like Ashley was evicted in favor of a pair of visiting Norwegians who are not part of the tour. The discussion the night before was that the pair would have to make their own way to the Church and arrange a second round ride up with the farmer. Gather that is no longer the case. Me thinks Steve and Dean might be having a little chat later today regarding ride logistics.

Ultimately Ashley is assigned to the bed of the pickup for what turns out be a rather bumpy and dusty ride up. At least everyone will get to fly today.

We arrive up top shortly after 11 and gather for the days briefing. The infamous 'Dick of the Day' award ends up in Ashleys hand for his flying exploits the day previous (what happens in Castelo, stays in Castelo). A quick overview of XCSkies and Meteoblue by Dean confirms our suspicion - risk of overdevelopment with a chance of rain later in the day. Dean's traditional round table debrief is kept to a minimum - there are simply too many people and the daylight is burning. The plan is a repeat of the day before - a single turn point will be utilized while folk try to keep up with Dean. Given the hotshot nature of the better pilots in our group, it is all but a given I will not be able to keep up. Simply not good enough yet. Luckily Steve has included another guide, Rob, to help with the 'newer' pilots such as Ashley and myself.

Crew slowly gathering for days briefing.

Rob approaches and explains the plan for the day. Basically fly around and see the sights. In a perfect world, Dean and Robin would have laid out a multi point task with turnpoints of increasing difficulty - making things easier for retrieve and give everyone one a chance to fly the same course (and if they end up isolated, able to follow the group). Maybe another day.

The north facing launch is fairly wide allowing us the ability to lay out a half dozen gliders line abreast.

Of note: cycles coming up launch have a west tendency. The western edge of launch is flanked by trees. Wind shadow and mild rotor. The east end is far better and is oriented much more into wind. Most pilots overlook this due to the extra walking involved and only realize the err in their ways once laid out. The walk is worth it.

Of course I have to learn this the hard way. Eventually a reasonably decent cycle passes through and I launch to join the 4 or 5 gliders already climbing out to the west.

Cruising by launch.

Climbing out.

View up the valley (facing west),

Still a ways to go.

A call over the radio from Dean to those of us in the climb: Time to head off to the next cloud. Conflicted given the instructions from Rob but I follow suit anyways. The first big mistake of the day - failing to top out the climb then follow. Altitude means options. By following Dean while I am not yet at cloud base means I just surrendered mine.

On I plod further up the valley to a cloud near mid life - it is neither a collection of growing wisps nor is it fading into oblivion.

I arrive to find the climb at my altitude slowly dying. Dean chimes in on the radio to suggest continuing to hunt around while he goes and tries to find us a better climb.

My climb quickly begins to fizzle. Scanning around I spot a few other pilots more to the north and make my way over to them. The gaggle is more effective at finding cimbs versus a loner. And a climb we find.

Sharing a thermal with Graham on the Iota.

During this process of climb, transition, rinse and repeat: a menace coalesces in the distance. A CuNim.

CuNim (storm cloud) forming off in the distance, to the west of Castelo.

The group knows to keep both an eye on this beast along with the rate of formation of clouds surrounding the valley. If clouds start to pop up rapidly and go vertical ('Marg Simpson hair' as the Brits phrase it), it would be prudent to consider landing quickly.

But for now everything is kosher. The CuNim is still quite some distance away and there is still a substantial blue hole over the flats to the south west. My attention returns to the group as they begin a glide towards the low hills to the north.

Continued in Part 2 ...

Paragliding Video of my trip to Brazil in January 2016 with Steve Barton @ XC Brazil and Dean Crosby @ Active Edge Paragliding.

Video: Paragliding: Ibituruna to Feira Da Paz, Governador Valadares, Brazil.

Paragliding: Pico De Ibituruna -> Feira Da Paz, Governador Valadares, Brazil. from FlyinOrange on Vimeo.

Final Day, Trip Home, and a Parting Gift.

Friday, final day.

As fate would have it, the sky is clearing and the winds dropping off. Just in time for us to pack up and head for home. Word has it next week will bring some great XC opportunities. Go figure.

But next week might as well be a lifetime away as we will be unable to capitalize upon it. So we will make do with what we have, today.

0930 hrs - everything is packed up and awaiting the crew. I must admit, upgrading to the posada has certainly helped to make the best of the less than ideal conditions. The Everest would have been alright if we were flying every day, but to be trapped in it most of the day with rain filled skies would be depressing at best.

Neighbour #2 bids adieu.
Neighbour #1 was too busy trying to escape (again) to pay me much heed.

0945 hrs - the crew has arrived and Steve gets the bill sorted out. We are heading back up the hill for a final go.

Up top, the winds are still gusting somewhat and cloud base is low. We wait.

The Norwegians arrive followed by Slovenians - giving the day some hope. The Norwegians are here on a extended flying trip giving them the option of being somewhat picky about flying days. To see them means there is a reasonable chance of at least some airtime.

Sometime later the bus load of Poles arrives and the bar magically opens. One has to give the Poles credit, they are full on when it comes to trips like this - either flying or partying. No compromise. It doesn't take long before cheers and singing can be heard from the direction of the bar.

Winds are still somewhat gusty, but Eric tries to give it a go - launching and subsequently sinking out. No one appears to be in a rush to follow his lead.

An hour passes. Talk of a low airtime pilot ending up the river the day prior dominates conversation. Word has it he tried crossing the river far to the east and came up short on the LZ - ending in chest deep water while the wing luckily ended up on the shore in a tree. Had it been the opposite, there would have been a body recovery underway. My preference has been to set up over 'Jurassic Park' as the go/no go point. If the winds or the altitude look questionable, take the Park LZ directly below.

Dean suggests we start to get ready ... slowly. I suspect he thinks there might be a flyable (and stay 'up-able') window coming. Watching the breaks in the cloud approaching, I think I see what he means.

As the first of the breaks arrive, the gusts on launch start to die down - thermals out front starting to block the meteo wind?

Launch fills with folk getting ready. In an unhurried manner, a slow trickle of wings make their way out front to test the waters.

Dean launches and climbs out. The only other wing able to stay up with him is a purple Mantra 6. Everyone else is stuck at launch height or sinking out.

I give it a try and abort, the wing rolling too much to the left for my liking. The Norwegians kindly lend me a hand getting everything reset.

While getting ready for a second go, Simon launches and joins the fray out front.

Second launch is good and I immediately push north. The winds are still cooking up top and are from the north east. I suspect a decent amount of the plateau directly in front of launch to be under the influence of rotor from the raised ground to the east. Last day is not the time to throw caution to the wind (pardon the pun) - so I stick to the lip to the northwest just before the drop off into the Cauldron.

I find lift but whatever core exists is fragmented, shifting with the gusting winds. So starts likely the hardest I have ever worked for a climb - 30 minutes of rodeo for a mere 400m. I approach cloudbase and Dean comes on the radio informing me he sees where I am and suggests we move along the ridge. I gather this to mean go east - > upwind (one certainly would not want to go downwind into the Cauldron with this stuff). Start heading eastward and subseqently get drilled. At this rate I'll be in the lee in no time. Attempt to relocate the climb I was in mere minutes before proves futile. Push out, maximizing options (aka altitude). Not much out here either, just sink.

Arrive over the Park with some spare height - though with these winds the Main LZ across the river doesn't look particularly appealing.

On the radio to Steve to let him know my intentions. Steve immediately replies asking if I want another go.

Sure, why not?

Land, pack, into the truck for round 2. Highlights:

1) My only reverse launch of the trip. Have to admit, I like how the Plus has been retrimmed (and re-risered) when it comes to stronger wind launches vs the original Carrera. Very easy to manage with the 'A's-n-C's (the original Carrera being a right PITA in comparison).

2) One of the speedbag closing lines hooking under my leg. A somewhat uncomfortable flight brought to a quick end. The gusty conditions were not going to allow me the chance to go hands off to untie, free leg, and reattach. Steve mentioned afterwards he normally give the tours the last day talk about complacency. In our case, we had flown so little, he figured we hadn't fallen into that trap. Surprise! Still getting used to the nuances of the RangeAir.

Landed and packed up. Thus ends the flying and now time to start heading home.

Given the SNAFU that Azul proved for the trip inbound, option to bus it back to Rio in the overnight Executivo.

6AM arrival at GIG, flight out at 9PM. A lot of time to kill.

If you need to recharge, have your 'N' power socket adapter.

The ghost town of Terminal 2.

I was warned about Bobs. I now understand why.
Olympics attendees, hope you don't have high expectations for the food options at GIG.

Flights back are uneventful aside from experiencing the new High Density 777 AC has decided to place into service. Business Class wasn't thrilling and from what I saw of the Economy I am pretty sure Air Canada is fully embracing its unofficial motto of 'We're not happy until you're not happy' ->  Economy is now Steerage Class with 10 pax wide seating in a 3+4+3.

New Business class 'Studio Pods'.
Brought to you by the 'new' Air Canada -> pay more, get less.

Over the Rockies.

Sunday: Home safe and sound.

Wednesday: wake up feeling bleah -> joint + muscle aches, fever, fatigue, headache, red eyes, and dizzy. Spend day working at home.

Thursday: exhausted. Remain home. Symptoms passing. Little red spots start appearing.

Uh oh. Wife makes an appointment with the doc for the next day.

Friday: Doc highly suspects I have Zika (symptoms are not severe enough to be dengue). Health Canada is only recommending testing for pregnant women at this point. So rest and fluids are the marching orders - return immediately if any weakness or numbness is experienced in extremities for referral to Neurologist. Parting gift from a skeeter unfazed by the 30% DEET, I guess.

That all said, I've since booked and put down a deposit to return for Tour #3 in March of next year.

A Tribute of Wind and Water.

The day has been a resounding success (well, aside from being chased to the ground by an approaching storm). A decent short XC and successful test of GliderHUDs ability to generate an unsigned (no G record) IGC track log.

IGC Tracklog from GliderHUD.
A short jaunt, but we did get away from the mountain.
Sans storm, Engenheiro would have been possible by days end.

We celebrate by capping off the day with a carne-val of sorts - a visit to Churrascaria Espettos - the all you can eat meat on metal sticks place.

Steve sums it up succinctly, get a plate, sit down, and try to fend off the waiters bringing a seemingly endless supply of meat.

They do have a decent salad selection and the cooked pineapple coated with cinnamon seems to go over well. But the raison d'être of this place is the consumption of cooked flesh. And cooked flesh they have. A quote from Dennis Leary comes to mind, "If one of us should happen to die of a heart attack, throw him on the fire, more meat for the meat eaters! RAWW."

Done and ready for a coma.

Arrive back at hotel to find my primary battery pack for the Yaesu VX-8DR is dead and refusing to charge after 5 years of faithful service. Thankfully packed the spare 2000 mAh acquired from BatteriesAmerica in the States. Make note to order a replacement and the AA adapter pack as well. As the adage goes - two is one, and one is none. Always have a back up for power, electronics, and cabling when venturing abroad.

Wake the next morning to the threat of storms. But up the hill we go, just to be sure.

'He who dares, flies.'

Up top, the view proves me not so daring.

Several CBs line abreast begin to merge, forming a massive storm wall to the north.

It creeps south ... towards us.

Crossing the river, the wall of wind and rain picks up velocity and races a gale up the mountain.

Not sure how that hat managed to stay on after the wall of cloud + wind hits.

Steve had the presence of mind to have already gotten the tarp out and wrapped our kit in it under the truck bed cover. Many others are not so lucky, with glider bags left out in the open.

By the time we reach GV, several streets are already flooding their drains and turning the city into an impromptu Venice.

Last to be dropped off. Depart the truck to find the rain easing. Looks like I will be able to acquire food while staying dry this eve.

2 blocks south, 1 block east is a little pasta joint that I have been hitting up every second night. As I walk in, manager gives a thumbs up and lets the kitchen know to make a spaghetti carbonara to go without any prompting on my part.

Starting to become a regular here.
It was the first place our group ate after arriving.

Not sure how much more the river can take of these storms.
Signs of having overflowed its banks can be found throughout the island.

Next day - clouds are beginning to clear but the wind is now an issue. It is strong and running straight across launch (actually straight up the road).

There is still some energy in the air resulting in the odd rain shower, but these could easily be avoided. If we could launch.

But it was not to be - me thinks we are becoming experts in parawaiting. The locals and visitors alike are at a loss for words regarding the conditions - it is very atypical for this location at this time of year.

Maybe tomorrow.

I'm all about cloudbase, 'bout cloudbase, no sink out: Part 3

Clear of the cloud surrounding launch, Dean leads me southward to our next climb - a growing Cu (Cumulus - puffy white clouds typically formed by condensation of air rising within a thermal).

Simon is low on the mountain to the north but will swing around to the west and play catch up. If his 2+ hour scratch-fest/low save bonanza flight the previous day is any indication of his abilities - I am sure he will be with us shortly.

Dean spots a cloud ahead that is being worked by a visiting French pilot, Eric, on a Nova Mentor (I think). It appears the rock quarry is working well today.

Dean just ahead spots Eric climbing under a cloud forming off of the rock quarry.

Beeline on over and join Eric's climb. At base, Eric proceeds on while Dean and I continue to climb.

The quarry feeding the cloud.

Then Dean on the radio, "We need to leave now." (with emphasis on the now).

Dean explains that the cloud Eric is heading to looks like it might start to decay soon and we may miss our chance to stone hop it to the next cloud forming beyond.

Dean follows the explanation with, "I'm going on bar."

Hint, Hint. Try to keep up.

Shift gears - its go time. Hammer the bar and grab the C's!

Thus far the speed, glide, and climb on the Carrera Plus has been phenomenal. I've been able to keep pace with Dean on hands up glide the whole way here (he is on Novas X-Alps CCC classed wing). But on bar we see the trade off of passive safety on my part for performance on his. At half bar I am sinking like a stone in comparison to his glide. This is a gamble, do I sacrifice height to try to catch the last bit of the thermal still forming the cloud or do I play it safe and hold onto as much altitude as possible by going hands up without bar - keeping altitude in reserve to find perhaps another climb that may pop up nearby?

Eric and Dean above. I'm late to the party.

Ease off to quarter bar. The glide flattens to something a bit more acceptable. But Dean is pulling away and still on a flatter glide. He arrives well ahead and above where I am and joins into Eric's climb. It doesn't take long before Eric is off again.

Dean continues his left hand circle and I join from well below. I lose sight of Dean as my climb starts to pick up - it appears the thermal source has sufficiently recharged for another go. Dean radios something about cloud suck. Keeping in mind the 45 degree rule, I eye the southern edge of our reborn Cu and edge my carve towards it. Carving in and out of the core, I keep watch for Dean. He radios he is clear of the cloud and looking at our next climb ahead.

Found him, moving on.

Gliding down wind and along the main road connecting GV to Caratinga, the dictator of our day comes into view from behind the growing and decaying Cu's ...

See what I see?

The radiating gust front from this emergent Cb (Cumulonimbus or CuNim) is causing Cu's to pop up in a circle around it. It appears to be 30+ km's away and not yet a concern - but needs to be watched carefully from here on out.

With an eye to the Cb, I see what I suspect is our next climb - over the hills to the left (east) of the main road. Dean mentioned earlier that the NE wind is typically continuous here and any thermal source scoured by it has little opportunity to form a meaningful climb. The trick in GV is to try to find sources that are leeward of the wind, behind the hills - they will be sheltered and given a decent chance to coalesce. Especially if one is looking for a low save - expect to find it in the lee (and all the fun that comes with lee-side flying).

Dean makes a good pace towards the cloud - altitude gives options (including bar), a lack of it on the other hand limits what you can do. My being lower means I need to conserve altitude and not risk going bar, losing height and not having enough to capitalize on the climb (or worse yet, end up low and arrive with the climb having expended itself).

All this time, Simon has been chasing us - low and on bar. He will comment afterwards that he was frequently having to go half bar to keep up with us. Simon has been flying the Sigma 9 mid to upper end weight (flatland UK flying) while I have been running the Carrera Plus a few kgs over the top end (Western Canada mountain flying). The likely reason for the speed difference. On top of this Dean will eventually mention that the C+'s glide was quite impressive - I was able to keep pace with him when we were hands up but not on bar. So if bar performance is not a critical factor in wing selection, the Plus appears to be able to run with some of the 'bigger boys'. That said it is still a 6.3 AR wing - if you have to ask if you are ready for it, you have already answered your own question -> probably not.

I finally arrive below the Cu Dean has since marked with a climb only to find out I've missed the boat - the thermal has petered out and the cloud is beginning to decay. I doubt bar would have made much difference.

When one can see sun through the cloud,
it is likely one will not have a cloud (or climb) for much longer.

Another switch in gears - survival mode. I need to stay up until the climb can re-establish itself. I radio to Dean my situation and altitude. He suggests try looking for climbs off of the nearby radio tower (towers tend to be be good triggers) -> the leeside of the hill the tower is situated on has been baking for a while, it is bound to give something off. It is just a question if I will be high enough to be able make much use of it.

Concurrently I start scanning nearby hills for signs of power lines. Have multiple landing option we were told (due to the power lines) and the best way to have multiple options is to start looking up high. A couple of hills look viable. The reason for the hills is three fold - power lines will be easier to spot, the power lines will likely be less plentiful, and there will not be any standing water (due to the abnormally high amount of rain we've rx'd recently). Basically an attempt to avoid drowning and getting fried.

Getting lower and looking for landing options.

While scanning the hilltop to my right, I note that the Cb from before is slowly inching its way towards us. Even if I get a climb back to base, it is going to be a struggle to stay ahead of this thing given my progress so far.

Getting closer. Can clearly see the rain below it. Guessing it might be topping out at 20+K feet?

Rapid movement catches my attention. A pair of raptors of some sort, one chasing the other. Then a Swallow/Swift like bird darting around. This is a gift if there ever was one. I proclaim on the radio, "I see a Swift!" The only reason a Swift would be up here is if a thermal is carrying bugs up for the Swift to eat ... and any thermal strong enough to carry bugs is strong enough for a low save.

Where I spotted the Swift -
downwind of the thermal source baking in the lee below a radio tower (on top of the right most hill).

And a glorious low save it is - even the Uburu join in. A congratulations comes from the retrieve truck below. Scratching and low saves are the modus operandi of one such as I who flies the ground and rarely the sky.

An Uburu joins in.

On the way back up I get a better view of the approaching Cb, noting the rain has enveloped the higher ground to the west and is making its way towards the river. I check my distance from launch on GliderHUD, draw an imaginary arc from the hill to where the storm is coming from and make that my imaginary line in the sand. 15km. Be on the ground before the Cb reach that line is my plan.

Draw arc from hill 15 kms away on right around to point across river and ahead of the storm on the left.
Be on ground before storm reaches that point.

During this time, Simon has finally caught up to Dean and both have moved another 5 kms down the road from my current location.

I try catching up with them but start getting hammered in sink. Back tracking to lift is becoming less and less of an option with the Cb getting nearer. I get on the radio and indicate I am thinking about calling it a day - I will be unable to stay ahead of the storm.

Getting bigger and closer - roughly 20 km out - time to call it.

Dean radios back that Simon has landed and that Dean will come back my way to land as well.

Landing options? Settle on a hill overlooking a farm that has a dirt road out to the highway. Fly two passes over it to look for lines - nothing, just some fencing. I can work with it.

Another side hill landing.

Dean settles for the pasture below and sets down shortly after myself. Pack up the kit, a bit of over/under involving regular and electric fencing, and make my way down the dirt road to settle under the shade of a tree. 10 minutes pass, Steve appears with Simon. We load up the truck and head back to GV.

Half way there - the gust front from the storm hits. Rain shortly thereafter.

Our best day thus far and a wonderful sampler of what GV has to offer. The potential of this place is not lost on me.

Your truly: On glide.

Onto: "A Tribute of Wind and Water"

I'm all about cloudbase, 'bout cloudbase, no sink out: Part 2

I have a good feeling about today.

I hop into the launch slot just vacated by Dean. Steve lends a hand getting the wing sorted out and keeps an eye on the cycles. Flip on the Contour and watch the pilots ready to go to my right. Two pull up and go. 

Ready to go. Steve watching the wind and nearby wings. Simon getting ready.

"Looks good", from Steve. 

Let these two get clear.
I give the two that just got away a few extra seconds to decide on a direction.
Once it's clear they are not going to intersect with my path, I bring the wing up, give it a check and go.

Airborne.

I watch the pair to my right circle, but they are not climbing. The cloud over launch is darkest and thickest just downwind of the Cauldron - not downwind of here.  The Cauldron is where I need to be.

Away. Decision time. Follow them or play a hunch?

To the Cauldron. Hmm, that Cu looks like kind of big. Will keep eye on it.

Once in, it takes no time to lock into the climb that a trio of gliders above me are using.

Banking it up and getting ready to hold on.

Even with the moisture in the air, the ride is a contrast to flying everywhere else around GV. The thermals are rough and sharp edged - much like spring flying back home but without the climb rate. That said, 3.0 m/s is a godsend compared to the sub 1.0 m/s I've been finding everywhere else here. Bank up, hold on, and cloud base (coupled with escape from the mountain) is assured.

Sorry Simon.

Simon launched just after I did and now joins in the climb from below. Looking up I notice everyone is going in the opposite turn direction from me, so a turn reversal is in order. Should have noticed that before starting the carve.

Uburu -
always a good sign you are in the right place at the right time,
unless there is a dead cow directly below

The vultures come over and join the climb from above. Steve mentioned you know this is a good climb when the birds join you.

I'm all about cloudbase...

60 seconds later. 

Cloudbase.

And still climbing.

I am not sure where everyone is and hunting for them in the white room seems like a particularly unwise course of action. More so when Dean is flying a mostly white Nova X-Alps glider. This provides some food for thought for a GliderHUD feature that could use either BLE or Wifi P2P to link to a cell phone and then onto a Leonardo Live like server that can can relay live location information for a friend or two (or your guide in my case) which in turn can be displayed as a bearing and distance.

Scooting eastward, I hop on the radio to announce my location and that I am at base. Dean replies he sees me and is to my east - just waiting to see if we need to run further east along the ridge or if a break will appear in the cloud above and behind launch.

Spot the Dean. Hint - cloud, riser.
Word has it Nova will soon offer red. Sounds like a brilliant plan 

Holding pattern. Waiting for a break to turn right and head south.

Dean, "I see an opening." I look right and spot it.

Time to make a break for it.

Turning to face. Key the PTT.

Reply, "Shoot the gap!"

Piece of cake.

Head on a swivel to keep an eye out for fellow pilots. 

AAAAaaannnnddd through.

Clear of the mountain.
Notice that base at the mountain where I am is near the height of the cloud top ahead.
A common occurrence here.

Flatland XC goodness await. 

But for one not so small detail....

Onto Part 3