No chance...

of buggying this weekend - there is some wind, but it is going to accompanied by rain (and plenty of it) and maybe some thunder!

It's also blown any chance of using the new camper trailer.

Rain...

The forecast for the next week is wet, I hope there is a break so I can get out in the buggy...

All down to ex-tropical cyclone Ikula - Ex-cyclone sends rain across SW

Washout...

I woke to blue skies, sunshine and a slightly chilly southerly wind (but at leasts its blowing). But after all the rain this week and partucularly the last 24 hours, Lake Walyungup will be to wet to buggy on...

From the West Australian 14th September 2013-

Perth's start to spring a washout

• twee

"Perth has almost received the average September rainfall total less than halfway through the month.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, 80.6mm of rain has fallen on the metropolitan region since the start of the month.

The average rainfall for September is 80.9mm.

Perth recorded 20mm of rain in the 24 hours until 9am today, 44.8mm fell at Gingin Airport and 40.6mm at Busselton Airport.

Strong wind was recorded on Rottnest Island, with a 95km/h gust sweeping across the coast just after 12pm.

A 93km/h gust was recorded at Cape Naturaliste, 74km/h at Cape Leeuwin, 72km/h in Ocean Reef and 70km/h on Garden Island.

Perth can expect isolated showers in the morning and a maximum of 19C tomorrow.

Meanwhile, bushfire warnings are in place for people in Fitzroy Crossing and motorists travelling along Gibb River Road through the King Leopold Ranges Conservation Park."

Last day...

...of winter - tomorrow is spring.

Picture: Danella Bevis/Countryma

After a record breaking warmest and wettest August we are set for a few more days of showers before we get some sunshine and the spring weather really kicks in...

From the West Australian 30th August 2013
"The Weather Bureau’s history books are set to be rewritten tomorrow as Perth prepares to see off its warmest August on record.

If the mercury reaches 19.5C – the forecast top is 22C – Perth will have enjoyed its highest average August maximum since records began in 1897.

Barring an unexpected and dramatic cold change, four of the hottest five Augusts have come in the last seven years.

Earlier this month, Perth slept through its hottest August night on record, when the temperature bottomed out at 17.1C on August 7.

But it has also been the wettest August since 2004, with more than 160mm of rain compensating for a dry start to the winter.

Bureau spokesman Glenn Cook said the unusual weather was due to the unusually warm water off the WA coast.

“The winds have maintained their direction off the water so you tend to get warmer conditions, because those sea surface temperatures are a bit above average,” he said.

Perth had its biggest August downpour in a decade on August 8 when 45.4mm of rain fell on the city over a 24-hour period.

The deluge also reached most of the Wheatbelt and South West, lifting the spirits of desperate farmers and causing several rivers to flood.

The Bureau expects more warm weather over spring, forecasting a 75-80 per cent chance of above average minimums."

I'm just hoping after the rain of the last week that the lake is going to be dry enough tomorrow to buggy on as we have some wind forecast...

Video -Fano 2013

It has been raining all week, we have a dry couple of days before more rain to come Sunday arvo. I'm not sure if the Lake is going to dry out enough over the next couple of days for a run out on Sunday morning.

In the mean time Vimeo is keeping me sane!

Some great aerial footage in this video from Fano, Denmark...

Fano 2013 NUKUBU from nukubu on Vimeo.

Soggy...

Did some geocaches on Lake Walyungup yesterday morning. Which gave me opportunity to check out the surface after all the recent rain we have had.

And it is very wet...

No buggying for me this weekend.

Rain stops play...

Hmm! I was planning on going out in the buggy this morning but the forecast didn't look that promising so decided not to. It turned out to be the right decision...

No Buggying

After looking at the forecast, despite decent winds, today was a no go due to heavy showers and thunderstorms...

Thwarted...

Today I was planning on trying out Dixon Road Reserve as there were some reasonable northerlies forecast...

But then came the rain!

Originally forecast from late morning, I woke up to the sound of pattering on the roof...

Looks like its set in for the day!

Life...

This week life has got in the way of any thoughts of kite buggying, my wife has been away at a conference in Sydney all week, so I have been a single parent...

I have been working school hours 9am 'til 3pm, I have cooked (which I normally do anyway!), I have cleaned (I guess I usually do my fair share), I have done the laundry (I cant send the girls to school with dirty undies), we have been to the orthodontist, the dog has been to the vets, when I get home today I will do the weeks food shopping!

So this is my first opportunity to think about the weekend and the possibility of buggying! I needn't have bothered - there is going to be some wind, but also some rain and the direction isn't any good for the site in Singleton and there is a circus on the other potential site.

But looking on the bright side my wife is going to owe me big time after her week in Sydney - flights, accommodation, expenses and of course childcare!

Adverse Weather Conditions!

As a dedicated kite buggier I am always checking out the weather forecast, looking ahead at the weekend when I am next going to get out. Yesterday the wind forecast for Sunday was non-existent...

Today the wind forecast for Sunday looked slightly better, with winds increasing - but it wasn't going to be record breaking! (though check out Monday and Tuesday!)...

But look at today's rain radar - we are having a very large delivery of the wet stuff! And that is set to continue tomorrow, with showers clearing on Sunday, so looks like if there is wind on Sunday I am going to get wet - either from the rain or blasting through puddles!

Back in the bug...

After a 3 week hiatus because of holidays, lack of wind and a flat tire, today, I finally got out in the bug again.

walking from the car park to the flying area

The forecast was for increasing westerly's and decreasing showers. I was hoping that with the low winds early on I may finally get to fly the 8.5m Blade. Overnight we had had the first real rains of autumn and I thought that there maybe a few puddles to play in - boy was I wrong, Lake Walyungup was looking like a real lake!

So it was the 1km walk down to the flying area, paddling as I went and there was now no wind so I wasn't optimistic that even the Blade would fly.

The flying area

Did you know that the wind often increases ahead of a shower? I'm sure I did but seemed to have forgotten this - as the wind gradually increased and the clouds look more threatening, I thought I should get a kite out and have a go.

Started with the 5m Ozone Flow as it was quite blowy. Flew for about 5 minutes before the first few big drops of rain started to hit.

Got the kite packed away and was heading to the shelter of the container used by the land yacht guys, when it fully opened up, I was soaked before I got there. By the time I made it to the shelter the rain stopped and the wind dropped off again!

Shelter

Headed back out to dry off and try again - this time with the Blade! I forgot what a big kite this is and how long the flying lines are! But it is great - I was a bit worried about how well it would fly as I have read that they can suffer with bridle stretch which requires some modification. The bridle on mine looks new and the kite flew well and held a perfect shape.

The wind was still a bit low but the kite did pull and I was surprised how quickly I could get it to turn on the brakes. A couple of times the wing tips folded because of the low winds but were easily shaken out and recovered. I even had the confidence to try a reverse launch and a few runs in the buggy before the wind picked up and looked over my shoulder and saw a rainbow...

This time I managed to pack the kite away and get under the shelter before another shower hit.

This one was heavier than before and I was amazed at how quickly the lake disappeared, behind the veil of rain and also under a layer of water!

Time for morning tea while I waited for it to pass. Which after 5-10 minutes it did - this time the wind stayed, don't you just love it when they get the forecast right?

The lake disappearing under a veil of rain

Started off again with the 5m Flow, blasting up and down the lake, through the puddles getting completely soaked and pebble-dashed (thinking I may need a splash-guard). The wind was pretty lumpy and gusty - so decided to pack the flow away and go for my weapon of choice, my 3m Core, this is quickly becoming my favorite kite.

The sky continued to clear the wind continued to blow, some of the water quickly disappeared. Had a great session then, just blasting up and down the lake, hitting the water, sliding the buggy and generally making the most of it.

Then I hit the wall, lack of food and drink and had been out long enough. Thought if my wife could brink some lunch and a cup of tea, after half an hour would of probably carried on playing - but didn't think there was much chance of that! So it was time to pack up and head back home.

Spent some time at home cleaning the bug and checking all the kites and lines were fully dry - ready for next time!