Another day in this excellent airmass – It really is the best March conditions we've had for years! Mr RASP got it more correct today about cloud but it was a complicated set of convergence lines rather than spreadout, so there were unbelievably good thermals given how little sun there was on the ground. There was a big Cu over Tinto as I arrived, so it looked a top class day but as I walked up, a solid convergence line stretched away to the S - and just about to shade out the entire area on the S side. So, after a quick chat with Lucasz and Alan, it was quick ready and off – 10 minutes earlier would have been much better.

It was really intense for the first 10 minutes, trying to get up in the last fading remnants of thermals, whilst knowing that the shade was there for hours. Finally managed to scratch up on the Dimple to just above the top and set off for sun near Lamington (which seemed slightly optimistic ). With lots of muirburns it was great to see the different wind directions so it became obvious that the convergence was the SE wind (to the E ) with the SW wind arriving from the W.

A good climb above the first patch of sun went to base at 3700 – and straight into wind into sunny Lamington Glen on full bar (Did I mention I was trying to do a triangle? ) another great climb to base and full bar into Lamington Glen again - Hmm, this doesn't seem to be working! I gave up on that triangle nonsense and switched into drift along mode (my favourite ).

I expected to get to Biggar since it was now totally grey to the N and E and the significant WSW breeze along the valley made for no other options. But the climbs kept coming – weak but perfect, so blundered on over Broughton and followed the Southern Upland Fault line up to Lamancha.

So – failed on the goal for the day but didn't matter anyway cos Helen did a great triangle from Mam Tor, and is ahead again. That has got to be one of my most interesting and enjoyable flights from Tinto.