Day 2 - grey and windy, 21 miles south - engine defect - 114 miles complete

More complicated weather with fronts and troughs everywhere, and strong unstable winds. I had intended an early start - but the weather was far from helpful. So we decided on a sighsteeing trip instead starting with the extraordinary Forge in Little Newsham, while we waited for calmer conditions, leaving the paramotor and Gina's car in the corner of the friendly farmer's field near Consett where I had landed the previous night. We went first along the astonishing Hadrian's Wall, and then down to Corbridge where we saw the excavated remains of an enormous Roman garrison town. Then delicious lunch in a cafe in the centre of the 'modern' town, before heading back to the field. I was feeling fed up with the uncooperative weather and the bouncy flying conditions; we sat in the car, discussing the conditions: would it be safe; could I do the next bit? Gina and Charlotte encouraged - even cajoled! - me to get going on the rest of this leg down to Little Newsham, 6 miles east of Barnard Castle. More bouncing as - once again aloft at 5.30pm, having taken off in about four steps - the wind slowly abated. I swooped southwards, seeing many signs of the open cast coal mining of a few decades back. I made it quickly to Little Newsham, and landed in my allotted field, having discovered when committed to my landing glide in, that the engine wouldn't switch off. Interesting! I pulled out the spark plug, keeping my fingers WELL clear of the prop. That was day 2. 114 miles done.