--Pete

Pics are up at Flckr.com As always, face-blind and a bit deaf, I have missed quite a few tags, so leave comments on each picture wherever you can identify a kite or kiter.

I have always supported the Right To Arm Bears.

Grand Haven State Park, Grand Haven, Michigan. Weather Underground is predicting great weather - not too hot, not too cold. WIND from off the water or up the beach at reasonable speeds. See you all there!

Deep IS fun! #833 forever!

Moi? I've never said an unkind word about the RNG, in public or otherwise. I recognize it as a fair and impartial chooser. And as for the friendship, I believe that it was the other way 'round: the RNG "friended" me*, because of my constant praise and affection. (I do not expect any preferential treatment because of this friendship.) I merely remind the RNG of my existence occasionally - #833, #833, #833, #833, #833. *...as soon as it learned that it was allowed to have friends.

Not to worry. RNG doesn't have a subscriber number.

Yes, congratulations. Fly it well; fly it safely; but fly it. Amen to that - #833 awaits more "pairs".

Everything works, Wayne. (Somewhere. It just doesn't work on the RNG.)

For an even better discussion of names, see this conversation between the White Knight and Alice: (he says, just as though there hadn't been a 14-month hiatus) 'The name of the song is called "HADDOCKS’ EYES."’ ’Oh, that’s the name of the song, is it?’ Alice said, trying to feel interested. ’No, you don’t understand,’ the Knight said, looking a little vexed. ’That’s what the name is CALLED. The name really IS “THE AGED AGED MAN."’ ’Then I ought to have said “That’s what the SONG is called”?’ Alice corrected herself. ’No, you oughtn’t: that’s quite another thing! The SONG is called “WAYS AND MEANS”: but that’s only what it’s CALLED, you know!’ ’Well, what IS the song, then?’ said Alice, who was by this time completely bewildered. ’I was coming to that,’ the Knight said. ’The song really IS "A-SITTING ON A GATE”: and the tune’s my own invention.’ Carroll, Lewis; Tenniel, John. The Complete, Illustrated Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass; Kindle Edition.

Or perhaps scared of the kite itself? (Sticking my neck in the noose: #833, #833, #833.)

Welcome, friend. This is the place to be.

I second the wand, especially if you thread your flying line through it. Then, one hand can manipulate the wand while the other hand pulls in and lets out line. (A button or other stopper on the end of the line will prevent it from "getting away".) You will need guides or some other kind of smooth ring at each end of the wand to prevent line abrasion.

I wonder if everyone was holding back to avoid sounding like, "ME ME ME. Me first!"

Sounds like a plan to me.

Welcome to the forum! Those combination winder/flying handles are an abomination! It is almost impossible to get the lines exactly the same length (within a quarter inch or so). You can make line sets (pairs of lines) which are matched in length for whatever distances you plan to fly. The (nylon or Dacron) lines that came with the kite are likely to be a bit stretchy for good flying, but can be used. While you are converting the lines from the handles into line sets, try breaking one - that will tell you if those lines have deteriorated. If they have been in the dark for 30 years, they may still be OK. Those original lines are probably 100 or 150 feet long. Those are good lengths for Trlbys. The extra length gives you time to react. When you get more experience, you might try shorter lines - 50 feet or even less when you get really good. (If you are already sport-kiting, you may have line-sets and handles available.) Check out John Barresi's video on line management. It is about quad line-sets, but everything he shows applies to twin-sets as well. When you make line-sets, make a 4-6 inch loop at each end. Learn to tie a Lark's Head knot to use those loops to fasten the lines to the kite and to the handles. Those fishing swivels/clips are mostly just annoying and add unneeded weight to the kite. You will need to replace the clips with a short pigtail (a short loop of line with a good knot in the end) to fasten the Lark's Head to. The film that the Trlbys were made from can last a long time if they were left in the dark. I would fly them, make tape repairs when needed, and have fun. As you say, the adhesive and rubber has a much shorter lifespan. Sharp objects are the enemy of film, but tape is the great friend. Trlbys like a bit of wind; 5 mph of perfect steady wind might be enough - maybe a bit more if it is a bit unsteady. They should handle 15 mph easily and probably 20. === I realize that this may be a lot more than you asked. I figure it never hurts to be over than under. (And I also re-read your original post. Since you already fly sport kites, a lot of this is old news to you.)

What I have are the McMahon clips - the clip that lays across the little finger in the second picture. Added: As for swivels, proper line management (see several threads, here and on the Rev forum) will completely remove any need for swivels on 2 or 4-line kites. If you don't put twists in the line while winding and unwinding the lines, you simply don't need swivels. You cannot put twists in the line while flying. Save swivels for spin-socks, bols, rotors and single-line kites that seem to spin around no matter what you do.

If you prefer to keep using those McMahon clips, I have a box of each of two different sizes. Measure from end-to-end (accurately) and PM me your address and I'll drop one or two (whatever you need) in the mail to you. You have to leave at least the ring (of the swivel) in place since it is part of the bridle adjustment, so why not keep the clips? Your lines will have loops at the end, so just hook the clips on the loop. No need for a Lark's Head.

Congrats! And, an astoundingly generous offer.

What? Wrong #s? Oh I see, you want me to root for you!!! SORRY!!! I'm not sorry. I am quite pleased that you want to root for me. I just meant that you got my numbers wrong.

I didn't want to point it out: you are shouting the wrong numbers. It should be 833.

Yowza!!! See you there.

I was just gonna say... (I can practically reach out my window and touch Jon's shop.) Grand Haven - see you there. I just got my room confirmed. (The place I like fills up early. They do write to the previous year's guests to see if they want to renew.) Jeep - if I win, you can fly it at GH. #833 forever! We should all call MacKite and say that if John Barresi and iQuad ain't coming, we ain't coming. (I did. Maybe I lied a little. But I sure hope McKite gets its act in gear and sends out the invites soon.)

All the more reason to drool.

Ya know, John, ya don't hafta hit the "Post" button between edits. :cat_lol: EDIT: BTW, Congrats to the winners. All great stuff.

Stealthy for now!