Now in the good old days, before the war....they didn't know about thermals.
Mary, I've often seen this written, but I do find it very hard to take seriously. What did people think buzzards, seagulls, even bits of paper were doing when they ascended with little or no effort? Surely someone must have pondered on what causes cumulus clouds?
With all the flying in the First World War and the need to get a height advantage in combat, someone must have circled under a cloud and noticed that their climb rate increased?
Nympsfield, the home of the Bristol & Gloucester Gliding Club is a hilltop site, and can offer some great winter slope soaring as well as buttock clenching approaches, depending on the wind direction.