Fano 2011 Report

[Derek]

Fano 2011 - part 1

When planning the journey to Fano this year, I had 3 choices. Ferry Harwich to Esbjerg, fly to Esbjerg airport then foot it, or drive the whole way. The first was £887 for me, the camper and an inside cabin, 18 hours. The second not too expensive, but either take no kites, or pay £50 per small bag, yeuck. The third is to drive straight from Wirral Kite Festival, past my house in Solihull to reload, down to Dover - Calais, then head north for 18 hours. So, the last one it is.

Some of us posses original COACA, so are obliged to plan and calculate carefully. (Campers Of A Certain Age)

OK, it's a long drive - Merseyside to Fano in total 30 hours, including (small) sleeps, fuel stops, people filling and people emptying stops. But marginally less than the direct ferry.

So, what's the advantage? It's the adventure! You get to see a whole lot of Europe, many rest areas, numerous roadworks, crazy nutcase European driving, and an unknown number of wind turbines. [Stopped counting after 120 or so, it got boring and I ran out of fingers and toes.]

Just approaching the German / Danish border, there is the Keele Canal. The motorway bridge rises many meters above it, and the view is fantastic. And, of course I do it slowly, I tell myself, in order to admire the canal below. The reality is that, like me, COACA is a bit old and slow, and hills become more significant as time passes.

Once back on the flat and level, a light lit dimly in my brain. I realised that the bridge was in fact one of the few hills I had encountered in the whole journey. There are a couple of inclines on the M6 and the M40, but after that it's pretty much flat until the outskirts of Dover. In foreign, it's all flat, and I'm talking pancake and curvature of the earth here. There is one incline about halfway up Germany, but it's 4 lane and there's a turbine to count at the top, so it's not too bad. Going under the River Elbe in the tunnel by Hamburg is also something of a slope, but I'm not sure if that counts because it goes down first. After that, and the Keel Canal, the steepest thing is the ramp off the ferry at Fano itself.

It is quite remarkable that this long journey can snake it way through a significant part of the UK and the continent without giving my COACE too much breathing trouble. Also remarkable is the fact that, even going North all the way, which as we all know means uphill, you still end up at sea level.

Perhaps the North Sea is on a slope?

Ah - did I mention the 32 steps up to my house? That was a bit unexpected. The COACA stays at the bottom, that would be too much to expect.

Gotta go now - there's a wide flat beach to drive along.

Derek

[Derek]

Well, Wednesday was Bol Eclipse day on Fano.

That means Christian Kolz had organised the second edition of his amazingly successful Bol Meetings due to start with a barbeque at 5 followed by the Bol Turning at 8. Superb idea, well received and enthusiastically planned. People brought their Bols specially to take part, and I heard a rumour that a couple of the Germans had actually MADE an 8 meter Bol each just for this event. (Actually, I think they would use them afterwards as well.)

We had a fantastic day flying. Wind was a constant West to Northwest all day, with bright sun and a few white clouds up high to give a bit of perspective. Many folk arriving today, every one of them I spoke to all told the same story - couldn't wait to get here, bounced off the ferry and drove directly to the beach to fly something. Only later thought about collecting keys or putting up tents. Hmmm - sounds familiar.

Then it was nearly 5, so we all packed away and drove to the North end of the beach at Fano Bad. Chosen this year because there is more space - last year we straggled over half a mile because we ran out of room. A few Bols were flying already, a good sign. But first the Inner Mann, and out came the barbeques. Never experienced community German barbeques before: there's a lot of cheating. Like fire lighters, lighter fluid and a rather scary gas torch. And Bol Flying in between.

Just as we get to the burping stage, the wind dropped. Not suddenly, but gently over about 20 minutes. It was all very graceful - except the frantic efforts of the Bollists (c) to keep it all going for the photos. Not such a disaster because acres of brightly coloured ripstop on the ground is entertainment in itself. At the official Bol Turning Start, around 8, there was only my Ring Bol flying, and the "Black Hole". (As in "Have you seen my Black Hole?" Thanks Nadine!) Mine is 8.5 meters, dwarfed by the 22m Black Hole, complete with realistically moving spider in the middle. See it and believe it.

Around this time, we were expecting a Lunar Eclipse. After some discussion, we thought to concentrate on the area opposite the sun. Seemed logical, but sadly just the part that was rapidly becoming overcast. The clouds, and the lack of wind, lasted until well past the end of the eclipse around midnight. By which time we were sitting in a huddle with as many LED toys and LED kites as we could find, working our way through several crates of rather excellent German beer. Hey, somebody's gotta do it. Finally wobbled off the beach around 2, freezing cold, under the brightest full moon I can remember.

Derek


(c) Bollist - a person who flies a Bol. Original noun by Christian Kolz 2010. Ok, so what else could you call them?

[Derek]

Thursday is Begrussungs Abend - Greetings Evening.

The hall at the Fano Riding School is taken over for the occasion. In exchange for €2 parking, Kite Fliers get to assemble there, peruse a few traders, eat Bratwurst and cake, and drink Danish Beer. Not as bad as it sounds, but you must have 2 because the first one never works properly.

At some point, the Mayor of Fano says a few words. Then comes Wolfgang Schimmelpfenning, the notable German Kiteflier who started the whole thing off many years ago. And Rainer Gregowsky adds to the atmosphere of anticipation and joviality. All of which is in German, over a rather muffled PA system that has no "bit quieter" knob.

I asked somebody what was being said. He replied, "Did you keep the handout from last year? Same as that. Or the year before." OK, good.

One of the (many) problems I have is putting names to faces. I usually remember people I have talked with, and what we said, and sometimes even the country they come from. But I am always asking for names, or another business card, just to make sure.

I mentioned this to a couple of recently-reintroduced Kite Friends, and they agreed that, although I was obviously a bit potty, I was certainly not alone. Phew! Later, I spoke with Wolfgang. His knowledge, of course, goes back all the way.

"How many of these Kite Fliers do you know?" I asked.

"I know the names of about 100, " he said, "and I recognise maybe another 300 from the previous years. Everybody else, I have to ask their names again, or for another business card."

A relief to know one's senility is normal. It's also nice to know you have at least 3,000 instant friends on the island.

Who said that?


Derek

[Derek]

For those followers of a more observant nature, it might become apparent that there are no photos with these monologues.

It would appear that my excellent Card Reader is in the place where I am not. In the fullness of time, there may be images.

But bring a dictionary, they may be in Danish.

Must fly now . . .

Derek

[Derek]

Saturday is the Versteigerung, for those who cannot pronounce "Auction".

Back to the Fano Riding School, more Bratwurst, cake and Danish beer. Many more people this time. This auction is led by Alfons Karsten from Germany. I believe that a fair number of people just come for his performance, and have no interest in bidding for anything.

The range of kites is really amazing. As usual with auctions, you see the same things going round and round. That means exactly the same things: seemed like a good idea at the time, get it home, don't want it / doesn't fly, ain't going to tell anybody, put it in the next auction. And there are a few new commercial pieces donated by the traders. But what is unique here on Fano are the "specials".

Some people make kites specially to go in the auction. Usually their showcase creations, many state-of-the art designs, and no cheating along the printing path. As previously suggested, it's the biggest German Kite Festival in Denmark, and the Germans outnumber everyone else by about 100 to 1. (And probably the island residents as well!) So there are many fine kites up for grabs. German kites tend to be quite technical, minutely crafted, pleasing colour combinations, the original "stitch-counters". Some will spend up to 100 hours in the design and fabrication. They are a phenomenon to be experienced.

And there are sometimes historical kites for auction. By this, I mean originals, not copies. The Classic Faction (yes, they have a club as well), often hoard these articles for many years. There is a huge amount of work in research, provenance, preservation and restoration. Some of these kites are worth a LOT of money - sometimes thousands. Out of their generosity, and maybe inability to continue the collection, a small number of these unique pieces find their way into the auction. They are followed with great interest, of course, but usually go for a fraction of their real value. Good way to get a bargain, but not 100% reliable.

As part of the presentation, Alfons usually saves the best kite until last. This year, it was an Invader by the notable German kite maker, Werner Ahlgrim from Bremerhaven. Very advanced for its time, yet another Jilly Pelham variant, complicated 3-D arrangement, nightmare to assemble, but still one of best fliers in a broad wind range. The one in this auction is the last one ever made, not quite a classic, but it will be in a few years. Werner was here in person to see it go, and now has none left. (Although there may still be a few with some retailers, but not original hand-made. And all the copies.) After much theatre, public participation, screaming and shouting, it went for €1,000. That's a first, I believe.

But the most remarkable thing happened later, in the privacy of the car park. At the end, there were only 2 serious bidders left. Somebody has to win, and he did. (No names, sorry.) The close second was really quite disturbed and upset, and after some discussion, the winner sold his unique Invader to her for the price of her last bid, because that is all the money she has. Now, that's another first.

I met her on the beach yesterday, flying the kite up around 500m, complete with the "Kite Smile". When I spoke with her, she shared a little secret.

"I have known about this kite for 10 years," she said, "but he would not sell it because it was the last one. He is too old and sick to think about kites now, so there will never be another one through his hands. It has been my dream for 10 years to have this kite, and always he said 'No, not yet'. But I never lost hope."

With a tear in her eye, ". . . and yesterday my dream came true."

That is Fano.

A place for dreams.

[Deleted]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D








Ranno Martson's photos on Facebook capture a tiny flavour of the event, and your colourful write up's are just as decorative Derek, many thanks for pi**ing me right off! I check the live web cam daily and saw only two days of precipation....damn!

[Derek]

Good photos, thanks to Ranno Märtson.

As you can see, it's impossible to get all the kites in, and see the detail as well. If you turn to look up the beach the other way, it's almost the same again!

Incidentally, the 2-tone purple Vlag is Clara's. You can tell by the gold Princess crown appliquée at the bottom.

The webcam is indeed pointing towards the mainland. If you wish, you can watch the tide go in and out. The tall chimney is a power station, and produces smoke/ steam during the day, and blinking lights at night. If you are very patient, a bloke empties his dog now and again. Riveting.

The Kite Meeting is on the opposite side of the island, facing out to the North Sea. Very often the weather is completely different there. It's a phenomenon I think of as "Quick Weather". One minute this, next minute that. And sometimes does not reach the other side of the island to be recorded by the webcam, which explains Collin's comment.

Yesterday, I had 6 Vlags in the air when the squall came. Everything soaked, COACA full of water, glasses fogged up. After 10 minutes it all stopped, sun came out and I started steaming. A couple came by on bikes, wearing T-shirts and shorts. "Why are you all wet?" they ask. "It's been lovely down the beach, you should go and fly there."

Rejoice in the Micro-Climate! If there was no weather, we would have nothing to talk about in England.


Derek

[Princess Clara]

Wow, having been back in the UK for a few days, I though I'd have a look ay what my old man had been writing.

I second most of it!

And in few words, sum up Fano for me:

--
Fano is good. If you can, then go. If not, try to plan it. It is cool. Many kites, many kite people. There is always somthing fun going on somewhere. Or you can take a bit of time to relax and just fly. It's a bit like a holiday, but with kites.
--

I would love to put some pictures up, but I didn't take any.

See you in the sky somewhere, guys

[Deleted]

BIG stuff at Fano I came across, only the Germans!

www.youtube.com/user/CharlesTacheron