First day

From diary:
Woken at 6 by factory siren in La Victoria. Out of bed at 6:30 to reassemble gliders. The sky is cloudy. The TV in the hotel shows a political march - probably in Caracas. It is raining and people are angry and shouting. Someone tells them to be quiet and calm down - that's all.
Later drive up to launch in a big American 'cruiser' with blacked-out windows (everyone has blacked-out windows in Venezuela and they all seem to drive tatty Chevies and Buicks with wide wheels and jacked up suspension).
Nice and cool on top. Clouds moving fast in NWly wind which makes it crossed on take off. Eventually we all get off ok and make fast climbs to cloudbase at 6500 asl - so not great height gains to be had.
Goal is set at Noguera via a turnpoint to miss military zone. Distance 71.4km. Ended up following Toby who was very low by first lake. I was also struggling and thought I'd be down soon but then found lift back up to 6000 and set off south to try and get over hills there. Sink all the way along pylon topped ridge. Saw Toby go in for a landing next to main road Whilst John A and I circled in lift above him.Toby went in fast and turned over. I landed soon after - partly to check T was ok and partly to get an easier retrieve. dozen or so local kids came over for a look see.
Henry, Trevor and Andy had a long wait for a retrieve. They were given an armed guard when it got dark which cost them 1500 Bvs.
Had meal in restaurant in old square. Modern and clean with posters of Che Guevara and Marylin Monroe. 5 uprights broken today.