Woken by my alarm, I was bloody freezing. Our block has lost the whole electricity circuit which supplies our plug sockets, and our heaters. Got into my flying gear and went to Ops. This morning was the coldest so far I reckon.

We were due to take off at 07:00. The engine just did not want to start. Mixture rich, left magneto, engine primed - everything was as it should be. After about five minutes of trying,we switched off the mag and master and Andrew got out. He poked and prodded about behind the spinner, but nothing was apparently wrong. He asked me to try starting it, with him away from the prop but close enough to see the starter motor. It appeared to just not engage, the prop wouldn't spin. He was distracted by a guy with a document for his attention, I kept trying to turn the thing over. We were about to scrub the flight. Then all of a sudden the prop turned half a revolution, I immediately took my finger off of the starter button - didn't want to make a mess of anyone nearby, not least my own instructor. Andrew came running round and jumped in, we tried starting for real this time. The prop refused to turn, it was getting silly. By this time, the master battery was sounding quite tired and we were in danger or flattening it. We carried on pumping the throttle, probably flooded the damn engine. We had another five goes with the prop turning, then all of a sudden the engine spun under it's own power!

We sped into the windy and turbulent air, today was the pinnacle of the recent cold front. Up towards the fish river sector, where we practiced climbing and descending, turning and levelling off. I wasn't happy with my accuracy and it fueled my doubt of being physically able to gain a PPL. Luckily Andrew said it was a good start and just a matter of practice.

After the flight I met with Neale and we decided to have breakfast in town, before returning in time for my second flight at 13:00.

This time, I think that the winds were a little worse. But I managed to taxi out OK, and guide the aircraft skywards. We were given the same sector for our slot, and did more of the same. I felt happier this time, and learned first-hand that keeping a good lookout all around gives you better awareness and accuracy, particularly in turning. Also I have a particular fondness for Echo-Echo-Golf; it appears that it's left hand seat has one extra rearwards notch. So while I'm practically sitting in the rear seat, it makes rudder control in particular more comfortable. I enjoyed guiding the aircraft down on approach, but as the air was turbulent again, Andrew made the landing.

Dinner came by, and we elected to return to the Oddfellows. I skipped dinner at 43, am just fed up of "chicken, in a slightly different sauce, with rice". I've never been so please to eat a slab of gammon and chips in all my life! We enjoyed a few beers, and promised to return next Friday.