gib·bet
n.
1. A device used for hanging a person until dead; a gallows.
2. An upright post with a crosspiece, forming a T-shaped structure from which executed criminals were formerly hung for public viewing.

I only learnt what a gibbet was today. This one is on the top of a long ridge in Wiltshire with spectcular views over the countryside towards Hungerford. It has only been used once, back in 1676 and stands guard over the best cross country paragliding site in Britain.

Enough of the history lesson: Tom and I have been obsessively checking the weather forecast for the past few days and at last saw an opportunity for a days paragliding at Coombe Gibbet with a brisk northerly wind of around 10mph. It was the first time I have flown this site and it was stunning. There were a number of kites flying with us, (the ones with feathers, not the kind on the end of a string), and they marked the thermals for us, enabling us to get 1,500ft above take off. It was not much above freezing so we were well wrapped up.

After nearly two hours in the air we had to land after another pilot broke his arm. The air ambulance was called and it landed on the hill to take the casualty to hospital. I needed to get back for an evening meeting in London so we reluctantly packed up and drove back up to town vowing to return soon.