This is the forecast for surface winds at 5pm on the day I flew north. We waited for a pair of days when my course would be blue both north and south. I don't fly in the green areas - 10mph surface winds.

Of course, twenty feet off the runway, the winds are different. That was the case this Wednesday. I had a 12mph north wind almost as soon as I lifted off.

We are both lucky to be retired and have the flexibility to wait for good weather.