Temora Flying Day

The Temora Aviation Museum has been our destination to flyin/flyout many times. Last weekend saw the biggest crowds yet with the arrival of warmer weather, longer days and of course the first public demonstration of the newly reconditioned RAAF Sabre jet.

The day began with an 8.30am departure from Bathurst airport, clear blue skies and a 10 knot headwind at 8500 feet. Twenty five minutes later passing Cowra the talk on Melbourne Centre was repeatedly about multiple vfr radar paints converging on Temora, as the the controller said " a lot of vfr aircraft plus some !". At 40miles to run Centre advised there were 30 vfr aircraft converging and within 20 miles of Temora. Jenny had wisely chosen to fly home and let me deal with the traffic at Temora!

Switching to the Temora airport frequency the inbound and circuit calls were almost nonstop with a mixture of singles, twins and jets coming from all directions, almost impossible to get your mind around where they all were.Joining overhead and descending on the dead side for runway 18 we were both scanning every which way, Arrow behind us, Gulfstream jet also passing behind for another runway, about six in the circuit. Did an extended downwind and turned base number 4, and hello, someone else on final having done a straight in approach (unannounced), powered up a little and did another mini downwind to join base, number 5. On short final, watching the gulfstream landing on the intersecting runway, it pulls up OK and we are on the ground, short run through and exit into the parking area with efficient marshals showing the way. Avionics off,mixture full lean, engine stopped - phew, good to be in the parking area.

Flying display started at 11am and finished at 3pm with the Sabre and a visiting F18 hornet putting on a spectacular finale display. The RAAF commentator explains that the Hornet pilot's helmet actually beams all the key flight data directly into the pilots right eye so he can see it all the time. It also aims the weapons wherever he is looking! The hornet display is at half its maximum speed to avoid shattering windows. If breaking glass was not a consideration the Hornet could get back to Williamtown in 12 minutes! It took us 60 minutes back to Bathurst at 140knots.

Jenny took us home after an enjoyable flying day.

Temora Sept09

Bronte Beach

We met up with Ali and Ben and Matt Skinner at Bronte beach, I've attached the photographic results (and the Zoo)

20090329 - Bronte

20090329 - Zoo

Some new photo's

Not much happening with Pip and Mackie and me. 

I'm making the most of the last week or two of nice comforatable cycling for the year, Mackie is trying to battle off a runny nose before it turns into something more, and Pip is...  probably buying shoes for Mackie :).

A new-camera-inspired photo taking frenzy has resulted in me adding a couple of web galleries to picasa which you can click through to below

20090228 - Mackie at the Airport

20090228 - Nanny and Poppies place

Tilpa

Our friends Jon Grahame and Salli-Ann Ward are due to be married on April 4th and Jon, being an older "buck" than many getting married, decided on a different location for a bucks night. Karalla Station is on the banks of the Darling River about 100km north of Wilcannia. The local "town" of Tilpa consists of perhaps half a dozen buildings, most importantly the Pub. The pub, like the one at Birdsville has great character with a corrugated iron walls and ceilings, covered entirely with autographs and comments (for a small fee you can add one). Look up Tilpa on Google earth and you will see the town in great detail.

Anyway, the plan was to arrive at the Pub for lunch and then adjourn to Karalla Station for a roast dinner, a few drinks and an evening beside the river.

Peter Navin went with me in VHBLF and we departed Bathurst at 11am Saturday climbing to 6500ft direct to Cobar, passing overhead Molong, Peak Hill and Tottenham. We landed at Cobar for fuel just behind friends in VHPFD, a C182, and just ahead of a REX charter returning bushfire fighters from Victoria. Fully fuelled we did the last 40 minutes to Tilpa and landed with a gusting crosswind and tied down beside PFD. The next few hours were spent at the pub as various other members of our party flew in,a total of five aircraft. At 5pm we transferred to Karalla Station and settled in for an enjoyable evening. The Darling River driven by heavy rains at Bourke was running at 5m and a great site in this parched western area. Roast Dinner was based around local lamb, a darker than normal meat due to the sheep subsisting on salt bush, and very tasty. To bed at 1am and up at 7am for a walk along the river and a country breakfast.

We were back in the air at about 10.30am and after a low (1000ft) run along the river and over Karalla station, pointed the nose east, climbed to 9500ft against clear blue skys and cruised home in 2.5hrs. Had to descend down to 5500ft near Orange to get below cloud. Home for lunch and back into other chores!

A few photos below, having left the camera behind they are courtesy of the mobile phone.

Tilpa Weekend

Lost in Space

We now understand the Star Trek team, being lost In Glenmore Park without a map is on a par with being lost in space. Worse really, because the short cut from the Northern Road to Mulgoa Rd, formerly a narrow straight and quiet road alongside the golf club (about 30 years ago!)has transformed into a city of 50,000 inhabitants (none of which need a map), roundabouts aplenty, schools ,shopping centres, suburbs within a suburb and , qaintly,signs pointing the way which disappear at critical moments. Why were we there, in the ute, with the gps safely locked in the car in Bathurst? No reason really, we were just on our way home from Mystery Bay,500km to the south, via half a day at work at Moss Vale. Approaching the M4 we suddenly thought lets go to the Harvey Norman lighting ship in Penrith and wouldnt it be simple to shortcut via Glenmore Park!

While we were in Mystery, everyone else, it seems, were at Windemere Rd, enjoying the DVD and the kitchen while 40mm of rain fell outside, not before time! There were a few showers at Mystery Bay but we managed to mow the lawn for the first time, finish a few small jobs and continue on the huge task of repairing, preparing and painting the timber rails which run all the way around the house. There is probably at least another couple of weekends work to go.

We had time for a bit of exploring, drove in to Handkerchief Beach, next to Nangudga Lake ( a reserve with lots of birds, swans and splashing fish). Walked along the beach and climbed a small headland before turning back in the face of a rain shower. Then drove down to Central Tilba and continued on via the Punkalla Road through forests and discovered the dirt road which you can use to ascend Mt Dromedary (Gulaga to the aboriginals). Gulaga is the mountain with Central Tilba nestled at its foot. It also determines the microclimate at Mystery Bay, Gulaga rises up steeply to 800m and often generates threatening cloud and cool breezes in the afternoon. Anyway, the road was wet and slippery so we saved the ascent for another day. Returned to Central Tilba, and like locals (as distinct from tourists) went to the General store to buy the paper.

New Folder

Christmas 2008

Christmas at home with Tim,Pip and Mackenzie, Nan and Alison. Mackenzie ensured there was a mountain of presents under the tree.After Boxing Day Ali went to Newcastle and the rest of us to Mystery Bay for 5 days.Marc and Kerri came and stayed overnight on New Years Eve.Mackenzie discovered the surf, sand and sandcastles (things you stamp on!).

xmas 2008

MB Project

Getting close to completion, all the internals and furnishing complete apart from a couple of items for later. Deck is finished.Now started on the yard and the boring task of repairing , stripping and painting the perimeter hand rails-big job.

Had a full house on new years eve with 8 adults and Mackenzie!

MB Project