Glow worm cave

The Natural Arch, picture doesn't do justice to it: a quick visit while dropping by to see Warren & Clare (hang gliding friends) who live now in Helensville. Off to Brisbane now...

Woody Head Rocks in the evening

Lots of little holes in the rocks, currents throwing stones around have made big rock-pools and lots of small dents in larger rocks like these...

Day 12 - destination Woody Head

Fascinating day, leaving Hat Hill via Southwest Rocks to Trial Bay Gaol Ruins - very interesting history. During WW1 over 500 German-born Australians were rounded up and interred here until after the end of the war when most were returned against their wishes to Germany.


The 'enemy within'. Next we visited Smoky Cape lighthouse, then headed north to Woody Head, a gorgeous spot with the


best rock pool life i have seen since i was a kid - apart from all the usual stuff there were sea cucumbers, octopi, Sea slugs, and urchins.


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Location:Woody Head

On the way to Aspley Falls

There used to be a river crossing here, to access the long walk around the falls; unfortunately it has been washed away. Will be put back, but for now, can't do the long walk. (Not that we were going to!)

Day 11 - waterfalls and beaches

A great couple of days, making our way down from Keepit to the coast and up to Hat Head (yes that is the name of the beach!)

Just after Tamworth we stopped to checkout Moonbi lookout (see photo) then headed via Walcha and stopped overnight at Aspley falls - very spectacular.

This morning it was off to Port Macquarie, then up the coast to Hat Head where we are now.

A : See Details(Google Map)

Beach time!

Bit of body surfing, then lunch...
(Port Macquarie)

Day 9 of the Big Adventure

Well, here we are on Day 9 already, and finally a day that was a bit more laid back. One of the Level 3 Instructors here at Lake Keepit invited me to fly the Duo around the Grand Prix circuit. I was pretty pleased to have a reason to get back in the air, and we had a great time, coming in 3rd before handicaps are applied. Nice to be beating the open-class ships!

Tomorrow we will be leaving Keepit and heading for the coast. Here's another picture of the lawn scrabble with Ian and Graham struggling to make sense of it all...

Allan coming home

As you can see the day stayed blue, everyone is home and quite happy. It's been a challenging day and a good day to practise team flying as staying together was a good strategy.

The 15M team came out the winners, 18M pushed low a few times. Congratulations to Adam for being first past the post.

Debrief is under way, we're discussing tracks, sources, comms and more...

Maggot race to follow.

Friday - relaxing after hard days crewing

Leschy and Graham relaxing at the OzTent...

Saturday

Today's task is another grand prix, this time we are having a team event. There are 3 teams of three, the catch is the slowest of the three is the scored pilot. The day is not as good as previous days. We have a blue day with broken climbs. All gliders are underway.

We have had to say goodbye to some pilots as they start their trek home.

This morning's talk on "pattern of the day" by Brad stimulated a good discussion and provided a reminder of some basics that sometimes get overlooked.

Coming home - dingo base

Waiting for the boys to come home, 0 ft height limit, should be some good photos

2nd Start 3:00 pm

They are off, another lap of the same task.
The first race took about 1:15.

Launch and Start

Team Argentina

Today is particularly interesting. The task is actually 2 Grand Prix races.
We're coming together as a team quite well. This morning we spoke about best utilisation of the practise period and also radio comms.

The task has just started, all gliders passing overhead in a short period of time and tracking into a nice cu sky.

Pelicans & Gliders

Big flock of pelicans going round to the right, with Tom Claffey going round to the left... Difficult to get a good shot, as they were quite high and not sure I got the focus good, anyway.

Mike & Tobi getting ready ...

A 150 k task within local area- round twice with a grand priz type start. An old style race; first back wins!

Some of the wildlife

Apostlebirds huddling, as they are won't to do...

82km to run

Craig is reporting a good run in, due about 4:25

Dingo Base - intensive action

It's all go at dingo base as the pilots work their way around a 2 1/2 hour AAT. There's a nice cu sky on track.

High icing

Clouds looking interesting, quite bright and difficult to see in a photo- have adjusted the contrast heavily!

It is now heating up, task to the warumbungles wimboyne, bunnaway and back.

Early Morning Clouds

Putting the task in

Greg assisting Allan with the Altair.

Day 3 - First Flight

This morning after brekky we rigged the LS8 and ballasted up. A beautiful glider! After our 2nd team psych session, we headed out to launch. Straight into 6kt and i was soon fairly comfortable with the new instruments. Although we met up several times during the flight, the team flying is really not working so we'll have to talk that one through. We had about a 330km triangle, Lake Keepit, Bingara, Bellata and home. Leg 3 was the problem with spreadout clouds, no sunshine and a strong wind. Almost on final glide, I had to turn away from the hills to avoid an embarrassing impact, and ended up landing in a lovely barley paddock. Right now I'm watching a rainbow form upwind as i wait for Dave to arrive with the trailer - not such a brilliant start to Squad week!



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Day 2- DDSC to Lake Keepit

An early start after a great night. First stop was Warwick to pick up Greg Schmidt's glider - thanks so much Greg for letting me use it at Squad week. Then, Tomtom's orders, inglewood-Texas and then via Manilla to Lake Keepit. About a 9 hour drive, with the camper not exactly the most rapid transport. Arrived just at dusk with roos all over the airfield, just in time to wolf down yesterday's leftovers and have our first team psych session with Helen. What a great job she does - looking forward to flying the LS8 tomorrow! Hit the sack about 10.


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Location:On the road

Day 2- DDSC to Lake Keepit

An early start after a great night. First stop was Warwick to pick up Greg Schmidt's glider - thanks so much Greg for letting me use it at Squad week. Then, Tomtom's orders, inglewood-Texas and then via Manilla to Lake Keepit. About a 9 hour drive, with the camper not exactly the most rapid transport. Arrived just at dusk with roos all over the airfield, just in time to wolf down yesterday's leftovers and have our first team psych session with Helen. What a great job she does - looking forward to flying the LS8 tomorrow! Hit the sack about 10.


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Location:On the road

Day 1 of the big Adventure

Well i am actually writing this on Day 3 - this is the first. Hance i have had since we began - it has been absolutely non-stop!

Day 1 was a special day. Not only my 50th birthday but the start of what I hope will be the trip of a lifetime!

Last night we packed all our remaining worldly possessions over to Mike's place (thanks Mike!) and then headed up to the club. One small drama - the motorway was closed due to roadworks so we spent half an hour in traffic. Finally got there at 12:30am. This morning was spent sorting out the camper and storing the car in the back of the hangar, then this afternoon we got the clubhouse ready for the party. Dave had made huge quantities of all our favourite Indian dishes - Libby threw in a big serving of special rice, and Fran contributed a yummy dessert. The meal went really well, Charlie made a really nice speech, and all in all I think it was my best birthday party ever! Thanks everyone for making it happen. An amazing night. Hopefully some photos soon.



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Location:Darling Downs Soaring Club

Tom Tom strikes again !

On the way...

On the way to lake keepit via Warick to pick up Greg Schmidt's glider that Allan is borrowing for squad week ( thanks Greg). It rained a far bit yesterday and doesn't look to hit this morning! As you can see...