Aerial view of the Southern Alps including one of the many glaciers, while leaving NZ.
I have returned to Australia to tie up a few loose ends - sell my trusty Toyota, visit more family and friends and I have been assigned a task - dog and house sitting for 6 weeks. Ollie is his name, he is a Spoodle (cross between a Spaniel and a Poodle) and once I get over the man flu (it's my first winter for a while remember!) we shall enjoy many longer walks together I hope.
Travelers farewell dinner at Stonehurst, Christchurch as many of us were going our separate ways.
Below - a recent trip up to New South Wales took me to Parkes and the Radio telescope. It is a 63metre diameter dish that was commissioned in the 60's and although heavily modified since it's construction, is still at the forefront of astronomical observation. It is built in an area of low average windspeed, low radio interference and is around 4 hours drive from Sydney.
It was used in the communication with the first moon landing - Apollo 11. It received the TV images from the craft for almost the entire length of the landing and they were then transmitted throughout the world. A film suitably named "The Dish" was made a few years ago based on the story although like most films based on real life events they dramatized it somewhat...
Dubbo, New South Wales - the Mackintoshes bonfire - saved each year for the Queens birthday it is the trimmings of a local tree surgeon!
Antics. Girlfriends on UTEs in the background.
The paddock and dam - we caught a load of yabbies and it made a great tasting addition to the bbq.
Ford Model A in local museum above.
I have returned to Australia to tie up a few loose ends - sell my trusty Toyota, visit more family and friends and I have been assigned a task - dog and house sitting for 6 weeks. Ollie is his name, he is a Spoodle (cross between a Spaniel and a Poodle) and once I get over the man flu (it's my first winter for a while remember!) we shall enjoy many longer walks together I hope.
Travelers farewell dinner at Stonehurst, Christchurch as many of us were going our separate ways.Below - a recent trip up to New South Wales took me to Parkes and the Radio telescope. It is a 63metre diameter dish that was commissioned in the 60's and although heavily modified since it's construction, is still at the forefront of astronomical observation. It is built in an area of low average windspeed, low radio interference and is around 4 hours drive from Sydney.
It was used in the communication with the first moon landing - Apollo 11. It received the TV images from the craft for almost the entire length of the landing and they were then transmitted throughout the world. A film suitably named "The Dish" was made a few years ago based on the story although like most films based on real life events they dramatized it somewhat...The Mackintoshes in Dubbo. Ross, Josh and Ryan and the potato gun. We first met in 1987 on a family holiday and mum kept in contact all these years. I got in contact, Colin and Jan invited me up and we had a great weekend in the country enjoying the freedom that is comes with it.
Dubbo, New South Wales - the Mackintoshes bonfire - saved each year for the Queens birthday it is the trimmings of a local tree surgeon!
Antics. Girlfriends on UTEs in the background.
The paddock and dam - we caught a load of yabbies and it made a great tasting addition to the bbq.
Ford Model A in local museum above.Holden UTE below with 700 hp chevy V8. Used in Tractor pulling competitions. Owned by a local mechanic. It made one hell of a noise!
mmm yabbies! (Freshwater prawns)
mmm yabbies! (Freshwater prawns)
