Birds

Recently  I  have had the pleasure of doing a number of walks in various national parks and have seen some birds that I  have either not seen before or have not seen for a number of years.

The most  striking was the Pacific Baza. A bird of prey  with a distinct "top notch". Its flight is soaring through the canopy, and underneath  its wings are quite translucent. I  spotted this at the Illawarra escarpments whilst at motocross training. ( not my  photo)

The other was a Black-faced Monarch. Part of the flycatcher group, this inquisitive little bird was quite bold when  we spotted him along the Burralow creek in the Blue Mountains National Park. ( not my  photo)

The third Bird of interest was a Pilot Bird. A duller coloured bird that  seems quite busy  scratching on in leaf debris or on lower trucks of rotting trees. Again seen in the blue Mountains National park near devils Hole.

The fourth bird is a Striped Honeyeater. This lovely  bird was seen near the Willandra creek and again was quite curious as to  what I  was up to. ( not my  photo).

The final bird is a Bassian Thrush. This shy  bird is often found on the ground, taking to  tree beaches and sitting quietly  if disturbed. They  have a very  "soft" distinctive eye and a lovely call. (Photo by Geoffrey Dabb)

Birding is always good. A good excuse for a walk, a good excuse to really  take the time to  have a look around you. It does not matter if you  are in a national park or on a race track..there is always something to  see.

Willandra Christmas

The Willandra shearing shed

As you  know Willandra National Park is a favourite of ours. Its an iconic part of our pastoral history, it allows you  to  enjoy the plains of outback NSW, with  stunning sunrises and sunsets. Some sections are harsh whilst the historic home, the creek and outbuildings provide and oasis away  from the heat. Of course all of us enjoy it there and think fondly  of friends and good times.

The "One Tree Plain." Flat  and as vast as the eye can see. (unless you  use binoculars..then  its even further)

However, it did come as a surprise when my  daughter asked if she could have her 21st birthday  there. I  was delighted. She had invited some of her American friends over for Christmas and we all agreed that  this would be a fabulous place for them to  get a taste of rural Australia.

Arrival at the Overseers Cottages

Rather than  camp, we chose to hire the Overseers cottage. Many  of the greater rural properties generally had a huge homestead for the owners, a managers home, and overseers cottage and then shearers accommodation.  The cottage is neat, clean and tidy. For Susies birthday lunch we were granted the use of the formal dining room in the homestead.

The formal dining room of  Willandras grand homestead

Christmas itself was quite intense. A full traditional day consisting of Turkey, Ham, roast pork, plum pudding as well as salmon mousse. Seafood consisted of 3 kg of king prawns and a few dozen pacific oysters. Cheese, sweets, and a variety  of beers, wines and champagne. We have not done this for some time, as its easier to head to a restaurant for Christmas day.  The work load, oven, dishwasher did not stop from early  morning to  evening as guests came and went.

A Willandra sunrise over the Willandra Creek Billabong

It was 11pm by the time we had packed for the trip out west. Leaving early, the journey  was uneventful. Tar all the way  to  Hillston, where re fuelled the Rav4. The next 80km is on a dirt "dry weather only" road. I  was very  pleased that  there were mobs of emu and kangaroo in such  numbers that it would have made Qantas proud. Our visitor was delighted to  see this.

Managers Cottage. In  the shade of a row of pepper and olive trees

On arrival we discovered that  there was no water! Not to the cottage, nor any other building. We learned there was a power blackout a few days before and clearly the bore pump had switched off. Despite our best efforts to find a switch we failed. Fortunately  I  always travel with  60 litres of drinking water. However this was not going to  be enough for cooking, washing and drinking over 3-4 days. I  made the choice to drive 80k back to  Hillston to  buy what  extra water we could. The BP servo, was open and I  refuelled, purchased an extra 40 litres of water.

Toyota Landcruiser off to get water.

Functional washes using what  water I  could get from the water tanks on the home, (uncertain as to  the quality we chose not to use it for cooking or drinking). Basically  a bucket, and a dipper you  have to  be quick. For a brief moment I thought I  saw our American friend go green.

Susies birthday lunch was a traditional roast lamb with all the trimmings as well as french  champagne. Cooked in the gas oven of the cottage, placed on the back of the Landcruisers tray and driven over to the formal dining room.

Susie cutting the birthday cake made in the shape of a teapot. 

It was a brilliant meal. Later that  afternoon we had afternoon tea and birthday  cake under the shade of a tree on the manicured lawns. The Willandra creek billabong making a beautiful backdrop, as Whistling Kites soared overhead.

The following day I  chose to  get up  early, as the days were reaching 40c, and drive the Merton trail. It  had not been driven on for some time and so I was delighted to  see a full array  of wildlife, including feral goats and pigs and a Geep!  A Geep is a cross between a goat and a sheep and they  look amazing! I  assume they are like a Mule...

A Stunning Willandra Sunset

The afternoons were too hot to  engage in too much activity so we cruised around the homestead and relaxed with  beer in hand. Susie announced her engagement and is heading off the the USA for 4 months.

Willandra has become a very  significant place for us all. It was our good family  friend Jims last trip, Susies 21st and engagement as well and many  other fond memories.

Again, this is a trip and christmas we shall never forget.

(Note:- All meats and vegetables in this post are "free range." No human was harmed in their processing)

The things we see

Sometimes I  just have to wonder. Has the township of Parkes found the secret to incredible Olympic performances? This is Parkes public pool. Look at  the sign.

We saw this whilst travelling to Willandra for my  daughters 21st birthday.  I am  not too sure I would like to  swim there!  More on the trip soon.

Happy New Year!!

Wishing everyone a Merry  Christmas and a Happy  New Year. The key  thing is not too over indulge.

Here is a picture of what  you  will  look like if you do, and you  could end up  in  the dog house.

Poor Nip... one too many!

Fj Cruiser- Goodbye!

After 12 months, 50,000km and a host of expenditure it was time to  say  goodbye to the Fj cruiser.  Why? I am  glad you  ask.  Here are some pointers as to  why-

Toyota advertise the Fj as a vehicle that  has the heritage of the original FJ40. Its not. The original Fj40  has its roots way  back in the ww2 Jeep. The original Fj40's were military  spec. The currant Fj Cruiser is not.

So what ? You  ask.  Well here is the bottom line. in  50,000km of outback travel I  found that:-

1. The doors began to rattle. and the door configuration is just  wrong. Awkward, plus the rear door is hung on the wrong side making loading a real issue. Try loading the rear from the curb, or opening the doors in a confined space e.g. an underground car park.

2.The vehicle is not designed for a bull bar and the ARB bull bar caused all sorts of issues. Even with a revised bar, it continued to  cause me problems. Frankly  some of the after market designers should be ashamed of themselves.

3. The shape of the roof and styled bodywork means that  rear cargo area is an issue as too is a roof rack.

4. The front suspension is Prado. I  had to  replace suspension bushes every 25,000km.

5. The vertical windscreen means that  your fuel consumption varies by a long way. The slightest headwind, (or side wind), resulted in fuel economy  going out the window.

The new basic V8  tray back with  its sides down setting up  camp

6. As a result to  windscreen really  gets thumped by stones and rocks and replacing it is awkward... some of the plastic around it can  be damaged by the inexperienced screen fitter.

6. Fuel tank is way  too small and there are issues with  fuel leaks from  aftermarket units. So what  do  you  do?

7. Gearbox.. Awful. It hangs on in 5th and is reluctant  to change down. When  it does it thumps back 2 cogs and the engine is left screaming its head off.. This is particularly  noticeable in hilly  terrain and more so with the cruise control on.

8. The blue tooth and I-pod connectivity  is lousy.

Now, I  know I  have grown up on  60 series, 80 series and 70 series and I  know I  get into  tough outback terrain, so I replaced it with a V8 trayback.  Much  more suited to my  needs.

 Conclusion- The FJ Cruiser is a "wash and wear" price point Prado. It  has some really nice features and is brilliant off road. Great  approach  and departures as well as ramp over. It makes really  nice vehicle for mountain bike riders, surfers, or the weekend warrior who  wants to  test their skills down a telegraph gymkhana track, and then  head into  their inner city  pad. However,  Its not an FJ40. It will not work on outback cattle stations for 300,000km. So, I  have traded some comfort for a live axle, consistent fuel economy and less electronics.. the last  of the FJ40/HJ47 line.

At the end of the day  its horses for courses.

We've gone Batty!

On  Sunday  we arrived at the Motocross track early, as the weather forecast predicted 37c top temp. So  we wanted the cooler part of the day the ride. Dave found a micro bat in  the hand basin. Poor fellow looks very  young. I  think it has lost its mother. We dampened a singlet and wrap it up  to  keep it cool and dark.

From this photo you  can  just  how tiny  they are.


The little chap seems undamaged and so  we transferred it to a shoe box and placed it in the dark of the wardrobe. We wanted to  see if it could fly and be ok.

This morning it has  left the shoebox and was flying around Daves room.

We are currently looking for it as we think it has gone to roost somewhere.  Once we find it we feel confident to  let it go.

Its wings are in good order

Mico bats play a very  important role in  the ecology. Some help pollinate trees, and they  eat mosquitos and small moths. Using their larger ears and echo to locate their prey. They are tiny, about the size of a small mouse.

Many  years ago we had a Lesser Long-eared bat with us for a while too. I  find them fascinating and quite beautiful

A day at the races

Dave and his friend Luke chose a nice Sunday  to  do  another Race Pace day. This time it was at the Appin National Track and was quite different to Illawarra. Thats Dave in the red helmet and  orange/blue outfit on the black Honda CRF250r bike. Next  to  him is  Luke dressed in Suzuki colours of yellow on the Suzuki RM 125

Below is a video Luke put together and its a great way  to  see what the boys got up  too. In typical fashion Dave led the way  in  the Race starts and you  can  see him  get the wheel up in the 2nd start. The boys also  got plenty  of air on  the double up too, Luke only being limited by the horsepower of the 125.

No, the photos are not photo shopped! Thats Dave getting plenty of air! they  basically  get into the air on the first jump land on the top of the second and launch again, getting higher each  time.

Below he is pondering his race start. I  have to  say  Daves riding is nice and smooth, which  is a relief as the amount of air they  get continues to raise my  blood pressure!

Again I was astounded that  some of the boys did not listen to the instructors, and again two boys were injured. Surprisingly  on the 6 "Whoops" as they  call it.  In the video they are the lumps in the track, that  don't look like much  but if you  don't time it right they  bounce you  off. One lad was only  winded, the other suffered a broken arm. 

After 6 hours of riding the boys had certain worn themselves out. and a great  day  was had by all! well, almost  all!