My favorite things. Part 2

Aerial View of Nullabor Plains

I have a cousin and he is a great bloke. He has a lot of boyish enthusiasim which is infectious!There is nothing better than getting on the phone and talking about cars, bikes, and planes! Over the years he has bought a Cessna Aerobat, a Glasair, a twin seater Pitts Special and just now a Pitts Special single seater. There was only one problem with the purchase of the latest, and that is it was located in Western Australia. Or to put it more into perspective, over 1/10 the way around the world.


Forrest Airport Nullabor Plains


Logic would argue that it would be best to get it back to the east coast was to have it put in a shipping container and transported by ship or train. But thats not what my cousin is like. Not at all. Instead of seeing a problem, he saw an oppertunity. Col and Ryan would fly it back over the entire continent, over deserts in the middle of winter all the way from Western Australia to NSW.

The team!


Now, a Pitts is an acrobatic plane. Super light weight, slow but powerful. It is not designed to fly long distances at all. Careful planning and fuel stops were required. Not only did they fly from WA to NSW but they flew there to pick it up! Col flew his Glasair, (which is like a little spitfire), across our country with Ryan and escorted his son back.

Here are some of the photos of the trip


Glasairs! they are very pretty

As you can see the country is harsh. Many of the air strips were not suitable to the Glasair as it is a finely built plane.

Glasair landing on one of the few suitable strips.

The Pitts is a very lightweight plane. Basically canvas over timber ribs with exposed cables and a 180hp engine. It is a reminder of days gone by, judging by the look on Ryans face- regardless of distance, its a thrill to fly.

The smile says it all!

I think life is about having a passion or boyish enthusiasim for whatever comes your way.
These guys have it in bucket loads! Perhaps if you travel in country NSW you will see my cousins in their magnificent flying machines!



Why do it? Just look at this photo!

A few of my favorite things

Well, I am typing this as a thunder storm rolls in and the temperature suddenly drops. I am still riding at night and on the weekend, but rather than bore you with that, my mind began to wander to the things I really like.

As some of my friends know- I love to drive cars. Always have done even as a child. It's not about how I look to others, nor the "pose value". But it's how they make me feel when I drive one or look at it. Now in this day and age with mass hysteria of global warming taking place, cars will become anti-social ("Good"! I can hear Maalie say).

This year I tried really hard to drive a hybrid- I really did. They are AWFUL!!
I tried really hard to drive a GTi Golf- I really did! Trying to cut my carbon footprint. But I frankly cannot cope. I do 1500km a week!..... This is what I drive now and I feel better for it......




However mine is silver and like the one in the video is a "z" the last of its type. They are basically an American all alloy V8 either in a 5.7litre or 6 litre format. In the UK they are known as the Vauxall Monaro, In Germany they are known as an Opel Monaro. In America- Pontiac GTO. Australia- Holden Monaro. Monaro means "wind" in Aboriginal. ( NO- to you runcible folk- wind as in the trees......)




They are quite nice to drive. Powerful, and good on the open road. The car was designed in Australia. Australian cars are built stronger than the cars in the US or Europe, as our roads are rougher. We also like the way European cars handle and, as such, our cars are a mixture of American "muscle" with European steering and braking. This means that, although the car is "big" (the size of a 500 Merc coupe) it handles well, even in wet conditions.

Anyway, here are a few other "favorites"



Porsche 993


This is the last of the air cooled version. A strong little car with a bucket of power. Not easy to drive as the engine is in the back and as such means you either must come into a corner with the power "ON" or "OFF". A change of mind in the middle of a corner will result in a spin. I sold this car to my doctor who still drives it today.


Porsche 996

A softer car than the 993 and easier to drive too. Does not feel as well built as the 993 which has that "VW beetle" strength to it. I think they built these for the American market.



Chrysler Crossfire

This is a funny sort of thing- Designed by an Englishman for an American company, and using Mercedes running gear. I did not know whether to love it or hate it. Then I bumped my head on the roof- so I hated it....



Toyota Landcruiser 4x4 fire truck


PERFECT for summers here in the peak of the bushfire season- this one, even though over 20years old had only done 10,000km!!! drove like a "dream"......



1978 Nissan Patrol 4x4 swb wagon.

As a kid all I wanted was one of these, and I got one,and I bogged it. What theis photo does not show was the water went over the bonnet and it was never the same after that....



VW Passat Rooted!

Sometimes, when young I drove too fast. This is my VW Passat- rooted. But my friends could not stop laughing.....



And of course you all know just how much I live my Landcruiser troopcarrier!!

You see, for me- its about how I feel, the movement of the vehicle, how each one is just so different, just so pleasing. I love Riley 2 1/4 saloons, Triumph TR6, Valiants and Citroen DC Pallas too. If I could have a shed full of all these cars I would!

Global warming? Yes a real issue. But I am happy to pay carbon taxes to enjoy these vehicles.

:o)

This week

Fast section of track during the day.

Since January I have not ridden nearly as far as I would like. This is due simply to sore knees. These have been a problem for a while and so I went to see a specialist about them. The upshot is- I have very little cartilage left and the knees are bone on bone.. Now for some this might come as bad news, but I was delighted to see that the wear on the bones is nice and even. This is because of the years on the bike. The doctor wants me to continue riding as it will ensure that I will not need a replacement knee for a few years!


Sandy sections to be tackled at night

So, with boyish enthusiasm, I chose three very different rides this week. The first being a ride into Wheeny Creek. This 30k night ride is a mix of tar and dirt roads, with a steep decent and return out of the camping grounds. I chose the mountain bike as it is most suitable. I would be riding with fast peak hour traffic and would need the suspension to cope with the occasional escape from idiot drivers, before riding the quiet dirt section into the National Park.

Wheeny creek is beautiful and peaceful. Birds such as rock warblers, lyre birds, pacific duck as well as bell minors and superb wrens can be found here. Upon my return I met some endurance horse riders who were surprised that I could catch up and ride past them. The only difficulty on this ride is the speed down hill can sometimes "overtake" the headlights beam, making for last minute choices re potholes difficult. I was grateful for the larger tyres and suspension on more than one occasion

The Cannondale Prophet at night

The second ride was more technical and again at night, on some of the rougher fire trails in the Blue Mountains National Park. Whilst only a short distance (10K) it is a mix of rock ledges, deep sand, and wash outs. In the evening the "line" chosen to tackle these is far different to the line I would choose in daylight, and sometimes mistakes are made. Spinning faster in the lower gears makes out for a different workout too. In fact with a lot of climbing and balancing the entire body gets a workout.

Night time in the Australian bush without the moon is eerie. The thump of wallaby as well as the screech of the occasional owl makes it so. Sometimes an icy wind would blow and the gum trees would sound like the ocean. You can hear the wind coming from quite a distance away, and it was cold. Sadly the battery on my light failed prematurely, and I had to ride back with the "brown light". This creates a new problem. Without enough light to highlight the edges of the track it was very easy to get off course! Still, a lot of fun and I only just got home before the battery was completely flat!


Brown out! Only a small pool of light in front of the tyre

The final ride of the week was my usual 50km along Comleroy road. A great training ride on the road bike, again a different workout to the mountain bike. Much bigger gears, no suspension mean the power to the wheels is instant and creates a real concentrated workout on the legs, heart and lungs. This ride was pleasant and uneventful. Returning to Kurrajong via Putty road. Where I live the area and its surrounds are beautiful. The smell of fresh cut grass, horses and cattle as well as Wattle trees in bloom makes it heady!!

Saying "G'day" to the locals!

The knees? Well they are still there! I hope to be able to ride 4 times a week and get back to the distances I was doing last year... we shall see! BTW to my English friends- I am off the beer and ales......

Part of a health and fitness program is a good "cool down" after a ride....Ha ah!

Victoria Falls

Fog and Sleet

The plan was- To go to Coolah Tops National Park. The reality was- It was too wet, too hit and miss, so instead I chose to walk down to the Victoria Falls.

Situated west of Blackheath, but in the same network of valleys as Blue Gum Forest, I was curious to see just how the landscape had recovered from the bush fires. Like Perry's Lookdown, it requires a drop into the systems of creeks and gullies that ultimately form the Grose Valley, and Grose River. I had hoped to improve on the bird list as well. But with heavy fog and rain, it was unlikely.


Early section of the track.

The drive to Mt Victoria is uneventful and pleasant. Once arriving the road to the falls is easily signposted and the average sedan would cover the 12k of dirt road with ease.
I was surprised to see quite a few other dedicated walkers and campers in the area. It was good to see other enjoying the mountains despite the weather. Parking the troopie, its a decent into the valley. Not as extreme as Perry's it is a pleasant mix of steps, rock overhangs and forests. The fire here must have been intense as much of the undergrowth has vanished, replaced by succulent new growth. In opening the canopy too, new growth is rapid, as native species compete with weeds that seemed abundant.


The rain and wind were reasonable and most birds seemed absent. Not that it mattered, my binoculars fogged up and my books got soggy in the process.So I pushed on. Within a short time I was at the falls.


Victoria Falls
They looked great! Rock pools were full and the sound of falling water and Bell Minors filled the forest floor. In the pools were HUGE Yabbies! For my OS friends these are similar to a lobster or many other crayfish, and are delicious eating for sure! Some are pale blue in colour, yet these were a brilliant red. Simply boil water with salt and drop them in head first. Sadly these ones are protected in the national park, so I had to content myself with a stale biscuit!.


Yabbies with white wine and a cheese and garlic sauce........
After taking several photos I headed pack towards the car where a hot cup of coffee was most welcome. It was a most enjoyable walk.

Billy Boiling.

Even though birds were quiet, I still spotted Pied Butcher Bird, Pee Wee, Bell Minor, White Headed Pigeon, Currawong, White Browed Tree Creeper, Yellow Rumped Thornbill, Galah, Rosella, Australian Magpie and Wood Duck.

Perrys Lookdown.

Rosalie and David with Troopie before the decent.
One of the most memorable and beautiful places, for me, is Blue Gum Forest. Situated in the Grose Valley, it is a place of tall blue gums, tree ferns and rivers. It was the place of my first over night bush walk, It was the place of stories and history. It has been compared to the red wood forests of the USA.

In the 1800's, the Grose Valley was to be utilized for the main rail link from Sydney to Bathurst. Several attempts were made to build, but each time floods washed the works away. If you walk from Blue Gum forest down the Grose River you might just see some of the works. It was also considered to be dammed as a water supply for the Sydney region.


The view into the valley.
By the 1870's Sydney walking clubs had discovered its beauty and were doing their best to save this magical place. By the 20th century two men, Perry and Hungerford, had leased the area They drove cattle into the valley and had plans to cut all the timber down. In 1931 the bush walkers club offered 130 pounds for the lease. Hungerford agreed. The Valley was saved. ( please note- this is the abridged version- more accurate history can be found on-line). Some of Australia's earliest art works and photography can be found with this area as its subject. It's simply that beautiful and significant.


David equipped with camel back on a steep decent.

In the 1970's cattle still roamed- keeping the forest free from weeds and growth. Back then you could light a fire for your meal. Not so today. Fuel stoves are a requirement and the undergrowth is thicker, and laced with weeds. However, its still beautiful. I have fond memories of a enamel cup of hot billy tea down at Acacia Flats as well as telling stories by the fire.

I chose today because the weather forecast was not good- fog and rain and cold. So I had no chance to mow lawns and do chores. It was not long before my eldest daughter and youngest son asked if they could come.

David approaching "Big Ben"
When we arrived I was relieved and excited. Bush fires two years ago had devastated the area. There was still plenty of evidence with some big trees destroyed. Big Ben was still there and bigger than life. Looking more like a tree that should be in a Tolkien novel!

After half an hour we decided to return. The climb out is constant. David, (who always takes the lead), suddenly asked us to be still and quiet. To the left of the track was a Lyre bird mound and the Lyrebird himself was doing a full display, utterly oblivious to our intrusion. It's a moment of chance that I will never forget.

Some of the views

The climb out reveled Tree creepers, Whip birds and Bell minors. It was extraordinary. Within the hour and a half we had made it back to the top.
Nearby is a monument to some children who died in the 1950's. Fire rushed through and they tried to beat it back to the top. Bush Fires RACE uphill but move very slowly downhill. It was utterly tragic. They were only 14 years old.


The Memorial

Returning to the troopie was a relief. Heavier fog had set in and we were comforted by the troppies capacity to get us home safely.

I would like to say this- I want to thank my eldest daughter Rosalie for being so positive, even though some parts of the walk were quite difficult. I would also like to thank David, who even at just 10, is a born leader. FULL of encouraging words and observations about the bush around him. He is a delight to walk with , and when the going gets tough his focus and determination is extraordinary.


The BBQ has headlights!!
On returning home a nice BBQ Tuna steak, and a James Squire Ale, finished off a magical day.

Silence

Hi Everyone! I have been silent for a few weeks because I have had the flu, and yet still working six days a week. So I have had little time or energy for anything much!

However, I have a new web-site. Go to www.simoncotter.com.au and tell me what you think!

A new and exciting post soon!

Ride to work....

The M7 cycle track.

With the troopcarrier at work and with no prospect of any help to get it home, I decided that I had to ride to Liverpool from the Blue Mountains. A trip of about 80km. Having got over the small "pity party" I had yesterday, I thought such a ride would do me good. I was right!! The ride was positive and uneventful, with the first 15km largely down hill. Coming off the mountains at 650 metres and dropping rapidly to the Hawkesbury River at 50 meters the trip begins quickly!.


However, its a steady climb out of the valley for much of the trip. Passing Richmond and Windsor there is a bike track which leads to the "new" M7 motorway. This Motor way has one of the best cycle paths around. Fenced, lit, and safe. Why is that critical? Because most Australian car drivers treat bike riders with contempt. True! You are run off the road, food and cans thrown and recently a driver smashed into 50 riders on an Olympic training ride- Frankly, its disgusting.

So its with much relief that I entered the bike track. The M7 is clever! Lots of waterways for birds, Interesting scenery, and A cycle path that incorporates hills, and zig zag. It keeps you on your toes!

One of the interesting structures is the Light Horse Interchange. For those who do not know- IN World war one. Australian mounted Infantry charged the Wells at Bathsheba. This was in direct disobedience of the English officers. These men were not Cavalry, but mounted infantry whose job was to ride to a battle , dismount and fight. However, in this case they were without water. The Australian Whaler ( the tough Aussie Horse), was their mount. It was critical that they capture this town or they would die.


View from the track.

The Australians charged the wells. The Turks expected them to dismount, but the Australians did not. They raced across the ground, ( I get goose bumps thinking about it!) and the Turks could not adjust the guns. Horses whipped up by the smell of water charged over the towns walls, many dying and still running on. It was an awful battle. but victory was for the Australians. This structure that I ride over was to remember the heroism of this event. I felt strange.

Further on, the track snakes its way over and under the motor way, before I exit and do battle with traffic on the domestic roads. The last 10 km are difficult, requiring sprints from traffic lights, high speed and being alert to what comes behind. However I arrive in one piece and collect the troopcarrier.

The work done this week was to fit an air compressor which is used to pressurize the water tank, fill tyres and engage the diff locks.


The air compressor. Isn't it beautiful??

Its a handy item to have and perfectly positioned under the rear seat.

The trip home was quiet and I felt good having spent the morning on the bike. I have to say there were birds a plenty. Yellow Tailed Cockatoo, Soldier Bird, Bell Minor, Indian Miner, Nankeen Kestrel, Mallard, Swamp hen to list a few. I enjoyed the birds as I rode and drove.