Canungra Classic HG Comp - watching only..

Last friday I went to Beechmont to watch the HG competitors launch and go cross country.
I was still suffering from jatlag and flu so there was no way I could have flown in the competition.

This is a photo of the crowded launch site.

There was more than 50 hanggliders competing.

It really is a beautiful spot to fly.

The goal was to fly to a lake near Boonah, some 99kms away. I believe almost 20 gliders made it there. Oh well there's always next year.

Summer is here

The days are getting hotter now, today was 29C and we have been having 32C days last week which means summer proper (hot and sticky) is not far away. The increasing temperatures has had an effect in the garden with the tropical plants and flowers really starting to come out of their winter sleep. Our favourite is the frangipini tree, the one we have has pink fragrant flowers.

This one is called the "desert rose".

My Dad - Rest in Peace

I shut down the Blog early in September as my dad was taken ill and admitted to intensive care.

Inge and I made quick plans to return to the UK asap but unfortunately we were too late to see my Dad and he passed away on 3rd September as a result of pneumonia, we arrived on the 5th after flying non stop.

The funeral was on 16th September and I read out the eulogy which was really hard to do but I felt that it was right that I did so. We spent the next few weeks with my Mum. It still feels really weird not being in touch with my dad, he was an avid blog reader and we talked almost every week. I miss him very much.

We are now back in Brisbane. I will try to get back to doing my usual reports.

Off line for a few weeks

This blog will be off line for a few weeks.
Back from early October onwards.

Wave Day at Boonah

Last Sunday I went out to Boonah to take my mind of things

It was windy and in the winter months you have the chance to fly in wave air.

Wave is special flying at in certain parts of the sky special clouds called lenticulars form and you can literally surf the air and make big height gains.

I was lucky to connect with the lenticulars and soard upto 2700m which gave an amazing view of the mountains...of course I didnt have my camera in the glider with me.

Winery Visit

Today we visited a winery and had a nice lunch in the chic restaurant

Plenty of wine on tap

Inge and Sonja knocking back the wine.

Great location and worth another visit.

A few of the locals having a snack

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

We have our friend from Perth (Sonja) visiting us at the moment which explains why we are doing all the touristy things. Photos of Koala's are compulsory!

We visited the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary which is 10minutes from our house. Lots to see there including all the old favourites like kangaroos, wallabies.

I was fascinated by the birds of prey. They had a beautiful white bellied sea eagle.

The other bird of prey was a wedge-tailed eagle, the one's I fly with often at Boonah. This one was hit by a car and had his wing injured so can no longer survive in the wild, a shame.

The last photo is a shot of a baby koala, a 'joey' about 6 months old and just out of his mother's pouch.