Morning Blast Off

An early morning today to watch the SpaceX Falcon-8 rocket blast off from Cape Canaveral. It was actually late afternoon in Florida and the weather was near perfect. This was a critical launch because the previous attempt resulted in a monumental explosion soon after take-off.  But today was perfect and the cameras followed the rocket as it climbed through clear skies, with its 3.5 tonne payload bound for a rendezvous with the International Space Station in 2 days time.

The Big Rigs

Last year I took Ripley to the highway to watch the big trucks grinding their way down the Toowoomba range for the 4 kilos to the flat lands below.
Today it was Sammy's turn to have a look and check out the biggest of them. We were lucky because we saw a couple of 42 wheelers carrying big heavy loads down the hill in low gear.

Lunch at a Country Town

Every now and again we head outside or city, and venture to a nearby small town to test their midday menu. This time it was to Cambooya to the famous Bull and Barley hotel which is now well over 100 years old.  The menu was ordinary but the peaceful sunny day made up for it.

The town is not famous for much, but it is in the middle of some productive farm land, and the large grain silos stand as testimony to that.

The Clifton Fly-in

We spent a very pleasant morning at the Clifton Fly-in. They had in excess of 60 light aircraft of all shapes and sizes. Craig parked his Jabiru alongside of other aircraft from the local Lone Eagle Flying Club, plus the dozens of craft that had flown in for the day.

Trucking with Ripley

The holidays are over and we are now left with the memories of the family visits.
One highlight for me, was taking Ripley on a bike ride, just like I did with Nicholas at the same age some years ago. The plan was for Ripley and me to ride down the side of the range and sit in the peaceful surrounds of a little park, amidst the contrasting constant noise of traffic, and watch the big trucks grind their way in their lowest gears down the steep grades of the Toowoomba range.

However, my planned "one-on-one" day with Ripley was somewhat compromised when Leonie and Nicholas joined us, but it was still a delight to spend the time with him.
He is a little boy who needs lots of loving and personal attention. Unfortunately his sister Cameo is an extremely confident and demanding extravert and her dominance must be a constant challenge for Ripley.
It was a good day, and I continued to stay close to Ripley and talk to him as we proceeded on our ride through some attractive terrain along the escarpment where we had great views over the eastern plains. It was only the steep sections of the road that brought us back to reality as we climbed sluggishly back towards home. But that is cycling - as I have always said "on a bike, you only have to ride half way - the rest of it is downhill" - but why do the uphill bits last 3 times longer?

A Picnic in the Bush

A clear windless day for a picnic at the Casuarina camp site

A real rustic Aussie visitors centre

Lunch at a rather natural picnic table.

Picnic in the Alps

It is now 5 months sine I enjoyed a picnic lunch in a spectacular location it the Alps on the Frence/Italian border at the Col du Maddalena.
We were en route to Pra Loup to watch stage 17 of the Tour de France.

It was a clear windless day and it was a pity to have to leave that idyllic scene. Our little dark blue car can be seen at the roadside.