Here I am FINALLY!!!!!!

I work at the moment on Dundees computer in his little house at the field. I write in word on MY laptop and then copy and paste it on to a stick and from the stick on Dundees computer to then copy and paste it on my blog. The most difficult way of writing ever!!!!#

So sorry about that , but you see I try at least to keep the blog going.

It will be in a diary form with every day.news. Surely with some help from experts it will be easier over the next days which are gloing to be hot!!! Enjoy day 1 on tghe first day of this year 2013.

Ritz Tocumwal diary on January 1 2013.

HAPPY 2013.

 

January 1; Finally time to write [in word] and then I still hope I can send it to my blog. Internet is more or less a disaster here in this small town with a population of about 2000, with an extra 6000- plus people stay/camp at the Murray river. When talking to one of the pilots this morning he said the best time to send it out is at 4 in the morning and then he sends it by mobile. And,..with not sleeping to well with jetlag, I try that. It took me 2 hours to try to get through to Holland to wish my family all the best for this new year, but after some frustration I then gave up. Tomorrow is another day.

The trip with KLM/China Southern via Ghuangzhou was easy enough and with nearly no sleep on board, I managed to feel still fit, waiting in row for customs at Melbourne airport. It always feels like coming home. After 25 flights up and down , it could n’t be different is n’t it?

I spend the night in Melbourne and travelled the next day by train to Tocumwal [ the best and easiest way] and that’s really “coming home”. Nicely in time to catch up with local and soaring-friends , to have a few hours rest and to spend the change in the new year with friends I know all my Tocumwal life. Even had time to say hello to the Geelong guests having their summer camp at the aerodrome of Tocumwal.

The airfield looks good! Sportaviation’s owners Eddie and Cheryl worked hard to make the camping area a “lust for the eye”. New plants , lot’s of native trees , it ‘s all there! And yes that “Hilton-look-alike-toilet-bloc” is still the very best I have ever seen on a camping ground. Good to see young Jake is not only pushing gliders anymore , but he is a tuggie now flying the Euro-fox. Eddie has 2 of them, one with a tail wheel. 2 Years ago Jake ‘s goal was to take over Eddie’s business , being a tuggie now he wants to be an airline pilot. Talking about airline pilots and tuggies, Most of you will remember Simon Close, yes son from former Sportavia co-owners [with Don and Joan] Jeff and Margie. We took over after them. Simone just flew his first flight as an airline captain last week. Another young and successful former tuggie!

It was nice to catch up with Gerrit and John “Butch” and their wives Pam. Did n’t see them for quite a while. They stay about 3 weeks in Toc. Blue day here, this first one of 2013,but nearly all pilots went out to fly, as tomorrow will be less good and then a new cycle starts, hopefully bringing some more great weather for the many pilots from the Geelong Gliding club, The Riverina Gliding club and the Sportaviation pilots.It will be going up to over 40 dgr.

Off to town to find a spot with internet!!!! Missing what’s going on in the world and our own gliding world, specially what’s going on in Chaves.