Melbourne - Rockhampton - Simpson Desert

Next set of Jobs around the country...

I'm heading to a couple of small installations near Emerald and Rockhampton and then have the challenge of crossing the simpson desert over to Alice Springs. This will be my biggest challenge yet as a pilot but things should go well with the correct planning. I have almost 700 kilometers of sand dunes and flooded channels (yep - one in a 40 year flood) without a single road to use as a bearing. Good thing the sand dunes run north south but they all look the same on the map. :)

I have a couple of Field day presentations to perform later in the week but will be spending a few days talking to some new and not-so new clients.

It took just on 5 1/2 hours to make it from Tooradin to Gunnedah via Narromine. Planes running fairly well but the 50 hours service and a new set of spark plugs due in Emerald (QLD) will make things a touch better.

The Valleys around Marysville and the upper Yarra Valley look like they are still smoldering from the fire in early Feburary. Absolutely Spectacular scene at 11 o'clock this morning.

Moa Island

Worlds most expensive freight..

We finally managed to get to Banks Peak just on 9:30 this morning. We had a half hour Helicopter ride to the lower clearing and then a 300' climb to the peak while the helicopter lifted the gear into the site. It's Absolutely impossible to get equipment in and out of the site any other way as there are no roads and the climb was muddy after some fairly heavy rain overnight.

Everything went smoothly and we got about half the sensors installed with the rest to be installed early next week when some parts arrive from Cairns. This place has it's own schedule and it's very slow.

I am heading back to Melbourne tomorrow for a few days before I head to the back of Broken Hill in the Jabiru later in the week. I have a total of about 5 days at home in the next month and a half with May looking like my next break. Public holidays for everyone but me. Some how I am going to spend my third Easter in a row at Monkira..

Bets are open on where I am going to be on the Queens Birthday holiday in June.

I'm Back!

After a well earned summer break in Victoria I'm back into it.

I am currently sitting on Thursday Island about to install a small system to monitor a remote radio system in the middle of the Torres straight.

This place is amazing. The trees are bright green, the water blue, tropical rain forest around every corner and a smile from everyone walking down the street but they could be just laughing at my plated goatee.

I will heading to Moa Island on Thursday or Friday by Helicopter to actually perform the installation and tomorrow will be spent creating a mock up of the monitoring system so the guys know what they are doing.

I'm in Heaven here but you cant swim, The Jardine river mouth is only a few kilometers away and the harbour here at TI is full of BIG salty's. Those Red and Whites eyes reflecting the Pubs lighting is a real worry.

The Pub looks feral but the drinks are VERY cold and the local seafood is great. King prawns on the steak with dinner are a winner. I was expecting to pay a fortune as per a normal remote area but was very surprised.

Definitely a great out of the way Holiday spot.