|
Post by chech on Jan 10, 2015 15:02:25 GMT
LOL. I sat in a car once and after a while, I noticed myself getting warm. I looked at the driver and said the car must have heated seats....or I'm having a hot flash. I would have guessed that all the cars in Canada had seats warmer! We have them here in California where very seldom have 40 F! Heh...it's like air conditioning. They started out as an option and now they're standard on most vehicles. I didn't have AC in a car until 1996. My current car doesn't have heated seats and I don't want them anyway. I did a paper on the effect of electricity on our bodies and it was disturbing. I don't trust electrical current passing that close to the body for extended periods. Same with heated blankets. And I'd never live in a house that is under high tension (high capacity) wires. Shocking...I know.
|
|
|
Post by chech on Jan 10, 2015 15:03:44 GMT
Jenno will be missing in action for a fortnight.
Presently she is in Hong Kong about to embark on a cruise to Singapore! I'm quite jealous - she will visit a lot of my old stamping ground.
.....and Chech is off in that direction also!
Ah well, roll on April! Oh cool....I'll arrive in Singapore on 30 Jan and leave the morning of 1 Feb. Any idea when she'll be there?
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on Jan 10, 2015 22:30:25 GMT
Jenno will be missing in action for a fortnight.
Presently she is in Hong Kong about to embark on a cruise to Singapore! I'm quite jealous - she will visit a lot of my old stamping ground.
.....and Chech is off in that direction also!
Ah well, roll on April! Oh cool....I'll arrive in Singapore on 30 Jan and leave the morning of 1 Feb. Any idea when she'll be there? You will be about five days behind her schedule!
|
|
|
Post by californian on Jan 10, 2015 23:21:57 GMT
I would have guessed that all the cars in Canada had seats warmer! We have them here in California where very seldom have 40 F! Heh...it's like air conditioning. They started out as an option and now they're standard on most vehicles. I didn't have AC in a car until 1996. My current car doesn't have heated seats and I don't want them anyway. I did a paper on the effect of electricity on our bodies and it was disturbing. I don't trust electrical current passing that close to the body for extended periods. Same with heated blankets. And I'd never live in a house that is under high tension (high capacity) wires. Shocking...I know. Interesting Che, I never use them...neither electric blankets, but good to think about it.
|
|
|
Post by purvis on Jan 11, 2015 4:04:57 GMT
Heh...it's like air conditioning. They started out as an option and now they're standard on most vehicles. I didn't have AC in a car until 1996. My current car doesn't have heated seats and I don't want them anyway. I did a paper on the effect of electricity on our bodies and it was disturbing. I don't trust electrical current passing that close to the body for extended periods. Same with heated blankets. And I'd never live in a house that is under high tension (high capacity) wires. Shocking...I know. Interesting Che, I never use them...neither electric blankets, but good to think about it. JE SUIS CHARLIE
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on Feb 17, 2015 23:21:24 GMT
On a rather overcast morning, I am sitting back enjoying my third cup of coffee and contemplating the latest Casey Australia Tours brochure.
A couple of tours which could be linked have caught my eye - one commencing 14th July from Cairns, Queensland, to Cape York Peninsular including a visit to Thursday Island in Torres Strait (13 days) and the next departing Cairns on 27th July to Perth (16 days) for Australia's Longest Shortcut. It would be a fitting end to my cruise ending in Sydney on 23rd June. I would have ample time to do a quick catch up with the family over east then fly to Brisbane for the northern connections.
It would be quite an exercise packing appropriately for such a run due to many and varied climate changes but not impossible.
I think I will have to suck on some more coffee before I make a decision!
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on Mar 11, 2015 4:49:25 GMT
Come on, Jenno!
Get in here and take it over again.
It's your thread !
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on Apr 15, 2015 22:28:03 GMT
Well Jenno, we really need you!
Only two days to go and I am off in my wanderings. I will endeavour to post as I am able.
One thing I will miss is getting about on my beloved motorcycle!
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on Apr 18, 2015 1:10:06 GMT
While sipping a cup of coffee, I thought I would look up some of the statistics of the Gallipoli Campaign in WWI.
It makes interesting reading.
Turkish casualties 86,692 lives
Britain 21,255 France 12,000 Australia 8,709 New Zealand 2,701 India 1,558 Newfoundland 49
Note with interest that Newfoundland was not part of Canada at this time but was a separate Dominion - became part of Canada in 1949
What a shocking waste of lives for a nil achievement! I can scarcely imagine the terrible conditions that those troops experienced on that small strip of sand.
We will remember them !
|
|
|
Post by chech on Apr 18, 2015 1:38:06 GMT
My grandfather was in Gallipoli and last year I wrote a blog post reproducing part of his diary here.
|
|
|
Post by californian on Apr 18, 2015 2:25:31 GMT
Extraordinary, thank you Chech, did you get to know him well?
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on Apr 18, 2015 3:41:32 GMT
Your grandfather did well to be repatriated wounded from Gallipoli, Chech.
My grandfather served there too and went on to the Western Front for three years. He served with good fortune there. Although wounded three times, he returned to the lines after recovery. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery and was Mentioned in Despatches several times. His enlistment was as a Private but Field Promotions took him to Staff Sergeant - lack of education stopped any further progress through the ranks.
We were fortunate in the family that he lived till 1959. He was my example for life and was the influence that saw me joining the Army.
|
|
|
Post by chech on Apr 18, 2015 13:02:29 GMT
Yeah, he went to France after he recovered and on the first day of the Somme, his unit was all but wiped out. He was one of 68 to answer roll call the next morning. He was wounded again in 1917 and sent home after that. Then he took a job on a fishing boat that would be stopped by a German U-boat. They were evacuated off the ship and the Germans sank it. They lived in the sub for a couple days and were dropped off onshore. He lived until 1982 and started talking about it all in the 70s - on radio and tv. He said he wished he had earlier...which is why I started talking about my experiences. I still remember him saying that.
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on Apr 20, 2015 14:42:57 GMT
Yes, do talk about your experiences Chech. It is most important for posterity. I cannot talk about mine but may leave a secret diary.
All good here and am now in Rome. The WiFi is free but I am not happy with the connection so will save a Tour Tale for when I get home in May.
Definitely a long tiring flight from Perth to Singapore then direct to Rome. I really felt this one!
|
|
|
Post by chech on Apr 20, 2015 16:12:26 GMT
Yeah, the long ones don't get any easier! If I decide on that last minute one to Norway in May...I might be able to swing premium economy for the first time (first time Air Canada has offered it). Thinking on that....I think I'll have a cuppa tea!
|
|
|
Post by californian on Apr 20, 2015 21:48:38 GMT
For the first time I am considering back to back tours, as tiresome as tours are, the worst part is the flying, connecting flights, etc. I think I'll save myself some back pain and try that next year.
|
|
|
Post by chech on Apr 20, 2015 23:13:35 GMT
Add a couple of days to relax in between. The cost of the hotel will be far less than airfare to return.
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on May 12, 2015 21:22:50 GMT
Well, Jenno, here I am - 5am local Perth time, enjoying my second cup of coffee!
I've now been home for six days and have spent the time catching up with correspondence and several chores around the place as well as packing for the next lot of trips.
There was a royal welcome home from Leo and it was very obvious that he missed me very much - there is just nothing like the love and dedication of a dog. He will miss me when I take off on 6th June, not returning till 11th August.
This time my preparation has been quite different as I have to cart it all with me - I had contemplated sending a package ahead to Cairns - and found that I could get at all into my new luggage. It was necessary to buy soft bags due to space requirements on the 4-wheel drive coach in Australia. Everything I require has fitted well including my down sleeping bag and a pillow - objects you would not ordinarily consider when on tour, plus a towel. The management was good as my main bag has come in under 20 Kg.
The first part of this trip is from Fremantle to Geraldton then direct to Lombok Island in Indonesia, avoiding the nasty bit of the coast north of Geraldton. We then sail back to Broome, cruise the Kimberley Coast and on to Darwin. From here we sail across the Arafura Sea, traverse Torres Strait and using the Inside Passage of the Great Barrier Reef make landfall at Port Douglas. Our next port of call is Brisbane then Sydney for disembarkation.
The next couple of weeks will be spent in N.S.W. visiting family and friends then a flight to Brisbane will see me do the same thing in Queensland.
On 27th July I fly to Cairns to join the 'land' cruise back to Perth via Australia's Longest Shortcut - a bit of bushman's laconic humour! It will take 16days and we will see a lot of dirt road!
I am sure that I will be glad to get home and put my feet up - gradually my age is catching up with me!
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on May 19, 2015 22:45:11 GMT
6.30am Perth time and the sun is not up as yet. It has the makings of a nice day - after a very ordinary, wet weekend. It might be nice to go for a ride on my motorbike a little later. I think it will top about 19ºC with very little cloud.
I'm just thinking ahead to 2016 and a 16 day Coach Tour of New Zealand offered by Casey Australia Tours. The Tour would embrace both islands and include the Bay of Isles. I am particularly interested in Queenstown where some of my ancestors searched for gold (quite successfully) and returned to Australia with the rewards. A very comprehensive tour that misses nothing - $AU6990.00 including air fares, single supplement and nearly every meal. There is space for a few optionals but not very necessary as the main tour covers nearly everything and you need time to catch your breath. The timing is excellent departing 9th February - definitely summer in New Zealand and Mount Cook and Milford Sound is included.
In the meantime 6th June looms closer and I am looking forward to my next ocean cruise.
|
|
|
Post by chech on May 20, 2015 0:59:05 GMT
Sounds similar to the NZ tour I did with TT...it's called the Best of NZ now and was run by AAT Kings. I liked that we could do any optional we wanted. The hotels had a wall full of brochures and we could pick anything. If the timings worked for our free time, the guide would arrange it. The helicopter to White Island and two hour walk inside the crater was a highlight!
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on May 20, 2015 22:01:54 GMT
You had a wonderful experience with the trip to White Island, Chech, and weather was certainly on your side. The tour I am contemplating doesn't have much free time as you participate where other operators call them optionals - all inclusive except for hot air ballooning and sightseeing flights. It does include a flight to Franz Josef Glacier as well. You may opt not to go on excursions if you wish but they have been very carefully selected. By the way it also includes a train journey on the South Island with the coach meeting you at its conclusion.
It makes this a tour worth considering!
|
|
|
Post by chech on May 20, 2015 22:42:28 GMT
Yeah, we did the train too....from the east to west coast. Arthur's Pass was it?
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on May 21, 2015 22:50:39 GMT
Certainly is Arthur's Pass. We do this too but I don't think we will have any snow problems in February.
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on May 23, 2015 21:51:25 GMT
I've just been browsing through some of Owen's contributions in the Area section. He should be given a very special vote of thanks as the information provided is brilliant. This site is a gold mine of information and has far exceeded anything that Trafalgar or any other individual tour group could have envisaged achieving!
Well done, Owen!
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on May 25, 2015 0:34:50 GMT
It has been an outstanding weekend! Just yesterday I learnt the location of my Great Uncle Alfred's grave in France. While he was honoured at Villiers-Bretonneux Memorial the location of his grave was unknown.
It looks like I will attend the Anzac Day ceremonies there next year then extend on to England ultimately crossing to Canada. Certainly a little earlier in the year than I had anticipated but acceptable. The grave will be re-dedicated and become fully marked. Alfred was awarded the Military Medal for his courageous service and was returned to the field of action, although wounded at least three times.
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on May 27, 2015 23:45:31 GMT
3.8ºC this morning. A little chilly!
The escape north on 6th June will be most pleasing. I am afraid it will not be a complete escape from the cold as 23rd June will be see me in Sydney and then I am heading further south and on to Canberra which has already been experiencing sub-Zero temperatures. Needless to say, my bag is bulging with cold weather gear. I even invested in a new pair of gloves for this trip - I think they will be very necessary.
Today I will do the planning for a February trip to New Zealand - the best time of the year for me to go.
My third cup of coffee is going down very well and definitely warming me up - sorry, no Dilmah Jenno.
I think 2016 will prove to be a very busy year too!
|
|
|
Post by chech on May 28, 2015 14:10:02 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on May 28, 2015 22:06:54 GMT
I'll definitely have to try Red Rose - next year in Canada.
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on May 28, 2015 23:08:10 GMT
I had a very interesting Morning Tea with Casey Australia Tours yesterday. They were having these all around Perth this week. It was a great opportunity to meet with fellow travellers and the air buzzed with conversations about various trips. While run by Tim and Jacinta Casey, they were also accompanied by Anne, one of their Botanical Guides. There was no formality about the occasion but it was a jolly good gathering. Many a yarn was swapped and I learnt that the Australia's Longest Shortcut was Sold Out - I had been the first to register. I also confirmed my booking for New Zealand in February and paid the deposit.
It was certainly a great idea and I was able to renew my acquaintance with a couple that went on tour to Mt. Augustus. We also discussed Wild Flower tours amongst ourselves and I am looking forward to doing some next year around September and October. This company has plenty of tours organised of various lengths - there is something for everyone.
Have a peep! www.caseytours.com.au
Now for another cup of coffee!
|
|
|
Post by Tonnet on May 30, 2015 22:46:10 GMT
Let me turn back the clock to 4.45pm Friday evening when Leo was being walked in our local park prior to his tea. Out of nowhere came an attack from a very vicious large dog. Fortunately my son-in-law was able to beat off the attack but not before Leo was badly wounded. Of course we immediately attended our local Vet who has his hospital only a few hundred metres away.
The synopsis of the incident was several large puncture wounds including bad one above his lungs and a tearing of his hind scalp from the muscles. Needless to say he was operated upon during Saturday morning and now is in recovery mode. He will have to spend at least three or four days in hospital.
The offender was reported to the local Council Ranger and an incident report has been filed. The Vet bill will be in the area of $1600 plus - will be billed to the owner of the offending dog.
It just shows how things can change in a matter of minutes.
At one stage I was considering placing all my travel plans on hold as I am due to sail from Fremantle on Saturday next. My daughter and son-in-law have undertaken to nurse him through his recuperation time so I can consider him well cared for.
It would have been a very expensive exercise for the offending neighbour if I had to cancel my trips - it would have run into many thousands!
No doubt Mr. and Mrs. Oz have had their breakfast and facing another day in the wilds of South Australia - S.A. is 1½ hours ahead of W.A.
At 6.45am Perth time I shall have another cup of coffee!
|
|