Townsville to the Hunter Valley and back....

[Guest Maj Millard]

Just completed a magic trip down to Ozzies neck of the woods, to Elderslie dropzone north of Maitland NSW, to attend the Newcastle Sport Parachute clubs' 50th Skydiver reunion. Highlights of the trip briefly were as follows..........

 

Having to do an unexpected major weather diversion on the very first leg.....

 

Landing on a private airstrip at Theordore Qld, to overnight, thinking it was the main town strip...and finding out later at the pub that it wasn't !.....

 

Discovering and overnighting at the first class, South Grafton Aero Club NSW, and enjoying their great welcoming hospitality...also stopped on the way back for fuel.

 

Running into Pylon 500 and viewing his aircraft project at his hangar in Taree NSW.

 

Flying the Williamtown VFR lane at 1000ft....and not flying it on the way back !

 

Running into Ozzie and around 20 other old friends at Elderslie NSW, whom I had not seen since my early 70s' skydiving days.......

 

Taking my old skydiving mate Graham Darr for a long fly in the Lightwing (Australias' first Licensed Paraplegic pilot)..at Elderslie.....

 

Helping Ozzie out with refuelling the Caravan jump plane at Elderslie (90 Lts per wing every second load)......great fun.....

 

Making a real good weather decision for the return route, returning North again on the coast instead of the planned inland route.........rain !..........

 

Flying through the Coffs Harbor CTA, early morning, before the tower opened......

 

Meeting ANDY (forum member) at South Grafton........

 

Visiting and flying with TOMO and his family at Cecil plains Qld.......

 

Covering the remaining distance (Cecil Plains to Townsville) with 18Kt tailwinds the following day....

 

Listening to my 912 purr all the way............

 

 

[pudestcon]

I can tell you had a good time maj:laugh:

 

I reckon you double spaced the lines 'cos there's lots more to tell - reading between the lines so to speak. I'm envious!

 

Pud

 

 

[Tomo]

Onya Ross, It was good having you! :thumb_up:

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Good to have you down our way Major. A rather brilliant week. You really departed at the right time about 10 minutes after you left it rained all morning. just under an inch worth of it. A lot of the jumpers were impressed with the Lightwing and you flying it down from Townsville. So you going to buy a set of gear?

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Yes I will try and put pen to paper for a full trip article for the Mag....just need to find the time, it was a magic trip. Had to shoot off the hip a bit, as foward planning was minimal, but that made it more interesting I think. I didn't find I had the money for the trip until the night before I left !!............................................................................................Maj..

 

 

[Relfy]

What a trip Maj, would love to hear the finer details! ;)