NEw arrival, ferry from Caloundra to Wollongong

[Ultralights]

well, our new baby is home, safe at Wollongong...

 

i wont write too much but let the pics do the talking, everyone likes pictures right?

 

 

all packed at Caloundra ready for departure to Wollongong! 664 NM away.

 

 

saing goodbye to Caloundra

 

 

goodbye Bribie Island

 

 

tracking down the west coast of the Stradbroke Islands.

 

 

The Gold Coast!

 

 

no words needed.

 

 

the gold coast Hinterland, times like these i am glad we bought a Savannah. landing strips everywhere!

 

 

Finally clear of Coolangatta CTA, track back to the coast, Byron Bay.

 

 

Ballina. First stop, to top up fuel, and stretch the legs.

 

Litte did we know at this point, we had a minor problem.

 

 

Yep, Flat tyre. went flat somewhere between Caloundra and here, as i knew it was flat immediately on touchdown.

 

Fortunatly Howard Hughes of Lightwing fame was there to supply us with a new Tube, a helping hand and tool to change the tyre.

 

Top bloke he is, and also looking for RAAus Instructors!! give him a call!

 

 

now 3 hrs behind schedule (if there was one) Evans Head.

 

 

Weather started looking ominous. though it was almost all off the coast.

 

 

interesting sight somewhere south of Evans HEad, and north of Coffs Harbour CTA.

 

 

This is why we need the CTA endorsement, sky was clear over Coffs harbour, but just inland outside CTA was a different story, only way through was through "the gap" i would have loved to get a clearance through Coffs, but didnt like my chances without a transponder.

 

 

preying the gap doesnt close up, but note the clear sky just on the other side. though being able to fly at 35 kts safely if needed in this terrain does help with the confidence level.

 

 

through the gap into clear skies for the rest of the day.

 

 

my favourite beach, Hat Head beach, 12 Km long, and totally deserted.

 

 

with 1 hr of daylight left, we decided to overnight at one of my all time favourite spots.

 

 

golf fairway quality runway!

 

 

and a simply stunning location. Bob and Nelly are great Hosts, and will bend over backwards to make you welcome, they even took us to dinner at the local Hotel. great people!

 

 

morning view from our room. note, light fog. is a kookaburra sleeping on your aircraft a good thing? i think it is.

 

 

departing camden haven early, tracking direct to Cessnock, for breakfast.

 

Sadly 30 miles past Taree, the fog cover was thick, and after hearing Virgin, Jetstar and Aeropelican flight holding and conducting missed approaches into Williamtown due to fog, we returned to Taree. waited 1 hr for fuel guy to arrive, and fog to lift.

 

 

after listening to the RPT flight make it into Williamtown fog free from the coast, we tracked towards Nelson bay, and the lane coastal over stockton, yep, fog was lifting!

 

 

Pod of Dolphins off stockton beach

 

 

we remained coastal all the way to the V1 lane off sydney.

 

 

good old Bondi, wonder what the Non pilots are doing?

 

the rest of the flight was direct to Wollongong and 4854's new home.

 

Thanks to Bill and Jen for their marvellous hospitality even after we took his baby from him! and for being a part of one of our best weekends ever! hope to catch up again soon.

 

Sorry we couldnt make it out west tomo, but we will sometime soon!

 

oh and i mustn't forget the GA pilots in the cessna for helping pull our aircraft out of harms way with the flat tyre at Ballina.

 

and a final cool shot i like from the trip.

 

 

 

[Spin]

What a great story, really enjoyed the photos, thanks for sharing.

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Great trip report Rob and Rachel, and congrats on the new plane.

 

Fantastic that Bob and Nellie are going strong at Camden Haven. It's a wonderful spot.

 

Why don't you bring your new baby to Moruya on Saturday? Otherwise I'll catch you at Wollongong sometime.

 

Cheers,

 

Ross

 

 

[Ultralights]

Great trip report Rob and Rachel, and congrats on the new plane.Fantastic that Bob and Nellie are going strong at Camden Haven. It's a wonderful spot.

Why don't you bring your new baby to Moruya on Saturday? Otherwise I'll catch you at Wollongong sometime.

 

Cheers,

 

Ross

looks like we have plans for Saturday! Moruya it is. see you there!

 

 

[pudestcon]

Great stuff Ultralights,

 

Its stories and photos like yours that depict perfectly what recreational flying is all about.

 

Thank you and I'm envious of your new aircraft:big_grin:

 

Pud

 

 

[Guest Walter Buschor]

Great shots Rachel,

 

I looked at them several times.

 

Bill and I flew to Inglewood on the w/end and I can tell you he does miss "his plane". With a new one on the way though there is hope on the horizon.

 

His old one is a beauty though! and isn't it amazing how the looks grow on you once you own one of these!!

 

fly safe

 

Walter

 

 

[Tomo]

Great work Rob, Rachael! Fantastic pictures :thumb_up:

 

Keep up the good work :big_grin:

 

 

[Deskpilot]

Particularly the 'cool' one.

 

 

[Peiler]

Pics and story

 

Great pics and explanations... the 'gap' didn't look overly friendly though!

 

Well done and thanks for posting it.

 

Cheers,

 

Chris

 

 

[dazza 38]

As already mentioned above, greats pic's and thankyou for sharing with us.