And the winner is....!

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Four hours later and who'd have thought.

Make room, make room!

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Today I have decided to bite the bullet and attempt the impossible and get both cars into the garage. Parking in the street is impossible as there are so many restrictions, and because we have 'two' car spaces we don't qualify for a resident's parking sticker. Parking in the visitors' spots seems to arouse the ire of the neighbours, so here we go. This is what it looks like now. Wish us luck

Life's little mysteries

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Pommygran8 and I enjoy the walk for coffee every morning and has become quite a ritual now. On the way we pass the local Salvo's store which we must have a look around. That's where a lot of the costumes for the Bash are found and altered. I enjoy reading and there are definite bargains to be had there for books, if you have the patience to search through, as they are never categorized . It was a surprise therefore to see that out of the entropy, some sort of order had been established. Here is the photograph. I suppose it makes it easier to find a book to match your outfit. I believe the manager is considering selling the new system to the library. It would certainly brighten things up a little.



Another mystery is the appearance of pairs of runners thrown over the power lines on the corner of the street. Today there were three pairs. If anyone knows the significance of this I would love to know.

The Liberty Swing in Action

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I have just put together this clip which I took at the recent Variety Children's Party. I hope you like it as much as I do. Just seeing the smiles on the faces of these special children is so heart-warming.

Variety Christmas Party

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Yesterday I helped with the annual Variety Children's Christmas Party at the Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour in Sydney. There Were over 5,000 disabled and disadvantaged children and there carers there. It always is an emotional time, seeing wheelchair-bound children with huge grins on their faces. One of the highlights for me were the wheelchair swings where children and their wheelchairs can experience what we take for granted, the sensation of swinging. This is another example of what can be done when people think about access, inclusion and safety.

The Tables Are Turned

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As a GP for 35 years, I spent a lot of time behind a desk. Today it was my turn for the other side. After feeling unwell for a couple of days, I developed some pains in the chest. As a GP, I would advise anyone with pains in the chest to seek advice immediately. I chose to ignore them. However when I mentioned them to Pommygran8 over coffee, she took me straight to the GP. Luckily, I was seen straight away, (Pommygran8 hates waiting). Examination was normal, ECG normal. I sent Pommygran8 home, thinking I would be following soon. Wrong. GP phoned cardiologist, who recommended CT angiogram. I walked across the road to the radiologist who knew I was coming. After a short wait I was having my coronary angiogram. Warning, do not distract the radiographer as she is putting a cannula in your arm. Second try it was in and the scan was over.
Waiting at home for the results, Pommygran8 was more impatient than I.
Finally the results came through and were all clear. No blockage, arteries in pretty good shape. So now no excuses to stop cooking.
The standard of service was excellent. I have no complaints.

Together For Humanity

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Last week, we attended a meeting for Together For Humanity, which is an Australian venture. The idea is for people of different faiths, to go to schools and show that people can accept and respect other faiths without compromising their own. We met Rabbi Zalman Kastel, who is the National Director, Haisam Farache, a muslim Sheikh from Lakemba Mosque, and Mohamed Dukuly, a muslim from war-torn Liberia. We videoed a short interview with each one and I was greatly encouraged by these wonderful people. Here are the videos.

UKTV and K9

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Yesterday we went to the headquarters of UKTV, the principal sponsors of Bash Car K9, to show off our trophies and to thank them for their support.
I was asked what I do with the car between Bashes. The answer to that is easy. We work on it to get it ready for the next one. At the moment, we are reconditioning a gearbox so that we can get it into third gear without it crunching embarrassingly. Not much else needs doing except all the things we say we are going to do next year, but never get round to it.

A new president

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Forty eight years ago (and yes, I can remember that far back; it's only where I put my keys or glasses or spanner, 2 minutes ago that I forget) John F Kennedy was elected president of the USA. All the hopes and dreams of the world centred on this young charismatic man. It is the same feeling of euphoria now, that the rest of the world, who had hoped and prayed that the American people would get it right this time, (after all they elected George Bush twice), experiences.
History unfortunately has a habit of repeating itself. I can only hope that people have learned from the past and President-elect Obama will be able to fulfil his promise. Things don't look promising. Lewis Hamilton is the youngest person to win the Formula 1 world championship. He also has been subject to racist taunts and abuse because of the colour of his skin. Until we can all accept difference and embrace it, I fear that once again, we are heading for another tragedy.

Full of Gas

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A weekend of drama at Everapominoz's place. For a few weeks we had noticed some water leaking around the base of the water meter by the front gate. The appropriate people were informed and on Friday Pommygran8 and I went for our usual coffee. When we returned, the street had been cordoned off, and we were unable to go back into the house. There happened to be a loud hissing noise and a geyser of gas rising from our front garden. The plumbers digging around the water meter had ruptured the gas main supply.

So now we have a hole in the front garden, with some gas bubbling through the water which is still leaking. At least we have a temporary gas supply (see the pictures), so we (or rather I) can still cook.

Cooking gefilte fish

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I have always enjoyed cooking and since I have retired, I have taken up the cooking duties of the household. One of many traditional Jewish dishes is gefilte fish balls. I never knew how to make them until a colleague at work, big Kev, gave me a recipe which is impossible to spoil. Pommygran8 made a couple of videos of me cooking both boiled and fried gefilte fish and here they are.

Priscilla, the stage show

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Pommygran8 and I went to see Priscilla at Star City last night. What a wonderful show. The costumes were absolutely breathtaking and the music was fantastic. I strongly recommend it.

Talking of costumes, I have some more pictures of the costumes we wore on the recent Bash.

Sculptures By the Sea

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On Friday I went to Access Innovation Media HQ to learn how to caption my own videos. It seemed straightforward enough so I came home with the freeware program and a foot pedal to assist transcribing the video.

At the weekend, Pommygran8 and I went to look at the Sculptures by the Sea between Tamarama and Bondi Beach. I took many stills and some video, so I decided to load the software to caption the footage.

After 2 frustrating hours, I finally managed to get the foot pedal working. Then I started on the software package. It would get so far then ask me to find more files. Then when I did that, it couldn't open them. Many, many hours later, after installing, and uninstalling the program about half a dozen times, suddenly, it worked. I have no idea why. Perhaps it took sympathy for me, or more likely, I scared it with my screaming obscenities at it. Breathing on it didn't work.

So all I have to do now is upload the file to You Tube, which at the moment is undergoing maintenance. (Breathe and relax). So watch this space for my first clip.

Books

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What is it about books? In this day and age of digital images, and computerised information, it is still good to hold a book and read it at leisure.

Yesterday we babysat for our beautiful granddaughter, aged 15 months. She has many toys but her favourites are the books. She loves to be read to and look at the pictures. I hope this augers well for the future.

Today I went to the gym and took a "new" book to read. I actually bought it for $3 in St Vincent De Paul. It was printed in 1991 but appeared unread. Riding the stationary bike does get a little boring and I do enjoy a read, so I combine the two. However, when the exercise was over, I had forgotten to bring a bookmark. I just could not bring myself to fold over the corner of the page. It's amazing how one's upbringing, (I had always been taught to respect books) remains with you throughout your life.

Goldfish

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Today I bought some more plants for the pond, and I couldn't resist buying three more goldfish. If I keep buying them, maybe all the hiding places will be filled and I might see them.

The dreaded green algae is making its appearance unfortunately. Hopefully it won't get as bad as before.

Necessity is the mother of invention

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We have decided to recondition the gearbox from the spare engine. We found that a couple of critical nuts were loose. One was circular, ie no flats on it to accept a spanner, just three dimples for a "Special Tool" which of course we don't have. So we made one using available box spanners. We even managed to fit the torque wrench to tighten to the correct degree. Here is the photo. I don't think we will win any design awards, but, hey, it worked.

Goldfish

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The three goldfish deemed to visit me today. I filmed the pool this morning trying to get a glimpse of them but to no avail. Then this afternoon, in the heat of the day, they flashed into existence, first one, then two, then the third whom I had given up for lost. Anyone who has bought and actually read Stephen Hawking's book, a Brief History of Time will be familiar with the concept of matter spontaneously coming into existence. For those who don't believe it should study my fishpond.



This weekend is the long weekend so I have been informed. Being retired, every weekend is a long one. Also clocks go forward on Sunday. A big job ahead for me. I have to take the engine out of the Austin in order to change the gearbox. The synchro on 3rd gear does not function so it has to come out. Luckily I have spares, several in fact. Finding one that works is another thing. Wish me luck.
More later.

Goldfish

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I hurried down today to see if the fish had survived. I could not find them. The pond appeared empty. I looked everywhere, even lifted out the bridge mad from a brick to see if they were hiding. Not a thing. Just as I was wondering whether the Kookaburra which occasionally takes a bath in the pond was to blame a streak of gold flashed across the pond. Wow, they are fast. I still have not worked out where they hide but I have seen two of the three now. Just awaiting for the third to appear.

It still looks like an empty pond but they are there....somewhere, perhaps in another dimension? With the dolphins?

Goldfish

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We have a little fish pond on the back patio. When we moved in last year I fed the fish regularly, there were five of them. Gradually over a period of time they turned belly up and the fish pond turned green with algae.

Last week, I decided to clean out the pond and remove the algal bloom. There was so much of it. I realise now that I had overfed the fish causing the overgrowth of the algae and used water from the tap to top up the pool. I refilled the pond and put water conditioner in it. It seems Sydney Water straight out of the tap is toxic to goldfish!

Today Pommygran8 and I bought three goldfish to put in the pond and also some plants. I am in sole charge. So far so good. They are still moving! Feeding them 3-4 flakes of food every 2 or 3 days seems to be the order of the day. At that rate they shouldn't outgrow the pond.

Time flies

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I can't believe it's a week since I last blogged. Time seems to go so fast these days. I noticed this a couple of days ago with my coffee card, you know the type, get a free coffee after so many. It is almost full. I seem to be measuring my days in coffee stamps. I mentioned this whilst supping my soy latte to Pommygran8 who surprised me with a quote from T. S. Eliot's The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock:

"Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;"

So some else has noticed it too.

Pommygran8 can still surprise me with her hidden depths.



Saxophone lesson later today. I was give a piece last week to improvise, Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock. My efforts so far have been less than spectacular. My fingers do not seem to have any connection with my brain. I feel my progress this week is very much underdone. I have time this morning to practise some more though. I found this on You-Tube, the tenor saxophone solo is what I would like to be able to do.

Liberty Swing

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I just read in the Wentworth Courier that Variety has unveiled a second Liberty Swing in the Eastern Suburbs at Bronte Park. For those who have not seen one it's a good opportunity to have a look at one.

Sunday Pommygran8 and I took the Bash Car to Rouse Hill for the Rouse Hill Family Fair. Unfortunately the weather was atrocious and so the number of people who attended was down a lot. This was a great shame because everyone had gone to a lot of trouble to make the day an enjoyable one. Still we managed a photo when the rain eased off for an hour or so.

Birthday

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It is my birthday today and Pommygran8 took some time off work to join me on a trip to Parramatta from Circular Quay on the Ferry. As I have a Seniors Card it cost me $2.50 return, including the train fare. Not bad eh? The trip was fantastic and I strongly recommend it. Sydney constantly surprises me with its beauty and surrounds. I took a lot of video of the trip and also some stills which I will post soon.

Tonight, Pommygran8 and I are heading off to our favourite Thai restaurant, the Manohra on Bondi Road.

Saxophone practice

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Yesterday afternoon I had a saxophone lesson. I have been having them every week for a few months. I had been getting a bit despondent as I did not see much improvement. I felt I was making the same mistakes all the time. I told the tutor this and he said that I was wrong. I may have been having some problems, but the exercises have been increasing in difficulty and it is only by challenging that improvement will occur. To emphasise this, he gave me 4 times as many exercises to do for next week. Should have kept my mouth closed. I must say I felt elated after that and couldn't wait to get stuck in.




More photos of the Bash. Our Trophy presentation.

Gym Day

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I go to the gym 3 mornings a week and burn off a few calories on the bike and cross trainer. I used to take the ipod and listen to music but I got bored with that so now I take a book to read. The gym is usually quiet but sometimes, like today, I am distracted as when 2 women get on the machines together and talk, usually non-stop. I have learnt to tune out but it can be annoying. I am amazed how they can manage this as usually the sweat is pouring off me and my heart rate and respiration rate are elevated. It is unusual for this to happen with men, they just nod and smile and get on with the exercise.

One of my favourite people on the Bash is Super Hubert (his real name!). He entertains children in schools on the way and never refuses to perform in impromptu stuations. No matter how many times I have seen his act, I am always entertained and his rapport with the children is excellent.

Here is a clip of part of one of his many performances on the recent Bash.

The K9-K9 (Can-Can)

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Well, here it is, the Bash Idol prize-winning performance at The Da Vinci Club, Wangaratta. First clip is the rehearsal, (there was only one), and then the performance. Thanks to the ladies of car 656, (last year's outright winners and joint Bash Idol Winners with K9) for the makeup and the video. It was perfect for the occasion.

Soap

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In the shower today I noticed the soap had reached its carbon footprint critical point in size, ie it took longer to work up a lather hence longer shower, hence use more hot water. But what does one do with the remnants? Throw them away or let them soften in a small amount of water and squeeze them together to make a larger, multicoloured bar?

They don't make soap like they used to. I remember as a child in England (many years ago), a bar of soap used to last a lot longer. We used to bathe every Friday night whether we needed it or not.

We do take a lot for granted nowadays. I can remember as a child, before bath time we turned the immersion heater on to heat the water. I used to have to feel the water tank to see when there was enough hot water for the bath and then turn it off thus saving electricity. These days we have tanks full of hot water for instant use. But at what cost to the environment?

Knitting

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So I had to post that picture with the Dr Who scarf in it. Pommygran8 found a special ball of wool in our usual Department Store, (read Charity Shop) and gave it to me. "So knit me something", she says. I think the fact I have retired and have "nothing" to do is getting to her, especially now, when she has to get everything regarding her business ready for the accountant.

Most people I meet ask what I do with my time now I have retired.

I now have time to pursue all my hobbies. In fact, I don't have time to pursue all of them. Too many. I will eventually get round to them.

Last year on the Bash, we led the parade as we were winners the previous year. Here is a link to some photos of that trip courtesy Zoom Productions.

More photos

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Slowly the photos are coming in. Here is one as we were preparing for a coffee stop. Our theme for the day was Dr Who. And yes, I knitted the scarf myself.


This winter for me has been cold. It may be that the house is a cold one but there have been times I have been sitting watching TV with my coat and scarf on with the heater going too. I am looking forward to the warmer weather.

On Saturday I am taking the car to the St Marys Street Parade with more Bash cars. So today I have to replace the siren as it seems they want a lot of noise. Makes a change I suppose.

The Dark Knight

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Pommygran8 and I went to the movies yesterday and saw "The Dark Knight" at the Imax Cinema in Darling Harbour. What an experience! The film was excellent, acting terrific and Heath Ledger as the Joker was outstanding. The Imax sensation immersed you into the film and I strongly recommend viewing it in this format. Make sure you sit at the back and in the middle for the best view.

A bit of a let down was "the Golden Compass" which we saw on Foxtel last night. Having read the Philip Pullman His Dark Materials trilogy, the film missed the mark for me. The CGIs were excellent but the film lacked the courage of the books.

Final night costume

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Found this photo of our final night costumes on Pommygran8's camera. Aren't they great? Pommygran8 has excelled herself yet again. The theme for the night was fishermen so we stretched it a bit and had the table decorated as the octopus's garden complete with yellow submarine. Long live the Beatles.

Welcome to sunny Australia

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On Day 9 of the Bash, we travelled from the lush green of Victoria, over the Snowy Mountains. Here is a small snippet of the weather we went through. It's a good job we turned the heater on for sure.

Over a period of 14 years, the Bash has enabled me to see a large amount of Australia and what a country of contrasts it is.

K9 in Westfield

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For those who have not met him before, here is a video of K9, the robot dog from Dr Who, after whom the car is named.
Before the Bash, we were collecting lollies from Sticky in Bondi Junction Westfield who had donated several kilos to giveaway en route. I built K9 11 years ago and spent a lot of time rebuilding him this year. Unfortunately we did not have the opportunity to show his many talents. He also takes up a lot of room. Its amazing how children love him though.

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Had an early tutorial session with Sydhappyguy today and managed to set up my You Tube channel. Videos will be on their way real soon.

I found a great quote today from Dr Seuss:-

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

Quite relevant to all us DAGgers don't you think?

I will have to sort the Bash Car out soon. The gearbox is playing up, crunches into 3rd. (It was an expensive gearbox, cost $20.) I am hoping we won't have to remove the engine yet again. Still, it is all experience and I have the time now to do it.

I am taking the car to a couple of events, St Marys Street Parade on the 6th of September and Rouse Hill Family Fair on September 14. K9 the dog may make an appearance. Watch this space.

The Blame Game

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Yesterday I said how I'd gone to the place who had reconditioned the cylinder head of the engine. And in discussions had ascertained the most likely cause of the problems we had.  No-one to blame, sh*t happens. Yet, if I had listened to the advice of many people on the Bash, I'd be suing the pants off them for botching the job. Why is it that there has to be a scapegoat, a need for someone to take the blame for someone else's misfortune? 

This is a photo of one of our coffee stops. As you can see it is pretty messy, (now that's an oxymoron!).  We will have to streamline it for next year. The green object on the tailgate of the ute is our instant hot water supply which works a treat. The water comes out hot enough for a cup of tea. Save a lot of time heating a pan on the camping stoves. Trouble is, after packing all the coffee gear, there is not much room for anything else.

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Yesterday I took the car to the place that originally machined the cylinder head and block. I was trying to find out why the head failed on the second day of the Bash.  After a lot of discussion, not adversarial, I think I have the answer. The head was pressure tested thoroughly before I collected it.  I do know we blew the head gasket. The likely explanation is that the head gasket blew first, then the head overheated, and caused the problem with the inlet valves. 

No blame game played.  And it certainly wasn't because the engine is pink!

Bash Costumes

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I am slowly going through the photographs I took on the Bash and of course, I don't feature in many. I am putting up four of the costumes we wore. There will be more photos as soon as they become available. This is just a sample of Pommygran8's skill in costume making. If anyone out there has any of K9 and crew, we would be grateful.

Radio grab

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I received this link today. The local ABC radio did some interviews in Mount Gambier. My interview obviously did not make it to air. However, the car did. There is a lot of discussion regarding the pink engine as the cause of the problems we had.

ABC South East SA - The NSW Variety Club Bash takes the scenic route

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We are still getting to terms with winning the Spirit of the Bash Award for 2008. Already we are thinking about next year and wondering where the destination will be. There are rumours that there will be a national Bash with all the different state Bashes meeting in Alice or Uluru. 

This year's Bash was very different in that it rained for 9 of the 10 days. Virtually no dust.

Hopefully we can sort the car out without having to remove the engine this year. Always optimistic.

It is getting difficult to upstage ourselves for next year. We have video of our performance of the Can Can for Bash Idol. This will be available on www.888dag.com on the 8th of September. 

Winners are grinners

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We are still on a high. My face is still split in half with a wide grin. On Saturday night we had the awards night at the end of the Bash. As previous winners 2 years ago, we did not expect any glory this year. However, to our amazement and delight, we were awarded the "Spirit of the Bash" cup for the outright winners of the whole event. Thank you UKTV for sponsoring our car, K9.

The Bash is not a race or a rally. There are no prizes for coming in first. The outright winner is voted on by all the cars and officials and is a peer award. We are so proud and hope that we gave the Bashers some great memories of the 2008 Bash. After all, the hard work is done in raising the money for the children. This year the Bash has grossed over $2,000,000. Well done all!

Cooma

http://www.888dag.com/ The trip from Wangaratta to Cooma was eventful to say the least. As we were putting on a fun stop towards the end of the run we had to be on the road before everyone else in order to set up. As this was our third fun stop we were used to a 5am start. We had an early bedtime following the successful defence of the Bash Idol competition, 11:55pm. On the Bash any bedtime before midnight is early. Arrived in Cooma after driving through Mt Selwyn with deep snow on all sides of the road. Fantastic scenery. Speedo broke on the way so we had to follow someone or we would have got lost. Gluvein was lapped up by the Bashers and I wore my wench costume complete with blonde wig and jugs! Last night we got a standing ovation for our rendition of the "Can Can" (The K9 K9) and we won Bash Idol-second year in a row! Last leg tomorrow to Batemans Bay and the final night celebrations!

Wangaratta

www.888DAG.com Made it through the rain and mud-every day of this Bash has rained-good news is that there won't be all that normal red dust to get out of the car when we finish-just mud! Got to the Puckapunyall army training venue in our Beefeater Costumes (with thermals underneath to keep the cold at bay). Travelling in the forest track at 60mph but only going 5cm a minute as the wheels were spinning in the mud! Fun! The Cadillac lady takes our photos every day as she loves our costumes. Tonight is the Bash Idol "Can Can" or as we call it the "K9 K9". Photos will follow. Tomorrow off to Cooma and there may be some yodelling, lederhosen and a wench-early start again as we are serving Glu Vein to the masses...

Great Ocean Road

www.888DAG.com No problems with car-running really well! Only problem now is that we are getting 4 hours sleep on average -we got up at 5am to be out early to organise another coffee stop-thanks again Vittoria-steaming coffee always goes down well in the cold! Rain is still pouring down as we travelled along Great Ocean Road. Pearly Kings costumes impressed all-though I lost a few pearl buttons during the day....Tomorrow we are in our Beefeaters Costumes for Armed Services day and the Da Vinci Club Italian night plus a special K9 production for Bash Idol-sworn to secrecy for what we are doing! Will tell all tomorrow!!! Last year we did ABBA's "Waterloo" as Portaloo.....watch this space...

car is fixed!

www.888DAG.com Yah! its all happy again! Found out the job done in Sydney wasn't done right and the inlet valves were leaking. We had rebuilt the engine ourselves and had to rely on someone to do a good job on the stuff we were not able to do. It is so disappointing when things go wrong that are out of your control. The amazing engineering shop in Warrnambool took two and a half hours to rebuild the engine -normally a week's job in Sydney! Astounding work! Off to pub to celebrate. Now all set for tomorrow Pearly Kings costumes (no Queens with us this time) and on to Bendigo.

Warrnambool-day 5

www.888DAG.com Made it to the next stop a little later than everyone else but at least we made it! Blue Day -and our blue painted faces and blue wigs and highland outfits was a great hit! The car now has a tow strap wrapped around the front spot light as a necessary gadget to get us moving-hooking onto the car ahead or we go nowhere.... Luckily the ducks are all fine and still in a row. Hoping that the gasket arrives from Sydney tomorrow couriered by one of the boys in the "Bon Jovi" tribute band due to play at the concert tomorrow. Luckily tomorrow is a lay day so we will have time to tinker to our hearts content!

Got to Mount Gambia-day 4

www.888DAG.com Car managed to get to Mount Gambia today-slight problem is that every time we stop and turn off the engine we need either a push or a tow to get started again (no compression in the engine) -but luckily there are plenty of Bash hands to help! Our costumes today were Dr Who (though it was too wet for K9 to wag his tail and strut his stuff) and was I happy to have my long Dr Who scarf!! It kept me warm and cosy in the very cold and rainy conditions. The party stop went really well too as I rigged up a Shoot 'Em Up Game when each time the gun went off the Basher got a small electric shock-it was really funny watching everyone's different reactions to the jolt! And the coffee we made was so much in demand -thanks to Vittoria for all the supplies-we actually ran out of water but not customers! Tomorrow is Blue Day and hopefully our plucky car will make it to Warrnambool 529km away-fingers crossed.....

Made it to Murray Bridge

***888DAG***Got through the dirt route to Murray Bridge despite being too slow to join the others at the lunch stop-but managed to catch them all up for dinner. Car made it with some TLC and some Bashers are advising that we should put Ajax into the engine to help the problem (not sure if they mean it or they are trying to kill the car completely!).

day three of the Bash

***888DAG***Car is not feeling too well-went to see an actual mechanic who fixed a few things but the general consensus is that the problem is the cylinder head gasket-just managed to order one from MG Spare Parts in Normanhurst Sydney and they will Express Post it on Monday - so all being well it should arrive at the Tuesday stop. Meanwhile we will put some magic stuff into the engine to try and keep it running while waiting for the blood transfusion.... Fingers crossed we can trundle along until the head gasket arrives! Maybe the car needs retiring.....Chinese night went well and Olympic Day also was a hit. Life is never dull on the Bash!

day one of the Bash

***888DAG***Managed to be the first car to slip off the muddy road into a ditch at Lachlan River-had to be towed out of the ditch and somehow the film crew just happened to be around to capture it all in all its glory! Now we are being paid off by all -"first car ..first day..first one to end up in a ditch... first tow"-it looked quite spectacular but it only ended up denting one hub cap (thankfully). Just getting dressed now for the first night dinner-theme is Chinese so I am putting on my Chinese Emperor clothes with my lackey in attendance. Snow and rain on the way and pretty chilly. First time it has rained so much on the first day of a Bash. More update tomorrow.

***888DAG***

Only one sleep to go, phew! Looking forward to seeing all the old faces and meeting new ones.

This is a picture of a liberty swing that was donated by Variety.

This is my eleventh Bash and being a Pom, I must have seen more of Australia, (albeit through clouds of red dust from the car in front) than most Australians. I have driven from Sydney to Broome, Busselton, Batchelor, Billygoat Hill(Alice Springs), Bathers Beach(Fremantle), HMAS Bathust(Darwin), Ballina, Barossa Valley, Barrier Reef, and Bundaberg. And This Year...ta-da, Blacktown to Batemans Bay. Which on a good day is 3 and a half hours drive from Sydney. However in Bash tradition it is a circuitous route via the Great Ocean Road.

There is even a rumour we might need snow chains. Luckily I knitted myself a Dr Who scarf which should help keep the cold out.

***888DAG***

Only 2 "sleeps" to go. I put inverted commas because for some reason I never slept a wink last night.

Took the gear to the Baggage Truck today. Its amazing what you can get in a 1 cubic metre box.

We are looking forward to the Bash this year and making good coffee. It's amazing how many times I have been asked if we are bringing the espresso machine again. It was a lot of work but lots of fun too. This year we are back to the cafetieras which make excellent coffee.

***888DAG***

only 3 sleeps to go. And it's cold in Sydney. And I am developing a cold. Vit C galore, keeping warm, and a few hot toddies should save the day, and a box of tissues if all else fails.

Going out to the baggage truck tomorrow. I hope it all fits in the 1 metre cube storage.

Here's the top of the ute lid, showing the ducks that have made their home on the spoiler.

4 sleeps to go, and I do believe we are ready. Only petrol to get. Going to the Bash office yesterday was great, getting to see a few people that we don't see all year. My, the time goes by so fast. It does not seem that long since we got back from Darwin last year.

Only 6 days to go. Now the daunting task of packing everything. There is a lot to pack.  We  are going to need a Tardis to fit the coffee making gear, the umbrella, clothes, spares and giveaways in the tray. My packing skills are going to be stretched to the limit this year. 

7 sleeps to go. I hope the weather warms up as some of the costumes we have may be a little breezy.

I read about the closure of many of the Starbucks outlets in Australia with interest. I must admit to having had 2 Starbucks' coffees. The first was when they first opened. The second was either Christmas Day or December 26 2006. I was working both days and Starbucks was the only coffee place open. Needs must.

I must admit I love good coffee. On the Variety Bash, when you are in the outback, good coffee is hard to find. So we bring our own. Last year Vittoria Coffee, who sponsor K9's coffee, loaned us an Espresso machine, which we set up at Syd and Pook Austin Homestead, Wambiana. It is amazing what the Austin can carry in the tray. Yes, we carried the machine, its table, and the umbrella in the back of the Ute. I must say it was well received. Starbucks, eat your heart out.

A welcome sight in the outback.

8(eight) yes, 8 sleeps to go. I am getting a little nervous, hoping we don't have a repeat of the several minor and one major problem we had last year.

I finally replaced the battery today. Last one did well, over 4 years. Better to do it now rather than in the outback, where the garages are few and  far between.

 Tomorrow marks a significant anniversary. It will be one whole year since I retired and wow, has the time flown.  One of the first questions people ask me when I tell them I have retired is "What do you do with your time?"  With my numerous hobbies, and the long term maintenance of the Austin, I have never once felt bored or at a loose end. I don't even have time for golf which I have not played for 10 years or so. 

Only 9 sleeps to go. Why do I support Variety? Well, it is a children's charity, and on the Bash, we get to see where the money we raise goes. One of the most moving experiences is seeing a child who through no fault of their own has been confined to a wheelchair all their life, being given the opportunity to enjoy what most children take for granted, a ride on a swing in the park. Variety has donated many of these Liberty Swings.  The look of joy and exhilaration on the faces of these special children brings tears to all. 

Only 10 sleeps to go before the start of the Blacktown to Batemans Bay Variety Bash and I am starting to get excited  It has taken 12 months to prepare the Austin (entrant number K9) for the Bash.

 Last year on the trip to Darwin we dusted the engine. The Bash travels over dirt roads wherever possible and dust if it gets into the engine acts like an abrasive on the cylinders. We started using a lot of oil and sent clouds and  clouds of smoke behind us. We managed to finish the last 2000k of the Bash by driving under 80 kph and stopping to top up the sump every 100k. We stopped the smoke by diverting the oil from the PCV valve into a catch can. 

This year we have reconditioned the engine, brakes, and front suspension and have added a spoiler on the back which unfortunately has been taken over by a flock of ducks. 

The car is almost ready, but this being my eleventh Variety Bash, I know it will never be finally finished.  There is always something to modify or make better.

Pommygran8 and I have been packing the giveaways for children on the trip thanks to UKTV for their generous donation of goods and sponsorship for the car.

Pommygran8 has excelled herself this year with her sewing skills. We have different costumes for every day of the Bash and our entry in the Bash Idol competition should bring some merriment to all. Our final night theme is astounding. Here we are rehearsing.

Watch this space.

My first day

Today is the first day of my Blog.

Having been presented with a brand spanking new Sony Cyber-shot T300 camera, I spent some time working out how to use it.

I normally walk to the gym so today was no different apart from the fact that I took my new video camera along for a trial. With some surprising results.