Big Heart

Just like many other people. My income has been severely reduced due to the economic downturn causing a lack of overtime. I was explaining this to my son and my granddaughter overheard this and said "don't worry grandpa,you can have all the money from my money box I've got lot of money". and for a five year old it would have been.

My Alaska Holiday Part 2

. We were now cruising on the M/S Westerdam it’s part of the Holland America Line of cruise ships. There were over 2000 people on board and yet It was far from cramped the description that I would use is comfortable. The food was plentiful the scenery breath taking, and everything is tax and duty free. The choice was ours, relax (yawn) or find something to do, I could sleep at home, so doing things was the choice for us. We were cruising the Inside passage. The Ice bergs and the glaciers, the colours, the whales, the seals, the sea birds, the cold, the snow, and the smell of the see air. You won’t find that on a TV documentary, or for that matter on a post card. It‘s magnificent Glacier Bay Alaska. Our first port of call was Junau I went flying in a sea plane I flew over snow covered mountains and saw forest from above, bald eagles and bears. I am glad that I was in the plane when spotting the bears, they run at 30 miles an hour, much faster than me and they have one thing in mind they want to kill you. I’m so glad I came, I’ve just started and find it beautiful, exhilarating and fantastic.

THE HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

First we booked places for hot air ballooning. We were both keen to have the experience,but being afraid of heights,MRS. was nervous. Then we booked overnight accommodation in Northam for the night before our flight. The trip was to include a post flight champagne breakfast. We traveled to Northam from Perth in the morning of the day before our flight,so that we would have plenty of time for orientation. The room was not very flash,but it was adequate. After arrival,we went for a trial run to the airfield,so as not to get lost in the morning. After finding our accommodation we arranged to meet MRS X and Mr X for tea. Over the meal,they told us that the balloons often went right over their farmhouse,causing the dogs to bark.

For our flight, we were required to meet at the airfield before dawn. Hot air ballooning is best done at dawn, when breezes are gentler. We had an alarm set to wake us up in time, but as we did not sleep very well,the alarm was not necessary. At something like 4.00am we packed our possessions into the car and made our way through the dark streets to the airfield.

We arrived in time to meet other passengers, before a short welcome and briefing by the pilots. The take-off area was decided after taking the current gentle wind direction into account. We traveled about five kilometers to the take-off area in mini buses, towing trailers loaded with the balloons, baskets and other equipment needed for inflating the balloons. The balloons were still deflated at that stage, and stuffed into huge bags, about the size of wool bales. Passengers were required to assist in preparing the two balloons for flight.

The balloons were laid out on the ground, attached to their baskets, about fifty meters apart. Huge fans were set up between the baskets and balloons, to blow air heated by gas flames into the balloons. Passengers stood holding the mouths of the balloons open to admit the hot air. As the balloons became sufficiently inflated, all passengers had to hold onto the baskets so that they would not take off prematurely. Each basket would carry about twelve passengers. It was then time to board the baskets. This had to be done in strict orderly fashion, according to each individual’s weight, which had been noted at the time of booking.

There was a ladder for ease of climbing into the basket, but the strict weight distribution of the passenger load inadvertently added to MRS.’s nervousness. She was to be last aboard our basket and not surrounded by other people. Although she was shaking like a leaf, MRS. was determined to be brave. I held her tightly to reassure her. The pilot was experienced with this problem, and also gave MRS. every encouragement.

With a burst of flame from the gas burners, within a few seconds the breeze miraculously dropped and we were airborne. The breeze was still blowing, but we were being carried with it, so the feeling of air passing by us was eliminated. MRS . was still quaking, but starting to relax. More hot air was sent up into the balloon in occasional bursts, so as to control the rate of ascent.

Ten minutes into the flight, MRS. was totally relaxed, even to the extent that she could look over the side of the basket and down to the ground. As the air in the balloon cooled, more hot air was sent up to either maintain height or increase height. The height above ground level is important, because wind direction varies at different heights. By finding a suitable height and wind direction for the direction we needed to travel, the pilot was able to steer the balloon. We passed close to MRS and MR’s X farmhouse, but could not hear any barking from their dogs. Apart from the spectacular views and quietness of travel, the flight was fairly uneventful. We went on a circuit which took about an hour, and which brought us back to the airfield where we landed with hardly a bump. Disembarkation was another problem for MRS.. There was no ladder, and her little legs had trouble reaching the steps in the side of the basket. However, after an undignified exit for HER, we were all on Terra firma.

The mini bus drivers had kept track of us, in case we could not make it to the airfield, but both pilots had sufficient experience to make perfect landings.

Valves were opened at the top of the balloons by means of a light rope, and the balloons gradually deflated. With the help of passengers, the balloons were stuffed back into their bags and all the gear loaded on the trailers ready for another day’s flight.

We made our own way back to town and to the designated restaurant for a sumptuous breakfast, with champagne for some and fruit juice for me, as I would be driving back to Perth. Certificates of participation were handed out to all passengers.

We both declared the event a resounding success, and MRS . said she would like to go again.
Editors note: MRS and MR . are pensioners, It just goes to show that you don't have to be young to have fun. It sounds exhilarating too.

AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE.OH NO,OH NO, OH NO.

Did you know that Australia is the only county that kills their national emblem?
I am a PROUD Australian. We are a great nation, but perhaps we need a new national emblem, like the spiny ant eater, and the koala bear, at least we don't kill and eat them. I will get of my soap box now, but this is so sad and wrong.
Ron

JUMPING JACK

My uncle was at work one day, tiling a roof at an Insane asylum. Hearing a noise,he turned around and found a young man had climbed on to the roof so that he could see more clearly.My uncle found out the young mans name was Jack, and was about to talk to Jack about the danger of falling. Just then the lunch bell rang and Jack was really keen to get his lunch. He told my uncle, "I am going to jump off the roof and beat every one else to lunch". My quick thinking uncle, convinced him to carry his tools down the ladder for him, and said, "after lunch we will have more energy, so lets jump up on to the roof then".


Ron

GARDENING WITH A DIFFERENCE

Plant three rows of peas. patience, Promptness, and perseverance.

Four rows of lettuce. Let us be helpful, let us be loyal, let us be unselfish and let us respect one another.

Then plant three rows of squash. Squash indifference, gossip, and criticism.

and three rows of turnip's
Turn up, only if Invited, turn up, with a smile, and turn up, determined to please.

strive to be a good person, and make a difference.

THE EXPERT

My son and I went to see the Fremantle Dockers play. Much to our dismay, though we were not entirely surprised, they lost. On the train trip home a trip of about 3/4 of an hour we had the experience of conversing with a drunk.
She was disgruntled about her teams loss. But she had the answer, "they needed red jumpers,red she went on is the colour of confidence, and they were obviously short on that. Next they needed a woman coach,a woman could motivate the players more efficiently. Finally the players were having too much sex, resulting in strains and injuries,that would have to stop,at least! during the playing season".
Ron

FRIDAY FRIGHT

The alarm sounded, so with alacrity, we hurried to our emergency muster point. The names of all the personnel on duty were called. Every one answered,"HERE", except one person. To no avail his name was repeated, but Albert was missing. Was he lying injured or, perish the thought dead, killed in the fire??? Who was to know? The Fire Brigade had been called and were searching.
We were then informed it was a drill, an elaborate drill, even though it seemed so real. All was well, and Albert was in on it. Thank goodness for that.
Ron

My Alaska Holiday Part 1

My holiday is here at last. My family and I arrived at Perth Airport for our 6:30pm departure. After boarding it was announced that there would be a delay due to a technical problem. Two hours later we taxied away and took off. Later we found out that there was ice on one wing,that is unheard of in Perth,and Airport staff were unsure how to remove it. Frantic enquiries were made and the ice was removed. At last I was away, bound for America. We were flying Air New Zealand,so our first stopover was Auckland, New Zealand it was Saturday morning and we had a seven hour stop here. We flew all night and yet it was still Saturday. We crossed the International Date Line and just landed in Seattle WA. It’s a pretty place but not the WA I know and love. It was Sunday and Americans celebrate Fathers Day in June,I asked my daughter for a present but was rebuffed and told I would have to wait until September. We leave this pretty city at 4pm to commence our cruise to Alaska.

Robert Meehan

It was a Saturday just like all the Saturdays Robert Meehan recalled through out his life,that is until his dad said “son would you like to spend the day with me? “Robert said yes” while they were out that day,Robert saw a poster that would change his life in a big way. To Robert it wasn’t just a poster, to him it was much more. it was like a loud speaker shouting,“hey boy, you’ve wasted your life,if you respond to this invitation you will achieve your goal,so don’t waste any more time” the poster said the army needs new apprentices. Robert said to his dad, “I didn’t know they did that". He applied for apprentice Fitter/ Machinist in the army the year of 1983,it was with a tinge with nervousness.Back in 1982 on a visit to Perth Airport with his dad, Robert saw an military apprentice, the emblem on the young mans chest stated the words, Army/Air force apprentice, he duly applied, unsuccessfully. Disappointed, but undaunted,Robert spent the next year studying fitting/machining at TAFE. In late 1983 he saw the positive results of his perseverance begin to bear fruit, when he saw the poster. In January 1984 he was recruited to the army Apprentice School, by 1999 Robert had come full circle he was back in a Fitting and Machining workshop,the difference was he was the Instructor now, The following year he was sent to Afghanistan and promoted again, this time to Warrant Officer Class1,he remained in Afghanistan until 2002, Robert was then sent to Melbourne for one year. Then sent to Iraq cavalry regiment until 20006, leaving the army after 23 enjoyable years, Robert returned to Perth as a Superintendent of a growing and International company.