Category Space and Aviation
Pointy End Up, Flamey End Down
9 March 2023, Space Coast USA, Kennedy Space Center – A big day! Not only were we booked to go to Kennedy Space Center, and join a special tour of the Atlantis Space Shuttle, but a Spacex launch was scheduled for this afternoon. Even better, it was a “return to launch site” for the booster, […]
Space Geeking
8 March 2023, Space Coast USA, Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral – Our tour of the Space Coast began in a familiar place. Although Melbourne Florida has an international airport, it is considerably smaller than its Australian counterpart; we were through it in about 15 minutes. We liked the Town Hall, somewhat less grand than […]
Wings and Wombats
We headed away from the coastline, and inland to Nowra, to pay a visit to the Fleet Air Arm Museum (ie the Navy’s Aviation arm). A very impressive hangar style building showcases the history of Australian Naval fixed wing and helicopter operations throughout the 20th century, beginning with a Sopwith Pup and progressing through the […]
Big Jet Plane
Our last day before beginning the long drive home … months ago when I was googling “Things to do in Kiama”, I discovered the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) museum. Looking into it, I discovered that they offered “Premium 747 Tours”. Not cheap, but they offered a complete warts and all tour of the “City […]
I Love the Smell of Jet Fuel in the Morning … and the Feel of Sand Between My Toes in the Afternoon
There’s something of an aviation theme to this trip. In three short days, we took ourselves from the earliest days of human flight, to the latest in military technology. The RAAF base at Williamtown has a large collection of fighter aircraft on display, and their observation deck provides a means to view them in action […]
Breaking Free
This trip felt like it would never happen – right up until Wednesday I wasn’t convinced it would go ahead; but when NSW announced another covid free day, it was finally time to pack up and head north. I booked the trip way back in June 2020, when it looked like Australia had collectively “flattened […]
I Need My Space
The real purpose of the trip to Brisbane was to visit the NASA 50th anniversary exhibition “The Human Adventure”. We set off bright and early, heading across the river to Southbank, for our 10am admission slot. The website advised to allow 90 minutes to see everything. Four hours later … It was amazing. It told […]
Taking Flight
Today’s excursion was to a very different part of London – the shiny new Docklands. Finally the sun appeared, and it was a glorious day. Again, the development all over this area is astonishing. We got off at North Greenwich, which is right next to the O2 stadium, which resembles a rather large pincushion, or […]
Across the Country to Carlisle
With a forecast of heavy cloud, showers and a fresh breeze, we turned the itinerary on its head and decided to pursue indoor activities. So it was off to Carlisle, which is on the other side of the country, but only about 75 minutes’ drive away. First stop was the Solway Aviation Museum, which was […]
Buses and Trains, Ferries and Planes
Originally we planned a visit to Potsdam and Sans Souci, but we’re pretty palaced-out. Instead we took the train to Wannsee, right on the edge of Zone B, where our rail passes finish. Wannsee is situated on a lake, and has its own beach which is very popular on warm days. Today was overcast so […]
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