Boom that Sound Barrier

Yes the biennial air show has been buzzing around all day today and we have three days still to go.   I used to live on the approach run of an airport and having the planes overhead was never a problem.  We were driving through Switzerland last year and we stumbled on the mega air show at Payerne. I was trying to drive and film the overhead action at the same time, I then got the co-pilot to start filming. Next time I get to this air show next door I'm hoping they will have a stealth bomber on display. Not too stealthy if its on display I guess.  These guys are probably simulating a refuel.



Fuel lines deployed

Avalon

 

Robot's First Birthday

Yes this Blog has passed the first year, however there is nothing particularly noteworthy to report. I did mow the lawns this week and I am getting the hang of the electric edge trimmer.  The skin doc has also been at it again. This time he has put a notch in the crotch. Ouch! I did say this blog is a warts and all tool.  The beach is within reach this week, mid week that is.



Robot Cake

GlanceLot at White Knight

Yes there were medieval scenes on some buildings but Alice stole the show. But then there were many other shows not to mention the world cup cricket which saw an invasion of South African and Indian supporters running around as well. I would say the crowds were tight but not as tight as the Sydney Olympics on Super Saturday.  Our strategy worked well. One night at the Langham and dinner around the corner at the Curve.  Three hours of viewing the sites then 4 hours sleep until 3:00 am. It was a hot February night with 23 degress at 3:00am. Crowds were much less but there were thousands of party goers still out and about. Despite this the queue for the Angel Wings was around 20 deep at 3:30 am.  This was a good thing to cross of the list.

Alice in Wonderland

Angel in the Wings

VENETIAN RING LOST!

Sounds like a headline from the Doges' Palace but no we just lost an earring while partying. It did happen to be bought in Venice to match a Murano pendant.  We will just have to get a replacement in Trieste later in the year. The partying was a good warm up for tonight's White Night. I was planning for a 2:00am return tonight not last night, but having confirmed that the out of towners aren't calling the shots then we're just cruising.  The pool was good on a warm night as well. OK we're now off to the Langham via the Pier Hotel.  PS This is becoming a family of aquanauts.

Aquanaut

Snuggle me Pot & Cuddle me Pie

May Gibbs may or may not approve of the below.  During the daily jog that has been happening this year I picked up a gumnut which has some intricate patterns imbedded. During a break in my schedule I did a quick drawing of it. It seems this is now proof of the regression theory being pursued in a Space Odyssey.  I am not back to the womb yet but have started using colouring pencils again so I am on the way.

If I May

Diver Deb

Diver Dan of ABC fame used to live near our van just down the road. Anyway Diver Deb is now on the scene and has been disturbing the fishes and examining the sea floor with snorkel and mask. Nemo is no longer safe down there even Dory would remember this dive. At least Ellen DeGeneres might.

 

World Cup of Cricket

We bought these tickets 18 months ago for the opening match Aust v Eng, so a long time in the planning. My mate Mick got us into the members at the MCG as well, which largely means we were in the shade. A good result all around.  The poms were outplayed in all facets but I think their fielding was typically down. I believe you should increase your intensity in the field if you are bowling first. Four dropped catches before they held one late in the innings not good. With 342 on the board Aust could afford a slight relaxation.

As far as the unusual end to the match goes there is no instance in cricket where two batsmen can be got out from one ball. In this case the striker was given out LBW and the non-striker was run out trying to steal the resultant leg bye.  The ball is declared dead when the umpire gives a player out, so Anderson becomes not out. However half pint James Taylor appealed via the DRS to successfully change his Out to Not Out, this means the ball is not dead so Anderson changes from Not Out to Out. Simples!  Half wit commentators are trying to suggest that the ball is still dead after Taylor is given not out. If that's the case then there would never be an over throw.

Mitch Johnson at 150 kph

Heat in Manila

 

I am now a bit more organised with some footage of the recent heat we felt in Manila. As previously reported the ITI hangar was very close to a fire outbreak that threatened our passage through to Boracay.  This is the first time I have added a video to my blog so I have had to reduce the HD. 

 

 

 

Old Rockers never Die

Went to Paul Simon and Sting on stage together last night. Sting can still belt it out however Paul Simon's voice is starting to show some wear.  He can still get your toes tapping though. These two are probably equal in stature as far as rock and rollers go, so I wasn't sure how the show would be structured. Turns out they combined at the start and the end of the show and did their own thing in between.  A lot of the old faves where sung during the 2 hrs 15 mins. Sting looked a little unfamiliar singing some of Simon's stuff but overall I would recommend these shows as all the classics and more were on display. 
We timed it to perfection with dinner in the restaurant next door and pre-booked parking just down the road. Throw in a balmy night and the usher slipping us some much better tickets where we had an excellent view and all is well.

With Diamonds on the Soles of their Shoes

The PAL in Manila

You might think you know what PAL stands for but it may well be Planes Always Late. That was certainly the case for the four PAL flights we just took.  We certainly arrived OK so you have to give marks for that.  On board, I am always expecting a screen on the back of the seat in front, particularly for international flights of at least 8 hrs like these were.  No such luck. I will need to make some additions to the android tablet next time. Also you can't get a bourbon.
As for Ninoy Aquino Airport in Manila similar story. No restaurants and no bars, all food outlets are takeaway. If you hunt around you can buy a beer. Getting between terminals can be tricky. An internal transfer bus can take 30 minutes but an external taxi ride can be between 1 and 2 hrs. Also those metal chairs that leave track marks on your legs are a pain. One last gripe is the terminal fee per person for using the building.  Overall the great leveller is the cheap cost of living.

ITI Hangar in Green with fire location

Infusion Land

Here we stand in Infusion Land
Herding chickens and planning grand
The trip was made and the plans are laid
The keeping Angels not afraid

Around the world the keepers count
But business falls and losses mount
To stem the tide Pure Books arrived
For all the keepers do we strive

On Boracay we saved the day
And got the keepers lots more pay
So join up keepers don't delay
Pure Bookkeeping is the only way



It's a bit cryptic this one but I guess you had to be here.

Spider House

Not sure if this is a good name for a hotel or a bar. I saw some spidery swimsuits but that was it. The global breakthrough planning has continued and the team hive mind is focused on raising bookkeeping standards. Team bonding consisted of braving the waves in a rickety plywood outrigger and jumping off.  The long long white beach does have very powdery sand and clear water. I hope it stays that way.

Sarah

Down to business

After a week of living it up we have to earn a few dollars. This house has good space and a table that 12 can sit around.  The discussion has been flowing.  Also the house has bonus views, a pool and a path down to the beach and staff to do the cooking. Now that's a business retreat.  At the same time, outside this gated community the chaos reigns. You can see why fires start with piles of refuse and electrical wiring that has almost traversed to an art form.

'Wired Pole' by unknown artist

The boon's a lagoon

Did a lot of kayak paddling this week. Miniloc is famed for lagoons. The small lagoon, the big lagoon and the secret lagoon. I have drawn a map locating the lagoons in case any of my legion of readers wants to find the secret lagoon in particular. (Not very secret!)  Also the secret lagoon requires crawling through a hole in the wall. I recommend kayaking along the large lagoon at 7:00 am. This means you will be free of the daytripping outriggers from El Nido Town. It reminded me of drifting through Katherine Gorge 30 yar ago. Good to do.

This is a Kayak..Not

Paddle me

Philippines breakthrough

Hooray I managed to get onto this Blog while travelling. Of course I did not read the instruction about my verifying my identity simply by supplying my phone number.  I'll know next time. Spent the last week in Miniloc (Palawan) at the El Nido resort there. I would recommend this location if you are into water based activities.  All the excursions are included and often require motorized outriggers. This is good as normally, if fuel is involved, that would be an extra cost. The snorkelling here is excellent and accessible straight off the beach.

Jimmy Bond Island?