Preparing to travel

Next Saturday I will take the train from Bundaberg to Brisbane, stay Sunday at John and Val's place, and fly via Tokyo to Amsterdam on Monday.
The times in the picture are local times. It is 4:40 hours flight between Tokyo and Amsterdam PLUS 8 hours time difference!
My (little) bag is packed, only cabin-luggage this time. That will save a lot of time in Tokyo and in Amsterdam, not having to wait for the rest of your stuff.
In the meantime, there is a problem with our car. Propably an exhaust gasket (dutch: uitlaatpakking), or even worse, a head gasket (koppakking), although I do not think it is the last. I have an appointment in Gin Gin tomorrow morning to have this looked after. I hope it's not going to be too expensive. But Pam needs a reliable car while I am gone.
See ya soon folks!

Mount Perry

A drive through the countryside yesterday. Fresh and windy, but very clear views. Down in the valley you see the town of Mount Perry and in the background you see....yes, Mount Perry.
Life here is very simple and relaxed. Plenty of time to do the things you want to do : I made some decent storage shelves in the back of our car, to make packing and unpacking a little easier; covered with some carpet. Also plenty of time to pospone the things you do not want to do.
I am looking forward to travel back to Europe in two weeks. Catching up with the kids and grandkids, family and friends.
I will land in Amsterdam on the 4th of August.

Jan the whipmaker

Last Saturday Eric and his wife pulled up into Mount Perry's caravan park. Eric is a whip maker (dutch: whip=zweep). Beautiful, totally handmade, leather, stock-whips. used by the stockmen to control the cattle. So here is Jan, curious as he is, in a chair next to Eric watching, and listening to his explanations.
Eric asked me if I was a handy man, and on my yes, he told me that he could teach me to make my own whip. You do not get that chance often (or you pay a lot of money for a course), so i quickly replied yes please.
To make a long story short: I am the proud owner of a SELF made stockwhip. Sour fingertips, blisters, and cramps in my entire hands, but I managed.
A cane handle, plaited with 4 strand kangaroo leather, the end finished with a turks head (the knob); on the other end the keeper, connecting the handle to the "thong", the long redhide leather plaited part. To the end of the thong, I connected the "fall" and at the end of that is the "cracker". This is the part that actually makes the cracking sound by crossing the sound barrier.
I had a lot of fun, and I did it all myself.
And yes, the pictures above show MY whip.