Just back form a few days in Alice Springs. Bloody cold and windy! Last time I was up there (1995 or 1996?)it was January and 44 degrees in the shade. This time is was a maximum of about 10 or 12 degrees....
Had the pleasure of screaming along in a 260 with about an 8kt launch, 20+ knots at about 200 feet and greasing into a landing at something in between. Kept reasonably busy at that speed in a half hour hop so no photos which is a bugger as it was a very nice flight and my first in that area.
Went for a drive out to Simpsons Gap for a walk and look at something other than balloons. Simpsons gap is a prominent water hole in the west MacDonell ranges about 20km west of Alice Springs and is home to the endangered black footed rock wallabies. Amazing colours in the rocks, sand and flora.
Anyhow, back to the real world for a few days before my week in Byron Bay learning to fly gliders and teaching Nic to fly balloons. It is all training for the Nationals, honest!
