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Author Topic: It's Dodgy down under!  (Read 5585 times)

Peter Fitness

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Re: IT"S DODGY DOWN UNDER
« Reply #25 on: February 01, 2022, 09:23:28 pm »

This is a sign I photographed at Karumba Point, in the Gulf of Carpentaria. They're not kidding either, there are plenty of crocs around up there. The others are shots of my wife standing alongside a life sized replica of the largest crocodile ever shot, and the plaque on the plinth.

Peter.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: IT"S DODGY DOWN UNDER
« Reply #26 on: February 01, 2022, 09:43:42 pm »

Gosh Peter, what did they shoot it with - a howitzer?

Colin
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Peter Fitness

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Re: IT"S DODGY DOWN UNDER
« Reply #27 on: February 02, 2022, 02:29:40 am »

I don’t know what calibre rifle she used, Colin, but it’s safe to assume it was bigger than a .22 :-)  The woman who shot it was a Polish immigrant, Krystina Pawlowski, who, with her husband, became a professional crocodile hunter, and they are reputed to have shot over 10,000 crocs between them. The measurement shown on the plaque is not officially recognised, but whoever commissioned the replica wasn’t going to split hairs. According to my research, the name is also spelt incorrectly on the plaque, it should be Pawlowski, not Pawloski.


However you look at it, it’s a very big croc, and not one I’d like to encounter.


Peter.
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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #28 on: February 02, 2022, 09:00:38 am »

Hi all I have never understood why children are so fond of dynasaurs.  The mind boggles with some of the species there were.  Killing 10,000 crocs is not acceptable now but trying to co-exist with them would be a big problem.
I saw beware the crocs signs on all the beeches around the Daintree Forest area, although I was told they were pretty unusual.  We did see 3 Casowaries there as well, crossing the road which is not often seen.  You are asked to report all sightings.

I think the biggest croc I have seen was in the zoo near Woy Woy, that was a fierce and incredibly fast piece of work.
regards
Roy
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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #29 on: February 02, 2022, 09:09:13 am »

On my other bit of this thread I am still awaiting an exemption certificate so not sure about travelling again!  Airline said 2 - 4 days but Oz website says 2 weeks.  My son is trying to chase it up, he has only got the received documents response so far.

I was watching a TV series called 'Battle 360', It's a cgi / history of battles in 2nd WW.  The last one I watched was about the aircraft carrier Enterprise heading off to prevent a Japanese invasion of Australia.  However you Ozzies need not worry about anybody invading you again what with all the paperwork involved.
fingers crossed
Roy
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Peter Fitness

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #30 on: February 02, 2022, 11:21:58 pm »

Roy, if anyone wanted to invade us I doubt that they'd worry about paperwork :}


The biggest croc I have ever seen in the wild was this 5 metre monster. He was on the bank of Daintree River, and was known to the locals as Fat Albert. Apparently he hasn't been seen for quite a while lately, and it's though he may have been displaced by a younger croc, and moved elsewhere. I was in a boat about 10 metres from him when I took the photo.


Peter.
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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #31 on: February 13, 2022, 06:46:19 pm »

Hi all, well I got here Saturday evening, arrived in the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.  Now either my new hearing aids are working really well OR the cabin noise (in economy) is rather loud.  Getting here at 1900 hours local time seems to work well for me, by the time I was un-packed it was 2300 and I went to bed and slept like a log.

I have got used to the A380 and that is much quieter inside.  To be honest I was rather disappointed with the aircraft.  Qantas run from Heathrow to Darwin at the moment 16.5 hours and that is a lot of sitting down.
Advice was to turn up 4 hours before take-off but I arrived 1/2 hour later than this and I was processed through in 30 mins. The route was unexpected as we flew over Russia and China at 41,000 feet never been that high before. 

The seats are not really good enough for long haul and the entertainment offered was just 5/10 for me.  The last leg to Sydney took just under 4 hours and I never opened the entertainment screens again, just watched the progress map.  On the A380 they have outside cameras which can be interesting but not on the 787-9.  Also up-graded A380s on Qantas are having dreamliner seats fitted

Thinking seriously of taking an additional cushion for the return journey!  However the Qantas staff on-board were excellent, helpful and pleasant.
It was raining when I arrived!  I got through the system quickly and was with my son 45 mins after landing and 10 mins of that was waiting to get off the a/c.  The automated security works very well.

I had a full day on Sunday up at 7 and we went to Terrigal and had lunch and a walk in the waves and I stayed up til 10:30 just waiting to see how jetlag will affect me.
So hello to all you Ozzies, the ancient mariner returns!
regards
Roy


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Colin Bishop

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #32 on: February 13, 2022, 07:44:12 pm »

Glad to hear you made it OK Roy, must be great to see the family again.

I sympathise with the flight though. A few years back Mrs B and I toured New Zealand using Singapore Airlines to get there. We stopped off at Singapore for two nights on the way out and one night on the way back to break the journey. The airline itself was very good, no complaints, but stuck in an economy seat for the two flights wasn't great. The outbound was better as you are anticipating the destination but the returns always take longer due to the Earth's rotation and 14 hours on the last leg had Mrs B climbing the walls  by the time we reached Heathrow. Neither of us can sleep on aircraft. We are glad we did it but I doubt if we would repeat it unless a fairy godmother provided us with buisiness class seats!

Colin
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Peter Fitness

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #33 on: February 13, 2022, 08:02:25 pm »

Welcome back to the land down under, Roy. The weather on the NSW coast has been a bit variable lately, due mainly to ex tropical cyclone Dovi, which has been creating big surf, and showers. It’s been affecting New Zealand over the last few days too. We had good weather for our club sailing day in Ballina yesterday, but it rained on my way home.


Enjoy your time with your family.


Peter.
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derekwarner

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #34 on: February 13, 2022, 10:59:38 pm »

Welcome return Roy


Will you have a days sailing with No1 Son on the Haweksbury?
You will have time for a few prawns on the BBQ
You will have the need to sample an odd glass of beautiful OZ red
Dan Murphy [the liquor distributor] will have that black tar Guniess if you insist


Derek
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Derek Warner

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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #35 on: February 14, 2022, 11:57:38 am »

Hi all, yesterday I can confirm there were big waves we went to Terrigal and had lunch then back after touring the shops.  Can't get in without a mask.  Stayed up til 10:30,however I had to be woken up at 11:30 this morning.  It is an old man working through jetlag but hey ho life is out there.
We are off sailing on Thursday for the weekend but going North, not sure how far so maybe Hawkesbury on another day..  When we return we are then probably off by car to find a few places we have not been to and take pot luck.

Lovely day today I'll send a piccy of the view out the back, we had a lovely Massaman curry curtesy of my son and some Italian red to go with it.  It is quarter to 11 and have come in as the house is being locked up so hopefully getting back to traditional nice weather here. 
Earlier we saw the shrimping boat go past on its way to Hawkesbury and return tomorrow with the prawns.  Might go and buy some and do as you suggest.
Off to bed now
 so it is goodnight and good morning depending upon where you are.
Roy



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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #36 on: February 22, 2022, 09:37:58 am »

Hi this is the right title for this thread!  We have had four nice days swimming and I was going to say sailing but not much wind.  As the weather looked iffy we decided to return this morning and sailed into a storm. 
We beat a retreat into a bay and went around slowly for 40 minutes until the winds were passed but was I wet when we got back completely soaked down to the underwear.  The rain came in from all directions and best place was on deck looking at the horizon to keep breakfast down!
All OK now but notice this weather is with us for the next week.
Cheers  all,

Roy
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derekwarner

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #37 on: February 22, 2022, 11:25:31 am »


Roy......it was all fine prior to your arrival, so I am not sure what was in your luggage  :o


I cannot apologise for the ambient conditions, but do you use any computer app. to find climatic conditions?


This one is rather amazing as when scrolling, it appears to be satilite driven, providing live, sizable and it covers the World. It also covers and provides some 16 atmospheric weather conditions and forms


Wind, Rain and Temperature Maps


Derek


PS...I watched the location of the wind storms in UK last week and today some of the Crimea & Russia today
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Derek Warner

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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #38 on: April 13, 2022, 08:53:13 am »

Hi Derek we had a plan to travel south and see your big 'train set' but the weather only got worse.  After consideration Plan B was to fly to Adelaide and take in the Barrossa Valley and Eden Vale.  We worked our way up the wine trail and tasted what was on offer and even bought some.  If you like a good white wine try 4 Points Winery, Reisling 2021 vintage NOT the 2019 which is no where near as good.

While away I was asked to stay on a while longer and tried to change my flight times.  Detail is boring but it was done eventually.
Still more rain but none the less I enjoyed my stay and was reluctant to leave.  The last day journey to Sydney Kingsford Smith airport was really heavy rain.  I was advised to come 4 hours early but decided 3 was fine and still waited around for hours.

The 787-9 Dreamliner is badly named as you are lucky if you can get off to sleep, it is so noisy.  After 2 hours sitting the seats lose all their initial comfort and I trip the scales at (only) 75 Kilos so not anywhere near an average Oz person!  I also tried buying a pair of slacks and found that I am also not tall enough to be an Oz person! 
They have standardised on 32 inches inside leg measurement as the minimum size, I had to have mine altered for extra cash.  Apparently from the meal portions sizes I do not eat enough to qualify either.
With the rain which I could look out on and view while keeping relatively warm on the outdoor patio I had a great view of passing boats and the many birds.  Sea Eagles, cormorants, pelicans, kookaburras, mynah birds, gulls and even ducks.  See I hope photo.

I got through 15 books on my tablet and even got out for exercise plus playing with my son's very large model railway.  All DCC and 2 of us played very easily.


I still intend to return next year and look forward to it.
Regards
Roy

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derekwarner

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #39 on: April 13, 2022, 09:48:27 am »

Well Roy...that ..'view from the Patio .jpgis near enough to kill for  <*<  .... O0  ....sorry about the sore bum seats on your return flight, but I suspect it was not with our national QANTAS as you had previously offered your displeasure and thoughts on a previous flight with our Kanga

...Must be good to be back home with the sleet & fog {-)


Derek
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Derek Warner

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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #40 on: April 13, 2022, 01:33:38 pm »

Hi Derek, it was a Qantas flight QF1.

 Return to the UK was to sunshine albeit 14 degrees but we are expecting 19 degrees in the next few days and quite pleasant to go out and about.  The advent of spring is looking hopeful.
It is a nice view, I say to my son to just park me outside, there is also a choice of a daybed as well, and I shall be happy.  With a good book and a pair of binoculars I do not want much else.  There is a small but well tended garden either side and we frequently have the evening meal out there which is where the Barbie is.  It has to be bad weather before we come indoors so put the candles out and burn some flame lights in the garden with anti-mossie fuel and you can stay there until bed time.

The Umina beach is lovely a mile and a half of sand virtually no stones, Sundays they have lifeguard competitions, sometimes go to Terrigal for the same and a good cheap fish and chips (flat-head) at the Surf Club. 

One very noticeable thing is there is no rubbish and bits of plastic washed up by the tides anywhere.  It is good to see people caring about their environment.  After heavy rain or a storm it can bring logs and large branches down into the Hawkesbury river which seem to end up on the small beach where my son is.

We had a goodish meal at the restaurant at Cottage Point, but you could do a deal in Sydney and arrive by plane!  Then a tender would come out to get you etc.  See photo.  We arrived by yacht and climbed in the outbord inflatable.

So I was loathe to leave even after nearly 8 weeks but I have things to do here!
regards
Roy


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derekwarner

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #41 on: April 13, 2022, 11:12:24 pm »

Ah Roy......you could be a dual Citizen if you wanted.........if they need a non-family referee, just sling us a tenner & I will perform the Duty

Anything on our Eastern Seaboard directly overlooking water is $4M to $6M starting price......Andrew has a truly beautiful little piece of Gods Earth

I am surprised you again chose our national QANTAS carrier, as if my memory serves me correctly, you found the engine drone  >>:-(  a little disconcerting on your last QF1 long haul flight back home

Others are less expensive.......it's a sort of personal thing for me..............

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHP9NuZNjbI

Now get to work  <*<
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Derek Warner

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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #42 on: April 13, 2022, 11:37:17 pm »

Hi Derek I had originally booked with Emirates and that was the same price, but as you get closer to the take off time the fare goes up enormously.  I checked on my cancelled Emirates booking the day before it was due to take off and it had gone from £1300 to £4000, the same as Business class.
I did do alright with the airmiles 3 flights (2020 flights plus my outward journey) gave me 22370 points and most of that converted to $125 as a gift card which I bought nearly 2 pairs of chinos.
My son suggested I let him book the flights on my next trip out hopefully in 2023.  Might try one of the newer A350 type aircraft. 
Fortunately we did all get on and I know it must be an intrusion into their lives so I am circumspect in being with them.  I am lucky as my daughter in law actually likes me, expecially as she enjoys dancing with me.  We had a couple of lively jives Rock around the clock etc.  My son is not keen on dancing, just one of those things.

Time for bed at this end of the world,
Cheers
Roy


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RST

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #43 on: April 14, 2022, 12:11:23 am »

Hi guys, please remember travelling is an absolute privilege these days -especially long-haul!  As long as you get there and back (fairly) that's' the main thing.
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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #44 on: April 14, 2022, 07:45:57 am »

Hi RST I appreciate your comment, the conditions world wide that caused / enabled my son to work first in Germany and then Australia are very complex.  I cannot see in my lifetime any reasonable / acceptable solution, so once a year I go and stay with my son.  We were very close as he grew up and we enjoy each others company and share interests.
He is a specialist in his field and his last work was to improve the output from MRI machines at the local Hospital group to make it easier to detect cancers.  I suspect that he could only have done that for a small by comparison community as there would have been too many mountains to climb with the NHS in the UK.

Our carbon footprint is of concern and I for one have had LED lighting in the house for nearly 12 years now, well ahead of the public thinking.  Only a small thing but as they say every little helps.
Best regards
Roy
 
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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #45 on: February 12, 2024, 12:24:01 am »

Hi to anyone interested, 2024 now and have ticket, visa and travel insurance and am off on the 29th. Feb. 
I did go to Oz last year as well.  About 5 weeks before I was due to travel, I had one of those senior moments and passed out when climbing some stairs.  I was fortunate as I passed out on the flat part at the turn of the flight.  Got carted off to hospital loads of tests and the next day had a pace-maker fitted.  Apparently I had a heart stop, not an attack or stroke!

So the flight was just outside my 'do nothing for 4 weeks' restriction and I travelled with 'assistance'  to Oz.  It was really well handled and so much easier.  This time, travel was a Qantas A380 but they had all been refurbished with, believe it or not, Dreamliner seats etc.  I think they knew the seat squabs were inadequate as suddenly the pillows have got much larger and I sat on mine, much more comfortable!

 However within 6 weeks I was in hospital at Gosford having twisted my right knee and the swelling was very painful, eventually they drained 80ccs of fluid but even now it still hurts.
So I had an immediate comparison of Medicare and NHS,  if you are ill not much in it ,but Medicare just comes out on top.  Communication, the Gosford hospital very poor whereas with NHS I had an update every 40 minutes or so.  Food, Gosford, do not have anything cooked, it is truly awful!  NHS the food was actually quite good!

 So had the return journey with assistance and that was very good, especially when you are wheeled past 3 jumbo loads of travellers waiting to go through security.
So it was with trepidation last month when I rang up for travel insurance, but it was just a £100 loading on my insurance, this covers 12 months.  I am booked with assistance again, so fingers crossed, but have good expectations.
I will have to be re-acquainted with helping to run our son's model railway, chips in all the engines, it has been re-modelled but it is always interesting.  Last year they had just bought an inflatable sail board but you can sit on it very comfortably with the extra fittings and I used it a lot as a canoe.
So I am currently trying to get as fit as possible to make sure I enjoy it all, as you never know which visit will be your final one!
Regards
Roy




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derekwarner

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #46 on: February 12, 2024, 06:24:49 am »


Hullo Roy....do you fly out from Heathrow, or Gatwick?...is Luyton open after that diesel Range Rover burnt down the multi-story carpark {-)  with 4000 motor vehicles destroyed >>:-( ...and what is the Carrier, or do you people call the the Courier?


We sincerely hope you do not need to experience that uncooked food >>:-( from Gosford hospital again [ever], or are you sure it wasn't one of those Asian rolled-up slithers of uncooked Tuna stuffed with naturally salty uncooked Sea-Weed dishes?  {-)


On this morning's News, it is reported that a bout of Genital Syphilis is spreading like wildfire, but thats OK as it is on the Gold Coast & that is in Queensland or over the Border  :P  ...so what plans have been made for this 2024 visit?

Just by coincidence, one year ago today, I was discharged from the Wollongong Public Hospital [9  night stay - collapsed with AKI, and hyperkalemia], and whilst the food was cooked, it would rate only as about 0.0000001 of a Star {-) in that Michelin Tyre rating......


Safe & enjoyable flight for the 29th


Derek
     
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Derek Warner

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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #47 on: February 14, 2024, 12:27:46 pm »

Hello Derek I think hospital is now part of life! 
The food I refered to was cooked.  I had roast lamb with mint gravy and green vegetables.  It was a pool of diluted mashed potato the meat was tasteless and the gravy was about to congeal!  I should have had a salad.  I did have a so-so sandwich on the first day.
Decided to think of the experience as a visit to a health spa where the food is minimal.

On the Tripadvisor thing you can comment using 1 - 5 stars.  I want a Zilch button as dealing with my energy supply company is dreadful.  Even when I gave them 1 star they had a stock response to all the other 1 stars, yet for some reason they rate 4 stars as a company.
I expect I shall have an email soon from Qantas offering me an auction to go into business class starting at £1000!  One way.

The Oz dollar has dropped in value compared to GBP.  I got dollars at 55.5p each exchange this morning, last year this time it was worth 64p, so it is spend, spend, spend!!!!

The Luton airport fire of the car park cost £85M  Apparently the developer decided to save £200K by NOT installing the sprinkler system.  It was a diesel car that started the fire.  Expectations were it was an electric car as 3 ships have gone down transporting electric cars,  The cars would be covered by the fire and theft part of comprehensive insurance.  However I would feel that the airport parking insurance should pay as otherwise the NCD is affected on your own car insurance.
Where as Comprehensive cover used to be a premium price that is the first cover offered now.

Link below is to a current fire in a ship called Freemantle Highway adrift off the Dutch coast.  First info says it started in an electric car.

https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/ship-carrying-mercedes-and-bmw-cars-still-ablaze

One of the ladies in my Bridge class lost her car in the fire, I will ask her what the out come was.

Not heard much in the media other than that.

Not made any plans I wiil fall in with son if they have something planned.  They have just had her dad for a month, he is hard work!  so they might be ready for a holiday I expect I shall be doing a lot of dog walking though.  I normally come back much fitter and more healthy so fingers crossed.
Best regards
Roy








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Baldrick

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #48 on: February 14, 2024, 08:29:15 pm »

The Freemantle Highway incident was about 6 months ago  she was recovered after the fire was doused and taken to Holland. The cargo was a bit the worse for wear and probably needed a dust off after unloading.


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roycv

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Re: It's Dodgy down under!
« Reply #49 on: February 14, 2024, 10:47:46 pm »

Thanks Baldrick I thought I was reading a current bit of news!
regards
Roy
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