London Luton Airport - Depart for The Isle of Man

Today I fly from London Luton Airport to the Isle of Man.

I have just taken these photographs from my hotel room window.

The fogbound ramp at London Luton Airport with EasyJet aircraft
being prepared for early morning departures.

Hopefully my EasyJet pilots later today can find their way to the Isle of Man (IOM). I would hate to think that they do a Malaysia Airlines flight with me on board this morning.

Let’s hope that their instrument landing certificates are current.

The fogbound ramp at London Luton Airport with EasyJet aircraft
being prepared for early morning departures

Thinking a bit further ahead, hopefully the weather improves for my WWII Spitfire flight over the English Channel on the 12th of June.

I have just checked on the weather forecast for the IoM over the next week. They have predicted that the weather will be good with no rain in sight. Well we will see about that.

Gotta go
Cheers

Warbo

London Luton Airport - Day 1

Wednesday 30 May 2018

It is now 1:00am local time on Wednesday morning here at London Luton Airport. I slept for 6-hours this afternoon after my flight into London, Heathrow from Sydney.

I went downstairs to reception so that I could print out my boarding pass for the flight to the IOM on Thursday. I went out side to check on the weather & as you can see by this photo, not very nice to say the least.

Early morning fog at London Luton outside my hotel room on Day 1

I managed to jag Business Class to Singapore on the Airbus A-380, then E/Y for the 13-hours flight from Singapore to London. The aircraft was absolutely chockers in all classes so I consider my self lucky that I did not get off loaded in Singapore.

I have 24-hours to kill before I depart for the IOM. on Thursday, so the concierge advised me to spend the day in Bedford tomorrow. Bedford is just a short train ride from here, so depending on the weather I will venture to The Standard Pub (used to be called The Hobgoblin) for lunch and then see what else is to offer. Let the fun begin.

Bye for now.
Cheers
Ken

Arrival into London

Tuesday 29th May - 2018

We arrived into London Heathrow 20-minutes late due to our late departure out of Singapore. 

From the time of our departure out of Sydney until we landed at London Heathrow - the total journey time was 26-hours.

My hotel the Holiday Inn Express at
London Luton Airport

I decided to catch a bus out here to London's Luton Airport instead of staying in downtown London Piccadilly for the 2-days. I am booked on EasyJet flight EZY166 to fly out of Luton to Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man.

I did that because I did not want the hassle on Wednesday morning of trying to make all the connections when I take my next flight to the IOM. 

The view alongside my hotel the Holiday Inn Express at
London Luton Airport

The bus ride was one & a half hours from Heathrow.

I am settled into my room now after a very welcomed shower, this afternoon I will catch up on a little lost sleep.

As you can see by the photos the weather is overcast & and a cool 11ºc.

The view alongside my hotel the Holiday Inn Express at
London Luton Airport

So for now “that’s all folks“

Cheers

KGW

Indy 500 - As I predicted, Will Power got the win...

My congratulations go to Will Power on winning the 102nd Running of the Indy 500.​ 

He is the 1st Australian to win this massive and most iconic motor race in the world, and to think my friend Collyn Crowhurst was at the race to witness this momentous occasion. 

Aussie Will Power after today's Indy 500 win

A gorgeous Indiana day for the running of
the 102nd Indianapolis 500

My money was on Will to win this year as l predicted in one of my e-mails last week.

After 8 seasons in IndyCar - with 30 IndyCar victories and 40 poles - it was the last thing he was yet to accomplish.

Giving Team Penske owner, Roger Penske his 17th Indy 500 victory.

Fans on the frontstretch grandstands climb to their feet as the field takes
the green flag for the 102nd Indy 500

Aussie Will Power after today's Indy 500 win

Right now l am packing my suitcase for my journey to the UK later today on Qantas.

Benalla Trip - May 2018

Departed Sydney in my '31 Model A Ford on Thursday morning at 0800, drove most of the day arriving here into Jindera NSW, which is about 19 kms NW of Albury, NSW around 1500 to be greeted by my fellow Model A Ford friends that live out in the country.

Great trip today, absolutely no dramas all day, my car did not miss a beat, weather fine and not very cold.

Making a stop at the two painted silos of Goorambat,
which are located about 16kms from Benalla.
The 1940's-built silo on the right features a Barking Owl.

I will be leaving Jindera in the morning around 0730 to complete the final 2-hour's drive down to Benalla in Victoria for the Historic Car races at the Winton race track this weekend.

This time last year I made this same journey in my ‘57 Chevy, I enjoyed myself so much I decided to do it all again.

My ‘31 Model A Ford 4 cyl. engine uses more petrol than my big 351 Ford Bronco, even the 350 Chevy is lighter on fuel than my A Model.

I'm looking forward to catching up with other friends over the weekend.

This same weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana is the 102nd running of that great race, the Indy 500. I will be rooting for Will Power the Aussie, I believe he has qualified 6th fastest so he is once again in with a chance to be the 1st Australian ever to win the race.

This road trip will be a good rehearsal for me as the car I will be driving is the same one I will take down to Murray Bridge in SA for the National Model A Ford Rally from 1st-7th October later this year. 

This time last year it was pissing down with rain at this event, hopefully the weather will be kind to us this year.

This coming Monday afternoon I will be departing Sydney for the UK. I am really looking forward to my WWII Spitfire flight over the English Channel in June and also a visit to the Isle of Man for the TT Bike races.

1956 FJ Holden Panel Van used by the RACV for road services, I am sure that
the 1915 Model T Ford sitting behind it was not afforded
the same road side service back then if it broke down.

Friday morning; I departed Jindera at 0730 so that I would be on time to join the Benalla Historic Vehicle Tour (into down town) Benalla, Victoria which was scheduled for 10:00am sharp. 

There were 129 entrances in the Tour. Along the route, we visited the Cooinda Retirement Village, Botanical Gardens, Tim Harris’s Private Car collection, Tallis Winery, finishing up in Devenish for a country-style lunch prepared by the Devenish Hall committee.

We were privileged to visit Tim Harris’s Private Car Collection, fuel pumps and bowsers at 348 Harris Road, ‘Murrungong’ Upotipopon. Which is about 5 kilometres west on Benalla.

This gentleman restores all his vehicles and Fuel pumps himself, I can honestly say that I have never in my life seen any thing like it, anywhere in the world in all my travels.

The green vehicle in the photos is a Briton, I have never heard of one previously. Tim has just completed the ground up restoration of this very, very rare British vehicle. Only about 600 in total were ever made from 1909 to 1929 in Wolverhampton, UK.

Tomorrow at historic Winton Motor Raceway in Benalla the racing starts, the mixture of the 2 wheelers & also sidecars makes it a very enjoyable day of entertainment.

Tim's original 1920 Weaver tyre changing machine, manufactured in 
Springfield, Illinois and imported from the US many years ago.

Since leaving home in Sydney, I have driven 750 kms (466 miles), the Model A has performed brilliantly, so it looks like I will have a date with the Qantas QF1 on Monday 28th May, 2018 as I will be heading to London.

If you are a petrol head you must experience this Benalla week end of racing on your to do list.

Last year the weather was not kind to the week-end, it is amazing how much the weather plays a part here in Winton because the weather is very unsettled in this area the locals tell me.

I am tucked up in my Motel room here at the Glider City Motel Benalla watching the footie preparing my self for tomorrow’s activities.

The weather is absolutely magnificent it should make for great wheel to wheel racing tomorrow.Tomorrow is another day so I now need my beauty sleep.

Tim Harris' collection of restored Australian fuel pumps

This green vehicle in Tim's collection is a very rare Briton,
I have never heard of one previously. 

Tim Harris' collection of restored Australian fuel pumps

The Beast & The Best of Historic Winton.

If you have ever wondered what a thundering 27 litre Rolls Royce (Merlin) aero engine sounds like, they informed me here today that if you want to hear it, to just wander down to carport 39 in the competition paddock to satisfy your curiosity.

So l did.

Graham Copeland’s gigantic 1934 Railton Special Race Car gives us a glimpse of what you can do with some old parts and a fertile imagination.

I was having a chat with the owner about this ‘Beast’ and mentioned to him that l will be in the UK soon to take a flight in a genuine WWII Spitfire aircraft & of course this is the same engine that will be powering me in the Spitfire over the English Channel, only difference being that the Spitfire engine is Supercharged. Graham fired this 27 Iitres monster up for me. 

Graham Copeland’s gigantic 1934 Railton Special Race Car
is powered by a 27 litre Rolls Royce engine

Well!! I tell you... carport 39 almost shook of it’s foundations & the noise, was just unbelievable.

Whilst not exactly a streamlined beauty this Race Car is reported to be capable of 160mph before take-off occurs. However who would be so mad as to try it out on anything but a straight road.

Mechanic crank starting a Vintage ‘27 Bugatti Race Car.

Then we check out this rare & magnificent Auburn sports car [below]. As far as I am concerned this is the vehicle of the weekend. Auburn cars were produced in Auburn, Indiana from 1900 until 1937. 

The company's former art deco headquarters in Auburn now houses the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum and became a National Historic Landmark in 2005.

Check out this magnificent Auburn sports car

As far as I am concerned this is the vehicle of the weekend

I just love this photograph of this senior gentleman’s beard with the
sun shining on it while he admires the Norton motor bikes.

What more can I say about the 2 Poms in full London Police uniform
posing with their original '58 Six-Ninety Wolseley Police traffic vehicle.

When I was a young motor mechanic I cut my teeth on these Austin A30s.
Don’t miss the cute trailer. Do you think that the owner of this rig would be a Pom?

Sidecar outfits waiting for their call up to the line.
These guys that swing off the side of these machines must have a death wish,
there is no way in the world that I would venture down that road or track.

Historic Sports cars waiting in the holding area before their race

My car leaving the garage after scrutineers have checked that the Ford
is ready to race, while I attend the driver briefing.

I am leaving Benalla at 6:00am Sunday morning, for the 9-10 hour drive back to the Shire.

Have to go now.

Cheers

Warbo.


To learn more about the rare Briton motor Vehicle CLICK HERE

Mother's Day in Gulgong - May 2018

Hello from a sunny Mother's Day Sunday afternoon in May 2018 here in the historic Town of Gulgong, NSW.

Gulgong is a colonial, 19th-century Gold Rush town located in the central tablelands of NSW. It is about 300km [190 miles] north-west of Sydney.

Gulgong Railway Station

We had the pleasure of mixing it with another 151 Model A Fords to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the legendary Model A Ford.

If you have never visited this quaint country town do your self a favour and visit this area next time that you are in the general vicinity and I am sure that you will not be disappointed.

It's an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and there's plenty to do if you're looking to explore the region's heritage.

My car outside my accommodation for the weekend,
Gulgong's Ten Dollar Town Motel

We have just returned to the Ten Dollar Town Motel from the trophy presentations at the Gulgong Showground.

The trophy is so unique, it is made from a hand saw that 
features traditional artistic, hand-painted lettering.

As you can see by the photo above, my 1931 Model A Ford 2-door Tudor Delux Sedan won the Best stock ‘30/‘31 entrant of which I am very chuffed about.

The trophy is so unique, it is made from a hand saw that features artistic, hand-painted lettering.

I leave for Sydney early tomorrow morning after a splendid weekend sharing many tales about our vintage vehicles and catching up with various acquaintances that I have met over the years.

The township of Gulgong holds many untouched country treats
and is steeped in rich history.

Now for a little bit of trivia. This Heritage Town of Gulgong appeared on the first Australian paper $10.00 note until 1993 alongside the famous Australian Poet, Henry Lawson - who once lived in Gulgong. Hence the nick-name for town: The Ten Dollar Town.

Show & Shine at Gulgong Showground today.
Check out the guy in shorts, no shoes and a beer.
Could some one please tell him that it is only 6ºC [43ºF] today. 

The Ten Dollar Town Motel where I am shacked up for the weekend is centrally located in the very heart of the historic Gulgong township, easy walking distance from the Henry Lawson Centre, the Pioneer Museum, the Prince of Wales Opera House, the oldest Opera House in Australia. 

The town is full of many other remnants that show the 19th-century character of this noble country town.

Gulgong is a town where history continues to live, so I think that it is appropriate that we shared the 90th Anniversary of the legendary Model A Ford here in this environment, I'm sure Henry Ford would be proud of us.

That’s all for now.

Cheers

Warbo

Shannons Insurance were in Gulgong with their
classic 1959 Goggomobil Dart