Home after 52-days of World Travel

Friday 28th July - 2018

l arrived home into Sydney on Wednesday July 18th completing a spectacular circumnavigation of the world from East to West in 52-days.

The only other time that l have circumnavigated the globe was way back in the late '60s early '70s, during that time my world travels were from West to East across the Pacific Ocean to Vancouver in Canada by ship, taking closer to 3-years to complete.

Since my first Cherry Blossom Cruise to Japan in 1967 as a 20-year-old onboard the P&O cruise ship the SS Himalaya l have been fortunate enough to travel to many parts of the world.

The first of my world travels began back in 1967
when I sailed from Sydney on P&O's SS Himalaya to Japan.
She was withdrawn from service in '74 and scrapped.

As you know l spent 34-years employed by Qantas Airlines as an International Trolly-Dolly & not once in that whole time did l get to actually circumnavigate the world as crew. In the late sixties Qantas promoted itself as a 'Round The World Airline'. 

During my employment with Qantas for all those years Qantas flew to many countries on many continents, but flights never linked up with a continued 'Round the World' service.

When the Dunlop tyres of the Qantas Airbus A-380 touched Sydney's runway at 0800 last Wednesday morning it was a very crisp, cold morning, a pleasant change from the scorching heat of the desert in Arizona.

Taking me 27-hours to get from Phoenix, Arizona home to Sydney
my Qantas Airbus A-380 delivered me safely.
Ironically passing directly over the same spot where I sailed out of Sydney
aboard the SS Himalaya some 51-years ago. 

From the time l departed my trailer in Chandler, Arizona until l walked into the front door of my home here in the 'Shire' 27-hours had elapsed by.

l would rather drive 'Sheila' my 1931 Model A Ford, slant window, Town Sedan for 652 miles (1,050 kms) in one day through the scorching desert than be copped up in a piece of Aluminium tubing flying half way around the world feeling like a sardine in a can, however it must be done because the alternative is a long swim across the Pacific Ocean.

l have endeavoured to cover my spectacular trip with keeping my Blog up to date.

Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1:
Dean Harrison leads Conor Cummins at Tomer Bends

My journey starts off in the Northern Hemisphere where l attended the daunting TT Bike races on the Isle of Man. If you are a motorbike enthusiast or just a straight out 'Petrol Head' like myself this event must not be missed. Make sure that it is No.1 on your bucket list. Absolutely awesome!!!

Isle on Man
Ian Hutchinson on the back wheel of his Tyco BMW Superstock
at Ballagarey during a qualifying session

Once the TT races had finished on the loM. l then flew back to London Luton. l then drove to the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit in West Sussex, where there is also an aerodrome. With the Boultbee Flight Academy, I finally accomplished my dream of flying in a genuine WWII Spitfire Aircraft (1,600-hp supercharged Merlin engine) over the English Channel in a re-enactment of the 'Battle of Britain'  l can now boast that l am a Spitfire pilot BECAUSE l flew that beast for 5-minutes over the English Channel. 

I can now boast that I am a Spitfire pilot BECAUSE I flew that
beast for 5-minutes over the English Channel.

During the 40-minute flight the real pilot performed some impressive manoeuvres in the Spitfire including a Victory Roll - Wing Over - Half Cuban - Barrel Roll - finishing with a Loop. l must admit that with the 4G forces that you experience during these manoeuvres l was feeling a little nauseous & looking forward to the old Terra Firma. 

To watch the in-cockpit video of my Spitfire flight CLICK HERE

The following day l drove back into London to the Kia Oval in Kennington to watch the first of the 20/20 Inetrnational Cricket matches between the Aussies & the Poms, our team was completely thrashed, however it was a wonderful experience & the weather was splendid.

I managed to catch a one-day International Cricket match
Australia Vs England at the Kia Oval, in Kennington, London

It was now time to depart old England & fly to North America. 

On my flight from London to Phoenix in Arizona l had a transit stop in New York, that flight gave me an opportunity to see the New York skyline with out the Twin Towers, the last time l flew into New York was as a crew member with Qantas in 2000, before the horrible events that took place there in 2001 that changed the world.

Once l arrived in Phoenix, Arizona it was now time to prepare 'Sheila' my Model A Ford Town Sedan for the long road journey north through the deserts of Arizona & Nevada to join the Model A Ford National meet in Sparks, Reno, Nevada.  

Model A Ford making its way around the shore of Lake Tahoe
Photo: Amy Taylor - MAFCA

There were another 500 Model A Fords from all over America for this week long Rally, when you were driving around town it was like scenes from the late '20s early '30s, especially when you were involved with events organised by the organising committee up & around Lake Tahoe.

Because of the dangerous & stressful & scorching journey's drive north through the desert from Phoenix to Reno Nevada l decided to head west through Sacramento towards the coast once the Rally had finished. When l hit the coast road l could then drive south towards San Diego because l wanted to check out the Donald's wall (or fence) at the border between Tijuana, Mexico & San Diego in California. 

A Model A passes through Virginia City, Nevada on a short tour
while attending the MAFCA National Convention in June 2018. 

Before l made it to the Mexican border l stayed with friends in Santa Clarita CA, this town is 60-miles north of L.A. l was invited to attend the 4th of July Independence Day Parade in my Model A Ford, which was a hoot.

In Santa Clarita, I got to meet Hollywood actress, Nicole Tompkins.
She owns and drives her own Model A Ford
On the left with her WWII Veteran grandfather & on the right with me

The 2018 Independence Day celebrations proved to be a very expensive day for me in Santa Clarita CA. because l purchased a beautiful 1930 AA Ford Truck that l have subsequently nicknamed 'Hoover'. The reason being that when the Hoover Dam was being built in 1931-36, these trucks were the main work horse & the back-bone form of transport at the time.

To read more about my meeting with actress Nicole Tompkins CLICK HERE

From Santa Clarita CA, l headed south towards Tijuana, checked out the progress on the US/Mexico Border wall. Once my inspection was complete l then turned east along the Northern Mexican border towards Arizona. 

The US/Mexican Border Fence extends out into the Pacific Ocean
On the left is San Diego, California and the right Tijuana, Mexico.
The round building on the right is a Bull Fighting Ring
the Plaza Monumental Playas de Tijuana

Thank you for taking the time & interest in all my escapades & adventures. l hope that you enjoy reading my blog with the accompanying stories & photographs. 

So here ends my adventure over the past 52-days. 

"Don't die wondering"

Cheers

Warbo