Summary: 96-Days on the road in the Old Dart

Thursday 8th September - 2022

Looking back at the last three months of my life on my traveling extravaganza around England & the Scottish Isles & Glens, l have decided to keep track of this spectacular trip by writing this blog so that l don’t forget my experiences & adventures in the Northern Hemisphere summer of 2022 in England & Scotland.

So much happened during my three months in the 'Old Dart' & if I don’t try to keep some kind of diary & photos, I’m afraid that down the track I will forget many fabulous sightseeing events & experiences that l have enjoyed recently on my trip to England & Scotland.

Let me start off by saying that I sure have enjoyed the many more pluses than minuses in my recent visit to the UK. Road trips aren't measured by mile markers, but by moments. So where do I begin?

(Above) My 12-Day Scottish Isles & Glen Trip was with the C·I·E Tour Company, travelling through the Highlands of Scotland by road in our magnificent new Coach.

By far the outstanding highlight of my trip to England & Scotland during that 96-day period has been without a doubt the weather. Not once in all my time there did l wear my raincoat or raise my brolly in anger because of the weather, absolutely unheard of, I'm sure.

It is so hard for me to rate everything on a scale of say 1-30 or more. It does not necessarily mean that every thing in the list below is from the best to the also rans, however in my opinion it is fairly close to how things panned out.

* Experiencing the Queen’s Platinum 70th Jubilee celebrating on The Mall near Buckingham Palace with another 1.5 million loyalists & punters on Thursday 2nd June was spectacular, especially because this will never happen again in my lifetime.

* My 12-Day Scottish Isles & Glens trip with the C·I·E Tour Company travelling through the Highlands of Scotland by road in our magnificent new Coach.

(Above) Attending Royal Ascot and being in the Queen Anne enclosure and being only metres away from royalty was certainly a trip highlight for me.

* Royal Ascot is definitely right up there on my list (see photo above) on Tuesday 14th June ‘22. I purchased a ticket that allowed my entry into the Queen Anne Enclosure. Dress regulations are very strict as you can see by the way the 'Squire' is all dolled up. (Not too bad for a young man that was educated at the Port Hacking Academy for young gentleman) in Miranda NSW, all those years ago.

Of course the added highlight for the day was when l had my hard-earned at 8-1 on the Aussie horse in the third race (Nature Strip) trained by Chris Waller in the £500,000 pound King’s Stand Stakes. It bolted home by seven lengths & l won a couple of hundred Quid of which l was delighted, which helped & l mean only helped pay for the hire of my Top Hat and Tails for the day.

Another added bonus was that l was within spitting distance of Prince Charles & Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as they rode around the Queen Anne Enclosure in their horse-drawn Carriage.

(Above) Getting spoilt by the London-based Qantas Cabin Crew on my sector from London to Singapore aboard the Airbus A380. The lovely Greta Russo looked after me fantastically.

* Spending my 75th birthday in a Qantas A380 aircraft at 37,000ft over the sub-continent of India was also very special for me.

* Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade as a finale to my 12- day Coach tour around Scotland.

* Visiting Nairn, (15 miles or 25 kms) east of Inverness where my ancestors originally came from (my mother’s Dad, my grandfather was born in Nairn). It is an ancient fishing village port. Nairn is actually a boys name, however it means the river with Alder trees.

(Above) Visiting Nairn, east of Inverness where my ancestors originally came from (my mother’s Dad, my grandfather was born in Nairn).

* The Orkney Islands which is the Northern most section of the highlands with its rugged mountains, coastline, & vast areas of open land, visiting the Ring of Bodgar, a Neolithic henge & stone circle, then to see the well preserved 5,000 year-old-village dwellings of Skara Brae.

* Chance meeting with another travelling car enthusiast Aussie on the Battlefields of Culloden in his Vintage 1926 Rolls Royce sedan & Model A Ford box trailer. (Below).

(Above) Bob Roberts and his vintage 1926 Rolls Royce sedan & Model A Ford box trailer.

* Bingeing on 12 West-End Musicals in as many days that included, the new smash hit Tina, Mamma Mia, Back to the Future, Phantom of the Opera, Kinky Boots, Anything Goes, Cabaret, Bob Marley, Mouse Trap & the new ABBA Voyage Show at the specially built ABBA Arena in the East-End of London before departing on my 12-day Scottish adventure.

(Above) I just happened to stumble into the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow during my walk around the city's center.

* Stumbling upon the World Pipe Band Championships on the day l arrived in Glasgow where there were thousands of competitors from all over the World including Australia to try to bring home the championship trophy.

* Being present in London on their hottest day ever recorded at 40.3°C or 105°F.

The railway tracks were buckling, the runway at Luton Airport was melting, public transport (trains & buses) were cancelled, it was complete chaos for a 24-hour period. However l think a lot of the Pommies used it as an excuse to get out of going to work for the day.

l stirred them all up by telling them that this is a normal winter's day back home in Sydney.

* My private tour of the Ceremony of the Keys at London Tower that was arranged by my friend & English bobby Policeman, John Cannon. He is the guy that l meet in 2018 when l first went to the Isle of Man TT Motorbike races.

(Above) The first get together of our C·I·E Tour group in front of the magnificent Medieval Cathedral in Glasgow the day before we started our 12-day Scottish tour.

* The first get together of our C·I·E Tour Group in front of the magnificent Medieval Cathedral in Glasgow the day before we started our 12-day Scottish tour. In this photo we were missing approximately 10 people, late arrivals, they joined us the following day. In total there were 30 of us in the touring group, 20 Americans, 7 Canadians & 3 Aussies.

Moving right along: I could continue telling you more highlights of my 3-months in the UK, however l would be here all day. These were the major highlights of the trip, there are too many to mention here right now, so what l have decided to do is to break down the sporting, entertainment & cathedrals events & that information is as follows.

(Above) I conducted a night-time musical bombing raid on twelve West-End theatrical productions in as many days, and that included, the new smash hit 'Tina'.

Sporting Events.

* By far the best sporting event l went to was the British Super bike Championships (see photo) at my favourite race circuit in the world at Brands Hatch.

* TT Bike races on the Isle of Man. l didn’t enjoy the racing as much this year as l did in 2018 because the organisers have changed the format & l believe that the programme is not as good as it was in 2018.

* This year's Festival of Speed at Goodwood, definitely not as good as the Goodwood Revival that l have had the absolute pleasure to attend on two previous occasions over the years. This year's Goodwood Revival is on between the
16th-18th September ‘22. 

(Above) St. Magnus Cathedral in the Orkneys dating game back to the early 1100s. It only took 300-years to build. The cathedral is only 885-years old, how does that grab you?

l had to return to Australia for the National Model A Ford Rally to be held in Goulburn between 11th-17th September ‘22. Otherwise, l would still be in England to attend the Goodwood Revival, there is nothing else like this event any where in the world, if you are fortunate enough to be in England during September don’t, what ever you do, miss out on the Goodwood Revival.

* British MotoGP, more comment on that later & it is definitively not pretty. See further down for my comments on this race.

* The British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone. l am not a fan of the Silverstone Race circuit it is too big, has absolutely no personality what so ever, I had to go to the British F1 Grand Prix this year because l was there at the time, however l will never go back to that circuit, it is also way over the top as far as ticket prices are concerned.

(Above) Me, at the British F1 all dressed up in Daniel Ricciardo team colours that l had just spent £80 pounds ($137.00 Aust) on to purchase & now they aren’t worth Jack Sh*t.

Entertainment:

* Simply Red performed at an outside Concert about 30 minutes from where l was staying at my B&B in ancient Redbourn at a specially built stage in Bedford Park, l thoroughly enjoy Mick Hucknall vocals, especially when he sings “Holding back the Years”.

* When l first arrived in London l made reservations to see Gladys Knight & the Pip’s (Midnight Train to Georgia) & also Franki Valli & the Four Seasons (My eyes Adored You & Can’t take my eyes off of you). They performed at the world famous Royal Albert Hall in Kensington Gore in London & let me tell you those two concerts were sensational.

Cathedrals & Medieval Churches:

* The best? The number one as far as l an concerned and it leaves every thing else for dead is the 19th-Century Mount Stuart Gothic palace on the Isle of Bute. This house as they call it is a magnificent Gothic architectural revival. What impressed me more than anything else was the Marble Hall soaring to a height of eighty feet or (25metres) constructed from rare Italian & Sicilian marble & alabaster.

(Above) Number 1. as far as l an concerned and it leaves every thing else for dead is the 19th-Century Mount Stuart Gothic palace on the Isle of Bute.

The two great tapestries which adorn the walls of the Marble Hall were produced by the Dovecote Studio in Edinburgh started in 1912 and halted during the First world war. The two master weavers, John Glassbrook & Gordon Berry were both killed in the war & when work resumed on the tapestry in 1919 their initials were woven onto the border. The tapestry was completed in 1938. When first displayed one enthusiastic member of the public felt moved to praise it in the letter pages in the Scotsman ‘The Bute tapestry is, in my opinion, the greatest art production that has been achieved in Europe since Michelangelo did the roof of the Sistine Chapel’.

The tapestry is huge, I have a photograph of the actual tapestry in one of my earlier blog from this trip. If you are interested all you need to do is to click here & you will be able to see the tapestry & the magnificent marble stair case, it is worth your time & energy to have a look at this master piece, plus the marble staircase that l took photographs of while l visited this superb building.

(Above) Boarding the retired HM Yacht Britannia for an onboard inspection of the former royal yacht of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Britannia was in service from 1954 until 1997.

* Check out St. Magnus Cathedral in the Orkney’s dating game back to the early 1100’s. (see photo) it only took 300 years to build. The cathedral is only 885 years old, how does that grab you…

Disappointments: They were but few, however l must mention them.

* The British MotoGP that was held at the Silverstone Race Circuit on Sunday 7th August was a complete was of time & money. Listen to this; as far as l am concerned it was a total rip off.

(Above) The British Superbike Championships at the Brands Hatch track in Kent, was a highlight for me.

It cost me with a grandstand seat plus entry at Silverstone $326.00 to watch the race. Compare that to the British Superbike Championships that l went to at the intimate Brands Hatch Circuit it cost me with grand stand seat plus entry only $94.00. When l went to school & did my arithmetic at the Port Hacking Academy for young gentleman, that works out to be almost three times the price as the British Super-Bikes, any wonder spectator numbers were down 50% from last years event. One look at the empty Grandstands says it all, you do not have to be a Philadelphia Lawyer to work that out.

* I was so disappointed when we arrived into Edinburgh, this City is one of the most beautiful cities in the whole wide world, bar none.

The Garbo’s had been on strike for about a week before we arrived there, please check out my photograph of the Filth & Squalor (see photo) throughout this magnificent city, it really broke my heart to see this, not only that what about the health hazard.

(Above) A major disappointment was seeing the garbage piled up in the beautiful streets of Edinburgh during the garbage collector's strike.

I realise that this blog is almost as long as War & Peace, however l needed to do this blog for myself so that l have an accurate record of the highs & some lows of my “Adventure before Dementia” recently in the UK.

Hopefully my storytelling keeps you interested enough to keep reading about my adventures. I just had to complete all these details because next week it is onwards & upwards when l attend the 27th Model A Ford National Rally in Goulburn & we will all be moving onto another adventure in our lives.

I'm looking forward to Goulburn, NSW, where the forecast is predicted to be freezing cold all week. Bring your woolies with you. Min. Temp 2°C or 35°F - Max. 12°C or 53°F.

That’s all for now, catch up with many of you Model A Ford enthusiasts in person over the next week or so. I am looking forward to making many more acquaintances during the week.

Stay safe, & happy motoring.

Cheers

Warbo.

Behind the scenes of the National Model A Ford Rally

Sunday 4th September - 2022

There is no rest for the wicked you know. This past weekend saw a working bee of Model A Ford Club NSW volunteer members putting together the Rally packs for next week's National Rally.  

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Rob Taylor (Rally secretary) & all his inner-circle of hard working Model A Ford Club of NSW members that have been working tirelessly over the past 2-years to bring together this year's 27th Model A Ford National Meet starting on Sunday (11-17th September, 2022) in and around Goulburn NSW, Australia.

(Above) The behind-the-scenes volunteer action of preparing for the National Model A Ford Rally in Goulburn. Our NSW Club is the host chapter for this year's Rally.

Here's some of the items we all worked on: The Rally bag pack was the critical event, where we had to ensure all corresponding rally conference tag numbers had the correct meals allocation tags were married together, then the rally number plate went into the numbered rally bag with the rally conference tag. 

Sandra and Dawn with Richard stood tall in compiling the rally tags & meals allocation, then co-ordinating the correct number to the rally bag to then allow the production line to kick in. Keith Smith ran the Rally Plate, Special Gift and Ram Key ring distribution point, whilst Trevor Davis, Bryan Wyborn and Ernie Meneguzzo made sure the ordered clothing went into the correct numbered rally bag.

All other people there did the heavy lifting, moving all the bags down to the packing area. Then they took all the raffle prizes, Model A Cutaways, the Burtz Motor and the pallet of Rally mugs plus other things and started loading our transport trailer. 

It was a big job, the weather was miserable, but we did a good job, and finished around 1:00pm. John Hyland was the Load Master, and Rob Taylor will let him know if he did a good job tomorrow, as Rob is driving the trailer to Goulburn with Jim Haling to pre-position it for next weekend.

You all will make our Model A Ford Club of NSW (as we are the hosts of this National gathering) very proud to stage such an event of such magnitude.

(Above) Sandra and Dawn with Richard stood tall in compiling the rally tags & meals allocation, then co-ordinating the correct number to the rally bag to then allow the production line to kick in.

We have 150 (plus) Model A Ford vintage vehicle entries from all over Australia to attend the 27th National Rally this year in Goulburn, what a spectacle & visually striking display this will be for everyone that attends the week-long event.

I can’t wait to see the look on the punter's faces when we drive our cavalcade of Model A Fords of all colours, shapes & models through the main streets of Goulburn & near by suburbs on our organised runs throughout the week. Should be a site for sore eyes, l would even go as far to say that this special event would bring “a tear to a glass eye”.

(Above) John Hyland was the Load Master responsible for the safe loading of the trailer of Rally goodies headed south for Goulburn.

I intend to take plenty of photographs & write my Warbo’s blog of this spectacular event. It is not every day of the week in Australia that you have the opportunity to see (150 plus) unique cars that are still on the road after almost 100-years since they were manufactured.

Looking forward to catching up with you all once again & also making new friends during the Rally.

Warmest regards from a Model A Ford tragic & loving it.

See you all in Goulburn next week.

Warbo

Two National Car Rallys coming up in the next month...

Saturday 3rd September - 2022

Looking into the near future, you may also be interested to know that my Model A Ford Club here in NSW are the host organisers and presenters of the 27th Model A Ford National Meet, to be held in and around Goulburn, NSW over 11-17th September, 2022.

Expected to be one of the biggest vintage car events to take place in Australia this year, the 27th Model A Ford National Meet will see over 300 participants and 160 Model A Fords descend on Goulburn. 

Goulburn was proclaimed as Australia's first inland city, and is a regional city on the Southern Tablelands, 200Kms (125 miles) South-west of Sydney.

Spectators will be able to view the vehicles on their various runs throughout the region and at a static display in Montague Street. I will be attending this week-long National Rally in my 1931 Model A Ford, 2-door, Delux Sedan (below) & will covering the proceedings on my blog with photos to suit.

(Above) My 1931 Model A Ford, 2-door, Delux Sedan that I will taking to the Model A Ford National Rally in Goulburn.

Then later in the month of September, from 25th September to the 2nd October, 2022, along with my Chrysler Restorers Club will be attending the 16th National Chrysler Rally in Wangaratta in regional Victoria, in Bush Ranger territory.

Wangaratta will be a 7-day event for more than 100 Chrysler vehicles and their passengers.

I will be attending that event, this time taking my 1964 2-door, Plymouth Sedan & will also cover the proceedings on my blog along with plenty of photographs and stories of interest.

(Above) My 1964 2-door, Plymouth Sedan that I will be taking on the 16th National Chrysler Rally in Wangaratta

Finally, I'd like everyone to keep in mind that you can click onto the this link to follow our Sylvanvale Pre-WWll Vintage Car Show blog that will bring you up to date with our annual Pre-WWll Vintage Car show that is scheduled for September 2023 in Sutherland, NSW. That Show is now only 12-short months away.

Warbo

Strangers on a bus, friends on a Plane

Friday 2nd September - 2022

Okay folks, sit down & tighten your seats belts for this absolutely amazing story. Keeping in mind that this one-in-a-million coincidence would never have eventuated if I had not been fortunate enough to be allotted a seat on standby for my QF2 Qantas A380 journey back to Sydney last week.

Not only that, if l had not been upgraded to Premium Economy this story also would never have seen the light of day. If you are expecting to see photographs of this amazing coincidence there are none. There is only one photograph & that is of the person involved. We all love an adventure no one more so than me, the more obscure the better.

To drain every last drop out of my 'Adventure before Dementia' holiday in the 'Old Dart' I decided instead of doing the usual thing & ride the train or catch a London Taxi to Terminal 3 at Heathrow for my flight I decided to catch the local bus from St. Albans to Heathrow, my British friends thought that l was completely crazy, who cares what they think of me anyway. This is how the story goes.

(Above) One of my London-Singapore Qantas Cabin Crew members, and one of my fellow St. Albans bus passengers: Tiago Maciel. Unknowingly, we shared the same St. Albans local bus ride to Heathrow's Terminal 3, earlier that afternoon.

My land Lady Kate, who l stayed with on & off for the 3-months in England, drove me to the local bus depot from where l was to catch the bus. The fare was 10 pounds or $17.00 Australian, the journey would take one & a half hours so l boarded the bus (No. 724) at St. Albans with plenty of time to spare at 4:30pm to eventually arrive at Terminal 3 at Heathrow by 6:00pm. Allowing me 3-hours before my flights departure at 9:10pm with plenty of time to check in & do the security business.

Now this is where my story starts to get interesting. Let me tell you, this local bus ride was definitely a milk run or as some may say, a slow boat to China, however, it really did not matter because l was enjoying every last minute of my last moments here in London.

I sat towards the rear of the bus & of course l had a window seat, I had no idea where on earth I was as the bus drove its route on the way to Heathrow. Approximately 40-mins into the journey with the bus making heaps of stops to pick up local passengers & also drop them off.

(Above) The Qantas A380 Premium Economy cabin on the upper deck. Luckily for me, the luxurious way to travel the 14-hours from London to Singapore. 

One of the passengers that boarded the bus looked like a Flight Attendant to me, with his in cabin baggage & dressed in his uniform. I thought to myself, I wonder where this lucky guy is flying off to today, thinking of the days when l was a 'Trolly-Dolly' with Qantas.

Now l did not talk to this chap, I sat there admiring the scenery as we weaved our way to Heathrow arriving on time at Terminal 3 at 6:00pm. Everybody left the bus once we arrived at the terminal.

As l mentioned earlier, l was fortunate enough first of all to have space available so that l could board the aircraft & secondly l was blessed to be upgraded to Premium Economy.

(Above) London Heathrow's Terminal 3

As I mentioned in my previous email our aircraft was 1-hour late departing London due to a technical fault.

We eventually departed Heathrow 1-hour late for the 13-hours flight time to Singapore. A couple of hours after we departed Heathrow l was suffering with a very bad headache, so l decided before the meal service that l would go back to the galley & ask the crew for some Panadol tablets to curb my pain.

When l walked into the galley to ask one of the flight attendants for some Panadol tabs... who do you think was standing there in the galley? Yes you guessed it.

Right before my very eyes was this flight attendant standing there that l thought had joined my local bus ride on the way to the airport. I could not believe my eyes. I looked at him & I asked him “were you on the 724 local bus on the way to Heathrow this afternoon?”

(Above) The Qantas A380 that I actually travelled on from London to Sydney - taxiing at Sydney Airport for a Runway 34-Left departure.

He looked at me very strangely & must have thought l was a clairvoyant or somebody from out of space, because he had no idea who I was & did not notice me on the bus, why would he? His surprise answer to me was, "yes, l certainly was". How did you know that?

Anyway we struck up a conversation & of course neither of us could believe the unbelievable coincidence.

His name is Tiago Maciel. Tiago is a Qantas, London-based Cabin Crew crew member. Tiago was born in Portugal, and he was that Flight Attendant that l had noticed on the local bus earlier in the afternoon & not knowing what airline he worked for because he was wearing a coat making him undistinguishable.

Needless to say our chance meeting on the bus all those hours ago spread like wildfire amongst the crew, that probably led to making my 75th birthday experience on board all that much easier.

(Above) The Qantas A380 Premium Economy cabin on the upper deck. A perfect way to travel the 14-hours from London to Singapore. 

I ask you “What are the chances of this coincidence happening?” How many million-to-one odds would you give me. Just going back through this coincidence that required for all 'the holes in the cheese to line up' for this event to happen is as follows.

* Why did l decide to catch the local bus from St. Albans to Heathrow instead of the train or a Taxi to the airport?
* Why did Tiago Maciel board that local bus with me for the journey to Heathrow?
* It was by pure chance that he would be on the same flight out of Heathrow as l was because l had no idea that he was a Qantas Flight Attendant & did not think anything else about that guy l had seen earlier on the local bus.
* If I had not been upgraded to Premium Economy, I would have been seated down the back of the aircraft & would never have met him because he was working on the upper deck & there is no way our paths would have crossed.
* Why did l go back to the galley to request some Panadol Tabs when l did? & he just happened to be standing there right in front of me.
* Tiago could have been working in any other zone of that huge A380 aircraft & l would never have noticed him.
* Why, why, why l ask you, this must mean something!

Now if anyone out there can better this coincidence l want to hear from you immediately. Finally l ask you all once again. What are the odds of this happening, it would have to be millions-to-one.

I hope that you all have enjoyed my millions to one coincidence that l experienced out of London on my way home to Sydney last week.

Warbo

I just spent my Birthday jetting over a dozen different countries...

Thursday 1st September - 2022

Where else would l care to celebrate my 75th birthday other than cruising at 37,000ft onboard a Qantas, double-decked, Airbus A380 aircraft operating as the QF2, the daily London-Sydney service. I came to this realisation as we were overhead Delhi on the subcontinent of India on my way home from my extraordinary 3-months, extended vacation in England & Scotland.

Who ever would have thought that l would even make this milestone in my life?

I arrived home here in Sydney only 48-hours ago, after a 24-hour flight from Heathrow International Airport. As everybody knows, I am a retired Qantas 'Trolly-Dolly', having flown Internationally for the company for 34-glorious years.

(Above) One of the angelic Qantas Flight Attendants that looked after me so well, her name is Greta Musso, a Qantas, London-based attendant, she wasn’t even born when l started flying in 1974.

So what happens with me when I book a ticket to fly from point A to point B through the Qantas network? There is no guarantee that I will be on that aircraft. I will only be permitted to board the flight if there is space available. That means I travel on a stand-by basis & usually never knowing that you will be on that flight until the last moments.

Needless to say the last hour before the aircraft is due to depart is a very anxious period not knowing weather you will be on board or not. This is the penalty you pay for a reduced airfare of which l should not bitch about.

Anyway, to cut a long story short & (as you know my stories are usually long), the powers to be were on my side out of London’s Heathrow International Airport on the eve of my 75th birthday on Monday 29th August ‘22.

(Above) My photo of the Qantas in-flight moving map as we make our way down over the Indian subcontinent.

I was fortunate enough that there was a spare seat for me on my return flight back to Sydney, not only that l was upgraded to Premium Economy of which l was very grateful for on that first leg from LHR-SIN.

Due to a technical fault with the aircraft, we were delayed for 1-hour on our departure from LHR, l really didn’t mind the delay as long as l was on board the aircraft. Hopefully the Technical Crew would make up some for the delay because the flying time from LHR-SIN was 13-hours.

After the aircraft departed LHR, the cabin crew served a bar & meal service, that usually takes approximately 2-hours to complete. Once the bar & meal service was completed l decided to introduce myself to the operating cabin crew to have a chat as l usually do on a flight being a retired cabin crew member.

(Above) Where else would l want to celebrate my 75th birthday than at 37,000ft onboard a Qantas Airbus A380 aircraft, traveling as the daily QF2, as we flew overhead Delhi of the Sub-Continent of India on my way home from my extraordinary 3-month's vacation in England & Scotland.

One thing led to another & l mentioned that it just happened to be my 75th birthday & that l was a retired Qantas 'Trolly-Dolly' of 34-years service & would like to have a photograph taken with one of the female flight attendants just as a keepsake & memories of my flight.

Almost immediately, one of the young ladies put her hand up & agreed with my request, her name is Greta Musso, a London-based Qantas flight attendant, she wasn’t even born when l started flying in 1974. (see photo of Greta & myself in the galley).

This crew do the leg from LHR-SIN, Greta was such a darling & could not do enough for me. By now the crew & l were on first names basis that made me feel that l was still flying even though l have been retired for 15-years.

(Above) My view as we transited over numerous countries on my birthday 'day' travelling at 925 k/mh.

During the flight l decided to take some photos of the onboard navigation map that is displayed on the seat-back screen in front of you that lets you know exactly where you are at any given moment of your journey.

Before our descent into Singapore, I decided that l should go back to the Galley to thank the crew for looking after me so well on my 75th birthday. To my surprise as l walked into the Galley all the crew sang happy birthday to me & Greta said that she had made up a birthday present for me out of the First Class goodies. (see photo).

As you can see in the photo below, the gift consisted of a pair of First Class pyjamas, a First Class Toiletries pack, & she had used a First Class Menu as my birthday card.

(Above) My birthday gift from Greta and the Qantas Cabin Crew.

I was completely humbled by their generosity & rest assured I will never ever forget my 75th birthday onboard QF2, LHR-SIN on 30th August ‘22. I was quickly bought back down to earth on the final sector from SIN-SYD.

As l mentioned earlier, you only have a seat on space available basis, because the flight was almost completely full l was down-graded to economy class for the journey to Sydney, l managed to get the last seat onboard. Thank heavens.

The sector from SIN-SYD is only 8-hours, so l just thanked my lucky stars that l got the last seat on the aircraft & we arrived at Sydney International Airport on schedule at 05:10am on the 31st August.

(Above) After over 24-hours of continuous flying, with only 1-stop in Singapore, we are finally on our descent into Sydney.

What a fantastic job the Tech Crew had done to make up that hour's delay out of London to arrive on time into Sydney at 05:10am. My son Nathaniel was waiting patiently in the arrival hall to pick me up & take me home to the glorious Sutherland Shire (of postcode 2230).

That my friends is the fabulous story of my journey home from the 'Old Dart' onboard the QF2, a Qantas Airbus A380 aircraft, a perfect ending to cap off my 3-month extended vacation in England & the Scottish Highlands.

Cheers

Warbo

Footnote: Just to let you all know that l haven’t finished with you all as yet. In my next Blog post, l am going to tell you an unbelievable yarn about one of the male flight attendants that was operating my flight from LHR-SIN. The chances of what happened would be millions to one, trust me. So stay tuned you will love this coincidence that is truly unbelievable.

There was something in the air tonight...

Monday 29th August - 2022

I honestly thought that l have seen most things in entertainment up until l had the pleasure to attend the new ABBA Voyage concert at their specially built ABBA Arena in Pudding Mill Lane (don’t you just love that name) in the vibrant east end of London, only a stone's throw from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium.

Little did l realise that 10-years ago when l attended the 2012 Summer Olympic Games here in London that Pudding Mill Lane is only one train station away from Stratford on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) network.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that l would ever return to this particular part of London. Just before arriving into Pudding Mill Lane train station as l was looking out of the train window there right before my very eyes was the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium with the signage on the stadium 'West Ham United'. More of that coincidence later.

(Above) Some local ladies, outside the ABBA Arena, all dressed up for the ABBA Voyage performance tonight. Ready to go ballistic singing & dancing when 'Give me, give me, a man after midnight' comes on.

Many of you are to young or too old to remember way back to Eurovision 1974 when this new group ABBA burst onto the world scene when they won Eurovision ‘74 the same year that I was accepted as a Qantas ‘Trolly-Dolly’ only a mere 48-years ago.

Who ever would have thought that 48-years later l would still be bopping along to their wonderful music all these years later. Well l am here to tell each & every one of you, yes! l was doing just that yesterday afternoon, maybe not in the Mosh Pit but definitely in the aisles of this purpose-built ABBA Arena stadium.

(Above) At the West Ham Stadium as a side attraction, they are operating The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit (that's it on the left) the world's tallest and longest tunnel slide.

This futuristic venue where digital avatars of the stars perform has 160 cameras scanning their movements & expressions. They appear (Agnatha, Frida, Benny & Bjorn) on a huge 65-million pixel screen.

During the Concert, l had to keep pinching myself 'that this is not real' this show is only one step away from Star Trek. The holograms, music sound quality, laser lighting, & everything else that went along with this performance actually blew my mind.

In one of my photos (see photo below) you can actually see the screen behind me, however that is only part of the screen, they created a sort of a wrap around screen that was shown half way around the arena like half an iMax screen, very hard to describe, however brilliantly done.

(Above) Me, inside the purpose-built ABBA Arena and my wonderful vantage point of the stage and the performance.

This bespoke Arena only holds 3,000 people, 1,650 seats & 1,350 standing. The show went for 90-minutes without an interval.

They performed some of my favourite songs including Waterloo, Dancing Queen, & Mamma Mia as well as their new ABBA Voyage songs like ‘l still have faith in you’ & ‘Don’t shut me down’.

(Above) The holograms, music sound quality, laser lighting, & everything else that went along with this performance actually blew my mind.

The Arena erupted in song & dance when they sang 'Give me, Give me, Give me a man after midnight' the ladies in the audience went ballistic dancing and singing to their hearts content. I have no idea why, do you?

During the 90-minutes performance you could here the whole audience including the 'Old Squire' singing along to the songs, it was absolutely sensational, to be quite honest with you.

All the original members of ABBA are now aged in their seventies, Frida (75), Agnatha (71), Bjorn (76), Benny (74). ABBA the group performed together from 1969 -1981. I will let you all into a little secret of mine, not only can they sing especially the two ladies in the group, Agnatha & Frida they are also good sorts.

(Above) The Pudding Mill Lane Station - don't you just love that name.

As a more humble spritely young man back in the '70s I was completely infatuated with Frida (Red head) she could have placed her slippers under my four-posted double bed at any time.

Finishing off now on yesterday’s concert l need to tell you the last two songs that they performed, second last song 'Dancing Queen' (see bright pinky coloured photo) even though there was no photography allowed, last but not least one of my favourite ABBA songs 'Winner takes it all'.

All l can say is. “Thank you for the Music”.

(Above) Though the Swedish pop band has not played London since 1979, holographic “Abbatars” of the band, modeled in their likeness from that year, are currently filling up a custom-built arena for a 90-minute concert of their greatest hits. A combination of motion-captured performance, animated sequences and a live 10-person band make up the spectacle, which makes a floor-thumping case for the music’s continued relevance.

Now getting back to the West Ham United Stadium (Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium).

I am a staunch West Ham United EPL (English Premier League) supporter, as a matter of fact l was hoping to see one of their games on this trip at their new home ground (Queen Elizabeth Stadium). Unfortunately it did not happen due to other commitments, I even brought all my supporters gear with me like, footie jumper, scarf & hat so that l would fit into the scene & feel at home.

The footie season is only just getting under way here in the UK so l did not have too many options with dates, etc.

Ten years ago when I was visiting London for the 2012 Olympics a friend of mine took me to one of West Ham's home games at their old Boleyn home ground in Upton Park, East London that they had occupied for 112-years. They vacated that ground in 2016, because that property was redeveloped into a housing estate & then they moved into the 'Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium' (see photos).

If you ever get the opportunity to go to any EPL Soccer match here in the UK just do it, the atmosphere is electric, ever since that memorable day 10-years ago l have been a loyal fan of West Ham just like I am a loyal fan of the 'Cronulla Sharks' NRL team back in Australia.

Seeing that I was so close to the West Ham United home ground I decided to take a casual 1km walk after the ABBA concert to check it out (see photo). Not only that it was like a walk down memory lane going over my footsteps when I was here 10-years ago attending the London Olympics.

Walking around this East End of London as they call it now, it has turned out to be a very vibrant part of the old Canary Wharf area that used to be the pits.

In 10-hours from now l will be in the waiting room at LHR airport waiting to board my Qantas A380 aircraft for the 24-hour flight back home to Australia. Undoubtedly l will feel a tinge of sadness because this will probably be my last visit to the 'Old Dart'.

As l have previously mentioned in my stories, that I first arrived here in England on the 6th July 1971, (51-years ago) at Liverpool on the day that Louis Armstrong passed away. I landed with Pam, my girlfriend, in our VW-Camper Van. We had sailed from Montreal, Canada with our van as hand luggage on the ship to start the European part of our round-the-world trip in our camper.

That my friends is all she wrote. I need to get myself packed because as you all know a Qantas aircraft does not wait for anyone. Speak to you all again from Sydney.

Warmest regards,

Warbo

Finding Bob Roberts

Thursday 25th August - 2022

I've had some amazing reactions to my story on my chance meeting with travelling Aussie, Bob Roberts, who is road-touring the UK in his imported 1926 Rolls Royce on his camping holiday.

The first reaction I received was from John DeBrincat, my International shipper who has helped me import a few cars from the US. 

John said: "Very interesting, I packed and shipped Bob’s car for him to the UK". John sent me a great photo of Bob's 1926 Rolls snuggly packed inside this trans-oceanic container, ready to sail from Australia to the UK.

(Above) Bob's 1926 Rolls snuggly packed inside this trans-oceanic container, ready to sail from Australia to the UK.
Photo: John DeBrincat 

Then I received this e-mail from my good friend Ron Cox in the Model A Ford Club in Sydney:

Good morning Ken,
You must have met our friend in Scotland because David and I both know Bob Roberts well in his 20hp RR, the poor bloke used to own a very nice Model A Ford but traded in on the RR, too bad. (See, I told you so!) I will see you when you get back to the land of Paradise, that’s Australia by the way.
Regards,
Ron

(Above) My fellow bus passengers brought to my attention Bob's car & trailer parked on an Edinburgh city street.

Then, this week during our Edinburgh City tour aboard our C·I·E Coach, guess what we stumbled across somewhere on the city streets. None other than Bob Robert’s 1926 Rolls Royce & trailer parked in the Edinburgh city center.

Actually all of my eagle-eyed fellow bus travelers spotted Bob's car first and they quickly remembered I told them Bob's unique story over the bus's PA system.

Can you actually believe all these coincidences - the chances are one in millions.

Warbo

Leaving Scotland, or it may stay with me forever...

Wednesday 24th August - 2022

Spoiler Alert: Folks this is my photo from last night, sitting in the bleachers along the Esplanade, waiting for the start of the 2022 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Edinburgh Castle. 

What an exquisite setting. As you can see it was an absolute glorious evening for it here in Scotland.

It's now the day after and my C·I·E 12-day Highlands & Glens Tour of Scotland has come to a sad end this morning. I'm about to board my bus for my 10-hour journey back to Milton Keynes, just outside of London.

And in 4-days time I'll be boarding my Qantas flight for my trip back home to Sydney.

Because our tour has gone at such a hectic pace, I haven't had time to sit down and write about the last few days. Hopefully when my brain unscrambles in the next few days, I can put pen to paper.

And I figured out there's a reason why a unicorn is the symbol of Scotland - it's a land of pure magic. There's still plenty of good stories and photos I want to share. Please bear with me.

Warbo

Day 9: A tour side-story from Culloden Battlefield

Sunday August 21st - 2022

Have I got a wonderful Day 9, side-story for all my motor vehicle enthusiast friends, plus any one else that wants to listen. As you all know by now l am holidaying over here for 3-months in England & Scotland during the Summer of ‘22.

Unfortunately my sensational holiday is quickly drawing to a close, right now l am in Scotland on Day 9 of this fabulous 12-day Scottish Isles & Glen trip. l want to tell you all about this Australian gentleman that l met yesterday parked in the car park of this very historic Culloden Battlefield near Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands.

Most of you probably have no idea what happened here on the 16th April, 1746. The Battle of Culloden was fought on this moor that bought to and end the Clan system in Scotland.

(Above) Bob Roberts from Muswellbrook in NSW and his Australian registered 1926 Rolls Royce which is fitted with NSW historic plates (73686 H).

I will not go into all those historic & horrific details in this story, however I will let you know about this unbelievable meeting l had with an Aussie car tragic like myself by pure chance in the car park while visiting here yesterday, so here we go, you will not believe it.

Driving into the coach parking area, l noticed this vintage car parked towards the rear of the car park, & thought to myself l must walk over there & check it out, this will definitely worth a photo or two.

First things first, l am here to learn about the conflict that led to the end of the clan system in Scotland.

In this area the most ferocious hand to hand fighting took place at the height of the battle. Historians believe that around 700 Jacobite soldiers were killed or wounded here in just a few minutes of fighting. The Jacobites charge had broken the government front line but they were then forced back with catastrophic consequences.

(Above) As l got closer to the trailer, I noticed there was a boxing kangaroo, an Australian National flag & the word 'Australia' written on the side of the trailer.

Back to my story, our tour guide told us that we had approximately 1-hour at this memorial to explore out on the battlefield, check it out, then come back to the Museum complex. By the time l had walked out to the battlefield & returned l was left with only a half hour up my sleeve before it was time to jump back onto the coach for our departure.

I had to decide there and then what my priority was, either explore the Museum or walk over to where this vintage vehicle was parked right at the rear of this huge car park. Of course you know what l decided to do, don’t you. I had absolutely no idea of the surprise l was about to walk into.

Thankfully the vintage vehicle was still there, as l approached the vehicle l noticed this middle aged man hop into the driver's seat & I thought, ‘how lucky am l’ as he was about to leave.

(Above) Bob's touring vintage 1926 Rolls Royce

As I drew closer to the vehicle, I noticed that it was a vintage Rolls Royce, l had no idea what year model it was, then l noticed that it had a trailer hooked up to it. The closer l got to the trailer, I could quickly distinguish some familiar logos. There was a boxing kangaroo, an Australian National flag & the word 'Australia' written on the side of the trailer. (see photo).

I introduced myself to this bloke behind the wheel & immediately we struck up this unbelievable conversation.

He wanted to know what l was doing here in Scotland and more importantly l wanted to know what he was doing here in the UK with his vintage RR & trailer. Here is the story.

This gentleman’s name is Bob Roberts from Muswellbrook in NSW, which is a country town about a 3-hour drive north from where I live in Sydney. l started asking him all these question like what model of Roller is this & I sort of recognised the box trailer for some unknown reason.

(Above) Bob with his vintage 1926 Rolls Royce and trailer on a camping tour across the United Kingdom.

Bob told me that his vintage vehicle is a 1926 Rolls Royce with a 20hp engine that just happens to be the smallest engine that RR made for this model.

He told me that he is a real estate property valuer. I then said to him what on earth are you doing here? Rob told me that he is 69-years-old & if I don’t do this trip now l will never be able to do it in the future because l will be too old. I asked him who are you traveling with? I am travelling on my own, I have left the cheese & kisses at home & here l am having the time of my life. He shipped the vehicle & trailer over here from Australia to drive it all around Ireland & the UK.

Then l asked him why are you towing the box trailer? his answer completely blew me away. Bob said l have my swag & tent & camping gear in there, l am sleeping under the stars. He then said, do you know how expensive the hotels are over here, not only that he said even the B&Bs are completely over the top.

(Above) Check out the trailer's spoked wheels, they are definitely Model A Ford rims

During our conversation l mentioned that I am a Model A Ford tragic & his eyes lit up. He told me that one of the worst decisions he had ever made in his life was the day he sold his Model A Ford to purchase this 1926 RR. He said that the Model A Ford was a much better car than this Roller.

Once he discovered that l was a Model A Ford man, he said have a closer look at the trailer, you wouldn’t believe it, he made the trailer up using Model A Ford parts. Check out the spoked wheels, they are definitely Model A Ford rims, l would guess ‘28 or ‘29 rims with small wheel caps if l am not wrong.

Bob also mentioned that when he was driving around Ireland near Cork, he had the misfortune of having five punctures in one day, yes five punctures in one day. Bob said that was a challenge, indeed.

(Above) Culloden Battlefield Trail map.

I asked him why did he have his vehicle & trailer sort of hidden right up the back of the car park away from everything (see photo) with Bob standing in front of his RR. He told me that the authorities of the Museum told him that he had to move it away from the entrance because it was creating too much attention away from the Museum & Battlefield, so he had to hide it away from the punters, can you believe that?

I was quickly running out of time because l had a deadline to meet to join my tour group back on the Coach in less than 5-minutes. l would loved to have spent another few hours with him to listen to his stories, experiences, & adventures of him driving around Ireland & the UK.

I asked him where he was off to next, he told me that he was on his way back down to London via Edinburgh. He wanted to see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo tomorrow night.

Then came the big question from me, are you going to ship your vintage RR & trailer back to Sydney when you have finished here in the UK. Hell no, he said, I am on my way back down to London because l am going to one of the Classic Vehicle Auction Houses (Sotheby’s) l think he said to offload them. I asked him if he was going to sell both of them together. No, he told me they are worth more money sold individually.

By now l had to leave Bob & his Vintage 1926 RR and trailer in the grass car park & run back to our coach because l knew they would be waiting for me. On the way back into Inverness in our coach yesterday afternoon l asked our tour guide John if I could tell our group of 30 travelling companions the experience that I had just had back in the car park. He handed the PA microphone to me & away I went. 

Our group mainly consists or Americans, Canadians & three of us Aussies. Of course the North Americans could hardly believe my story & were completely flabbergasted with what l told them.

Right now l am sitting in my room here in Edinburgh, reporting live to you all from my hotel which is the Apex Grassmarket Hotel, with a commanding view of Edinburgh Castle directly across the street.

Next up: the 2022 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Warmest regards

Warbo

Day 6: Highland scenery & ferry to the Orkney Islands

Thursday 18th August - 2022

Day 6: Today, from the whitewashed Ullapool, we drove the far remote Northwest coast of the Scottish mainland - doing the North Coast 500. Taking in the incredible rugged coast and scenery on roads that were no wider than our coach at many stages.

What is the North Coast 500? The North Coast 500 (NC500) is named this way because it is around 500 miles long. In fact, it is an 830-kilometre (516-mile) long scenic route. This complete circuit winds its way along the coastline of the north Highlands.

It was launched and branded as the 'Scottish Route 66' in 2015 and has grown in popularity since. The route is dotted with historic sights, charming fishing villages, and whisky distilleries.

(Above) Travelling along the North Coast 500 - you can expect these kind of sights almost around every corner.

You can also expect an impressive natural backdrop to it all. The entire route is dotted with gold sand beaches awash with turquoise waters, heather-covered hills, and rocky cliffs with sweeping sea views.

Today, we traveled a distance of only 160 miles or 257 kms, actual driving time 5 1/2 hours which works out to be approximately 30 mph or 48 kms per hour, not too shabby under the conditions.

(Above) Gary concentrating behind the wheel of our brand new C·I·E coach that has only covered 22,000 miles or 35,500 kms almost brand new, hardly run in.

We rotate all the passenger seats every day on the coach and today it was my first opportunity to be up the front with the driver and what a day to snag the best seat in the house.

(Above) The 'North Coast 500' road is unique, as you can see by the way the motorcyclists are waiting for us in the passing bay.

The scenery on today’s North Coast 500 road (A838) was breathtaking, spectacular, rugged, expansive, exquisite, inspiring, awesome, challenging, all of the above plus some.

(Above) Arriving in the seaside coastal town of Durness

(Above) The coastal town of Durness has a strong connection to singer, songwriter and Beatles member, John Lennon. He spent his boyhood seaside holidays there. It is said that he wrote the song 'In My Life' about his early memories in Durness.

Earlier on in the morning the weather was very overcast, later on around midday the sun came out from behind the clouds & we enjoyed glorious weather for the rest of the journey right up until we arrived here at the Orkney Islands this evening.

(Above) A local family in the old style general store, once they knew l was an Aussie wanted to know if l wanted to go surfing with them at there local beach at Thurso where they regularly surf.

(Above) Some sections of the road are only as wide as out tour bus. Our driver Gary has to concentrate every inch of the way.

(Above) Our ferry, the MV Alfred, awaits us at the Gills Bay Ferry Terminal to transport our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach to the Orkney Islands.

(Above) Our ferry, the MV Alfred, awaits us at the Gills Bay Ferry Terminal to transport our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach to the Orkney Islands.

Ready for our 10km journey across the Pentland Firth from Gills Bay in Caithness on the northern tip of Great Britain to St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

(Above) Our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach onboard the Pentland ferry MV Alfred and headed for the Orkney Islands off the northern tip of the Scottish mainland.

It was a 1-hour ferry trip on enclosed waters of the Pentland Firth from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

We spend two local nights at the Kirkwall Ayre Hotel on Orkney and we get a chance to explore around the main island tomorrow.

Warbo