Once a Polar Bear...

Sunday 27th September - 2020

For those of you that are unaware... l used to be a POLAR BEAR in a previous life.

Yes, that was back when I was young, fit & handsome with a full head of hair, l was a proud member of the Cronulla Polar Bears Winter Swimming Club during the long gone halcyon days of the 1980s.

The 2020 line-up of Polar Bears in front of their home pool
the Cronulla Rock Pool which was built in 1941
That young fellow in his Dad's arms is definitely a future Polar Bear.

Cronulla Polar Bears is an ocean swimming group who have been active between May & September every year since May of 1953. The members are a unique group of people that swim every Sunday, rain, hail or shine, no matter what the weather conditions are. 

On Sunday 27th of September, 2020, l turned back the clock 40-years to attend the 'Warbo 200' swimming time trial that my father first introduced to the Club 40-years ago.

As you can see by all the photos the weather was absolutely magnificent, with Cronulla Beach & the famous Cronulla Point in the background. How good is this? It doesn't come any better than this anywhere in the world.

The Cronulla Rock Pool is a salt water ocean pool that is
flushed out twice a day by the natural high tides.
Today's water temp was an icy 10°c

Action shot (above) of the Polar Bears diving into very cold water (10°c) in another heat. 

The Cronulla Polar Bears Winter Swimming Club started way back in 1953 (67-years ago), in that time the Cronulla Polar Bears have won the National Australian Titles on 12 occasions, they have also competed in the South Metropolitan Champions in NSW & have won 24 out of the 26 Titles. 

Something that this Club should be very proud of & a tradition that hopefully will pursue into the future with the younger generation filtering through their membership. 

The guy that l have my right arm over is Andrew Kerr (four-time
Olympian who represented Australia in Water Polo). Andrew by
coincidence was the winner of this year's 40th Anniversary 'Warbo 200'.

(Above) The guy that l have my right arm over is Andrew Kerr (four-time Olympian who represented Australia in Water Polo). Andrew by coincidence was the winner of this year's 40th Anniversary 'Warbo 200'. The gentleman standing in front of Andrew is his brother Peter Kerr, his claim to fame was that he delivered the 'Official's Olympic Oath' on the opening night of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Nathaniel my son & l were in attendance at the Sydney Olympic Stadium on that auspicious occasion.

The photo above is quite unique, reason being that when l was a Polar Bear in the '80s l swam against all these larrikins, the guy holding the shirt ended up being my divorce lawyer when l pulled the pin on my marriage in 1994.

My Dad, second from the left, while competing with the Polar Bears
at a inter-Club Challenge on the NSW mid-North Coast 

You're not going to believe this, the inaugural race winner in 1980 was none other than my Dad, Al Warburton. He swam within .5 seconds of his nominated time.

Dad was a staunch member of the Cronulla Polar Bears through the '70s - '80s - '90s. l can still see him preparing the catering for Sunday's meetings at home with Mum as his offsider. They would spend hours upon hours cutting fresh vegetables making a vegetable soup (in a huge tub) to feed upwards of 40-50 hungry, cold shivering Bears after their swim in the ocean rock pool at Cronulla. The menu also included a diet of potatoes, Chili & beer to wash it all down.

The fridge that my Dad donated is still being used to
this day in the Clubhouse and named in his honour

ln the photograph (above) you can see a Commercial Fridge (Warbo's Bar) that is situated inside the Club house, please notice the Polar Bear on the side end of the fridge, how cool does that look? My father collected thousands upon thousands of aluminum cans & bottles over a couple of years to raise enough cash to purchase this necessary accessory to keep their liquid refreshments cold & is still in use today. 

Before the fridge was donated to the club by my father, Club members had to use ice in large containers to keep the supplies cool, which was completely over the odds & used up unnecessary man power as you can well imagine. 

Andrew Kerr (four-time Olympian that represented Australia
in Water Polo). Andrew by coincidence was the winner of
this year's 40th Anniversary 'Warbo 200'.

l was absolutely delighted to present my friend Andrew Kerr (four-time Olympian) with the 'Warbo 200' Trophy. l believe that he swam within 1-second of his nominated time for the 200 mtrs. 

The Bronze plaque (above) that is situated on the sea wall behind 

the rock pool explains the history of Cronulla's famous rock pool, 

which l didn't know existed until last Sunday.

The current Club President, Scott Simmons, or Simmo as he is affectionately know, contacted me during the week & asked me if l could present the trophy to the winner of this year's 'Warbo 200'. This event was started by my Dad 40-years ago, is four laps x 50 mtr. = 200 mtrs. Hence the name: 'Warbo 200'. What you have to do is nominate a time that you think it will take you to swim the 200mtrs. The person who swims closest to his nominated time wins the trophy. 

I was delighted to catch up with the
Club's Patron, 90-year old John Suann

(Above) Enjoying a chat with the Cronulla Polar Bear's (90-year old) Patron, John Suann, who was a dear friend of my Dad, it was great to catch up with him & reminisce about the times we cherished all those years ago.

The banner is out for another Sunday, proudly 
signaling another day of swimming competition in Cronulla

On Sunday, l asked Paul Cavanagh if the Bears had any old photographs of my Dad when he was a Polar Bear all those years ago because l did not have any. Sure enough on Monday morning l received various photographs that Paul had found in the Bear's archives. 

The 80-year old Cronulla Rock Pool where all the
Polar Bear swimming action has happened for 67-years

One of my favourite photographs of Dad is (below) a sprightly, tanned looking 61-year old with two of his mates at one of the Winter swimming meets. Without a doubt l just love the close up photograph of Dad's face, he looks so healthy & happy, it is priceless & pure gold. 

When l received this photograph from Paul l immediately started crying because his memory is still very raw in my memory after all these years.

From the good old Polar Bear days, my late Dad on the far left
looking fit, tanned, happy and healthy

You know something, nobody is dead until the memories fade away, & rest assured the memories have not faded away. He was one hell of a human-being, if the world was full of Al Warbos it would be a beautiful place.

With those final few words l will finish off my story about the 'Warbo 200'. l certainly hope that you have enjoyed reading my trip down memory lane because l have enjoyed writing it.

This is a very emotional photograph for me looking North towards
the Cronulla rock pool were the Bears have swum for 67-years,
unfortunately my Dad passed away 13-years ago in 2007,
one of Dad's final wishes was for his ashes to be scattered in the sea
in front of his favourite swimming hole for over 85-years,
a request that l did fulfil.

As l mentioned to the Club membership before l awarded the Trophy to Andrew, let's hope that the 'Warbo 200' will continue for another 40-years.

Please stay safe & good luck to everybody into the future. Yours sincerely,

Warbo Jnr.

NB: For those of you that are wondering, l did not swim on Sunday.

Related: Check the Cronulla Polar Bears Winter Swimming Club Facebook Page

In Sydney... Spring has sprung.

Wednesday 2nd September - 2020

On the second day of Spring for 2020, l decided that it was about time to bring my 'Babies' out of hibernation. It has been almost 6-months since l have had the pleasure to drive any of my Vintage & Classic Vehicles, so last Monday l decided this must come to an end.

Five of my cars resting in storage, they have not
seen the light of day for many months

As you can see in the photograph (above) l ventured down to my factory & removed the covers from five of my little treasures, it was now well overdue for me to check the tyre pressures, engine oils, water levels, battery condition, replace stale petrol from the fuel tanks etc, etc, etc, firing up the engines before venturing out onto the highway so that the wind could blow through my hair once again (l wish). 

My '31 Model A Ford 4-door (all metal) Slant window
Town Sedan alongside the Connections Garden
Photo: Steve Core

Last week l received a call from one of my mates in the Model A Ford Club, he said to me, OK Warbo, it's time that you joined a couple of us silly old buggers on our Wednesday Wanderers outing to the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan. l needed all of 1-second to say 'l will be there'.

That is all l needed to get motivated & the inspiration to get off my butt & prepare my '31 Model A Ford 4-door (all metal) Slant window Town Sedan for the outing during this week.

It's not unusual to see Kangaroos and Wallabies bounding

around inside the gardens on the many walking trails

Photo: Steve Core

Once l decided that l would join a few other Club members on the mid-week run to the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan, l immediately called my mate Steve Core to see if he would like to come along for the ride. Steve wasn't working on Wednesday so he accepted my offer like a rat up a drainpipe.

Wednesday soon rolled around, the weather was absolutely perfect, 29°C (90°F), not a cloud in the sky. l was up nice & early to pack a picnic morning tea & lunch.

Steve Core (left) and myself enjoy our morning tea
in some warm morning Spring sunshine in Mount Annan
Photo: Steve Core (selfie)

Steve was raring to go with all his camera gear, l picked him up from his residence at 8:00am. We hit the open road & before long within an hour we had arrived at the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan. 

To our surprise when we arrived at the Garden's main car park, next to the Visitor Centre, it was almost full at 0915 in the morning, we thought that being a weekday there would not be too many people out & about enjoying themselves. 

View of our arrival into the Connections Garden area of
the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Anna.
Photo: Steve Core

Well!!! Let me tell you, there were heaps of young mothers with their small children in strollers, many retirees strolling around the many walkways, paths & trailways in these pleasant surroundings.

Like a Qantas Airplane - we were early, not on time but ahead of schedule, so l said to Steve; "Let's have our morning tea before the small group of other punters from the Car Club arrive." We immediately set up our chairs in the car park, in the warm morning sunshine & waited patiently for the rest of the troops to arrive & join us.

The Bottlebrush Garden - a nice remote location to practice
some safe social distancing within the greater Botanic Garden
Photo: Steve Core

Apparently, we were at the wrong location within the Garden, so once we had established where we should be we then had to move onto the Bottlebrush Garden where we met up with another small group of Club members. This garden was where we would enjoy our picnic lunch that l had so lovingly packed at 0600 in the morning.

Lunch Menu: No Choice, only the following. Ham, cheese, & Three Threes (333) spreadable pickles on fresh bread rolls washed down with a cup of extra hot Bushell's Tea, not forgetting the Anzac biscuits.

Fellow Club member, Peter Butler, brought along a 
model 38 Class locomotive that he has recently restored.
Photo: Steve Core

l suppose we spent around 4-hours catching up with other friends from the Club that we had not seen for nearly 6-months due to this wretched virus business and it's strict social distancing requirements. 

Another one of our Model A Ford mates (Peter Butler) who is a Steam Locomotive driver and is also into flying drones. Guess what, Steve had his first lesson on how to fly one of these machines. Steve already has his pilot's licence so he took to it like a duck to water, needless to say he is completely hooked on these drones. 

l suppose it will turn out to be an expensive day for him. He is seriously considering purchasing a Drone at approximately $2,000.00 to add to his photographic equipment so that he can take aerial photographs & video. 

My '31 Model A Ford 4-door (all metal) Slant window 
Town Sedan alongside the Connections Garden
Photo: Steve Core

The Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan is located 100 kilometres south west of Sydney, this Botanic Garden is located in a hilly area that covers an area of 416-hectare (1,030-acres). It is the largest Botanic Garden in Australia, specialising in native plants, with a collection of over 4,000 species.

That my friends is another enjoyable experience in the life of the 'Squire from the Shire'. Remember my motto - "Adventure before Dementia".

Cheers for now
Warbo

Lunch trip to the Headlands Hotel

Thursday 3rd September - 2020

Today, l decided to drive the boys to lunch in my ‘57 Chevy Bel Air, 2-door, Coupe so that we could work out the problems of the universe. 

I decided to make the 1-hour, easy drive south from 'The Shire' down through the Royal National Park to the Headlands Hotel at Austinmer, this multi award winning venue located on the picturesque South Coast of NSW.

Good friends; Stuart on the left, Gary in the middle and
yours truly on the right at The Headlands Hotel

Content with our magnificent coastal views, in the first photo (above) you can witness all three of us hoeing into our lunch starter course of super fresh Sydney Rock Oysters. 

These two guys are my friends that I toured the USA & Alaska with back in 2016. We especially went to Indianapolis, Indiana for the 100th running of the famous Indy 500 motor race.

You would not know that we are Rednecks, Gary is wearing his TRUMP hat & if you look closely you can see my TRUMP socks under the table. (you can also check out my socks in the other photos).

At Brickyard Point, right on the headland
where The Headlands Hotel is situated in Austinmer 

As you can see, Stuart is the loose cannon!!! We still need to do some more work on him before the US elections to be held on November 3rd, 2020 so that he joins us on the TRUMP Train.

Once we finished a most enjoyable lunch and a few beers at the Headlands Hotel, we decided to move on to another watering hole. However there was a couple of photo opportunities I needed to take advantage of.

Our seaside stetting for lunch was
at the Headlands Hotel, Austinmer

Winter has just finished here in Australia three days ago, today the day-time temperature reached 30°C. (90°F) not too shabby for the very start of Spring. 

If you look closely at the photo with the ‘57 Chevy looking out towards the coast line, you can see two punters swimming in the pristine Pacific Ocean, did you notice that social distancing was also being adhered to in this shot.

The local constabulary obliged to park
his patrol vehicle right next to my '57 Chevy

Before we drove off from Austinmer, we had a friendly visit by the local NSW Police, l asked the Constable if he could park his patrol vehicle next to my ‘57 Chevy, and as you can see he obliged with out a second thought.

By now it was time to hit the road once again, so I suggested to the boys that we should visit the Centennial Hotel in the tiny township of Helensburgh for a couple of thirst quenchers as this watering hole is on the way home, they did not say no.

This brought back some good memories for me, as eight years ago when I completed the total restoration of my ‘31 Model A Ford Delux Tudor Sedan we visited this very same watering hole, so it was really a blast from the past.

The boys pose by the ocean after a
great lunch at The Headlands Hotel

The Centennial Hotel at Helensburgh is a great example of a typical country pub & real people. The clientele is blue collar, working class, with 95% being coal miners from the local mines, so you can imagine the reception we received from these Rednecks when we pulled up in the Chevy, with Gary wearing his TRUMP hat & yours truly with my TRUMP socks.

If this is any indication of what will happen in the US elections come the 3rd of November, 2020. Listen up you anti-Trumpsters!!!

The Centennial Hotel in Helensburgh was our last stop
for the day on our way home to 'The Shire'.

In the Centennial Hotel at Helensburgh we were immediately accepted with open arms, our opinion of the upcoming elections in the US. Not only that... we were cheered by the mob in the Public bar as we departed the premises in the Chevy.

Does that tell you something ???

The silent majority are not stupid here in Australia or in America. Remember what happened in our own Federal Election last year. As far as the experts were concerned it was a foregone conclusion that the Lefties would walk it in. Need I say anything else.

That’s all folks until next time. Stay safe.

Cheers from the ‘Squire from the Shire’.

Warbo

Our farewell to the 'Queen of the Skies'

Hello everyone,

Now that the dust has settled after last Wednesday's fabulous send off for our last Qantas Jumbo B747, VH-OEJ, 'Wunala'. I can sit back & feel satisfied that I was fortunate enough to be part of the Qantas family that experienced this magnificent 'Queen of the Skies' flying era.

For 49-years Qantas flew these particular aircraft (Boeing B747 Jumbo) in their fleet, & l was blessed to share 32-years of that 49-year partnership as an International Flight Attendant. I can honestly say that I cherish those years working & flying with Qantas. 

VH-OEJ make the first of two passes over the Sydney Opera House
You can see of all us gathered at the northern end of the Opera House
Amazing helicopter photo by Tim Bowery

People often ask me what it was like when I opened that letter from Qantas way back in May, 1974. I have never won the lottery in my life, however this was without a doubt a feeling like winning the 1st prize in the mega Opera House Lottery, l couldn't believe my good fortune that the powers-to-be had accepted my application to be employed as a Qantas long-haul Flight Attendant or 'Trolly Dolly'.

Little did I know, but my life was about to change forever.

There has already been a million words written & thousands upon thousands of photographs taken about last Wednesday's Farewell to the Qantas Jumbo era.

I would like to tell you all that last Wednesday was a very emotional day for myself & to the many 100's of past & present Qantas employees that were gathered on the northern concourse of the Sydney Opera House to witness this very historic occasion.

Being interviewed by Channel 9's always humorous Mike Dalton
just moments before the B747's final flyover of Sydney
Photo: Steve Core

We were blessed with the weather, bright sunshine & a rich blue sky, perfect conditions to say Goodbye to the aircraft that made up for a large slice of our lives with memories to die for. You are all aware that earlier I mentioned to those of you that would be attending the goodbye ceremony that it would be great if we could give the departure a special atmosphere & mood to make the send off something to remember by wearing our retro uniforms, especially for the ladies to wear their '70/'80s era Pucci uniform.

Well, you sure did not let me down, as the punters started arriving at the Northern end of the Sydney Opera House around 1330 it was a sight for sore eyes, & as you can see by Steve's photograph (how good does everyone look in their Pucci designed & retro uniforms).

The girls (and guys) looked spectacular lined up in their Pucci and 
retro uniforms. I doubt a gathering of this size will ever be seen again
Photo: Steve Core

Unfortunately, or fortunately the arrival of the 'Queen of the Skies' was delayed by one & a half hours which gave us all time to catch up with friends & acquaintances that we have not seen for 15 or 20 years. 

This also gave Mike Dalton & his Channel Nine evening news crew the opportunity to do all their interviews with retired Captains, Engineers, Flight Attendants, ground staff for a segment in the 6:00pm evening news. Meanwhile I was interviewed live on air by Deb Knight on her 'Afternoon's with Deb Knight' program on 2GB.

To listen to my Deb Knight 2GB interview podcast Click Here

I had to use a megaphone to help keep the crowd Covid-safe and to
advise them that they were in the biggest Crew Room in the world!
Photo: John Stanley

At one point of time during the afternoon I grabbed my megaphone & informed everyone that this would have to be the biggest Crew Room in the world on the concourse of the iconic Sydney Opera House, to a HUGE cheer.

As the afternoon dragged on I received information from a friend that was at the S.I.T. watching VH-OEJ on its final take off roll from Australian soil. I acquainted everyone that the arrival of the aircraft over the Sydney Harbour Bridge was imminent. You could feel the electricity in the crowd waiting patiently for the 'Queen of the Sky' to appear from the east as she flew up Sydney's magnificent Harbour towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

Viewed from the Sydney Opera House forecourt
VH-EOJ makes her final pass ever over Sydney's skyline

You could hear a pin drop until that beautiful bird flew up level with us all at the Opera House at only 1,500ft. You could almost read the Dunlop branding on the tyres, that was how low she was, the crowd exploded with cheers & excitement. As I looked around at the crowd there was hardly a dry eye in the place, many of the onlookers had tears streaming down their faces. At that moment of time I realised the impact that this Jumbo era meant to all of us. 

You had to be there to experience the feeling that run through my body, pure GOLD...

And to think we had to go through all this one more time. The aircraft headed towards the Western Suburbs before making a giant U-turn to head back for one last final pass over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. As I stood there watching the big red tail with the all too familiar Kangaroo painted on it, I realised that this would be the very last time I would see a Qantas Jumbo B747 in the skies over Australia before 'Wunala' would head off towards the Mojave Air & Space Port in the Mojave Desert in California, l was completely gutted. 

On her way to the US, the aircraft performed a slight diversion of the 
flight plan to carve a 150-mile wide 'Flying Kangaroo' in the sky
Image: Flight Radar 24

What an exceptional afternoon we had all experienced. By now it was time to head towards the nearby watering hole at the Paragon Hotel, in Circular Quay to drown our sorrows & reminisce about our lives flying around the world as Qantas Flight Attendants. Our group completely filled the upper level of the Paragon Hotel.

I will never forget the final flyover & departure of our last Qantas B747, VH-OEJ 'Wunala' from Australian skies, today's memories will go to the grave with me.

Staff past & present watch eagerly as the last Qantas B747 is about 

to approach the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the last time ever. 

In the background, between the big trees, is Admiralty House 

and the Australian Prime Minister's residence at Kirribilli 

Photo: Steve Core

I mentioned in one of my earlier emails that a friend of mine was going to hire a Jet Ranger Helicopter to cover this whole event from the air.

My friend Rajveer Johal is an avid photographer with a passion for aerial photography using helicopters. Upon learning of the departures of the iconic Boeing 747 aircraft she chartered a helicopter to photograph the final departures of both VH-OEE on the 16th June & VH-OEJ on the 22nd July, 2020.

A unique aerial perspective of the Sydney Opera House as
our goodbye gang (right-hand side) starts to gather for the flypast
Photo: Rajveer Johal 

Now that VH-OEJ has departed for good, she will be making prints available for sale at www.qantas747.com You can also follow her on her Last Qantas 747 Facebook page set up for the final flight. She hopes that you will share your stories & pictures about your time on the B747, as well as viewing the final Harbour fly-by on the 22nd July '20.

VH-EOJ received to royal treatment from LAX on-airport services on her arrival.
She transited Los Angeles before the short flight up to Mojave Airport
Photo courtesy of Qantas USA

Rajveer, has already forwarded some of the aerial photographs (above) that were taken on the day & they are sensational. So do yourself a favor & check out her work, you will not be disappointed, where else could you obtain aerial photographs of this wonderful event last Wednesday.

So my friends, if that is not a good story I don't know what is.

Stay safe & always remember my motto: 'Adventure before Dementia'.

From the 'Squire from the Shire'.

Cheers for now.

Warbo

RELATED: VH-EOJ arriving at Mojave Airport

RELATED: Qantas B747 'Final Flights' prints for sale

RELATED: Listen to my interview with Deb Knight on 2GB

If it ain't Boeing I ain't goin'

Wednesday 1st July - 2020

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the effect it has had on the aviation industry worldwide, unfortunately Qantas has announced that it will be retiring the last of its Boeing 747-400 Jumbo aircraft. Consequently, in just 3-week's time the last remaining B747 will leave Australian shores for the final time. 

Nostalgia and sentiment are no match for the unrelenting march of progress. Qantas and all it's staff, both past & present will bid a final Goodbye to what has been the virtual backbone of the fleet - its last remaining Boeing 747 Jumbo on Wednesday 22nd of July, 2020.

VH-OEJ when it was painted in the Wunala Dreaming paint scheme.
Making it the largest movable Aboriginal Art piece in the world
She wore the scheme from 2003 until 2012
Photo: Makismo

This particular Qantas Boeing 747-438 aircraft was one of the aircraft painted in the lndigenous Flying Art series, titled "Wunala (Kangaroo) Dreaming". Once painted in the special colour scheme, this aircraft was considered the world's largest movable piece of Aboriginal art. It carries the Australian registration of VH-OEJ.

This Qantas B747 Special Livery aircraft "Wunala Dreaming" was in fact one of the most spectacular special-liveried aircraft, either in military or commercial use across the entire world.

Qantas Airways first began flying the Boeing 747-200s in 1971, during that 49-year period since, they have operated 65 Boeing 747s. Not too Shabby.

When l heard that the last of our B747 Jumbos was about to be sent for retirement to the Mojave Air & Space Port in the Californian desert to be scrapped, l decided that l should try to organise a fitting farewell to VH-OEJ "Wunala".

What had driven my thoughts was the fact that l had spent 32 glorious years (more than half my life at the time) flying around the world as a Qantas "Trolly Dolly", I thought it only fitting that l want to see our last B747 take off and depart Sydney for the final time ever, in style on 22nd July, 2020.

For probably most Australians, it is the aircraft that they’ve used to 

experience their first trip overseas and for immigrants coming in here, it 

is probably the first aircraft that they came and experienced Australia on.

Photo: Mike Forsberg

l joined Qantas on the 5th June 1974. l can remember that day just like it was yesterday. The 5th of June 1974 was a Wednesday, l parked my '62 VW Beetle in the Qantas car park that is situated near the Qantas Catering Centre, l was all dressed up like a "Box Office Clerk" in my bag of fruit. 

l can remember walking over the Air Bridge that crosses over Qantas Drive thinking to myself, how good is this. Not knowing what an amazing 32-year career l had ahead of myself. 

Caricature of yours truly was sketched by 
fellow Flight Attendant Ray Galea

For me there would no longer be grease under the fingernails as a motor mechanic & no more pre-dawn starts working for the Sutherland Shire Council as a garbologist.

Some of you may be able to remember this particular time period in your life, because me starting date at Qantas is now 46-years ago.

The Australian Banks had just introduced this thing called Bankcard (a Credit Card) in 1974, Australia's first mobile phone system began in August 1981. But the system was limited to a $5,000 car phone that weighed a massive 14 kilograms, could store just 16 phone numbers & alerted owners of an incoming call by honking the horn or flashing the car's headlights.

Former Australian Prime Minister of the day, the late Gough Whitlam's rewarding election jingle and theme was: "lt's Time" - that was 2-years earlier in 1972.

After successfully completing my Flight Attendant's 4-week training course my first trip as a newly winged Qantas "Trolly Dolly" was a 1-day Melbourne return trip on a Boeing 707, we departed Sydney at 0800 & l was back home in Cronulla by 1430 in the afternoon. l thought all my birthdays had come at once.

They were the halcyon days when the Cabin Crew on every B747 Jumbo consisted of 12 male & 3 female flight attendants. You don't see those high numbers of Cabin Crew these days, my how times have changed. 

Caricatures of yours truly were sketched by fellow Flight
Attendant Ray Galea & presented to me on my final flight
as a "Trolly Dolly" on October 1st 2006. 

l retired from Qantas on the 1st October 2006, almost 14-years ago. l have been absolutely blessed to work for Qantas for all those years. Sure beats being a motor mechanic or garbologist.

Now back to the reason for this post on my blog:

l would like to organise a whole bunch of us ex-Qantas Flight Attendant retirees & also current flight attendants to get together on 22nd July, 2020 at either Circular Quay or Mrs Macquarie's Chair to watch VH-OEJ, "Wunala Dreaming" depart our Shores for its final resting place at the airliner graveyard in the dry Mojave Desert of California.

We are going to have to wait until the morning of 22nd July 2020 to see if Qantas has arranged a special flight plan or dispensation for the departure of the aircraft to conduct a 'last ever' flypast salute over the Sydney Harbour and the Bridge. 

VH-OEJ was the 57th and final B747-400 delivered to Qantas.
It operated its first revenue service in August, 2003 to LA.
Photo: Hayden Lamb

We do run the risk that if the weather and the prevailing winds are against us on the day, unfortunately all my plans are out the window.

l realise that there are a lot of if's in my proposal, but my attitude is nothing ventured nothing gained.

My friend Steve Core (retired Flight Attendant) wants to do a photo shoot of the fly over, plus shoot some video of us "Retired Silly old buggers" crying on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour as we watch part of our history depart Sydney for the last & final time. Never to return.

Just like a funeral.

Please let me know what you think. Spread the word, because l really think it will be a day to cherish for all of us to catch up with long lost flying friends to share our stories one more time.

If you are interested in joining us for this very special occasion please use the contact form on the right hand side of this blog or call me on 0438 692 737 so that l can keep everyone in the loop with the latest developments & information.

Looking forward to catching up with you all on Wednesday 22nd July 2020.

Work in progress.

Cheers

From the "Squire from the Shire"

Warbo.

My '911' moment today after 17-weeks of lockdown

Wednesday 10th June - 2020

'On the Road Again' as Willy Nelson would say.

After almost 4-months of Covid-19 lockdown it was time for me to dust off one of my vintage cars. So l decided that my 1931 Model A Ford 2-door Tudor Delux Sedan was to be my choice of vehicle to hit the road again.

After talking to my traveling mate Steve Core last weekend, we decided to plan a road trip during the week to blow the cobwebs away from the Model A Ford that would also include clearing out our own minds.

The best road food stop in the Southern Highlands is

the famous Robertson Pie Shop in Robertson

Photo: Steve Core

The last time l had the pleasure to enjoy driving one of my Classic cars was way back on 8th February (almost 4-months ago) when l drove my 1931 Model A Ford 4-door Town Sedan to Blackheath in the Blue Mountains to attend a wedding. 

That is a long time ago & l was starting to suffer withdrawals due to being locked up at home until the Government authorities allowed us to let our hair down to resume some sort of a normal life again. l decided to plan a road trip to the spectacular Southern Highlands of NSW to show Steve the Kangaroo Valley and the lush surrounding areas.

Fitzroy Falls, located in the Morton National Park

due to earlier downpours that morning, was running well on our visit

Photo: Steve Core

l picked up Steve at his residence in Gymea at 0800 this morning, unfortunately the weather was not on our side. This didn't matter as we both were hot to trot to get out of Sydney for a change of environment. Steve did not know where he was headed today on Ken's Magical Mystical Tour, however l did not let him down.

Because of all the rain that this area has experienced during the past few days l decided to head to Fitzroy Falls as l knew it would be pumping. We definitely were not disappointed. Upon our arrival at the falls we could hear the water cascading over the 81m (265 ft.) precipice to the Yarrunga Valley below, absolutely exhilarating. Steve was very impressed with his travel guide so far.

At the entrance to the Fitzroy Falls Lookout
in the Morton National Park
Photo: Steve Core

Once we were all through with the Falls, l then decided to make another sight-seeing adventure to the historic Hampden single-span suspension Bridge, which was only a stone's throw away (20 kms or 12 miles) from where we were.

When we arrived at the heritage listed Hampden Bridge it was great to see the oldest bridge in NSW in person. The bridge was named after Lord Hampden who was the Governor of NSW at the time of 1895.

Approach to the Hampden suspension Bridge which spans
over the Kangaroo River in the Kangaroo Valley

Photo: Steve Core

As you can see by the photographs this bridge brings back themes of knights, castles & colonial England. The bridge was built in Victorian Gothic Style and is complete with battlements on the towers and lead-up abutments, all crafted from locally quarried sandstone.

The fantastic thing about visiting these two scenic attractions is that you can drive there from Sydney in just under 2-hours. (distance from Sydney to the Fitzroy Falls & the Hampden Bridge is approx. 160 kms or 100 miles).

Time was now slipping away, it was already 1:00pm & Steve was ravenous because he did not have any brekko before we departed Gymea earlier in the morning at 8:00am.

The elevated walkways around the top of Fitzroy Falls, where

you're likely to see Wombats, Lyre birds and Platypus

Photo: Steve Core

This was not a problem for the Ken's Magical Tour Guide. Less than (25 kms or 15 miles away) l would satisfy Steve's hunger pains with a stop at the famous Robertson Pie Shop.

The weather definitely was not improving, on a cold, wet Winter's day a nice HOT pie was looking good. The rain was steady when we arrived into the tiny village of Robertson and made our way to the Pie shop at 1:30pm. By this time l was also a little peckish & ready for some tucker.

Transiting over the majestic Hampden Bridge

Photo: Steve Core

Steve ordered a Chunky Beef meat pie & l ordered a Volcanic Chilli pie with tomato sauce. l mentioned to Steve 'What about dessert?' l suggested that we should order the fresh apple pie with cream, a long-standing favourite of mine. Do your-self a favor, if you are fortunate enough to be in the Robertson area DO NOT & l say again, DO NOT miss this place, you will not be disappointed with any of the items on their menu. 

As a matter of fact you would leave home for the chance to get your laughing gear around the fresh apple pie & cream. l also suggested to Steve that l would be ordering an extra apple pie & cream to take home to Cronulla for my son Nathaniel, he thought that was a splendid idea & ordered one for his son, Austin.

Once we filled our tummies with a sensational meat pie & apple pie with cream for dessert, it was now time to head back to Sydney via Macquarie Pass that links the Southern Highland town of Robertson to the coastal town of Albion Park, descending down the Illawarra Escarpment via a very steep, narrow bitumen roadway. 

In steady rain and low cloud on Macquarie Pass, you have to give 

way to the big trucks hauling their trailers that sometimes require reversing 
while negotiating their way through the extra sharp switchback corners

Photo: Steve Core

This section of roadway is very steep, & contains many hairpin bends, resulting in buses & trucks needing to reverse on some of the bends. The Pass is quite notorious for accidents due to its nature, & drivers & riders are required to be cautious. 

We managed to navigate safely down the Pass into Albion Park. Because both Steve & myself are ex-Trolly Dolly's with Qantas, we could not drive past the HARS Aviation Museum at the Shellharbour Regional Airport in Albion Park to check out the retired Qantas Jumbo B747 Boeing aircraft that is on static display at the Museum. (We both reminisced about the times that we had flown on this particular aircraft many times around the world in another life time for both of us). 

The super fresh Robertson Pie Shop apple pies.

Perfect for export back to Sydney as a treat for our sons.

Photo: Steve Core

We hand delivered our surprises (fresh apple pie with cream) to our sons once we hit the 'SHIRE'. My son actually shared his treat with his mother & Steve's son devoured his Robertson apple pie on first sight and instantly gave it a big thumbs up.

The route map for our day's driving
320 kms [200 miles] and about 4:40 hours driving time
[click to enlarge]

That my friends is a comprehensive tale about our Magical Mystery Tour today. Hope that you enjoyed our excursion. Stay tuned because l can feel another trip in the pipeline.

Cheers

Warbo