The resurrection of 'Bruno'. Rego No. JT205N.

13th July - 2021

This journey started way back in December 1999. I received a phone call from my friend Graeme Bethell one Saturday afternoon, he was in all sorts of strife. He was calling me from Burraneer Bay where he was stranded in his boat on a sandbar in the middle of Burraneer Bay. He asked me if I could check out the tides to see when the next high tide was due. 

The original condition of 'Bruno' when 
we purchased her in August 1999

Reason being he had run aground in his 'Putter' & wanted me to rescue him from the sandbar. As luck would have it the tide was on the turn & would be on its way in again in a couple of hours.

I said to Graeme, hang in there mate & I will come & tow you off the sandbar in a couple of hours when the tide has risen high enough, in the meantime I organised my dinghy with a tow rope & proceeded up the river to where he was stranded.

Mission accomplished, I was able to drag his boat 'Bruno' into deeper water. We motored back to my place & celebrated with a few cool beers.

A second aerial view of 'Bruno's' original condition
when we purchased her in August 1999

During the afternoon Graeme mentioned to me that he was completely over the boat because he was also having engine problems & the vessel also needed a heap of tender loving care as he had not kept up with the maintenance, & as every boat owner knows there is always plenty of work to do on a boat that is moored in the water all the time, as you can witness by the first photograph in my story.

For better or worse we came to an agreement that I would take his boat off his hands for the pricely sum of $500. Heaven only knows what I had got myself into as you will see as my story continues.

Family tradition: In 1960 my Dad purchased this 18ft
half-cabin clinker hulled launch - it was named 'The Gem'

I have a very soft spot for 18ft half-cabin (clinker built) launches, because in 1960 when I was but a lad (13 years old) my Dad purchased an 18ft half-cabin (clinker built) launch named 'The Gem'. We moored the boat at the Gunnamatta Bay Marina as you can see by the black & white photograph (above), for those of you that know Gunnamatta Bay Marina this was way before the current multi million dollar marina that is built there today. 

Our family spent many wonderful days out on the water enjoying the magnificent Port Hacking estuary and the Hacking River in the Shire in the early '60s. I suppose those delightful memories made me jump at the opportunity to turn back the clock 39-years to my youth to reminisce about that period of my life.

I needed the help from my mates to turn the
hull over before starting to repair the hull. 

I was still flying with Qantas Airways as an International Trolly Dolly in 1999 when I purchased 'Bruno' so I had plenty of time on my days off to resurrect this dilapidated old craft.

Once I had removed 'Bruno' from the water to commence the restoration it suddenly occurred to me that I was in for one hell of a job. Anyone that knows me realises that I do not do things in half measures. The transom of the boat was completely rotten out & from the top plank of the hull including the cabin was also in not much better condition.

To ensure it was water-tight, I completed a Fibreglass
encasement & covering of the old wooden hull

I decided the only way to repair this boat to my standards would be to replace the transom & completely rebuild the half-cabin from the top plank of the hull up. Needless to say this was turning into a huuuge restoration, I could not do all the woodwork myself, so I decided to hire the services of a professional Shipwright (at mind you $55 per hour in 1999). 

I was his lackey, I completely burnt off all the old paint from the hull & dismantled the transom & removed the half cabin & decking from the top plank of the hull so we could start all over again. As you can see in the photo I needed the help from my mates to turn the hull over before starting to repair the hull. 

I had also made another major decision regarding the hull. Everyone knows that has ever owned a wooden boat that they (all leak water), I decided that we would overcome that future problem by completely fiber-glassing the clinker hull with very fine fiberglass. I still wanted to retain the clinker look of the hull that is why we used very fine sheets of fiberglass that would follow the shape of the planks on the hull as is witnessed in the photographs.

I firstly installed a 2-cylinder Volvo Penta diesel engine
but I later replaced that with a 189 Holden engine.

As you can see in the photo above, the boat was fitted with a 2-cylinder Volvo Penta diesel engine. I also needed to make the decision of 'do I retain this engine or replace it with something like a petrol power plant?'. More to that decision later in the story.

Towards the end of December 1999 the boat was ready to be relaunched, (see photos below). We spent many hundreds of hours restoring the boat & not to mention the many, many thousands of dollars to get the boat to this stage. (more on that later).

We launched the boat to much fanfare, including smashing a bottle of French Champagne Veuve Clicquot over the bow as we launched the boat back into Port Hacking.

Towards the end of December 1999, the
boat was getting ready to be launched

Another major decision before relaunching, I decided to retire the name 'Bruno' & relaunch my new 18ft half-cabin clinker launch with our family's original boat's name from the 1960s. 'The Gem'.

My parents were delighted that I renamed my boat, especially my Dad. He was overwhelmed. Before their passing we also spent many wonderful days reminiscing about our time spent on our original 'Gem' half a century ago cruising up & down the picturesque Hacking River on the new 'Gem'.

In this shot you can clearly see the classic lines 
of the completely restored unique clinker hull

Not that long after I relaunched 'The Gem' in the early 2000s, I also had to make another major decision about the engine. The 2-cylinder Volvo Penta diesel engine was a pain in the butt. When cruising you could not hear yourself think, it was so damn noisy & vibrated right through the hull of the boat. I bit the bullet & decided to fit a 189 (petrol) Holden engine, I completely marinised the engine & fitted a silk drive Borg Warner gearbox. Pure Gold.

Now I was completely satisfied with my new toy. It is now 15-years since I installed the new power plant & gearbox, not one ounce of trouble, & guess what, the hull does not leak one egg cup of water.

What 'The Gem' a classic 18ft half-cabin clinker
looks like today - some 22-years later

My son Nathaniel is now 30-years-old, he has grown up with this boat, he actually uses it more than I do. When he was younger we would invite his mates to go fishing, Wow! What a great time those young boys enjoyed over the years, my son & I have taught dozens of our friends, male & females, to catch their first fish. It is such a delight to witness someone catch their first decent sized fish, trust me. There is nothing like feeling that tug on your fishing line & landing your catch successfully.

The final photograph (below) show you the finished product, hanging off my pontoon in Port Hacking. I am very proud of the restoration & over the years our family has enjoyed countless experiences that money can not buy.

Now for the Nitty-gritty that I know you are all hanging out for. Remember earlier on I told you that I purchased 'Bruno' for $500 after hauling Graeme off the sand bar.

Now I have a classic 18ft half-cabin clinker
boat that nobody else can have

What you see now in the latter two photos, 'The Gem' actually owes me $50,000 & that does not include my labour, however, I have a Classic 18ft half-cabin clinker boat that nobody else can have, of which I more or less rebuilt myself, this was not a cheque book restoration.

Summing up this journey, as you know I love old things that nobody else can have, it takes a lot of time & energy, however the final result is very satisfying. If that is not a good story, I don't know what is.

I sincerely hope that you enjoy it. Stay safe, cheers for now from the 'Squire from the Shire'.

Warbo


NB: My next episode will be to tell you all about our Canadian Yukon & Alaskan adventure. Nathaniel & I spent 14-days on a raft traveling down the Alsek & Tathsenshini Rivers which is the 10th most remote place in the world where we encountered experiences with grizzly bears & icebergs.

From an International Trolly-Dolly to a Model A Ford 'Tragic'

1st May - 2021

This story all began with a visit to the Easter Powerboat Races on the Manning River, Taree, NSW in April of 2009.

After an illustrious 32-year career with Qantas Airways I decided to retire from the airline industry & enjoy life or what I had left of it in October 2006.

My Dad's words of wisdom still ring loudly in my ears on my first day of retirement. "You realise son that you are going to need a hobby or something else that makes you want to get out of bed every day". Never a truer word spoken, as I am sure all retirees will agree to.

Easter Boat Races on the Manning River,
Taree, NSW in April of 2009.

As mentioned earlier I retired in October 2006, my first handyman job was to rebuild my 18ft Half Cabin Clinker Hull Launch, now that was a challenge as you will find out in my next Blog, so stay tuned for that adventure.

When I started renovating my boat I met up with Jimmy Broadley from Diablo Motors located in Haldon St, Lakemba, NSW - I'm sure that a lot of you old petrol heads would know of Jimmy or had done business with him over the years.

Fast forward two years to the Easter weekend in 2009. Our relationship had developed from doing business to becoming close friends because of our love for motor sports & anything fast.

In August 1999, my first handyman job was to rebuild
my 18ft Half Cabin Clinker Hull Launch

Jim asked me if I would like to accompany him to the Powerboat Races to be held on the Manning River at Taree to be held at Easter (in April 2009). I readily agreed - not knowing what l had ahead of me.

We arrived at Taree, parked his vehicle beside the Manning River to start watching the boat races. Little did l know at that point of time who this man Jim Broadley was, however it sure did not take too long to realise that I was with an absolute legend of Powerboat racing in Australia.

As we walked along the shore line checking out all these magnificent race crafts, every man & his dog were coming up to Jim shaking his hand, patting him on the back wanting to talk to him & have their photograph taken with him, only then did l realise who this celebrity was, I had absolutely no idea how famous this man was until we arrived in Taree.

Why am l telling you this story?

During the day l met various petrol heads like myself, Jim had introduced them to me through out the day. For some unknown reason one of Jimmy's friends asked me if l was interested in buying a Model A Ford, at that point of time l said to him "mate, l already have six motor vehicles, & l need another car like l need a hole in the head." 

Anyway to cut a long story short, l asked Jim if we could make a detour into Newcastle on the way home to check out this Model A Ford that l didn't know the foggiest about, at that point of time l didn't even know what a Model A Ford looked like.

Two days later we arrive in Newcastle at this chap's place, he was there waiting for us, I had no idea what to expect until he opened the roller shutter on his garage. There in all its glory was this 1931 2-door Model A Ford Tudor Delux Sedan. 

I purchased the car in this condition with a
burnt out roof and original left-hand drive

There was only one slight problem this vehicle was burnt out (as you can see in the photograph above), however I immediately fell completely in love with this car, needless to say we negotiated a price & I was the proud owner of this very rare 1931 Model A Ford Tudor Delux Sedan. 

A couple of days later with the help of my son & one of his mates we drove back up to Newcastle to take delivery of the new old car to add to our stable, very proud of my latest acquisition. 

Now that is a quick rundown of how I first become a Model A Ford tragic, way back in 2009 (12-years ago).

The undercoated body shell prior to painting  

This vehicle took me 2-years to restore to its present condition, along with many hundreds of hours of labour, not forgetting the many thousands of dollars I spent importing all the parts brand new from America.

When I restored my 1931 2-door Model A Ford Tudor Delux Sedan in 2009/10/11, l removed the body from the chassis, starting from scratch, we powder coated the chassis plus all the vehicle's panels.

All the body panels required sandblasting
prior to painting

Meticulously rebuilt the engine, fitted a downdraft Weber carburettor, hand made exhaust extractors, overhauled the differential, suspension, installed a 5 speed synchromesh gearbox. 

I upgraded the electrical system from 6-12 volts, added transistorised ignition, converted the car from Left to Right-hand drive. New roof, new interior & seats, new paint job with pin-striping to highlight the panels & guards.

The reconditioned engine mounted into the frame of chassis

Now for a little piece of Trivia... did you know that you can still purchase everything brand new from America for a Model A Ford & also the Model T Ford right down to the last nuts & bolts?

My Model A Ford is better now than when it rolled out of the Ford factory floor 90-years ago, (see photographs) what's more it's a pleasure to drive with all the improvements. l could jump in the car right now & drive to Darwin without a worry in the world.

After 3-years of restoration this is the finished 
product. Compare this to the first photo with
the roof burnt out

To prove my point back in March 2012, immediately after I had completed the restoration I drove to the 22nd Annual Model A Ford Nationals in Ipswich in Queensland towing my Teardrop Caravan (photo below).

Heading off to Ipswich, Qld for the 
22nd Annual Model A Ford Nationals 

Then in Sept-October 2018 we drove to Adelaide, SA for the 25th Annual Model A Ford Nationals. While we were in town we competed in the Bay to Birdwood Vintage Car Rally. The Bay, being the beachside suburb of Gelenelg to the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, SA.

Lined up at the starting line in Glenelg of the
Bay to Birdwood Vintage Car Rally

Now let's get into the nitty gritty part of this blog. Yes, I suppose you are all wondering how much l have invested in my 1931 Model A Ford 2-door Tudor Delux Sedan, that I call 'Henry'. 

Purchase price $11,000, 2-years labour that I have not included in the final amount, parts imported from America, including six brand new tyres, paint job, pin-striping, engine rebuild, 5-speed Synchromesh gearbox imported from the US, differential overhaul, 6-12 volt conversation, left to right hand drive conversation, Weber Carby, transistorised ignition, tailor made exhaust extractors, & the list goes on & on.

The completed 'running gear' stage before
the body goes onto the chassis 

However I do now own a brand new 1931 Model A Ford 2-door Tudor Delux Sedan that I just love to pieces. All up the car owes me $55,000 that does not include my 2-year's labour.

Some of you may think that I am completely crazy, & yes, I probably am. However l now have a Vintage-Classic car that absolutely nobody else has just to my liking & I made it with my own two hands, this is not a cheque book restoration which is very important to me.

For those of you that know me - that suits me right down to the ground, because I love to own things that nobody else can have - no matter how much money they have.

Thanks & Cheers for now...

Warbo

In the blog to follow... you will learn how restoring this first vintage vehicle of mine gave me the Model A Ford affliction, where I went from owning one Model A Ford to owning five... and there's no known cure for that!

Ghosts of the Bullpen

Saturday 13th March - 2021 

Hello again to all my petrol head friends.

The Qantas connection scored an invitation to George & Lesley's spectacular display of their life-long passion in Speedway & Indianapolis 500 memorabilia & their toys. 

How could you ever forget the roar of 30,000 spectators, the smell of Methanol in the air, bright lights glimmering over the Dolomite & dirt race track every Saturday night during the summer season of Speedway racing at the Sydney Speedway Royale.

Our host for the day - George

A little over 12-months ago I attended the unveiling of a Memorial Plaque that was embedded into the footpath outside the residence at 186 Glenmore Road, Paddington of one of my childhood heroes & legends, none other than the all round good bloke & famous Speedway driver Jeffrey Freeman. Jeff was tragically killed instantly in a racing crash at Westmead on Mothers Day, 9th May 1965 at the ripe old age of 27-years of age.

If you like, you can read all about my hero (Jeff Freeman) CLICK HERE if you would like go back to my blog that I wrote on 6th March, 2020 titled 'Honouring a childhood hero of mine'.

On that fortuitous occasion I was introduced to George & Lesley, little did I know at that time they were dirt track Speedway & Indianapolis 500 'tragics' like myself. The gentleman that introduced me to them is a member of The Early V/8 Ford Club of NSW, a chap by the name of Rob Mercerio. 

Three ex-Qantas employees guests surround
our generous hosts Lesley & George

In the photograph above, you can see the strong Qantas connection, L to R. Steve Core, Ken Warburton (both Ex-Trolly Dollys), Lesley & George (please note that Lesley is holding an original Qantas travel bag that she used to take to school), Graeme Bethell (ex-head of operations for Qantas aircraft movements world wide). 

Due to this wretched China Virus The Early V/8 Ford Club have been trying to organise a visit to George & Lesley's museum (I don't say that lightly) as you will see by the following story & photographs that I am about to present to you.

Our invitation to view this amazing collection had been cancelled twice over the past 12-months because of that Virus, so you can well imagine how I have been hanging out to see all their goodies. Guess what, it all happened yesterday.

Visitor's parking for Early V/8 Ford Club member's
in George & Lesley's driveway
Photo: Steve Core

George & Lesley requested me to bring my 1931 Model A Ford Tudor Delux 2-door Sedan, they had heard about my vehicle & wanted to check out the "old girl'. We arrived at their residence in the Western Suburbs of Sydney around 10:00am as requested, in total there were 30 invited guests, 27 members from The Early V/8 Ford Club of NSW & then my party of three, being ex-Qantas employees. 

I had absolutely no idea that Qantas Airways played such a big part in the early days of Speedway racing here in Sydney, not only was Jeff Freeman employed at Qantas, there were a whole bunch of guys employed by the flying Red Kangaroo, needless to say, where else were all the foreign orders carried out when the head guy in the Maintenance Department was also a Speedway 'tragic'. Say no more!!!

Trophies from bygone days of Australian Speedway saved
from the fate of being taken to the rubbish tip

Three of these Trophies (above) were won by absolute Legends of Australian Speedway racing, & one by that other thrill seeker US legend & superstar Bob Tattersall. Bottom Left - Bob Tattersall. Top Left: Len Brock. Bottom right: Jeff Freeman. Top Right: Andy McGavin. All beautifully polished & presented by Lesley.

If you are serious about your passion for speed, every one must own their very own brick from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. George & Lesley have this authentic brick in their collection from when they attended the 1992 Indy 500. Baked into the side of the brick it reads: W.C. Co. Culver Block. Pat. May 21st 1901.

This original brick from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
known as 'the brickyard' dates back to 1901

In the very top opening photo, George is holding up a bonnet that was painted & sign written by the same gentleman that painted the pinstripes on my Model A Ford, his name is Alan Bongers, he has sign written all of George's race cars. Alan is still doing everything by hand, (no decals or computer cut lettering for this man) even though he is well into his 70s.

Now we get into the real action - George & Lesley's Speedcar collection:

#USA 1 Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser (Offy) built in 1946 in the USA and raced up to and then modified in 1996. In its younger life the car was driven by numerous Indy Champions. Brought to Australia by the reigning USAC Champ, Mike McGreevy in 1967. Bob Tattersall was Mike's touring partner in the Valvoline Offy #2. 

At the completion of its 1967 down-under tour, Mike McGreevy
was instructed to sell #1 by its owners - Bob & Don Weaver  

After completion of his tour, the car was sold in Australia and raced up until the early 1980s. During its career, this car had many owners among them for a short period of time was Blair Shepherd. 

Brought by George & Lesley as a total wreck in 1985. Restorations were completed in 2018. Mike McGreevy is no longer with us, he passed away on January 5th 2018.

All of George's cars feature hand-painted sign
writing by the talented Alan Bongers

#99 - Kurtis modified Edmunds Offenhauser, built in 1964 and imported from the USA by Blair Sheppard in 1966. Blair was a champion driver winning many races throughout Australia including the 1969 National Australian Title. 

Also in 1969 Blair was written up in Speedway Magazine as the "No.1 Driver of the Year". Of the nine Offies (all Black & Gold #99 and called WRM Offy - his mechanic's initials) that Blair owned during his racing career he considered to be his favourite car. 

The car was then sold to Barry Butterworth who the campaigned the car as the white No.26. Barry then won the 1973 New Zealand National Title and later declared it "the best car he had ever been associated with." George and Lesley acquired the car in 1987 and restored it back to the Black & Gold No.99. In 2001 the car won the NSW Vintage Speedcar Club's 'Restoration of the Year' award.

1969 was a remarkable season for Blair Shepherd
and he deserved the title "Driver of the Year."

Barry Butterworth could be considered one of NZ's greatest Speedway racing Legends. Barry raced not only in NZ but also the United States & Australia. Unfortunately Barry passed away of emphysema in November 1993 at the very young age of 54-years old.

Two of the greatest Australasian Speedway legends
both won National titles driving this all conquering car 

#16 - Grey Holden with all the necessary racing equipment. The car was rebuilt by Peter Nunn in 1969 and known as the Tornado MkII being a copy of the McGee Tornado Mk I. 

This has been George's work horse since its 'Restoration of the Year Award' win in 1993.

#16 has been George's work horse since its
Restoration of the Year Award in 1993

#8 - Built in 1965 by Bruce Rickard in Adelaide, SA with a 138 Grey Holden motor with a Repco Hypower Head - this motor was later replaced with an Offy. 

This car was brought by George & Lesley in 1985 and was rebuilt by George back to 1965-style with a Repco Hypower Holden motor. The Offy motor was rebuilt for the restoration of the McGreevy car.

No.8 - fitted with a Holden Repco Crossflow Engine

When Lesley first showed me this cabinet (below) my first thought was that she had been collecting spice jars. You're not going to believe what she has stored in these glass containers. 

Now if you think that you are an enthusiast or have a passion about anything, you don't even get a mention in my books. Remember I told you that they are dirt track Speedway & Indianapolis 'tragics' like myself.

Lesley's stockpile of speedway dirt from around
the globe spans across 60-years of travel & racing

Well, well, well... there is no way you would have guessed what is in those glass containers exactly the same as l didn't. Are you ready for this?

There is a sample of dirt from every dirt track race circuit that they have visited to watch Speedway or take part in speedway racing over a period of 60-years or so, & you think that you have a passion for your hobby, let me tell you something you are all still in Kindergarten. Can you believe that dedication, it absolutely blew me away.

This old Grey Holden motor (below) is fitted with a Repco Hypower Head which was very successful in speedcars. These heads were designed by Phil Irving (of Vincent motorcycle & Repco Brabham F1 Fame) & was only made to suit the Grey motor, opinions vary, but it appears that only 103 of these were made.

The very rare & valuable vintage Repco
Hypower cylinder head engine

The final photo (below) is of an Offenhauser Racing engine, or Offy, is a racing engine design that dominated American open wheel racing for more than 50-years & is still popular among vintage sprint & midget car racers.

Fred H. Offenhauser, Jr. was an American automotive engineer and mechanic who developed the Offenhauser racing engine, nicknamed the "Offy", which dominated competition in the Indianapolis 500 race for decades. 

The engine was driven to great success in roadsters at the Indianapolis 500, with 24 victories over a 27-year period. New turbo boost rules brought an end to the dominate era of Offenhauser engine.

A fine example of the legendary
Offenhauser Racing engine

When we finally departed George & Lesley's residence I was so overwhelmed by their gracious hospitality, I can honestly say that I have never witnessed anything like it in all my experience traveling the World. Yesterday was a unique experience because it took me back in time to when I was a hairy arsed kid in the early '60s & that can't be all that bad.

Thanks for sharing your treasures with us all.

Cheers from the 'Squire from the Shire'.

Regards

Ken Warburton

Cygnet Sojourn

Friday 29th January - 2021

Hello everyone,

Happy New Year to you all, this is my first blog for the new year.

Late last year l finally got my wings back, & let me tell you it was such a wonderful feeling. With this wretched China virus we have all been very restricted with our movements as far as any travel is concerned. However just recently the government has started to ease their hard line approach due to very low numbers of positive tests, thank heavens.

ln early December 2020, authorities lifted restrictions for us New South Wales folks to travel to Tasmania, l immediately took advantage of the situation & booked a flight to Hobart in Tasmania to visit with Pam, an old friend of mine. Pam and I travelled the world for 3-years in our VW Camper van 51-years ago (read about it here). Not knowing how long this travel window of opportunity to Tasmania would exist, l jumped at the chance.

 Pam and I enjoying a cuppa on the Tassie road
at the Blowhole in Bicheno on Tasmania's east coast.

l departed Sydney on the Qantas morning flight to Hobart on board a Boeing 717-200, after take off, looking out the window l said to myself "how good is this?" l felt like l had been released on parole, that is how wonderful it felt.

Our flight landed into Hobart early afternoon, Pam was waiting in the terminal at the baggage carousel for my arrival. l must admit that l was nervous, after 50-years, it had been a very long time between drinks, l had no idea why l was nervous, however l was.

 Pam's homey cottage in the picturesque village
of Cygnet, in southern Tasmania

Fifty years is a long time especially after the long & winding highway of life that we have both been on, she has had her life & so have l. Anyway, to cut a long story short everything turned out perfectly, we greeted each other then hopped into her Honda Jazz for the 2-hour drive to the southern tip of Tasmania to a little village called Cygnet, in the Houn Valley, where Pam lives.

Pam lives in a beautiful home with a superb cottage garden (see photos) that she has built & manicured herself over the past 10-years. Luckily for me, the weather upon my arrival was near perfect & they had forecast the weather to be most pleasant for the next week. Looks like l already kicked my first goal right there & then.

 Pam (far left) and her merry band of friends gather in her kitchen
to provide a welcome meet & greet luncheon in Cygnet for me.

That evening we sat & chatted & tried to catch up on each other's lives over the past half a century. l really did not want to let the grass grow under my feet as time was limited & there was so much to see & do over the next few days. 

Pam suggested that l could borrow her car, l jumped at her offer & decided that l would drive to Port Arthur on the Friday. That left the next day Thursday spare to discover the picturesque town of Cygnet & meet up with some of her local friends.

Pam's patio in Cygnet awash with the colours of Summer 

Friday morning I departed her residence a 0600 for the 3-hour drive to check out the Port Arthur Historic Site. Pam could not join me as she had pre-arranged plans & what's more she had been there on numerous occasions.

Upon my arrival at Port Arthur l decided that l would engage a personal guide, it turned out that it was the best decision l made all day. Lyndon (below) turned out to be a walking, talking encyclopedia on the history of Van Diemen's Land & especially Port Arthur Historic Site, we really hit it off together. 

 Me with my personal guide to the Port Arthur
Historic Site - Lyndon (on the left).

We rode around the site in his golf buggy as he explained everything about this former place of hardship and punishment in the broadest of detail. He spent 4-hours as my very own personal guide (because it was not very busy with tourists) & no one else had booked a tour with him. 

Total cost including Site entry to Port Arthur & Lyndon's personal guidance services $70.00. Now if that wasn't a deal l have no idea what is.

 Port Arthur Historic Site is a large site holding a great many stories.
 Places like the Penitentiary, which was originally constructed as a flour
mill and granary in 1843, before it housed hundreds of convicts
in dormitories and solitary cells.

The Port Arthur penal station was originally established in 1830 as a timber-getting camp, using convict labour to produce sawn logs for use on Government projects. From 1833 onwards, Port Arthur was used as a punishment station for repeat offenders from all the Australian colonies. 

By 1840 more than 2,000 convicts, soldiers & civil staff lived here & Port Arthur was a major industrial settlement. With convict transportation to Van Diemen's Land ceasing in 1853. The penal settlement closed in 1877, tourism began almost immediately after the closure of the penal settlement.

Today, the site is managed by the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority, which was formed in October 1987.

Port Arthur is now one of Australia’s most important heritage destinations,
where the story of Australia’s colonial history is written in stone and brick. 

On Sunday, 28th April 1996, a tragic chapter was added to Port Arthur's history when a gunman took the lives of 35 people & physically wounded 19 others in & around the Port Arthur Historic site. 

The memorial Garden incorporates the shell of the Broad Arrow Cafe, where 20 people were killed during the massacre. The garden has been created as a place of remembrance & quiet reflection. (below).

What a great day, l continued to explore around the Port Arthur Historic Site soaking up the atmosphere until late afternoon & then drove leisurely back to Cygnet arriving home before the sun had set.

 Beyond the reflection pool is the outline of the former
Broad Arrow Cafe - the site of the horrific 1996 massacre 

Saturday, 12th December, Pam had organised a luncheon for me to meet 15 of her friends, Wow!!! what a spread, the 'Squire' sure does not get looked after like that here in the Shire.

l can assure you, Pam & her friends made me feel like a Maharajah (an Indian Prince) the company & food was absolutely magnificent, & l would like to add that most of the food & fruits came out of Pam's garden. How good is that?

Saturday evening we attended a fundraising event for refugees in a Town Hall in another village approximately 30-minutes from her residence in Cygnet. The weather was still hanging in there.

 Me outside Dale's Scamander Beach Surf Shop directly
in front of the famous surf break at the Scamander River Mouth 

My good friend Steve Core that spends quite a bit of time in Tassie & is also my personal Tour adviser here in Australia & the USA, recommended that if l have enough time to drive up the East Coast of Tassie on the Tasman Highway towards St Helens l could also drop in & visit a friend of his in Scamander Beach. 

We planned to overnight in that area so l booked accommodation in Scamander Beach on the Sunday evening so that l could kill two birds with one stone & say hello to Steve's friend Dale who lives right on the beach and has his Surf Shop in his driveway. As luck would have it Dale's house was only 500 mtrs from our Motel. 

The perfect natural settings of the Cataract Gorge
located on the South Esk River near Launceston

Monday morning we departed Scamander at around 0800 because l knew we had a huge day ahead of us because l wanted to check out the Cataract Gorge in Launceston & also l wanted to visit the town of Longford where the famous motor racing circuit is & that was only just a starter for the days sightseeing as there was more to come.

Here's a tip from the 'Squire'. The drive up the Tasman Highway is truly magnificent passing through wonderful small towns along the way especially the highway from Scamander to St Helens & then onto Scottsdale, you won't see any better scenery anywhere in the world.

Alexander Suspension Bridge - wander across the footbridge that 

links the two areas or take a chairlift ride across the expansive Gorge. 

Further upstream is the historic Duck Reach Power Station.

We arrived at Cataract Gorge in Launceston late morning, Pam had never visited the Gorge & nor had l. The weather was really hot so when we entered the Gorge there were loads of people swimming in the river cooling themselves down. ln one of my photographs you can see the Alexander Suspension Bridge first built in 1904.

From the Cataract Gorge our next port of call was to Longford about a 20-minute drive south of Launceston. Longford is situated just off the Midland Highway heading South. Now the reason why l wanted to go to Longford was for purely for automotive nostalgia purposes. 

After our visit to the Cataract Gorge it was time to head
south to Longford in my quest to uncover the old Australian
Grand Prix motor racing circuit of the '50s & '60s 

This little story is for all you old petrol heads & those of you that can still remember this once very famous motor racing circuit of a now by-gone Golden Era in Australian motor racing history from the '50s & '60s.

We're talking about the Longford Street Circuit, set on public roads. In its day the biggest Motor Sports event in Tasmania. Drivers and bike aces who came across Bass Strait from the mainland on the Princess of Tasmania ferry enjoyed not just the challenge of the circuit, but also the unrivalled hospitality of the locals.

 The local map illustrating the layout of the old

Longford Circuit, many sections can still be driven on

l wanted to check out the Lex Davison Bar that is situated inside the Country Club Hotel. This Hotel is famous because in its day it was the place to be seen & it's where thousands of photographs were taken at this 90-degree corner with the Hotel in the background and the speeding race cars negotiating that tight corner around the Pub's façade.

Inside the current Country Club Hotel is the Lex Davison Memorabilia Bar (below). As a young apprentice motor mechanic Lex Davison was a regular visitor at Ray Morris Motors in Taren Point where l was employed. Lex Davison was tragically killed at Sandown race track in Victoria in 1965. (at that time l was only a young 18yo whipper snapper). 

The memorial plaque dedicated to Lex Davison
in the Country Club Hotel in Longford, Tas.

Many experts considered Lex Davison the greatest driver of his time. ln one of my Blogs when l wrote the story about Stirling Moss's brush with fame, yours truly, Stirling Moss told me that when he was here in Australia to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Australian Grand Prix he & his wife stayed with Lex Davison's widow.

My visit to this famous Longford motor racing track bought back many wonderful memories for me during this Golden Era of motor racing in Australia during the '50s & '60s. Unfortunately, a list of former Longford Event winners like, Jack Brabham, Bruce McClaren, Graham Hill, Jim Clark & John Surtees - all are no longer with us. 

 The Country Club Hotel, whose very right-hand corner was once

a 90-degree cornerstone turn on Longford's long lost GP circuit

Even in '60s terms, Tasmania's former super-fast street circuit had it all. It featured flat-out blasts down straight country roads. It had a dramatic S-bend under a railway viaduct, a jump over a not-very-level crossing and bumpy trips across two narrow wooden bridges, with long & fast straights in-between... even its own trackside Pub.

I was very disappointed when l visited the former Longford track on this trip because there is almost nothing left of the original circuit, so don't waste your time & effort. Today it’s just open fields, the wooden bridges have gone, and there are no clues that anything of significance once stood here, apart from a single concrete block that once formed the base of a footbridge.

A former Targa Tasmania rally car on permanent
static display in Longford's Country Club Hotel 

Displayed in the front window of the famous pub is a former Targa Tasmania race car No.53 (above). Are you bored yet?

Once we departed Longford heading south on the Midland Highway towards Hobart, Pam suggested that we check out a beautiful little town named Ross, which is just a short distance off the highway. Pam has friends there, so we dropped by & enjoyed a cuppa tea & home made scones with fresh cream & jam. Simply delicious.

 Red Telephone boxes stand as potent symbols of the past
on the historic streetscape in the town of Ross.

The stunning Colonial charm of the Ross main streetscape cannot be ignored. Uniquely, you can stroll amongst the splendid buildings erected in Australia’s earliest years or walk across the sandstone carved bridge that was finished in 1836. 

The stonemasons and their apprentices who laboured on this sandstone bridge over the Macquarie River were all convicts.

The Cenotaph in the main street features a Boer War era, 19-Pounder,

1896, Field Canon set on two wooded-spoked wheels with iron rims.

Vintage red Telephone boxes & a Cenotaph slap-bang in the middle of a main road intersection in Tasmania's finest heritage village in the main street of Ross, plus this 200-year-old Ross Bridge (below) just on the edge of town.

  Built in 1836, the Ross Bridge is an exquisite sandstone bridge, built
by convict labour & quarried from local sandstone by chain gangs

It was starting to get quite late in the afternoon, Pam was concerned that we should head for home because she didn't like driving at night because of the wildlife that came out at dusk.

We managed to miss a few Wallabies & Wombats on the highway heading home to Cygnet, arriving home around 2100 safe & sound. We were exhausted after a very eventful & satisfying couple of days on the road collapsing into bed for a good night's sleep.

 Colourful flotsam and jetsam around the
twin slipways of the Port Cygnet Sailing Club

Tuesday, 15th December, was my last day on the Apple island, however l had one more adventure before my departure from Hobart back to Sydney at 1800 this evening. 

One of Pam's friends is a member of the Port Cygnet Sailing Club that has a very enthusiastic group of rowing members, with two St.Ayles skiffs, 'The Swan' & 'The Cygnet', active six days a week. 

 With well over 100 registered moorings
the Port Cygnet Sailing Club is a popular spot

Our coxswain, John from the skiff 'The Swan' called Pam & asked if l would be interested in going for a row with his skiff crew because one of his team called in sick & he required another willing crew member. 

In for a penny in for a pound, so l said sure, count me in. l walked down to the Port Cygnet Sailing Club & joined John & his crew. John is a 82yo and talks with a very stiff upper lip because he is British & was a Submariner in the Royal Navy in WWII.

Here I'm acting as a replacement crew member, called out on

stand-by to man the No.3 oar on our way to the Port Cygnet Sailing Club

What an adventure that was, thankfully the wind was not howling in the morning. We rowed up the Cygnet Bay for approx 30-minutes then turned around & headed back to the Club for a well-earned rest.

St Ayles skiffs are a kit built to a 2000 design by Australian Ian Oughtred, based on the Fair Isle style & similar skiffs that have been in use around Britain for hundreds of years. There are now around 200 of these vessels world-wide. Measuring 6.7 metres long, with four rowers & a cox, they are a fast, stable & dry boat. To keep costs down, the design is simple, non-sliding seats or feathering oars.

 Me working hard on the No.3 oar of the St Ayles skiff, 

'The Swan' and John the ex-Royal Navy Coxswain, yelling orders

There are now several of these skiffs in Tasmania: three at the Living Boat Trust based in Franklin, Imagine, Billie & Freya, along with the Chiton at Taroona & they all often compete in local, interstate & even international regattas.

That my friends, is my adventure visiting Pam in Cygnet, Tasmania. l spent only six full days on the island, thoroughly enjoyed myself, my travels & all the people l met. We drove back up to Hobart so that l could catch my flight home to Sydney at 1800. 

 A Tasmanian Scallop Pie is chock full of fresh Tasmanian Sea
Scallops in a creamy mild curry sauce and baked to perfection

Along the way back up to Hobart Airport l could not help myself as I had one last personal treat in mind. We stopped off to purchase eight Tassie Scallop Pies. Believe me, these pies are full of fresh Tasmanian pristine Sea Scallops. Baked to an original recipe that started on the wharves & docks of Hobart in the 19th Century.

The spare pies I brought home for family & friends, as edible gifts from Tasmania. What a perfect way to end my six-day adventure to Tassie.

Guess what? A couple of days after l returned home to Sydney the authorities in Tassie closed the border again, so how lucky was l that my adventure was fulfilled.

Cheers for now, from the 'Squire from the Shire'.

Warbo