Check out ‘Plastiki’ at – http://www.theplastiki.com/lo-fi/ – It’s a catamaran built from recycled plastic drink bottles and set to sail from the USA to Sydney. I remember going to see the Kon-tiki when I was very young so when I saw the name Plastiki in an ABC article I had to read further. Plastic Boats aren’t Continue reading
Tag: Helene Young
Spring time and Jacarandas
Springtime in Brisbane and the streets are lined in purple! When we lived in Bris I loved going to New Farm Park, with its graceful avenue of Jacarandas, having an ice-cream and strolling across the purple carpet. Had to take a photo of this one near the hotel I’m staying at… On our way to the Continue reading
The streets of Botany Bay
Most mornings when I’m in Sydney I go for a walk. The contrast from the beach where I live and the city is energising. I have the best of both worlds. I know the houses now by their dogs (and the occasional cat), by the smells from their gardens and by the muted mumblings of Continue reading
Diplomacy or honesty?
I chuckled my way through this article over morning coffee. “Diplomacy not a strong suit for Britain’s ambassadors as they head home.” The Australian has a story on the valedictory letters sent home by retiring ambassadors. Oh, but I’d love to see some more of them!! I think the Brits are wonderful (I’m married to Continue reading
Headed north…
At the airport and the sky sullen. I can sympathise. I feel like a sulky child that’s had her toy taken away. For one glorious week I’ve pretended to be a full-time writer. Now it’s back to reality… I’m a full-time pilot, and writer in my spare time. But I’ve had a taste now of Continue reading
Last day at Varuna :-(
The last day. Tomorrow the alarm will wake me at 05.15 and I’ll start the long trek home to the north. For the first few hours I’ll have company. David is catching a flight home as well. He’s headed for Harare and Africa. His journey will only be half complete when I’m home, hand in Continue reading
A Day of Community and Conversations – Varuna
Five writers, five different stories, five different lives. The morning’s conversation wove its way through so many themes. From David came the observation that African natives build in circles – both houses and villages. Western societies build in straight lines. Is that why the cultures clash so tragically? From Toni, a beautiful story about a Continue reading
Varuna – LongLines programme
Wow, I’m here. After the weekend from hell, Varuna is a slice of paradise. Highlights of my weekend included forgetting to take my reading glasses to work and then discovering my boss had turned up to do a routine check of my performance and I could barely read the simulator screens, let alone my notes… Continue reading
What price will travellers pay for clean, green aviation?
The aviation industry has spent the last one hundred years dealing with rapidly advancing technology. Is it ready to face the changes that will be imposed by Emission Trading Schemes? Kevin Bullis of Technology Review doesn’t believe so. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23561/?a=f The article makes some interesting points about how far technology can go to reducing carbon emissions. Continue reading
So old bold pilots might know something after all…
My brother sent me a link to an article in the Harvard Health Publications from Harvard Medical School. Below is an excerpt from it and it makes interesting reading. Maybe some of our wise grey heads should be staying in the air to counteract the exuberance of youth… Age not a barrier to peak performance Continue reading