Educating Canadians

[Max Hedges]

Andrew I did ring them & they are aware that we are coming. Apparently there is camping at their shearers huts.

They seem very nice people to talk to on the phone.

Have you ever been out there & had a look around??

[aj.lec]

Have done a few jobs out there
Have looked around from the outside but not the inside of the buildings
some interesting gear around
They do seem like nice people

[zemsi]

As you probably know by know, the Swiss spearhead of the Canadian Platoon has landed on Saturday on Aussie soil.

After a short stop over at Max & Kathy I'm at the moment in Adelaide. Spent a fantastic day with Salesman Bob, visiting Allan and Don's Collection. And I got some more gadgets for my Blitz

[Max Hedges]

It looks like Birdsville is a bridge to far.

The bridge at Napper Marrie is washed out and that is the way we were hoping to get to Birdsville

And at Innamika, we have had reports that there is 7 meters of water over the crossing of the Cooper Creek

Tony wants to buy a DUKW for the trip to show the rest of us up

Max

[Keith Webb]

Perhaps you could entice Tim to go...

[zemsi]

... another exciting day with my personal MV-tourguide Bob

Went to Colin and had a good look at his 19 (!) Carriers. Unbelievable to see a Prototype Carrier, a Mortar Carrier and two 2-pounder projects.

Big thanks goes to Bob, Allan, Don & Colin who made another trip to Aussie unforgettable.

Chris

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all – I have just finished showing Chris virtually the two largest Military vehicle collections here in South Oz. Today we visited Colin Jones. Now here comes the rub. We stopped for some refreshments and for the first time in his life, Chris tasted Sarsaparilla. “Tastes like cough medicine” he said. But then to our shock, horror and utter amazement we discovered that, after five trips to Oz, he had never tasted VEGEMITE. Well once we finished talking about Max, Keefy and the rest of the Oz MLUers who have had contact with Chris but had never educated him to Vegemite, we thought this was a sad reflection of our MLUers. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.

Anyway, quick as a flash Masterchef Colin toasted, buttered and Vegemited three pieces of bread, with the virgin Chris receiving one. Very dubiously he tried a bit, then a bit more and eventually ate the lot. We were not really sure what he thought of it, but he will probably comment on this thread.

So now I feel Chris’s Oz education is more complete apart from the fact he has never eaten a crumpet. But that will be another story.

Bob

[Lynn Eades]

You have to try eating crumpet/s (he might only want one) with N.Z clover honey (on it)

[aj.lec]

Aussie up
Crumpets with butter AND VEGEMITE

[cliff]

Originally Posted by aj.lec

Aussie up
Crumpets with butter AND VEGEMITE

Nar Marmite is better

[Lynn Eades]

Yeah! Marmite!!! Go Cliff!!...... Vegemite is for girls.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

You have to try eating crumpet/s (he might only want one) with N.Z clover honey (on it)

Lynn..
Why add the crumpet..??just eat your honey..
A strumpet maybe,but crumpets are for POM's..

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Yeah! Marmite!!! Go Cliff!!...... Vegemite is for girls.

True Australian girls AND boys love their Vegemite. Marmite is good too of course but Promite is far too sweet.

Don't worry, Chris' culinary indoctrination shall continue over the coming weekend. I think we might even eat part of our coat of arms. Our cats do and swear by it.

[Max Hedges]

we have tried on several occaisions to start Chris on the the great Aussie tradition of vegemite, Chris will now be able to enjoy vegemite on toast every morning on the trip with Kathy
Max

[aj.lec]

You could really get him firing with a nice strong cup of BONOX to wash the vegemite down

[Max Hedges]

Chris now that you've finally got the taste for vegemite on toast you can try sao's with vegemite for lunch, plus try whatever keefy has up his sleeve. Perhaps Chris your next challenge could be to convince these canadians to give it a try.

Max

PS you could ask Tony about how many blisters he has on his hands today.Perhaps he needs a lend of your gloves.

[Euan McDonald]

PS you could ask Tony about how many blisters he has on his hands today.Perhaps he needs a lend of your gloves.

So what has Tony been up to end up with blisters?

[Max Hedges]

Euan, Tony had the choice between a log splitter and a block buster to cut the wood and guess which one he picked.

Max

[Max Hedges]

Chris, it looks like the road from Innamincka to Birdsville is closed, due to flood damage. The road had opened up from Camerons Corner to the Strzelecki Track so we will be able to go to Maree and possibly look at Lake Eyre.

Max

[hrpearce]

Wise choice Tony , blisters don't require 3 days in hospital having finger bones replaced with metal and screws

[zemsi]

After 2 exciting days with Bob and another 2 days on Kangaroo Island visiting Penguins, Aussie Sealions, NZ Fur Seals and Remarkable Rocks, I'm back in the colder climate in Melbourne. Got picked up by Keith on Saturday and got to drive my old girl.

Gosh, thanks to Ganmain Tony and his Magic Hands on Carbi's she's running beautifully and very powerful. Perfect for the Swiss Mountains. Think I could overtake even a Jeep

I had a good drive yesterday and today and polished the gears a little bit. Good I had a go cause I think I would have not remembered not to pull the clutch 100% through, otherwise I could never had found a gear and wouln't be able to drive her out of the container in Switzerland. How embarrassing...

I also paid a short visit to Euan and looked again at his latest project, soon ready on the road.

Here are 2 videos I took:
Aussie gear polishing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH_M3g6KK7Y
Crank starting a Blitz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpo7Lx6SUYI

Greetings
Chris

PS Most embarassing moment. Drove in 3rd gear into Keiths property and stalled her. Couln't start her afterwards because the carbi was flooded... Luckily there weren't any other visitors...

[Keith Webb]

Yes, playing host to Chris for a couple of days. We were working on the F15 - plumbed in the right-hand fuel tank which works beautifully and also gave Chris the task of removing the brackets which hold the door check straps from an old cab and wire brushing them which was done with impeccable Swiss precision. I've made some new leather check straps which are soaking overnight before having linseed oil rubbed into them. As I was putting them into the water a redback spider emerged next to my finger. I left it to show Chris who was duly impressed.



Chris polishing some parts other than the gears.

[zemsi]

... had the pleasure to taste some wonderful and very thin Italian pizza tonight. Not this crapp from Dominos or Pizza Hut. Pizzaiolo Guiseppe Pietro Keefolo Webbolozzi fired up his lately diy-built pizza oven, assissted by his apprendista Isobella. What a sight, wish you'd been here, watched and tasted it, yummi!

[zemsi]

... yumm, yumm, yumm... Euan, you missed it!

[Max Hedges]

Keith, how tidy is your shed?

Tony replaced the main leaf spring, as the old one was getting a bit sad

We had a test run today to Bowning for lunch with both vechiles. So far so good

Have a busy week ahead to get ready for the trip

Monday, Spread super
Tuesday, Pick Chris up at Airport
Wesnday, A mate from Melbourne turns up ready for trip
Thursday, Pick Canadians up from Canberra and give a short tour around city
Friday, PANIC ALL DAY
Saturday, leave bright and early on trip

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Max Hedges

Keith, how tidy is your shed?

Well... not absolutely tidy I must admit!

Have a great time and try not to panic, just take it easy and enjoy.

[zemsi]

... the Canadians finally arrived in Blitz Heaven

Left to right: Tom, Don, Swiss Chris, Ray, Wayne, Dennis, Barry the Aussie and Murray.

The already head their first test drive in Tickets and the Ute, incl. Canadian Gear polishing

Max had to use an old NOS Ford filter for the Girlfriend

Tomorrow will be the day of packing, preparation, training of setting up the tent and bush toilet etc....

Greetings
Chris

[lynx42]

Jill and I took Chris to visit the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on Monday. Hadn't been there for a few years and was quite impressed. It's one of those 'you must visit' places. Here is Chris and I outside the Shrine just near Simpson and his donkey.

Regards Rick

[zemsi]

... this is a real-time posting. The Canadians are just making an Aussie BBQ. The Canadians are doing a good job on the Barbie. Since its all upside down to them, will cook sunny-side down to make it more Canadian.

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by zemsi

... this is a real-time posting. The Canadians are just making an Aussie BBQ. The Canadians are doing a good job on the Barbie. Since its all upside down to them, will cook sunny-side down to make it more Canadian.

Hope Max was able to order Maple Syrup in a 44 gall drum so there's enough for the trip.

So was it all panic today as Max predicted?