Chris's trip in Oz; or: Zemsi's Great Aussie Field Trip, a.k.a. Zemsi Down Under

[zemsi]

Visited today the Transport & Toy Museum in Wanaka. They had even Military vehicles.

Read my small report here

Here's a riddle. Which one is the Monkey ;-)

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi All
Just for interest I went back to Chris's original post and thought that from that initial enquiry this guy has now done more than a whole bunch of us put together. This has been an incredible trip and the friendship formed, photos taken and the memories obtained would be remarkable. I have certainly enjoyed all his travel experiences. I just wonder if he is ever going back home?
Bob

[Col Tigwell]

Why would he want to go home.

"dad just keep sending money" grin

Speaking of grins, justy look at all the smiles.

The ladies will be sad when he eventually needs to go.

It is really nice to see someone collecting memories.

Regards

Col Tigwell

Do not forget that the red jacket has to stay, it is a prohibited export.

[zemsi]

Good Day Mates

This has really been an unforgetable journey for me. Sadly I'll have to fly back home very soon. I've meet incredible friendly and funny Aussie guys and drove many old vehicles, which I've never done before. Wow!

I've got about 1 week left in NZ and will finally meet the first NZ-MLU-Member, David Ellery.

Caught yesterday the ferry from Picton to Wellington, got another car in Wellywood (Nissan Pulsar), drove yesterday to Palmerston North and will visit today the NZ Army Museum.

Enjoy the weekend.

cu
Chris

[zemsi]

Hi Guys

As promised I visited the Armymuseun .

They had some nice restored vehicles around: Bren Gun Carrier, Sherman Tank, Scout Car and this Chev FAT.

[zemsi]

... outside the Museum is an old BCG, but most of the interior things are gone

[zemsi]

... during my drive through the Wanganui River Valley on a gravel road I spotted this truck.

Think its a Chev Radio Panel truck like the one appeared on VP Day in Canberra.

[zemsi]

... Mount Ruapehu as seen from a Centurion Tank

[cliff]

Originally posted by zemsi
... during my drive through the Wanganui River Valley on a gravel road I spotted this truck.

Think its a Chev Radio Panel truck like the one appeared on VP Day in Canberra.

Chris it is a Ford 1942 - 1945. These were wooden framed local bodies. I had one of these with a station wagon type body on it at one stage in my youth.

cheers
Cliff

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by zemsi
That's the CMP I spotted in the Buller Gorge (where NZ's longest Swingbridge is).

More pics available on request.

Euan photographed the truck many years ago on his honeymoon:

[Keith Webb]

And here's the bridge with a very youthful Euan crossing:

[zemsi]

Gosh, Euan looked pretty young then. Think his kids have made him looking much more mature

I think I wouldn't have crossed the bridge with so much water running down the river. Shit, quit dangerous.

Chris

[zemsi]

Good morning mates

I finally managed to meet my first MLU-Kiwi-Member. I was invited to David Ellerly's place and met his young familiy.



David took out his beauty, a Chev Gun Portee, which is one of very few left in the world.



The first Swiss Driver, still couln't propperly change the gears. But I know somebody who can't do it either



We had a small drive around his place and visited a little "museum" nearby, owned by Nick Huljich.

Afterwards we ate a delicous Kiwi-BBQ, Dessert included. I "paid" for my visit by "reparing" his computer.

It was excellent meeting David & family! Interesting stories and a lot of fun. He plans perhabs to go to Corowa next year. So I hope you Aussie guys will take him around.

I've got 2 days left in Auckland before flying back to Sydney on Monday. Typical Kiwi-weather today: rain

bye
Chris

[zemsi]

... a rare sight in NZ. Dodge WC63, imported from a French Island in the Pacific area, and lovely restored by Nick

[zemsi]

... another rare sight, owned by Nick: 1 of only 3 Studys in NZ, still left hand driven!!

[zemsi]

Morning Mates

I'm back in my spiritual home, Australia! After a delaied short 3 h flight with Emirates from Auckland back to Sydney I'm back again for another 2 weeks before definitely flying back to Switzerland, after travelling around for 5,5 months.

The plane was only half full. I managed to get a seat at the exit. So I could stretch my legs and watch a movie (Batman begins). Unfortunately, I couldn't see the last 10 odd minutes, because they stopped showing for the landing, damn.

Gosh, Sydney is quite warm after NZ. Perfect weather for getting a good tan. Back home it's winter.

I'll catch tomorrow the Greyhound to go to Max & Cathy again.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and lots of undiscovered CMP wrecks for 2006 to explore and restore!

cu
Chris

[zemsi]

I arrived yesterday after a 5 h trip in the Greyhound back in Yass. Kathy picked me up on the Highway and I met Max, Kathy, Emma and not to mention Tassie again.

After a short welcome greeting I was already involved in haying. Drove with Emma to see hear brother Michael and a new baler machine, which Max "accidentally" bought.

Today was my first working day. We onloaded dozens of hay bales onto 2 trucks. After loading the first truck I got the easier work and drove the other.

Robert and Tim, Max's other "slaves" are helping the boss.


Afterwards we unloaded them into the shed.


What a beauty I spotted outside:


Worked stopped at the moment. Too bloody hot outside (32 degrees Celsius) and the boss is fighting his first bush fire for this year:

[Keith Webb]

There looks to be a lot of hay taking up precious cover for that F60L!


Grass belongs outside.

[Col Tigwell]

We all I am sure, are so glad that Christoh came down here (hope I have that spelling right) really is a delight to read his posts, and to see how many friends he has made.

I suppose when he finally leaves, the girls will be sad at the airport waving him goodby.

Seriously mate it was good to see you come here, and I hope you have enjoyed it as much, as we did having you here.

Regards

Col Tigwell

[zemsi]

I spent an exciting Xmas with the Hedges Family. Kathy cooked a 6 kg Turkey, Emma made some delicous desserts and Max sleeped a little bit



I even received some Xmas presents. Max & Kathy gave mit a CD with Aussie style music and a calendar of "nude" Yass people. But be aware, you woun't see a lot. This calendar was produced for cancer research. One pic was taken in Max's hay shed.

We spent the evening in the Gruber's bush hut. That's a lovely made 2storey "convicts hut". It's mostly used as a party shed for their young boys. I received another Xmas present from them (Yass Cap). Later in the evening their boys and I went animal spotting. We saw a fox, possum, Kanguruhs, Kookaburra and a Nightowl.

[zemsi]

@herkman

Yeah, it's really fantastic how many friends I've made during my travelling. Met some brilliant blokes and saw a lot of military stuff during my 5,5 months journey.

I'm leaving soon (Jan. 4). I'll fly with Emirates from Sydney via Bangkok, Dubai back to Zurich. The flight takes about 24 h

I'm happy to spend my last few days abroad with Max & Kathy to relax, chill out and helping haying (see picture ). It's been a brilliant and unforgettable time here!

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Actually Chris that's where Max makes his moonshine.

[zemsi]

Max and I brought yesterday the big hayballs in the shed. I drove the truck, old International, very nice sound, and Max loaded the hayballs onto the truck.

Boys and their toys:


A young fotomodel is posing:


Today, I've been bunking thistles. Shit, they're quite thorny. They go through my Jeans, gloves, shoes, virtually everything.

[Col Tigwell]

Max all that country air, and those lovely ladies looking after you, has been good for you.

You do not look a day over 35.

Hope this year is a good year for you.

Regards

Col Tigwell

[zemsi]

An elderly mate just started with a lawnmoyer a fire near Max's farm, about 2 kms away. About 20 fireman from the NSW Rural Fire Brigade cleared the fire in some minutes. Max had a lot of fun. Smoke is for him like "Chanel No 5"

View from verandah:


Fire extinguished:


Erik and Max having a chat:


New Fire Truck:

[zemsi]

Today is just another hot day in Australia: 35 degrees Celsius still at 6 pm. Puuuhhh, at least it's comfortable inside (26 degrees) and I've got a computer with broadband to design my new website (preview at events.zimmerliweb.ch ).

Welcome in the Wild Wild West:


A hard worker with a Mozzy net:


Truckies have their Bullbar, I'VE got a Rambar:


Sunset in Yass:

[zemsi]

We spent New Years Eve at some of Max's friends. There was supposed to be a pool party without pool. So Max and Greg dressed themselves up:



Gosh, yesterday and today are one of the hottest days, over 39 degrees. During the night not under 30. And there's even a strong hot wind blowing. Bushfires all around and Max is at the Front. Nothing else happend today. Everybody feels "dizzy" because of the heat. Inside the house its 30!

BUGGARS ... every last one of you

And here I am, even after champagne to ring in the new year, and I STILL feel pain ... there is NO damned rhyme or reason to when, where, how it hits, but I bluddy well tell yah ... it hits ... and sometimes it's just too damed wearing and yes, I get all damned puddly wit the wearingness ... oh PLEASE DO, let me come there where its WARM!!!

I did abso-bluddy-lutely NOTHING to aggravate a perfectiy functioning and fine knee ... but all of a sudden, abruptly, with NO provocation, there is tissue swelling and I puddle ... ... no damned frying pans here mates ...

This is just too damned weird ... just the last few months this happens abruptly/unexpectedly/no damned provaocation, to hips, knees, ankles.

SEND THE DAMNED VEGEMITE because I'm sick and tired of this crap ... (which may be related to temperatures/climactic changes) ... like, one kinute ya can walk ... next damned minute ya can't ARHGH ...


PLEASE ... DO feel free to feel sorry for poor poor pitiful me Ma and send TIM TAMS!!! (just kidding! Just good will is all that's necessary ... or a cure even better)

Meanwhile ... CHRISTOPH ... I absolutely envy you darlin' ... pretend a little bit like I'm there beside you livinf vicariously of your visit and experiences. What a gas you are having!!! Carry on

PS: Champagne ain't worth crap if it don't distract you from pain!!! Don't buy the stuff Grrrrrrrrrrr ... LOL

[Max Hedges]

[i]
PS: Champagne ain't worth crap if it don't distract you from pain!!! Don't buy the stuff Grrrrrrrrrrr ... LOL [/B]

Ma Dear

Did that awful stuff give ya a headache? Come on be truthful now, no more lies! @ your age you should know better

Chris (Max told me to do so)

Originally posted by Max Hedges
Ma Dear

Did that awful stuff give ya a headache? Come on be truthful now, no more lies! @ your age you should know better

Chris (Max told me to do so)

Well ... perhaps it did ... Sunray mentioned my typing was a little ... er .. shall we say IN-CO-HERENT :

And you listen-up to Ma you little young pup don't you all be going cheeky on Old Ma me ... blaming it on pore Old Max ain't verra nice there either, and you bein' a guest-n-all ... Laird-Have-Mercy on yore pore, pore soul ... sure as -shearin' happens, you'll get your pay-back from that nice Master Mad Max iffen you don't behave.

Late Happy New Years to you you young PUP!