Back to Blitzhaven Part 3

zemsi · #1 21-03-09, 05:56

Well, after my visit to Max & Kathy in Yass in 2005 and 2007, I came back to pick up my Blitz, which has been currently restored by Keefy in Melbourne.

As good old Max used to do in the former years, he has put me into work just after my arrival on Sunday evening with the Corowa Convoy.

Unfortunately, his free labour will be away the next weekend for the F1 race in Melbourne.

Greetings
Chris

Tony Smith · #2 21-03-09, 11:50

It's only right Max puts you to work. Consider it an Apprenticeship. Upon your return home, you will be the only F15 Blitz Mechanic in Switzerland.

zemsi · #3 26-03-09, 14:36

... what a ripper of a day, mate

!!

This morning we had left Yass very early direction Oberon NSW to see what Matt has hidden in his sheds. Max, Ben and I arrived at Matt's place, one Carrier parked out of the shed and 2 other Carriers were parked out the back which we drove around to join the Matilda Tank.

Matt organised a convoy up the paddock, probably the best looking armoured convoy in peacetime in Aussie. 3 Bren Gun Carriers and one Matilda Tank, with one Swiss chappy and fully equipped camera!

We all had a driver training lesson at Matt's Gumleaf Bush School. Without crashing the gears (using a preselected gearbox for the first time), the biggest test was to miss the 3 Carriers, that were been driven around at full pace by Matt's friends, which were there to help.

Matt gave a demonstration on how to scare the passengers when he drove up the bank of a big dam wall with a sharp right hand turn to miss the water. Looked very impressive!

On the way back to the shed, Matt had a little test for me, driving through a creek crossing for beginners. I passed that one with flying colors. However, when it came to the crossing for the advanced driver, Matt gave a demonstration and I thought Matt done a wonderful job in crossing the creek, so just drove around it.

Unfortunately, fuel problems stopped the big Centurion Tank to be driven.

Thanks Matt, we 3 all had a wonderful day. The experience was something we will never forget. Especially it's probably the only running Matilda in the Southern Hemisphere, that a bloke could come from Switzerland and have fantastic driving experience without knowing each other beforehand!!!

Attached are some pics about our adventures. Videos will come soon, as I'm off tomorrow for the weekend in Melbourne (F1 race).

Thanks very much
Chris, Max and Ben

zemsi · #4 26-03-09, 14:38

... more pics

zemsi · #5 26-03-09, 14:38

... Keefy, where rrrr ya?????

Keith Webb · #6 26-03-09, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by zemsi

... Keefy, where rrrr ya?????

Good to see you've mastered the intricacies of the Australian argot, Chris.

Looks like you've been having FAR too much fun over here! Next you're doing something as boring as the Grand Prix in Melbourne. No CMPs there but we should arrange a celebrity race in a few F15s around the track don't you think? It would increase the crowd numbers substantially.

Looking forward to seeing you Sat night. Maybe if you can give me a call today sometime.

zemsi · #7 26-03-09, 21:39

... Max driving the big Beauty for the first time

zemsi · #8 28-03-09, 23:27

... I am in Melbourne since Friday and enjoying the races.

Met yesterday Euan and could "nearly" have a drive in the Mini around the race track ;-) Unfortunately a lady driver crashed one of his Minis before...

Later in the evening I met Keefy and his wife for fancy dinner in town.

I am going soon to see the pit stop lane.

greetings
chris

Max Hedges · #9 28-03-09, 23:52

Keith did Chris tell you about the visitor who tried to get into his bedroom in the early hours of the morning.

Max

Keith Webb · #10 28-03-09, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Hedges

Keith did Chris tell you about the visitor who tried to get into his bedroom in the early hours of the morning.

Max

No... was it by chance a sheep?

Keith Webb · #11 29-03-09, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by zemsi

... I am in Melbourne since Friday and enjoying the races.

Met yesterday Euan and could "nearly" have a drive in the Mini around the race track ;-) Unfortunately a lady driver crashed one of his Minis before...

Later in the evening I met Keefy and his wife for fancy dinner in town.

I am going soon to see the pit stop lane.

greetings
chris

And we both thank you very much for the meal, Chris!

Wife is of course Belinda, one-time driver of my F60L (she drove it once back in 1998).

Max Hedges · #12 29-03-09, 02:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

No... was it by chance a sheep?

Keith no it wasn't a sheep , but it did have fur. We had a knock, knock at the door about 5am , can you come and have a look and seee what I've got.

Max

Keith Webb · #13 29-03-09, 03:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Hedges

Keith no it wasn't a sheep , but it did have fur. We had a knock, knock at the door about 5am , can you come and have a look and seee what I've got.

Max

Goody! Have you managed to put it in a cage?

Will have to call in after Temora.

zemsi · #14 29-03-09, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

No... was it by chance a sheep?

... niet, look at the little cuty who scared me. Thought at first when I only saw a tail that it would be a Koala Teddy-Baer ;-)

PS Keefy, good you did not tell me anyhing about the Blitz fire

zemsi · #15 31-03-09, 11:34

Max took today the Ford Cab 12 out of the tunnel. Haven't been driven since the last Yass Show. She was a little bit furious, but after some fixing she'd run. Had my first drive today in a Cab 12

Some pics you woun't find anywhere else on this planet. Chev Cab 11, Ford Cab 12 and 13.

Beautiful pics I took before and around the magic hour this evening.

zemsi · #16 31-03-09, 11:35

part 2. here you go

zemsi · #17 31-03-09, 11:36

part 3. here you go again

zemsi · #18 31-03-09, 11:37

part 4. the last ones

zemsi · #19 31-03-09, 11:46

... proud owner and Swiss Expert Driver, who polished all 3 gearboxes

Tony Smith · #20 31-03-09, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by zemsi

part 2. here you go

I hope you got a hi-res copy of this to go in the 2010 MLU Calendar? Brilliant!!

zemsi · #21 31-03-09, 14:24

... sure, Tony. I took these pics with my DSLR Canon 30d at 8 Megapixel. Got plenty of these magic hour pics.

cliff · #22 31-03-09, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by zemsi

... sure, Tony. I took these pics with my DSLR Canon 30d at 8 Megapixel. Got plenty of these magic hour pics.

Well where are they so I can start next years calendars now?

Rusty · #23 01-04-09, 14:29

Quote:

Wife is of course Belinda, one-time driver of my F60L (she drove it once back in 1998).
__________________
VEGEMITE SENDS

Gee Keefy that was a good pirate face in the photo you would go well with a parrot on your shoulder, you should lend Belinda the Blitz keys more often and not worry about the gearbox so much. I am sure she would really appreciate the trucks after a few laps in them

zemsi · #24 01-04-09, 23:14

... some news from the 1st Bi/Annual Yass Blitz Gathering. Taken yesterday at dusk.

zemsi · #25 01-04-09, 23:15

... some more pics. What a wonderful sight. Thanks to the HBO (Head Blitz Meeting Organizer = my boss Max himself), and his supporting Yass Crew, he can always count on!

Keith Webb · #26 01-04-09, 23:31

Magnificent shots, Chris!

aj.lec · #27 02-04-09, 07:29

Now that's what you call scenery

Great shots

You are obviously having a good time Chris

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #28 02-04-09, 08:18

Hey all - this guy is having too good a time here. We are going to have to charge him rent soon. Not bad for a guy who only made a cursive enquiry a few years ago about seeing something military here. Onya Chris!

Bob

ONCE AGAIN, NOT WATCHING THE CLOCK - LOGGED OUT AT 1/4 TO THE HOUR. ABOUT TIME THIS WAS FIXED.

zemsi · #29 02-04-09, 08:45

Hi Bob

No worries. I do sometimes a little bit of work too: Fencing, hay loading etc.

However, i just drove the Girlfriend and broke down twice (running out of fuel). The first time, I had to walk back to the farm for around 15min, the second time I had a pick up. The battery is now flat, but there's stil some fuel in the tank. She woun't start. I'll let the expert to the job

It's really a ripper time here. Every time I come to Aussie, it's getting even better and better. I don't think my coming up 4th visit some time in the upcoming years can be topped. I'll probably have to apply for citicenship

Greetings
Chris

PS Tomorrow is a little "boarder" raid on the agenda, just inside NSW

Keith Webb · #30 02-04-09, 09:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by zemsi

Hi Bob

No worries. I do sometimes a little bit of work too: Fencing, hay loading etc.

However, i just drove the Girlfriend and broke down twice (running out of fuel). The first time, I had to walk back to the farm for around 15min, the second time I had a pick up. The battery is now flat, but there's stil some fuel in the tank. She woun't start. I'll let the expert to the job

It's really a ripper time here. Every time I come to Aussie, it's getting even better and better. I don't think my coming up 4th visit some time in the upcoming years can be topped. I'll probably have to apply for citicenship

Greetings
Chris

PS Tomorrow is a little "boarder" raid on the agenda, just inside NSW

Maybe next time you won't want to go home again

A border raid isn't a border raid unless you cross the state boundary... ask Salesman Bob, he's an expert in the art... internal raids are just a recovery exercise aren't they?

And this one I believe is for a good, worthy cause.