HGFA Skysailor Magazine

10 SKY SAILOR May | June 2019 S itting down in a window seat and hearing the call to order a hot lunch – which I ignore since I brought my own sandwich from home – always leaves me feeling a little excited because I never know what lies ahead. The journey is particular pleasant this time as there is only one child in the carriage and he is well behaved as well, and no raucous conversations are going on. Soon we leave the coast behind and pass through the Hunter Valley, where the effect of the drought becomes apparent – dry dusty fields with skinny cows huddled together forlornly under trees, waiting for the feed and water that may never come for them. We climb up to the New England plains and make a stop at Werris Creek to drop off the Moree section and 40 minutes later arrive at Tamworth. Here I transfer to the Rail Coach to Manila, I greet Clive, our driver, who comments, “Back to get your head in the clouds again?” “After the big one this time!” I respond. At Manila, Anton picks me up and allows time for me to do some shopping – buying frozen dinners to keep things simple, along with some staple items before we head to The Mountain. This trip involves several flights for me, ending up with 205km XC flown and 12.5 hours airtime over six days. Boarding the Explorer train at Gosford is always a little stressful as I wonder whether I can fit my glider onto the luggage racks but as usual it fits though there have been times I had to strap it on the side of the rack. by Greg Holbut A ‘Proper’ XC Pilot Narabri Narabri station Old man Emu