Unusual visitors at Adelaide Airport

There were some unusual visitors at Adelaide airport this weekend.

On Saturday, a Scoot Boeing 787 Dreamliner diverted into Adelaide after is suffered an issue with one of its engines on it's flight from Sydney to Singapore.  Today, another Scoot Dreamliner came to Adelaide to take the stranded passengers on to Singapore.

This is the stranded Dreamliner parked near the Long term car park. (not a good photo, but the best I could get as it was surrounded by ground equipment)

These are of the plane that came to take the passengers to Singapore, landing and taxying for take off.

Finally, my first attempt at publishing a video on You Tube.  The Dreamliner taking off on it's way to Singapore.  Its a bit wobbly at times, but I was standing on a step ladder!

ANZAC Day Parade 2023

 Today is ANZAC day. All across Australia and New Zealand there are dawn services and parades to remember those  who died, not only at Gallipoli, but anywhere in service to their country.

In Adelaide there is a big parade of veterans, acting servicemen and relatives, remembering and giving thanks to those the served and still serve.

The parade is led by the greys of the mounted Police, the Police Band and the Flag bearers.

They are followed by representatives of Legacy, a charity supporting the families of veterans of all conflicts.

  

There are no veterans from WW1, and very few from WW2. Those that can, march proudly, and those that can't are pushed or driven in the parade. all proudly displaying their medals.

After the veterans, the serving armed forces march past, followed by the relatives of veterans unable to attend, some carrying mementos with them.

Interspersed in the groups of marchers are marching bands. Some are military bands, but mostly local brass bands and pipe and drum bands.

I noticed this year that some dogs were also included in the parade, with Guide Dogs, Working Dogs and Support Dogs all included.

The parade ends with members of the Barossa Light Horse Historical Association.

Today is a time of reflection and remembrance.  For me, it is the first ANZAC day since my beloved wife Thelma Maryann passed away. We always tried to get to either a dawn service or the parade. It is also for remembering other members of my family who gave their lives for their country:

George Frederick Holbrook, Died 12 Aug 1915, age 23, at Gallipoli, Rifleman in the Hampshire Regiment.

Eric Raymond Holbrook, Died 12 Aug 1915, age 18, at Gallipoli, Lance Corporal in the Hampshire Regiment.

George and Eric were Uncle and Nephew.

Henry George Funnell, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 20, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

Alfred Victor Funnell(1), Died 28 Oct 1915, age 18, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Driver in the Royal Engineers

Henry and Alfred were brothers.

William Albert Funnell, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 20, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

Frank Funnell, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 22, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

Henry, Alfred, William and Frank were all cousins.

Frank Crittenden, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 21, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

HMS Hythe, a troop carrier taking troops to the conflict, was accidentally rammed and sunk off the Gallipoli coast by HMS Sarnia with the loss of 155 lives including 5 of my relatives

Alfred Victor Funnell(2), Died 9 Oct 1916, age 18, Somme, Picardy, France, Private in the Queens Own Royal Kent Regiment

Alfred was also a cousin of Henry, Alfred, William and Frank.

Albert Edward Holbrook, Died 19 Apr 1917, age 23, Palestine, Rifleman in the Hampshire Regiment

Alexander Male, Died 1 Dec 1917, age 33, at Cambrai, Pas de Calais, Private in the Royal Tank Corps.

Harry Philip Holbrook, Died 12 Aug 1918, age 31, Borre, Pas de Calais, France, Sergeant in the Hampshire Regiment

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Thorndon Park Reserve

This morning I caught up with a friend of mine for a walk at Thorndon Park Reserve.  Completed in 1860, it was originally a reservoir supplying Adelaide with water. It is now a recreation park with a playground, picnic and barbeque facilities and walking trails.

We took a slow stroll around the wetland area.  The weather was cold, and there weren't many birds, but we soon spotted some lorikeets feeding in the gum trees.  As usual, they were perfuming acrobatics to get to the nectar.  We saw all three common lorikeet species, but I only managed a photo of this Musk Lorikeet

There ware plenty of ducks and other waterbirds around the park.  This Little Pied Cormorant was loafing by the edge, and close by was an Australian White Ibis having a wash and brush up. 

The only ducks I saw were Pacific Black Duck, and Maned Duck.

As usual, there were Dusky Moorhens, Common Coots and Purple Swamphens in good numbers.

I had a bit of fun trying to get some portrait shots.  They didn't turn out too bad.  Here are Purple Swamphen (again) and a Noisy Miner

A great spot.  I'll come back again when the weather is a bit brighter.

Barossa Airshow 2023

 For the first time since COVID hit, the Barossa Airshow took place on Sunday. It was a good mix of old and new, planes and helicopters, with some regulars and also some unusual planes taking part.  Luckily the rain held off, though it was very blustery making for some interesting flying.

The show was officially opened by the RAAF Roulettes. They were reduced to three aircraft plus a solo display due to sickness but still put on an impressive display.  Later in the show, the Roulettes pilots returned in "Rescue 1" to meet the crowd and sign posters etc.

Displays from an ex British Army Gazelle helicopter, and an Aerotech firebomber were followed by the amphibious Super SeeBee, and the incredible Pitts Super Stinker of Chris Sperou, a former multiple Australian aerobatic champion, still flying well into his eighties!

This was followed by a piper cub (including a one wheeled run), the local aerobatics team "The Silver Sharks", and the Australian built Boomerang fighter from the end of WW2.

 The next contribution was a flypast by an RAAF P-8 Poseidon from RAAF Edinburgh.

Another interesting aircraft was the 1940's vintage Ryan which was evacuated to Australia by the Dutch air force in World War 2. This was followed by a glider from the Adelaide Soaring Club at Gawler, and some De Haviland aircraft including this Chipmunk trainer.

The show was rounded out by a display of competition aerobatics and the Siai Marchetti S.211 fast jet trainer 

The girls at Barossa Helicopters had a busy day with their helicopter rides going for most of the day

A great day. roll on 2025 for the next one