Yesterday evening I saw for the first time on TV here in Australia how terrible and devastating those fires are. I read about it , heard about it ,but when you see it it’s even more scary!!! It brings tears in your eyes.
” There are still over 100 bushfires currently burning across NSW. ”
Also Victoria has bush fires now in the Gippsland area , east of Melbourne.
10 News Adelaide [ South Australia] shared some pictures on FB , here is one of them.
” One of the hardest-hit areas in the SA bushfire crisis has had up to 20 homes destroyed by a seemingly unstoppable inferno.”

When I heard the sirens yesterday, I thought for one moment, FIRE. .. and then……too much sirens,…AND then ,…I remembered it will be Santa Claus…that’s an annual happening for kids here,…very popular.
Indeed it was the good Santa!!!

Looking back at the Multi Class Nationals:
Straight after the cancellation of the day, gliders were packed for mostly long trips home.

But,…first there was of course the prize giving and dinner.
Was not there ,but it was a lovely evening I heard.
Again congratulations to the winners.
Good “old” Butch who won many comps and was already in the Aussie team when I met him in Italy in 1984 and later in 1985 with the Rieti WGC, where he flew our glider.
By the way Ingo was there as well and WON.

Bernie , a “local hero” ..very pleased to see he won in 15 m. in an “old” PIK 20 …chapeau…and I can’t remember meeting Michael Durrant before , but I did now. He won the St. class.
As the GFA mentioned;” A disappointing end to the Multiclass Nationals with the weather and smoke playing a significant factor this year. Congratulations to John Buchanan (18m/Open), Mike Durrant (Std) and specially to Bernie Sizer taking out 15m in a Pik20B! “

All in all this was a competition where the main goal of soaring was clearly alive; camaraderie between pilots and getting to know more mates. Young ones are rising, but the winners were still what shall I say “not so young”.
Of course “close by” we had the [1] -MM issue , but that was solved , [after anger , frustration and disappointment] , as well. A waste of time, in my opinion.
The organizers worked hard to set under trying conditions, a good competition and what I saw they did.
They really tried hard every day,…so did the pilots, they did not complain about sitting in the 45 dgr. sun at the field,..waiting for smoke to disappear or a front that passed too slow. Let’s not forget the wind!!!
NEVER EVER felt so much wind here in all those years I was here. Gusts up to 40 kts last night.
All in all maybe disappointing for Tocumwal, known for it’s great soaring conditions and AGAIN , they are there, but everybody tried hard.
You just have to come back an other year!!!

The special GFA shield was won by Queensland with “toppers ” as Adam, Mike and Butch.
Kerrie mentioned:” Calculating the teams winners – pen and serviette vs phone spreadsheet – we finally decided QLD (Butch, Maddog, Woolley pup) just edged out Vic “

Loved this picture. 2 Pilots I know already for a long, long time, still loving to be part of the scene,so they should!!!

Most of the ladies left already earlier for Lake Keepit . They attend the WWGC over there. Lisa [Totter] , Kerrie and Diana were still here till the end.
I am very pleased that I can continue SOARING.EU over there.
We leave in a few day’s and I hope to have as many readers world wide , as here or even more!!!
Thanks for reading.

The other comps in South Africa finished yesterday as well with a cancelled day , not by smoke, or dust, but due to rain and wind.
” There is high cirrus and moisture in the air, and to the north it shows it is very moist. Strong winds are also a factor as it would be mean gusting cross-wind take off. The trigger temperature is quite high. “

So we have champions there as well:
In 18 m.
1. Oscar Goudriaan in JS 3 with 5.005 points.Great champion.
2. John Coutts in JS 3 with 4.714 p.
3. Arne Boye Moeller from Denmark in JS 3 with 4.639 p.

In sports class not all members of the Jonker family won as team Arjan Schaap in the DG 505 won the last flying day.
1. Uys & Maarten Jonker in Janus C RG with 4.622 points.
2. Attie & Tienie Jonker in Nimbus 4D with 4.182 p.
3. A. Schaap / R Denner in DG 505 with 4.180 p. TWO POINTS!!!

Taking the afternoon off to do other things,
CU tomorrow when nothing “important” happens today.

4 PM;
We had a lovely lunch at BUSHLANDS, what a great place to go between the gum trees at the Murray River. Good food as well. Had not visited the place before .
Then we had 2 visitors. One we liked…Scott Percival who came to say hello and one we did not like….a one meter long skinny brown SNAKE!!!!
Diana noticed it first. It was moving at the door of the hangar , inside, where I have been sitting for 2 weeks…listening to the radio and writing!!!
George saw it disappear around the corner outside. Pffff…..
Will be more careful now in the hangar. Till now I only dealt with nasty looking spiders.