faFFing around - The Tour de SEQ - photo & fun heavy

faFF = pay attention earlier
TOD = Time of Day

Back in the days, fletty and his dear old Dad Don were both keen photographers, and they went on many road trips together. Don would say on any and every given day "12:14" or "10:29" etc, which meant that at 12:14 they would stop the car (or whatever device they were travelling in) and take a photograph of wherever they were.

So a couple of weeks ago, when Al told me about this I thought it might be fun to reinstate this excellent tradition in a current form. Discussed it with the chap and yes, here we are.

This morning I said "12:14" which found us in Karuah in search of Oysters and Prawns for early evening consumption. Now the pics have to be virtually time stamped 12:14 so no fudging pics at 12:41 of the STU-BLOODY-PENDOUS King Prawns and Oysters that followed. (previously the best prawns I have ever had were 20 years ago at Narooma, but these never been frozen Yamba prawns have seriously damaged that reputation.

At 12:14 we hadn't quite made it to the Oyster selling precinct, which was visually no more, or less, interesting than the main drag, aka The Olde Pacific Highway.

So, long story even slightly longer, here is my offering for the very first faFF de TOD Photo reviving a ~45+ year old tradition. Pics have to be taken in a very short window (perhaps 5 mins)

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Contestants are allowed 3 images each.

Actually I just made that up on the run, as I happen to have 3 images of the only semi-interesting building in sight at 12:14 today. :D However, 3 is a good number and we may stay with that, pending flett-meister's approval.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Simplicity

Anybody need a quote near Ian's shed.
You don't need to hire us just a quote.

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I need a quote @ Ian's shed.

Please quote to supply similar -- building and basic fit-out at a location to be determined.

Might be f&FF's trailer :)

Having seen photos of Ian's shed I am also suitably impressed. Matt I would like a quote for an exact replica of the shed and fitout. Could I also get a quote for a lifesize, cardboard cutout of Ian so that it will look like there is at least one person in my new shed who knows what they are doing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Back in the days, fletty and his dear old Dad Don were both keen photographers, and they went on many road trips together. Don would say on any and every given day "12:14" or "10:29" etc, which meant that at 12:14 they would stop the car (or whatever device they were travelling in) and take a photograph of wherever they were.

Contestants are allowed 3 images each.

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That is a wonderful concept, although you may have to up the strike rate to increase the chances of obtaining an interesting shot, particularly if travelling through the wide open spaces of the Australian interior. Probably not so much of a problem with the road you are travelling today.

Regards
Paul

Today's time set by f is 13:17.

Standby.

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The boy was SO desperate for WIFI that we had to stop at Maccas!

Sorry about the delay chaps. Wifi difficulties, but now sitting in Maccas Casino....errr....they don't have a Casino, but that's where we are.

Some pics from our Karuah stop yesdy.

Actually, the first pic is from our little detour via Wollombi to kill time before the winery opened so we could pu the bottle that got left behind last week.:doh:

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All that was biting was this dopey Shovel Nosed Shark. Why dopey? This was at least the second time for this particular one to have a hook wrenched out of its mouth.....
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The bridge across the Olde Pacific Hwy.

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EDIT: forgot a pic.

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Friday we drove from Coffs to Casino, which was really pleasant (Grafton-Casino road). From there we headed NW to Kyogle and then across the Mt Lindesay Hwy to Warwick and then Millmerran, where we are currently being superbly looked after Bushmill and Leanne.

TOD was nominated as 13:17 which found us on the Mt L hwy.

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Last week we earmarked some boards at Boutique Timbers in Rollands Plains (near Port Macquarie). On Thursday we were able to return with ShaneSmith80's trailer (THANKS MATE!) to pu our booty.

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If you have never been to BT or seen pics of it.....there are slabbed logs EVERYWHERE

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faFF TOD has been set at 15:42 today.


In the mean time, here are a couple of burls we spotted. (don't even think about it....World Heritage Rainforest at Tooloom NP)
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That last pic is the road into the park.....very pleasant.

Adam, didn't you say Greg had some pine for you? He didn't mention anything to us.

I had a recollection from 30 or so years ago that Warwick had some pretty special architecture. It didn't disappoint, although we only had 30 minutes that we could spend there. We had been warned to be off the road around Millmerran by 5pm because after that the roos are a real problem atm, with the lack of available water. As it was SatNav Sheila was telling us that it would be 6pm arrival.

We saw exactly 2½ roos (the ½ was a loose sheep that didn't fully qualify, as it wasn't suicidally stupid, unlike the 2 roos).

The first building to catch my eye in Warwick was St Mark's Anglican Church. I was driving at the time, and I heard a reasonably urgent "watch this guy reversing out" from the passenger seat. :D

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I think this might be the most special regional PO I've come across. Overall shots without cruddy cars and stuff are impossible, so a couple of detail shots. (check the sandstone in the round columns)

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The Criterion Hotel. I didn't take any pics of the outside, as I knew that f had covered that. I'm sure he will post some if he ever returns from Mars.

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The mason work in that PO is stunning so is the grain in the stone. It almost looks like it has been refurbished.
Some very interesting architectural design elements used, it looks like 3 distinct styles have been used. Most unusual.

A fairly quiet day, not travelling to a destination. f, Shmiller and I headed out to Mt Basalt - just a short drive out of town. A short but tough walk to the top. Difficult in that finding somewhere to stand whilst holding my hats between my knees to take pics was really hard to do.

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The Darling Downs is amongst the richest farmland in the country and Millmerran is at the western edge. I've just been told by Leanne that there is one place that has around 10 metres of topsoil - that's enormous! Apparently the best brains want to frack this area.:doh::~ Fracking idjits.



Terribly dry at the moment.

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Ian, my mobile coverage in Millmerran is patchy. Responded to your SMS, but just to confirm that we are aiming to be there late morning Sunday.

No worries, Brett, I did get your text & saw the missed call - was out in the yard at the time. All is in readiness for your arrival, sirs. As long as I remember to put it on in the AM, there'll even be a fresh-baked loaf ready for our lunch. Let the yarns commence....

Cheers,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Adam, didn't you say Greg had some pine for you? He didn't mention anything to us.

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He has, but I may have neglected to remember to talk to him about FaFF couriers. All good. I'll wait till the TWWS. You chaps look like you are having a blast. Keep up the good work.

Today's faFF TOD was called off - it only applies when we are travelling.

Just about to tuck in to a pretty damned good smelling roast pork.:harhar:


Oh and :drinks_wine:
:helpsmilie::giveup3:

It's Sunday arvo, getting on to 4PM


there should be a report from faFF's encounter with IanW

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ian

It's Sunday arvo, getting on to 4PM


there should be a report from faFF's encounter with IanW

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After filling their faces with Ian's home baked bread and then waltzing through his shed being treated to some plane delights (that's nearly an oxymoron) and other jewels, I would not be expecting any literary sense until about two hours after dark which would be around 7pm!!!!

You won't get any sense out of any of them 2 hours after dark.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ozhunter

You won't get any sense out of any of them 2 hours after dark.

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That has been my most recent experience, but I didn't like to say. It didn't make any difference. We still had a wonderful time.

Regards
Paul

The 'encounter' went very well. ianW, faFF, Yachtie and I all had a great chinwag and Yachtie surprised us all with the most amazing bottle of red ... but that's his story to tell! I had to depart for Mother's Day duties but suspect that they're all still getting along famously.

A great example of what makes these forums so enjoyable.

David

At the meet, Fletty and I were chatting about restoring old furniture (in amongst a whole lot of other overlapping conversations) so I thought that he would be interested to see one of my chance encounters on the way back from ianW's place - that someone had put out for the roadside 'large items' cleanup currently in that area. It is an Australian cedar kitchen chair that has been left in the weather, is falling apart and has packing tape on it for some unknown reason (as it doesn't seem to be covering any breaks - but further exploration will reveal).

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It will look a whole lot better once I restore it. There's no chance of any 'original' finish on this one, but it will be fixed with hide glue and French Polished! I'll post that in the restoration forum.

BTW, I will do my best not to sand it, Oxalic acid for a starter I think, then we'll see.

Regards

David

Thanks for all the beaut photos Brett, especially of Warwick were I spent the first 5-6 years of my life....Cheers, crowie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ian

It's Sunday arvo, getting on to 4PM...there should be a report from faFF's encounter with IanW

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Apologies for the temporary interruption to service, folks, it's due to my being in a black spot for mobile phones, & I couldn't find the damn key for the router, so the lads couldn't attach to the web yesterday.

However, the faFF WERE sighted, so don't panic. I last saw them clearly at around 2.:30 PM talking with yachtie (facing camera) & Xanthorrhoeas on my back veranda: Attachment 435256

As you can see, throats were being lubricated, in preparation for a lot of work over the ensuing hours. That's the first bottle of red cracked already - it was followed by one or two others. There's a story goes with that bottle. Without my specs on, the label bore an uncanny resemblance to a certain species of plonk that is usually faaar outside my budget. I was appalled not so much at the thought of scoffing it as a random 'quaffer', but the fact I could read "2014" on the label - it would be infanticide!! Yachtie gets the most delighted grin on his mug & says "Put yer glasses on & take a proper look". I did, & saw I'd been sucked right in. It's a home-brew (and quite a good one, too), with a bit of fun added with the label. Good one, Yachtie!! :U

After that, things are a little hazy, but I sort of remember we had a very pleasant afternoon & evening - I'll leave it to the OPs to tell their stories..... :D

Cheers,

HELLO, WE ARE BACK. Well, I am. :D Monsieur f may be returning from Mars shortly.

We are relatively fine, all things considered, and thanks for your concern. I will attempt to post in chrono order.

Saturday afternoon coffee and Lamingtons in Millmerran. I knocked up the Lamingtons in a spare few minutes that I had. Not quite sure why I packaged them in a commercial tray with plastic wrap so that they looked like they were purchased at the market, but I have been known to do odd things at times.

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Paul and Leanne have done a brilliant job with the garden (Paul builds, Leanne plants). In fact the property feels a little bit like a resort at the back - a little cluster of buildings in a sympathetic shape (orrite, they are mostly containers, but one of them is the studio, which was my room). It was a really excellent stay, and I would recommend it to all. The rates ARE STUNNING! Thanks very much P&L, we had a really great time with you!

Fletty looks comfortable in the last 2 pics!:U

So TOD was set by FF as 9:11. However, Mother's Day calls (FF) and still eating breakfast at some place in the Lockyer Valley (f). TOD was discreetly reset to 9:41. That found us on the motorway in towards Brisbane, but still well west of Ipswich. What I like about TOD is that it FORCES me to look for pics. Now they may not be great, or even reasonably good pics that I would take by choice, but there have been a couple come out of it that are worthwhile and would not have been otherwise taken without TOD.

FF's 3 entries are as follows:

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Fairy Martin's nest
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A really really small Fairy Martin's nest - in fact the whole family. These were just below Mum & Dad's place, so I attribute them to one each for the kids.
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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pat

Fletty looks comfortable in the last 2 pics!:U

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And he doesn't in which particular pic?

On the road out of Millmerran....

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Can you go back and pinch one of those silos for me please. Should be room in the trailer.

Well we had the best time at Ian's place. Met Xanthorrheas and Yachtie. Before that, Ian pulled out one home-made infill plane after another until a substantial part of his bench was covered with them. (f has a pic to post I think). Now when I say home made.....these could EASILY be regarded as professionally made planes. In fact all that is missing is an engraved logo....might have to get f to give that some consideration.... :D

It's an absolute blast being in Ian's shed. I have seen numerous pics over the years of various trays of chisels, marking gauges, chisels, planes, chisels, marking gauges, files, planes, chisels, try squares, a few more chisels, but seeing them live, being pulled out drawer by drawer, is amazing!

I didn't see all of the contents, but what I did see of the main tool cabinet would indicate that somewhere around 80% of the contents was made (or at least partially made - handles) by Ian.

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Just incredible - the beauty of the tools, because he can. Heavy, beautiful, functional. Anything else required? The attention to detail in the shaping of the pieces of (mainly) Camphor Laurel that house the tools. Sloped beds for paring chisels that fit perfectly with a 4mm wall between them, et al. All so easy to break during construction (chiselling).

I think f may have some slightly better pics than that.



Now you know what the say about certain tools:

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After a really excellent afternoon, Ian cooked us a Moroccan (?) inspired lamb casserole, which was a great accompaniment to three bottles of red. (if you click "Pics required" I will ask Ian to remove your subscription to the thread).

So we spent exactly 25 hours at Ian's place (11.30 Sunday until 12:30 Monday). It felt like substantially longer!

Ian, thank you so much for wonderful hospitality, your generosity of tools, time and talk. We both had an absolute blast there, just as we did in Millmerran! Two different but equally excellent experiences. God I love this forum, and the camaraderie!

Now you may read some disparaging remarks about the amount of saws in a certain 20' container in Millmerran. Frankly, I doubt there are more than 500 in the first container. OTOH, I also doubt there are more than 50 marking gauges, 100 chisels, and 40 or so planes contained within Ian's room.

Oh, and perhaps 20 mallets.

Maybe 24 or so home made saws (as users).

Hopefully you guys will get back alive, even if you are pickled! :D
You don't see many clamp displays like that one. :2tsup: Most of us have enough trouble buying them. :C

Is there life on Mars?

As usual, FF exaggerates slightly, but whatever, it was a great visit. There can't be many better things to do than sit on the veranda on a beautiful, balmy afternoon, quaffing excellent booze & shooting the breeze with a couple of fellow wood & tool tragics! But there is one - sitting around the dinner table with some tolerable food & some even better beverage and shooting more breeze. Somewhere around the bottom of the second (or was it the third?) bottle, we had the world sorted out really well, we reckoned. There would've been a Nobel peace-prize coming up for sure, but dammit, no-one could quite remember this morning, what those perfect solutions we'd devised for the world's problems were. :C

I suppose we'll jut have to do it all again. It's tough work, but we are noble chaps all, & we'll manfully bear the burden.....
:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pac man

Is there life on Mars?

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You should have posed that question at 10 o'clock yesterday evening. We would have had a very well thought-out & exquisitely-presented answer (or 3)....
:U