Holtys Blog

Adobe BLOATWARE

2012-01-14T15:45:00.002+11:00

Nothings changed over the past 10 years or so .

Sitting here watching the cricket and loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 on to one of the boxes . 2.59 GIG WTF ...

I just want a photo editing program for dummies !

The 12 days of Christmas

2011-12-07T18:22:00.000+11:00

Not actually correct but without sounding like a sunday soapbox spruiker please , please HAVE A VERY HARD THINK BEFORE YOU buy that cute little puppy or kitten for a Christmas present to someone that may not have the time , inclination or ability for the 24/7 commitment over the next 15 years .

Up to 500 000 dogs are put down each year in Australia . Cats ????????

Please think about it ... before

If I had a million bucks and 100 acres it still wouldnt be enough to even make a dint for this Christmas alone ....

Lismore Show 2011

2011-10-22T16:05:00.000+11:00

Went to the show today specifically to attempt to photograph Show Jumping . Not the best venue for this with all the mesh around the fences for the speedway and had a look at some of the dog judging earlier. Dont ever say I spoil MY DOGS :)

As usual photos are on Photobucket here

FOR SALE . 1972 BMW R60/5 SWB motorbike

2011-10-01T12:33:00.002+10:00

****SOLD****

Selling my bike , why ? . I No longer have the free time to ride it as I once had and have only played golf 10 times in the past 12 months , so go figure..This new little work project will take another 2 years or so .

The bike is located in the Northern Rivers of NSW and has full rego until the end of March 2012. Obviously the plates will be changed before it is sold.
A few points to mention are : Boyer ignition , Staintune exhaust , as new Metzeler tyres , a 400 watt EnDuraLast alternator kit and I have ............

Receipts showing $ 2598 for a complete engine overhaul including head conversion for ULP by Paul Rooney NOTE: The bike has done less than 2000 klm since the work was done.

I have posted 20 plus detailed photos on my Photo Bucket site so if you are interested please use this link to go directly to the album . These photos were taken after a short ride today including a section of dirt and what you see is what you get . No I haven't spent a day making it look pretty and for $5K it will sell itself and yes , it is advertised elsewhere .

20 detailed photos here

Link to BikePoint ad

A link to the bike ad on my website.

If you cant work it out off here I give up ?

Holty 0412794812 .

Claremont Coraki Camp Draft

2011-09-18T15:44:00.000+10:00

Went here today totally out of the blue (as usual ) . Too much dust and smoke for photos but had a few good hours there . The link below is to Photobucket for a few pics but be warned , they are large files at hi res .

Claremont Coraki Campdraft

Zoes 1st day down the "hill"

2011-09-16T12:03:00.000+10:00

You tell me ? I recon she will soon become one of the mob if she hasn't already :)

Even though ZOE, ( her new name ) has only been here a few days you can tell she is a special little dog . Very headstrong as they all are but she just wants to fit in and be loved ...all 5.6 kilos of her ...

To the last owners for whatever reason , YOUR loss... and I'm sure Cleo would approve . We may have lost the matriarch but have gained a new little princess . She won Macca on day 1 as well :)

Looking for a Foxy Jack Russell Female Dog

2011-08-26T13:29:00.009+10:00

JUST FOUND ONE :

A rescue from Armidale Animal Shelter and isn't she a little cutie .If she is half the dog Cleo was we will all be happy and at present she looks about half the size but Cleo was before she was desexed . :)

And a long drive coming up but I recon she is going to be worth it and please don't start me on why dogs like this end up on death row in an animal shelter ..

I spent a fair amount of time searching the net for the right dog and was blown away by the 1000s of dogs that for one reason or another have their days numbered through NO FAULT of THEIR OWN .. These pets are often a 15 year commitment AND don't come free ..so please think long term about that cute little "toy" BEFORE you say "yes".....

Cleopatra

Cleo AKA Fatty Boomsticks lost her battle with the big C last week and we are now looking for a new member for the group .

Hopefully a smooth coated Jack Russell cross or similar ( female ) ranging from a pup to 5 years or so and while she will be with us almost 24/7 will need to get on with Puki a 6 kilo cross and will also have to get on with Jackson a 40 kilo Rotty cross.
Looking to help a rescue dog or a dog for whatever reasons cannot be spoilt rotten like they should be any more .
Northern Rivers area but will travel to pick up the new member of the "mob" :)

RIP CLEO we will all miss you .

Coraki Golf Club Fairway Watering.

2011-08-16T12:54:00.000+10:00

On the way back from Lismore decided to drop into the course and walk the dogs and surprise surprise . It has finally happened. . Well at least the 1st testing on a fairway by Peter and some of the Mid Richmond Plumbing guys .

Like I say "always carry a camera" :)
Holty

Summerland Sports and Classic Car Club Static Car and Motor Cycle Show

2011-08-08T07:21:00.000+10:00

Use the link below for photos of the 2011 show taken yesterday in Lismore

PHOTOS Link

Lismore Baseball Baxter Field

2011-08-06T16:55:00.000+10:00

Just back from watching AND trying to photograph some baseball in Lismore and I knew the guy in the yellow was someone "special" ;)

I need to go back and have another go at trying to "catch" the ball in flight ...

NSW Hillclimb Grafton

2011-07-15T07:38:00.001+10:00

Took the cameras to a round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships at Grafton recently . I got there for the Saturday practice session as I had never been before and had no idea what to expect. so didn't want any hassles

Bottom Line .

I will go back

The track is great for spectators with a nice cross section of cars and a great bunch of people. I found everyone I spoke to friendly and accommodating to some of my "newbee" questions .

Hmm wonder if a motorbike has done it :)

Tallebudgera Golf Club

2011-02-18T12:06:00.001+11:00

Played there yesterday with a mate that has just done the "Out of Sydney " thing and moved up near the course. This is the view from the outside "beer o'clock" area .

THE COURSE :
Obviously had HEAPS of rain up there lately with the greens suffering more than the fairways but we had fun and will I go back . The course is not long but enough mature trees to make keeping it in the right place paramount and enough variation from hole to hole to make it interesting . I teed off with a 5 wood on almost every hole ( no , not the par 3s smart arses ) and then used the day to practice approaches in . Forget serious putting for a while ..

Bottom line , not for the mega golf yuppies BUT if I lived up there I would join tomorrow if only just to use it to practice midweek . No need to book a week in advance bullshit just for a hit ..

Holty ( Hacker)

Vision Golf Ball Testing 2010

2010-10-31T13:12:00.004+11:00

Thursday ... Played with the "yellow" , VERY easy to locate on the fairway and even in the rough on a very overcast day . They DON'T float and was about a club shorter than my normal ball . Won the "putts" with 25 including a 3 so will gladly give 10 to have those putting stats ANY DAY..   IT seemed to roll "very cleanly"   if that makes sense .

Having a bit of fun testing some golf balls from Vision Golf , No , they are NOT freebies :)
Anyway   I have spent about 10 hours pitching , putting , chipping and up to a 7 iron " in" with these and a few control balls as well comparing apples and oranges . My normal ball was a Titleist NXT Tour and now a 2010 DT Solo( to give you some idea of what I wack ) and used a few Srixon SFs in the tests as well . I don't like "rocks" and cant compress the "big boys" balls either... so that's why I like Solos . Not as long off the tee but I like it around the green.    I will add to this blog after next Thursday as I am going to play a comp round with the Visions to see how I go ..

Holty.

Lismore Rodeo 2010 APRA

2010-10-24T09:06:00.003+11:00

Went to the Lismore Show to photograph sections of the rodeo . Surprising for it to even be on after all the rain over the past week or so and from memory the last rodeo I went to was in Darwin 1974 and then back to Fanny Bay Pub but that is another story....:)
I want to have another go at this , maybe under lights and not so dusty .

Some of the photos look "foggy" (like this one) but that is dust from the fill used to try and dry out the arena.
If your interested I I have chucked a few pics on PhotoBucket

ITS raining on the Rivers ( Northern )

2010-10-09T16:32:00.000+11:00

Bored out of my tree so have just set up a test album to play with . It ONLY has motorbike photos , something old , something new......

Motorbike FUN

NRCMCC 2010 Rally

2010-09-26T17:13:00.012+10:00

Spent most of yesterday playing with the 7D photographing day 1 of the Northern Rivers Classic Motorcycle Club 2010 Rally .
The Canon is NOT an easy camera to sort out but I will get there. Don't think the auto focus is spot on and it may get a bit "confused" .Only my thoughts and a bit too early to critique .

Anyway the photos are here on my Photobucket site and be warned , some files are up to 3.5 Meg.. Great to copy but SLOOOOW to download...

NRCMCC 2010 Rally Day 1 Photos

More photos SOON as I have just discovered Lismore Go Kart Track. :)

Holty...

Woodenbong Vets Open Golf Day

2010-05-11T19:33:00.011+10:00

Just back from another great veterans Open golf day at Woodenbong Golf Club . I played there 2 years ago and the course has improved greatly since getting the watering system .

The course was excellent condition , greens very true with brilliant weather and to see only 60 or so names on the board , a bit sad.

Little clubs like this need the support of the "big boys" .

Anyway , I played with 3 great guys , from Bonalbo , Kyogle and Casino and enjoyed the day and its looks like the "burg boys" , as in burglar ALL wear RED !

Hacker Holty...
12 - 22 with 4 wipes

Golf Courses

2010-04-28T17:03:00.008+10:00

Thinking about Golf Courses I have played over the years and considering I hang them up for 10 years at a time after 2 years or so ! There are a few more course I will add once the brain kicks in ....

No order ( as and when I remember them basically ) and no preference , "memories" will usually win , a couple of "hole in one s" but no big deal , I was playing shit and jagged them .

The best memories are Bingo Bango Bongo with a few mates at Dorrigo before lunch at the top pub.. Yep , even better than Bonville or Terry Hills . NO , my head covers dont match , sometimes getting socks to is hard enough ......

Hacker Holty.....

Up around here

Bonville , love it
Kyogle
Lawrence
Coutts Crossing
Teven
Twin Towns
Yamba
Bellingen
Dorrigo , love it , the change in altitude in 30 minutes is amazing
Urunga
Bowraville
Westlawn Golf Club Grafton in the middle of the racecourse ! Fun!
Nambucca Heads , almost killed a fisherman
Woolgoolga , nice hidden treasure
Grafton
Maclean , my favourite up here and when they get fairway watering look out the rest of you .
Yamba
Iluka
Woodburn Evans Head
Coraki , my home course because of the friendly "VETS" club...
Lismore
Casino , love those greens
Byron Bay
Bonalbo, hang in there guys
Woodenbong , ditto
Ocean Shores , nice greens and "FOOD"
Mullumbimby
Murwillimbah

Mid North Coast

Forster
Tuncurry
Buladealah
Camden Haven
Cresent Head
Krambach
Gloucester
Karuah
Sandbar
Taree

Down there

Bayview My EX Sydney club 15/20 years ago
Mona Vale
Palm Beach
Royal Avalon
Warringah
Ashlar
Balgowlah
Wakehurst , love it , if you have a good round here :) My Ex club 30 plus years ago and you had to pick up a rock on each fairway on comp days . TRUE
Roseville
Monash
Terry Hills
BonnieDoon
Camden Lakeside
Castle Cove
Hudson Park
Lane Cove
Long Reef
North Turramurra
Windsor
Castle Hill

Down South

Mollymook top and bottom
Eden
Pambula

Out West

Lithgow
Blackheath
Katoomba

Somewhere Else . I will move these later . Walked a few courses as I did my back in before going down for the 2008 NALG ....

Lord Howe Island
Cypress Lakes
Royal Hobart
Tasmanian . This is a nice course , my favourite in Tassie .
Bothwell
Claremont
Bowral

New Zealand South Island (over there with the WALG lefties 2008)

Millbrook
Jacks Point
Arrowtown This place kicks arse . My most memorable course to date anywhere.
Kelvin Heights
Reefton
Akaroa
Harewood

Across Australia revisited 30 years later

2010-03-11T17:39:00.003+11:00

Just got to see these photos for the first time yesterday . They were taken on a motorbike trip across Australia and back by a group (mainly locals ) starting from Yamba . Me EX Sydney at the time . Most bikes were Honda 600s and made dirt / sand riding interesting to say the least as we were carrying 50 plus kilos of gear . It felt like only a few years ago , WRONG almost 30 !

A link to the photos on my Photobucket site
Motorbikes across Australia

Note : Not my photos , taken by Don Best who at the time was living in the Northern Rivers .

A Holty Day

2010-02-02T17:15:00.004+11:00

Had to go down past Grafton to look at some "work stuff" and on the way home dropped into Westlawn Golf Course , a very well maintained 9 hole course in the middle of Grafton racecourse . Yep smack in the middle of a horse track and while it isn't Bonville it was fun and has surprisingly true greens . (better than some I have played at ) . Next off to Lawrence Pub for lunch on the way home , whiting and salad $12 , a few lights , too easy , but the ferry is closed until 3pm for whatever reason . OK up to Lawrence Golf Club to fill in an hour or two and yes , this means in one day I have played golf on 2 9 hole golf courses in the middle of horse race tracks . Complete opposites but both unique in their own rights .
I know these aren't courses for the matching bag , buggy and clothes set but I love them . Only Woopi and Ballina to go stay tuned and then I'm off to play a "sand green course" somewhere .

Photos as usual in the "GOLF" album

Holty.

Australia Day Golf at Wardell Recreational Grounds

2010-01-26T13:22:00.002+11:00

Just back from golf at the Wardell Sporting Recreational and Golf Club.A great morning starting with an 8$ big breakfast and finishing with a few beers.
A great little club with a 9 hole course set up "around" the existing sporting fields so footy goal posts can become a man made hazard but then again a "friendly bounce" off the concrete cricket pitch balances this out. Photos added to the "golf" album as usual .

Holty...

North Coast Street Machines 2010 Ballina

2010-01-17T15:58:00.008+11:00

Spent a few hours this morning in Ballina at the 2010 North Coast Street Machines Show and Shine car show . Not really a Hot Rod show as motor vehicles covered all facets and had a lot of fun with my cameras. Haven't been to a show like this since Bankstown Square in Sydney about 30 years ago . I will add captions to some of the photos later , but a lot of memory joggers for ANY baby boomers. Triple SUs , panel vans , pommie blowers on little cars , no not turbos !!!!! big block big buck stuff and the right background music from the DJ .

Stuff the doofs doofs and turboed Jap stuff ...... OOPs , showing my age pops !

As usual photos can be viewed and copied (by clicking on the link below) on PhotoBucket and make sure to enlarge them BEFORE you copy . Yes dear !

Link
North Coast Street Machines 2010 Annual Show and Shine

Holty...

2010 Great Eastern Fly In Evans Head Aerodrome

2010-01-10T14:00:00.006+11:00

Just back from Evans Head Aerodrome watching part of the Fly In. This year is the 70 th anniversary since its usage in WW2. Seemed a very well organised event with additional stands ,vintage cars , rides on assorted planes and ultralights etc .

Ill stick to fighting off B doubles on the Pacific Highway on my bike . Got motion sickness trying to keep up with the aerobatics plane with my camera while standing on the ground !!!.

I have put the photos on Photobucket so anyone can copy them if they wish . Click on the "Photos Here" link below.

Photos Here

Note : The album includes the motor car photos we spoke about.

Holty....

Fiducian Australian PGA Seniors Championship at Byron Bay Golf Club.

2009-12-23T11:28:00.005+11:00

Spent Sunday at Byron Bay Golf Club watching some of the seniors .

Started off a nice day , then turned ugly . I watched the guys practice for a few hours then followed the main group around 6 holes until I got soaked (Rain , not drunk :)) . They ALL have rhythm , most maintain their spine angle AND finish their swing .

Peter Senior is what can best be described as an "Aussie Battler " . He did "nothing" apart from holding it all together as the rest of the field went backwards in the crap weather. His rounds of 72 , 63 , 72 speak for themselves and the 72 on Sunday was as good as 63 .

A few photos in the album under "golf" then "byron bay golf" folder.

Holty....

Coraki Vets visit Bonalbo Golf Club

2009-10-01T14:47:00.003+10:00

11 of the Coraki Veterans golfers spent Tuesday at the Bonalbo Golf Club OVER 50 Open Day.

A great little club associated with the bowling club and with less than 10 golfing members the 25/30 visitors swelled the field and maybe helped filled the coffers a little.

Anyway we had a great day with a little golf , plenty of laughs a few beers to go with the excellent lunch provided and a Max joke to finish off the day ( A VETS ritual but it usually starts with one ) .

Well done Bonalbo and I have added .a few photos to the album

Holty...

On with the Handbrake at Coraki Golf Today

2009-10-01T14:24:00.007+10:00

Just got home after playing Vets golf at Coraki and played with someone that at best is a cheat amongst other things . Told me VERY early in the round he needed to have 73 net to save his handicap for the George Gooley Open in a few weeks and needed to get to 12 . The sad part is he was playing that well overall he should have almost had par off the stick reaching pars 5s in 2 etc. Yes , hes a vet , had a 38 or so on the front with an OB , scrambled beautifully and putted out of his shoes , UNTIL THE LAST 3 HOLES AND HAD 11 or 12 putts including 3 putting from 2 feet with an open putter face !

Yep I lost it , called him ever expletive I know , "You f ..... g , ch......g c....t and it was water off a ducks back. He didn't give a stuff . A VERY VERY SAD way to live your life if the only highlight is cheating at golf .

OK , OFF the soapbox the rest of the vets , or at least the guys I have played with are a great bunch of blokes.

Holty.

NRCMCC 2009 RALLY

2009-09-28T06:23:00.007+10:00

September 26th and 27th .

Added some new photos of the NRCMCC RALLY 2009 to my Photobucket site. Click on the highlighted link to go straight to the album if you wish to view and copy any. Make sure you click on the photo to enlarge it BEFORE you copy it .

A good weekend seemed to be had by all including me until the old girl got a flat front tire early on Sunday . Bummer , and many thanks to Eric for getting us both home . I would join this club if they had a few daylight meetings , yep old eyes . :)

Holty

NRCMCC Sunday 16th August

2009-08-16T16:17:00.006+10:00

The Northern Rivers Classic Motor Cycle Club
The photos tell the story, normal people doing normal things with some VERY nice motorbikes..

Of ALL the bikes these people own its a little Aermacchi that's my pick. Yep even over the Beem and sidecar.(sorry dogs)

Sunday 16TH August Photos.

Nalg Northern Rivers Blog

2009-08-02T17:09:00.001+10:00

Just played ( poorly) at Coraki with the Northern Rivers lefties and have now given them their own blog called leftiesgolf and also set up a generic email address . leftiesgolf@gmail.com

Blog link http://leftiesgolf.blogspot.com/

Holty.

Coraki Veterans Golf 30/7/2009

2009-07-30T16:05:00.007+10:00

I play with the Coraki vets on a Thursday morning , 8.30 shotgun start , cards drawn from a hat to ensure "no clique clubs" meaning different playing partners every week and usually a stroke event . With about 60 members and around 40 or more playing weekly you quickly realise these are a special bunch of blokes. About 4 or 5 come from around Coraki , the rest come from many miles around the district often driving past bigger clubs to get here. You work it out .!

These photos where taken today with the legend Charlie Hannah putting me into runner up with our vets handicap .

Northern Rivers Left Handed Golfers NALG

2009-04-26T16:35:00.010+10:00

Sunday 26Th April
Just got back from Mullumbimby Golf Course after another great day with the Northern Rivers Lefties and friends . I played like crap , don't care , trying out a new swing thing ( number 7 for the year) and you can see from the photos a great bunch of people enjoying life without a "club chucker" to be seen . They let "righties" play as well and its a change to out number them at times. Anyway , the results ,

Men's Lefties Winner Mick Bruggy 40 points
Runner Up Nick De Gusti 33 points

Men's Visitors Winner Mick Elley 39 points
Runner Up Alan Green 34 points

Ladies Winner Vicki Blanch 30 points
Runner Up Robyn Robson 27 points

Aggregate Winners Robyn Robson , Mick Elley and John Holt.

NTP Dot Rose ( The ONLY one to hit a green and stay on it)

Bradmans .
Chris Parker 19 and Brian Leonard 16

Photos are on PhotoBucket as usual view holty1352's album then click on Northern Rivers NALG in the Albums .

See you guys next time , Holty.

2009 Ariel motorbike rally

2009-04-07T11:13:00.001+10:00

I heard them over the river , about 80 or more heading northwest . They seemed to go on forever so I gathered they must have stopped for fuel . Yep , the Australian Ariel Register around the Northern Rivers of NSW for their 2009 rally so off with camera in hand to track them down . Unfortunately the weather was on par for this time of year but they seemed to be having fun .

This photo is some of them arriving at the South Ballina Ferry and use this link below to take you to another 70 Ariel photos on my PhotoBucket site , about the 1st 4 pages are Ariels , the rest are NRCMCC photos from a "Slow Ride Day" .
view holty1352's album