Million Paws Walk 2013 The Gold Coast

I took the cameras up to  the  Gold Coast    yesterday for the Million Paws Walk at  Broadwater Parklands on Marine Parade, Southport   to photograph some of the antics of the dogs and their owners on this special day.
 My brief was to get photos of dogs and owners you would not normally see,and if possible some of owners that look like their dogs . :)  It was a great morning with perfect weather and my best "guesstimate"  was well over 1000 dogs .  I'm like my old man with animals usually come before people  and I can honestly say the vibes around there yesterday were exceptional  .  Not the slightest hint of agro from either dogs or owners considering they came in all ages , shapes and sizes .  ( Yes , BOTH  ) .

Well done to all the volunteers that must have put in many 100s of hours to make this even happen .

When I get time I will put 30 or 40 photos on my Photobucket  site and as usual feel free to copy any you wish but you will need to post edit to suit your monitors .

Holty and "my" kids .

The Arena

A few of the Gold Coast Titans leading the walk

They just kept on coming

Add your OWN caption

Too tall to be Paris

"Love me , love my dog!"

It is the Gold Coast ! :)

Oregon Scientific WMR200A Weather Station

 2nd April .

• Added another 2  with the original batteries to see what happens . Now have 8 running .
• Put the weather station info on Weather Underground  and if you are interested to see the local weather conditions for Broadwater Northern Rivers NSW    click  on the link below  . 
•   Broadwater New South Wales Weather
• Why wunderground , I tried the rest and it suits me "eye" the best.  Each to their own . It usually is updated every 15 minutes when I am on line and I use the "catch up" function in Cumulus when it isn't .

2nd March . Added the 3 new sensors with no problems at all  and since the 2nd of Feb  the gear has  survived winds up to 85 klm and rain fall rates of just under 150 ml an hour . YEP.   The Cumulus software is performing as expected  and now it is all too easy . The guy that maintains it needs a medal . If he ever reads this I hope he gets a laugh . :)

  2nd Feb .   It survived last weeks weather  and  when I could get outside I checked its sensor readings against a hand held  device I own ...

•  The anemometer reading  was  slightly low  but at winds of 40 to 60 km per hour  I was having a problem standing .
•  The rain gauge did the opposite , its readings were slightly high but in the same winds .
•  One of the remote Temp / Humidity sensors reads about 2 degrees high so I just adjusted the alarm to suit
• I have 2 more TRG810s  on order and  two UVN800 remote UV sensors  as well . Why 2 UV's ?   So I can compare to see if they are as bad as a lot of reviews claim ..  Only my opinion but you seldom see a forum  called  "  Happy Customer "  .

I have been looking for a "small" RF weather station for a while and decided on the WMR200A . Yes I have read a LOT of negative reviews about this product  but have also read some where they have lasted years and get 5 stars  . You figure ?   Anyway my brief was and still is on an ongoing basis that I need something that would cover an acre and have up to 9 remote ( and moveable )  RF Temp / Humidity sensors . I currently have 4 operating .   Yes I looked at the Davis gear  ( it looks great ) then  started adding up the costs of what I needed and  the decision became obvious.

While I was waiting for the gear to arrive   ( from Hong Kong )  even though the site had an AU address  I started down loading  every software program I could find as the supplied software is basically not what I wanted ( read useless) .  Bottom line I have deleted all but one , Cumulus will stay and seems to meet most if not all of my needs at present ( The kiss principle ) . I have visually  modified it to suit my old eyes and love the way the addition sensor information updates on the fly on the main screen.

Initial Setup..

•  READ ALL instructions BEFORE opening anything . Yes I know , anal ..

• Opened  and connected all the components including putting  in new Lithium batteries  NOT the cheapies supplied.
• Fitted a "dummie" pole on a trolley so I could wheel it around to make sure of the correct final location .
• Took the 4 remote sensors to the worst location and left them there for 24 hours to see if they varied in signal reception , they didn't .
• The next day was spent "tweaking " settings as the sensors  had to be put in very specific locations and to my surprise  after a few resets  ALL communicated with the base station in a matter of a few minutes .  

To Date ..

• Even though I come from this bloodline J V Holt & Co  and cant even wire a 240 volt power point I found it very basic and straight forward to set it all up  . READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ..
• It is all working  to date with 40 C plus days to today when it looks like 200mm of rain is coming down the coast 
• Sensor 10 (the most extreme location)  used to drop out until I moved the PC , monitor and power supplies as far away from the base station as I could (see photos) . Also "foiled" the aerial as suggested in a forum . This seems to have sorted it .
•  Replaced the plastic poles with a 3 m  50 mm galvanished pipe driven 900mm   into the ground and concreted . I can modify as and when needed if I want to go higher .
• Added a standard 150mm rain gauge as a backup  to compare  (see photos)

Summary ..

Time will tell if this gear is rubbish  but to my logic  even if I have to replace some of the sensors or all for that matter   I cant justify spending the huge amount of money on Davis gear.  Just price 9 of their remote RF Temp / Humidity sensors  .   Maybe if I win Lotto ...

 Like I said I may one day have to eat my words.

Holty..

PS , you can watch it here if you wish   .   Holtys Weather Station 

The pole can extend up to at least twice its current height

JIT . Its pissing down and tonight looks like 200 mm .

I had to make new shelves to get the power supplies as far away from the base as possible.

I will make up perspex boxes  later  but this is a good test . :)

The cradles can swivel on two planes .

Ballina to Lismore Toy Run 2012

Check the look on the kids face :)

 Just back from taking a few photos of the Ballina to Lismore Toy Run  . I have never been before but will be there next year as it seems to be bike people getting together  for all the right reasons . It didn't seem to matter what you rode as long as you turned up , had a laugh , donated a few bob and didn't cause anyone grief ...

This is the  link to  40  unedited photos on Photo bucket  and pinch them if you wish ...
Ballina to Lismore Toy Run 2012 Photos 

To the  two "green" P platers ,  your photos are there  . :)

The COBRA

Another 200 or so to follow .

Not often you get a police escort and can still smile.

I think these "posties" rode to Darwin not long ago ..

FOR SALE 1997 Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab trayback ute

SOLD    4 / 1 /2013

Just picked up a Toyota Hilux Workmate  so now need to sell the Triton .  While it has done heaps of K it has had a very sheltered life from day one by the log books . All I have ever put in it is the dogs , my golf clubs and a few trips to the tip so nothing seems to have changed over its life .
This is a link to the ad on Gumtree    1997 Triton Dual Cab Ute     and gives  the spiel ..

Yamba Hot Rod Run 2012

 A few photos from today at Yamba NSW of the

Yamba Hot Rod Run 2012  organised by the Borderline Street Rodders  Inc from Brunswick  and sponsored this year by OZ RODS...

There are  around 60 or 70 photos now on Photobucket and  I tried today to get photos of individual cars in motion rather than the usual static stuff and  feel free to pinch any you want ...

Yamba Hot Rod Run 2012 Photos link

Im looking for a new ute !

Looking west down Yamba Street

Im guessing around 150 maybe ..

One of hundreds of Hot Rod photos I could have used .

Having a "Poppy Nap" :)

I found this guy and his Jack at Angourie before the show . He is into FJs.

Yamba Buskers

I went to Yamba today to  photograph the Hot Rod Show  and happened to hear these two kids busking  while I was there . They have only been playing together about 6 months so their parents informed me and  dont even  have a "name yet"  .

Trust Holty  on this one , they will have very , VERY shortly ..

 Sam  Cashman and Nick Jansen  , two names to remember ..( Hi Mums and Dad )

A link to a few photos here.
Yamba Buskers

Masana Bellydance Grafton

Hi girls ,   "left click"  on any  photo you want , this will enlarge it .
Then right click  and  "Save Image As ..." to put it somewhere on your own computer ...
Have Fun ,
Holty .

Grafton Jacaranda Festival 2012

I went down to Grafton early yesterday morning to work out some photo location points for next weekend and took a few photos including the start of the Grafton to Inverell Cycling Classic while I was there .  I went back this morning for the Grafton Vintage Motor Vehicle Club  car show , the wooden boat display at Corcoran Park and even snapped a few happy belly dancers at the showground ..

    Grafton Festival Photos  LINK

Ballina Monster Trucks

God bless America and the 1st time I  have heard  "The Star Spangled Banner " in OZ

I neeeded this in Sydney 30 years ago .

Never smile at a crocodile or alligator :)

A very special breed of people.Once I get this sorted I will have another go .

Spent an hour there today at the  Ballina Seagulls Rugby League Club  oval before it got too dark as I  wanted to have a go at photographing the kids on bikes ,  they are nutters . There is 25 photos on Photobucket if you are interested ,  some of the trucks and about 10 of the kids on bikes.

 Ballina Monster Truck Photos

Jack Russell Terrier Rescue

THEY ARE NOT LIKE THROW AWAY TOYS THAT CAN BE DUMPED WHEN THE NOVELTY WEARS OFF........

I follow these guys on Facebook and usually just have to  "man up " and say nothing  but this little guy has got to me because he seems to have  done nothing wrong and  more than likely has given his owner's 7 years of love and affection and now  gets the flick .  You CAN take them with you . A  friend took her dog  back to the States . Getting them back into Australia is a different matter and a LOT harder .

See the Sami story on their main website via the link below  and I take my hat off to Jill and all the helpers that make these rescues  happen  especially the photographers  . I couldnt do it , I would want to bring them ALL home ...:)

Sami's Story

NRCMCC 2012 Rally Photos Friday and Saturday.

Eltham Hotel for lunch

Had a great lazy day  following ( or waiting for ) the pre 1960s bikes  in and around  Uralba , Eltham and Teven  on the 1st day of the 2012 Rally.. My objective was to find locations with no "datable" backgrounds to age the photos  so as long as the riders were wearing  open face style helmets  it is hard to tell at first glance how old the photo is once I have a play with them . .    Lunch was at the Eltham Pub  and I can say after my sister and I had lunch there yesterday it is a great venue with excellent food and friendly courteous staff . .

I have put  few of today's photos on Photobucket in an album   called   Fridays Photos  .

 I got  back today  and took more photos and   put them in an album called   Saturday Photos  so you can now search  by specific day and the photos are in a timeline order  .

These three photos are an example / attempt of what I'm playing with .

A beautiful little Triumph in very original condition.

My photo of the day and almost the last one taken .

Stick Shifting up Uralba hill.

Toyota Coaster Motor Home SOLD via Gumtree

1992 Toyota Coaster Motor Home  SOLD 8/10/12

FYI .  I advertised the bus on 3 commercial websites as well as this blog and my own website . Gumtree out performed the other commercial  sites  by well over ten to one with genuine inquiries and phone calls and sold to a Gumtree buyer .


I'm selling my motor home for the simple reason I cant use  it and  hope it goes to a good home .

NOTE:And please DON'T email me if your name is Greg Crisell . Google this low life's name (obviously not his real name if he even exists as a person ?) . I did before I told him/it  anything that isn't already on this blog, Caveat Venditor .

Good Stuff.

There are  30 detailed photos of the converted bus  on this link  Holty1352 motorhome photos  if you are interested that should answer most of your questions .    I purchased it from the people that owned it when the conversion was done  after they drove it back from Albany in WA  and  still have all the original paperwork , invoice's etc for the conversion .. To contact me please use the email contact on this site so I can ensure no spammers or ring me on 0412794812 ,  Thanks .

Main Details

• 1992 Toyota Coaster  6 cylinder 4.2 5 speed manual
• 225000 klm with rego until 26 November 2012 
• Located in the Northern Rivers area of NSW  south of Ballina
• $28000 ONO 

 Fittings and Accessories ( in no order)

•  Fiamma 4.5 awning and full "Privacy Room " including floor , extra poles and  roof struts with wind straps ( see bottom photo)
•  Smev 0335 FGT 3 burner gas stove and oven  
• Dometic CK155 Range Hood
• Atwood Gas Water Heater
• Shower with Thetford Cassette Toilet
• 4 Seasons Roof Hatch
• 2 24 v internal air conditioners plus  a fitted 240 v Carrier Air V  ( roof mounted )
• External Hot and Cold Shower
• Tinted Windows
• 2 Freshwater tanks 120 litres in total   
• 1  Grey Water Tank 50 litre
• Bull bar , Spotlights , Rear tow bar. 
•  80 Watt Solar Panel
• 
  

New Fittings and Accessories

•  Waeco Coolmatic MDC 90 Fridge Freezer ( Never Used )
• Sinergex 1000 Watt Inverter
• Foam Mattress's
• Front Tyres
• 240V Smart Trickle Charger 
• 2  X 90 AH Solar Batteries

Drivers side showing Gas Water Heater and Cassette Toilet access points

Single beds with 3 way storage access

Easy Clean . :)

Full 4.5 m Fiamma "Privacy Room "

Testing Dragon Naturally Speaking12 Premium Wireless

 Updated 28th  . While the program  has potential the extreme learning curve required may put a lot of users off , me included .  I have spent maybe 20 to 30 hours training it including letting it read all my old emails , blogs , webpage typing styles etc and it still has issues sometimes .  If I was to continue using it I would also look at a different headset that is more stable and stays in place . I have trouble keeping the mouth piece in the same location especially wearing glasses . 

 I'm typing this  test blog  using Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Wireless     that I purchased from the Australian  supplier and  now testing it to see how it goes without having to use a keyboard.  For what ever reason, keyboards and I don't get on anymore but that's another story .:)

 I am "typing this, standing up", about 5 feet from the monitor with my arms crossed and using the Plantronics blue tooth headset that came in the kit..  I have only been using it for half a day, but I think, if you have a reasonably new PC, with enough guts to run the program ( read their specs and then add some ) , and enough time to "teach it " your personal idiosyncrasies it is a viable option for anybody with a slight impairment or worse , or anybody with poor typing skills that does a lot of typing . Budding authors , anyone that still  "hunts and pecks "  and the list goes on .

 I will update  this post then go online and edit, as and when I see any improvement in my technique.


Holty .

PS

Be patient ,
Try and learn Photoshop in a week , you have more chance of flying to the MOON  !!!!!!...

1992 Toyota Coaster Motorhome FOR SALE ( soon)

About to sell  my Toyota Coaster motor home and have been waiting on  a mobile  auto electrician to come down and check ALL the electrics including the solar to make sure everything is in good working order before I advertise it .   I have been having a few problems getting someone to  even turn up let alone getting anything done  UNTIL a friend of a friend put me on Wired Auto Electrics in Tweed Street North Lismore . The guys name is Clayton (Clay ) Woodford  and yes he turned up EARLY , went over all the questions I had  ( patiently ) , tested everything I wanted tested and DIDN'T   rip me off ..   I cant say much more ..

Update
Alco Batteries from Ballina came out and fitted 2 new solar batteries . So now the bus has a new 1000 watt inverter , solar batteries, new front tyres, new 12 , 24  , 240V 90l  Waeco fridge.  New mattresses, new LED lights, one internal one external, and the list goes on.

Holty..

Coraki Veterans Open Golf Day 2012

I went to Coraki Golf Club today to catch up with a few guys I played golf with there a year or so ago and to take a few photos of their 2012 Vets Open  Golf Day sponsored by the Summerland Credit Union Lismore .  The young bloke in the photo must be a rep for the  credit union because he sure isn't over 55 . ( A prerequisite for playing veterans golf .)

The weather was exceptional for the day  and Max told me there was around 131 players  in two shotgun starts , 7:30 am and 12:30 pm to fit them in . Northern Rivers veterans golf goes from Yamba , Iluka up to  Club Banora and Cooolangatta Tweed Heads  and out as far as Woodenbong and I have even been to Bonalbo  for their Open Day . 

All these blokes have three things in common , yes they are over 55 , yes they are breathing  and yes they can still hack their way around a golf course .  I don't think their swings or their scores are of much importance to 99 % of them ...

I have put 60 plus photos on   my Photobucket site   and if you want to view and then download them use this link please.      Coraki Veterans Open Golf Day 2102 



 Added 6th FYI    A bit of Northern Rivers  and NSW Veterans golf information  if anyone is interested .

This  is a link to the Northern Rivers District Golf Association and while not just vets it gives you a yearly program if you are around the area on holidays and looking for a hit . Unless its club championships Im sure most if not all clubs will welcome you with open arms . Coraki would for sure .

This one is for vets only and is the  New South Wales Veteran Golfers Association and if you are that way inclined you could golf your way around New South Wales  and have a great golfing holiday for almost 12 months of the year , if not just have a great golfing week almost  anywhere in NSW and I know there is a NSW 2012 sand greens comp on out west every year as well , this year Walcha  . Never played on sand but one day maybe , pitching wedge ,  putter and the corset :) 

Holty