Francis Birtles Pioneer Trip

No turning back now!

 

The country of base label with AUS often gets confused with Austria (which is "A"), so I used one with siloette of a kangaroo.

She has gone to Singapore on the Christal Elizabeth.

 

In 1966 I spent 6 months travelling Europe with my parents and 2 siblings in an Aussie registered Kombi van with an AUS plate on it.

People would go past (it was flat out at 80Kmh downhill) and look back at us as they didn't know what the AUS stood for.

My Dad used to say, they were checking what colour we were?

I'm looking forward to a few months of adventure as Lang and Bev travel a trip I have dreamt about for 50+ years.

Jealous, never? God I wish I was riding along.

Mammoth,
I doubt that a kangaroo would make any difference. Some years ago, I saw on TV an American man who had some problem with luggage or a flight or something.  He was asked what airline he had flown on.  He said he did not know which airline it was but the plane had a big red rat on the tail. 
(Qantas planes have a red tail with a big white kangaroo on it)

A New Zealander I once worked with served in the tank corps in the second world war and had the word KIWI and a picture of a Kiwi on the tank.  He was asked by an American soldier "Hey, guy what's with the K one Dubya one broken back duck?"

Couple of snippets for Lang
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thanks Grandad looks too good to restore.

Update

Owing to the wharfies go-slow in Brisbane (don't get me started on these people) our ship was stuck alongside for 5 days for a normal 2 day turnaround - after waiting 7 days in the queue at anchor off Mooloolaba. Notice how the supermarkets have sections of empty shelves?

As a result our container has missed the change-over ship in Singapore and now is not expected in Southampton until 03 April, 3 days after our planned departure date. It is what it is.

Lang

Lang, do you have a Plan B or fall back plan?

You appear to have taken this very well.

I know, the horse has bolted so no point in complaining.

The most off-pissing bit about this is the shipping has gone from $6,000 to $11,000. Why you may ask?

We had a $5,000 sponsor (our only big sponsor) all excited about making a great song and dance at the large Brooklands Easter Saturday classic car event. No show- no pay.

Lang

Youd have to think the Houtis taking pot shots at ships would have blown out the travel time too.