Day eight was the first day back at Cataract Park following our
expeditions. Unlike Canberra in 2003, we didn't arrive back on site
to the treat of bushfires. They had already happened 3 days before
the Venture started. Still, the weather was very warm and any
relief from the sun was welcome.
On this day, many Venturers and Leaders took up the option of
attending one of the off-site activities. Back in Melbourne, the
Intrepid Leader decided he was going to give gliding a try as, under
normal circumstances, it was one of those things he wasn't likely to
have a go at. All these photos were taken at the Scout Activities
base at Camden airport.
Before we started for the day, one of the instructors /
pilots gave us all a safety briefing.
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Will (Sailing Sydney II) put his name down to do a Trial
Instructional Flight. He even added another $50 to the kitty
to get an hour behind the controls he was so
keen.
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Rob looks back for one last time before his go in one of
the powered gliders.
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Then away he went.
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What goes up, must come down. You don't realise how fast
you are gliding until it comes time to land.
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The Intrepid Leader before his go.
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Up, up and away.
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A view of Camden. The skies were so clear and the views
so great that once we got up high enough we could see where
the fires had been so close to our camp site.
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The gliders controls aren't all that complicated
considering there's radio gear and motor controls there as
well. The knobby knees are an optional extra.
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It was very surprising how mach distance you covered and
how quickly you did it. This is a view back over the
airport.
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Anyone who knows the Intrepid Leader well enough would
know he wouldn't miss the opportunity to see a local motor
racing circuit. Right in the middle of this shot is Oran
Park at nearby Narrellen.
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Jarred getting ready to have his turn.
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Fiona too.
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Getting in and out of the camp on the buses, you got to
see exactly how close the fires came.
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Yes, a Venture is a time to do things you wouldn't
otherwise do. The Intrepid Leader came back from gliding to
find Sarah getting her past shoulder length hair getting cut
short in the middle of the campsite.
I don't know if the girl with her head in her hands was
in shock seeing Sarah like that or just worried because she
was next.
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