Woke up 0930 hours feeling like a new man!

Spent all day working on my Blogs and e mails in motel room.

Richard went to airfield to service engine/change oil/fuel up; returned early afternoon with several microlighters; invited me to join for lunch, but declined to work.
Lots of media contacts; Reuters in Sydney, New Zealand equivalent of BBC, etc; all wanting info. of when arriving in Sydney.

Spoke to Catherine, PR lady in Australia for the SCB, who informed me now four helicopters standing by with all major television networks on board to film our arrival into Sydney Harbour…
Current plan is that Dick Smith, renowned Australian entrepreneur (bit like Richard Branson in UK), who, amongst many other achievements, has flown a helicopter around world, will be flying up to our airfield soon after dawn tomorrow to escort us down the coast 23 miles to The Heads, famous landmark at entrance to Sydney Harbour, where other three helicopters full of TV crew will be waiting to film us entering Harbour and flying past famous Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge; trying to get Dick to sort out permission for us to fly under the bridge; some 200 feet clearance, so not a problem, but not allowed usually! Been given permission to fly along air routes over harbour area and city usually reserved for helicopters.

Landing at Banks Airport on edge of city where will be met by media, then off to hotel in the city where we are guests at big corporate luncheon arranged by Standard Chartered Bank, with me speaking for an hour; trying to persuade Richard to take big part; him sitting on veranda outside my room right now putting in GPS coordinates and enjoying a beer; very reluctant, as he says not his scene, but I am sure he will be a star tomorrow!

Afternoon more media stuff going into evening, then we guests early Tuesday morning at Sunrise Breakfast TV programme that goes out nationwide, then at 1100 hours off to the airport with Jon Cook to fly to Manila in the Philippines to speak at another SCB fund-raising event there the next day, before flying on to Hong Kong and South Korea for other fund-raising corporate events before returning to Britain on 8 May; I will probably bore you with Blogs until we return to the UK.

Richard staying in Australia for a few days, flying the machine up to Newcastle where it will be packed into a container to head back to Britain, maybe via the Hong Kong event first, then he's off to see his brother in Brisbane before returning to the UK for a few days before flying out to China, where he is the international judge for the forthcoming Para-Motor World Championships (kind of parachute/wing canopies with person suspended in harness seat below, with motor propulsion at back of harness; Richard also very good at this form of sport!

Now early evening, with me trying to sort out new PowerPoint presentation with Jon Cook in Sydney for me to use tomorrow; could be bit hectic, but great finale to the journey; tired, happy, at peace with the world, and hoping that I will be able tomorrow to take in all the wonder of the moment whilst flying, and that our temperamental wing-mounted video camera works OK to record it all for us!

Thought for the day:  Babe Ruth hit more home runs than anyone; he also struck out more often than anyone.

The greatest enemy of creativity is not the lack of talent but the fear of being criticized.

Don't be afraid of living those dreams of yours my friend- make a decision as you read this now to do something about it- it may take you a while, like my flight to Australia, but, with friends to encourage you and your own determination not to give up when things don't work out straight away, you will actually live them…

As the quote above says, don't be afraid of criticism- just do it…

Woke up 0500 hours; rain thundering on roof above- predicted trough of bad weather upon us- was hoping to get away before it hit us!  Banged on Richard's door next door barefoot to wake him- TV blaring as always (his soporific to enable him to sleep at night!)- Richard already awake, somewhat concerned, studying meteorological weather map on TV; not looking good, but we decide to head for airport before dawn, and try to fly in it.

Back in room grab quick shower, then dress whilst gobbling two jam sandwiches I made night before; I need carbohydrates to burn during long flights each day; Richard never worries about breakfast. Richard made me laugh last night; after dinner of peppercorn steak and salad (my record 10th night in row eating identical meal) with great tossed salad starter I asked Finnish temp. young lady in kitchen called Eve- studying for her finals in Pharmacology at Canberra university, if she could make me two sandwiches, explaining what we doing; senior kitchen lady told her just bring me 4 slices bread, with small portions of jam/butter, which she does.

Richard intrigued as I open each sandwich, then, just using fingers, extract cold butter onto bread, then, again with fingers, quickly scoop blobs of strawberry jam as well, then put other piece of bread on top, without spreading (butter too hard anyway!) Richard appalled at such primitive way of making sandwich, pointing out need to spread properly first.  I explain not on fancy picnic, and plan to just wolf them down at dawn- essential process for carbohydrates and energy to burn, and all will mix in stomach; just essential process each morning; me not worried how it tastes- just eat it quickly.

Richard insists on taking photo at table of me making caveman sandwiches- so
primitive- also roaring with deep laughter and unbelief at how blind people make sandwiches- I explain just me- not others!

He earlier saw me putting vine vinegar on my salad from little jug by pouring it down finger over salad- only way to know how much me putting on; then salt sprinkled by first starting to sprinkle on hand- again to judge how much coming out- Richard never seen before; also highly bemused and yet no better suggestion for me to use- me feeling need to educate him in these things!

Richard then insists on taking my finished sandwiches to kitchen nearby, calls Eve, then opens sandwiches, roaring with laughter, saying, "look at how a blind man makes sandwiches!"  Eve, coming from very PC country of Finland absolutely mortified that Richard so insensitive to me as poor blind
man- Richard roars with laughter more, explaining "O- he's my friend- he doesn't mind!

When Richard returns to tell me, I also laughed for ages, thinking about Eve's perfectly correct yet funny response in my eyes, as just me, and how I do my quick energy bundles for morning early starts. Ever wondered why funniest jokes/events in world usually those not politically correct? Because life not PC, and we just need to get on with it!
Only couple of days left to continue educating Richard; both of us find process extremely amusing.

Into taxi in pouring rain, getting wet, taxi driver Mark points out to Richard whilst driving down main street in town brown mark on telegraph poles some 7 feet above ground; mark from flood17 years ago, submerging town; then dropped at deserted little airport; security code on gate; Richard remembers from yesterday; eventually through gate, and leave kit in shelter nearby; go to open hangar to microlight; still pitch dark; both of us wet and cold, standing inside dripping hangar, rain roaring away on roof above us.

Need to push microlight outside into rain before Richard able to reassemble front windscreen taken off yesterday to enable wing to be slanted far back to get radio antennae above it under low clearance into hangar.

Wait a bit, as still too dark to take off; I make MP3 recording on my digital recorder for website, with sound of rain on roof; I pull aircraft out of hangar backwards by pulling on hub of propeller; immediately get wet from water running off roof, right down neck; only wearing polo shirt, as flying suits not unpacked yet; miserable rain, but determined to make hay whilst the sun shines I think, wondering at inappropriateness of example, but both of us acutely aware we need to get as close to Sydney today, regardless of weather; rain not best for us, but great blessing to community, so don't complain!

Load up aircraft by 0630 hours, still dark, but hint of dawn coming; next to fuel area, with automatic 24-hour music playing country and western music from local station; bizarre mix of sound of rain and music, now joined by start of dawn chorus of tropical birds around us; soon lots of little parrots on corrugated tin roof over fuel pumps, continually moving backwards and forwards along front gutter, scratching tin with their feet, trying to get better look at us; chattering away, inquisitive with innocent curiosity about what we doing; soon joined by small sparrow sized birds chirping away on tarmac around us- lovely company!

When ready and about to get in Richard sees several kangaroos down by airfield fence nearby, also staring at unusual sight of mad Englishmen getting into flying suits in rain, going flying in pouring rain at dawn!
Makes me curious as well, wondering what I am doing in such conditions, then remember Seeing is Believing, and blind children around the world, relying on people like us so they can see- all simple and clear once again, despite shivering with rain running down back!

Take off as dawn lighting up wet panorama around us; low, scudding clouds all around; feel cosy and warm in flying suit now, but rain flying into face makes me hunch down for protection.

Climb to around 5,000 feet- extremely cold, wet conditions flying through unceasing rain; air temperature below 10 degrees; try doing some flying, but, with hands in slipstream and cold, cold rain my fingers, still very painful from cold conditions yesterday make flying almost too painful; Richard says better he flies for a while, and I take my hands off, very thankful, and wishing I still had the wiring for my heated gloves, recently taken out when flying in hot conditions.

Hear with my computer kit we flying with ground speed approaching 90 knots- huge, huge difference to two days ago, battling with head winds, averaging some 45 knots; twice the speed, so who cares about a little discomfort when we are rushing towards Sydney and the end of our journey!

In Northern Territory two days ago, looking at slow progress, Richard suggested I ask the Bank or somebody to stop the wind blowing; me now realising that somebody took our request seriously, but not for no wind, but for wind in opposite direction. Important to note here that everywhere we have landed today told by locals that this direction of wind highly, highly unusual, as ALWAYS blows opposite way this time of year…Maybe, just maybe the One who has power over the wind and the waves, the Creator of the universe actually cares about the blind children in the world, and just wants to ensure we get to Sydney in time to speak at the big corporate event on Monday?! I somehow think somebody has been praying for just these wonderful conditions for us!

We landed at Nyngan 4.75 hours later, after flying along averaging high 80's knots all way; perishing cold, but worth it- only 17 degrees on ground; me still shivering; keep on my flying suit and face sun breaking out. Need fuel but airfield deserted with no fuel, but enterprising Richard spies hotel across road has phone number and calls them and arranges for very kind manager Jamie for help; Jamie arrives 10 minutes later; takes Richard with detachable fuel tank to local garage; back in 15 minutes, complete with two sandwiches for me!Been feeling a bit tight-chested yesterday/today; decide just cramped flying conditions in rain; sandwich helps immensely, with sun warming me through now!

Just phoned Jon Cook for update on position; him delighted with progress- Sydney within striking distance at last; only about 5 flying hours away if wind continues!

Strange suddenly having to talk about Sydney, speaking at luncheon, and asking him to buy me suitcase (blissful, blissful luxury hey?!) to put clothes in with flying suit and guide computer for flights home via Philippines, Hong Kong and South Korea; Jon reminds me that, after hectic day in Sydney on Monday, us guests at Australian Sunrise breakfast TV early Tuesday morning- Australia's top morning show, then off to airport and Manila in Philippines; life changing so, so fast; suddenly realising we are almost there; unbelievable, leaving me very quiet and reflective, thinking that we have nearly finished our amazing flight, flying more than half-way around the world distance wise. Back into aircraft for short 1-hour flight to Dubbo for bigger refuelling for final flight of day, hopefully as close to Sydney as possible.At Dubbo airfield immediately meet John, another pilot working in hangar nearby who immediately arranges fuel for us, and refuses payment- donation to the cause- great, great open-hearted Aussie- thank you John.

Also meet Joshua and Robin Metcalf, originally from Yorkshire; get photos with them all, then pile into microlight again for final flight of day to Gosford microlight airfield, just 30 miles from Sydney…

Immediately after take off we both hear strange ticking sound from engine, like something catching propeller; immediately alert Dubbo radio we landing again; stay at end of runway, switch off; Richard checks engine/propeller; no sign of problem; take off again; fine this time; set course for Gosford. Whilst flying over "Tiger country" as described by locals when finally approaching Sydney area Richard describes totally inhospitable, rugged, wild forested country below; rugged mountainous area; later told several aircraft that crashed in that area as far back as 1940's still not found today.

I suddenly remember last time me in that area; just 20 years old, working as Jackaroo near Tamworth in NSW.
I travelled this exact route into Sydney at similar speed, then on 350cc Honda motorbike, lying over fuel tank, flying down motorway at 101 MPH; now 6,000 feet higher, but taking same route at similar speed 38 years later, but this time blind and flying a microlight; wonder how I would have reacted as young person being told my next time and condition doing same route- life full, full of surprises, not so?!

Very cold again, now cockpit temperatures only around 4 degrees, but somehow don't notice now, reflecting on the amazing flight we are about to complete.
Work out Biggen Hill at 51 degrees Latitude North; soon to fly into Sydney, 37 degrees South; total some 88 degrees Latitude; almost journey from Equator to either South or North Pole…Then consider Longitude; Biggen Hill virtually on 0 degrees by Greenwich Line, with Sydney 151 degrees Longitude. Total 55 days for journey through 21 countries, flying through sub-zero frozen conditions over Lebanese Mountains to heavy thermal turbulence over Saudi Arabian Desert shooting up and down at 25 feet a second and throwing us 30 degrees off course in process, to flying through waterfalls, it appeared, with our severe tropical downpour between Penang and Kuala Lumpur, to flying over massive open stretches of sea, out sight of land even at 10,000 feet for over five hours, to trying to nip through heavy air traffic at Dubai airport, landing amongst some of the biggest airliners in the world, to flying over the rain forests covered islands of Indonesia, to trackless, deserted areas of the Northern Territory and landing on the road outside a tiny habitation in the outback for fuel and a bed for the night…

Everywhere, literally everywhere (once outside Italy anyway!) welcomed with open arms, open hearts and a level of hospitality and kindness that has left Brian (for first leg of flight), Richard and myself both humbled and thoroughly revitalised with the wonderful fact that human nature, and the human spirit, when at it's best and highest is a wonder to experience and it leaves us better people for it all, and poorer for having to say good-bye to so many precious people we have met so briefly, yet never to be forgotten.

Very reflective, realising our long, long flight across Europe, middle East, Far East, South East Asia and finally Australia almost over; my temporary lifestyle as microlight pilot flying across countries of world about to finish; remarkable, I keep on realising, that my dream to fly this route, born through meeting Storm Smith four years ago at a Rolls-Royce leadership development conference almost realised- yes, we CAN live our dreams, if we don't give up on them when the wheels fall off, that has happened several times over last years.

Richard not sure where Somersby Airfield for microlights is; not in his GPS system; we just have instructions if driving there by car; so, as sun dipping onto horizon, and long, long shadows covering jumbled Tiger  terrain far below, Richard mumbling to himself, trying to read scribbled instructions on road map on his knee, whilst looking with concern at disappearing sun, not wanting to become another aircraft lost forever in Tiger Country below.

Finally, and suddenly, he says he thinks he can see it, and we go into gut-swooping spiral descent and turn to line up on small runway in growing gloom; we land safely, but, when aapplying brakes on wet, slippery grass, we just keep on going… eventually stopping, and met by "HK" or Heavy Kevy, as Kevin is affectionately called, along with his wife Angie, who have been expecting us, through Rob, the owner of Australia's very successful microlight industry.Our longest flight of the journey is over- some 560 miles I think; we get out stiff, cold, yet so elated, realising we are within a stones' throw of attaining our grand goal!

Kevin sorts out a hangar for the microlight, and he and Angela take us to their nearby home for a couple of pints of Coopers Pale Ale, one of Australia's finest secrets kept from us Brits, before dropping us at a motel in nearby Gosford, with Jillie, their little Jack Russel, sitting next to me on the back seat, freshly returned, cold and wet, from her little walkabout in the nearby hills.  She was given her dinner of dried dog food topped with a chicken neck just before we left, with her drinking huge volumes of water in-between her meal, and being dried with a towel by Angie; I miss my Retriever guide dog Skipper so much, so take it out on Jillie, who loves the fuss, and sits there quietly, perfectly leaning into the corners whilst sitting on the seat, and I came away thinking I may have made a new friend, but in reality Jillie just took it as her right to be pampered, because of her high status in life…

Richard and I dump our gear in our rooms, discover the motels do not serve food, so head off a few blocks to a great pub, where I again order my favourite steak with peppercorn sauce.  Richard almost always takes ages choosing something on the menu, then invariably just asks for whatever I have ordered, resulting in two salads, followed by two steaks, but he has a different sauce like mushroom or \Dianne, just to maintain his individuality.

Tonight, Richard actually orders a mixed grill, complete with pork chop, lamb chop, steak, bacon, sausage and salad and fries; I decide it sounds delicious, and immediately choose the same.  Richard is highly indignant, telling me I can't order the same as him, but I say I want to, so he immediately changes to a steak, leaving me with the vision of that great peppercorn steak again, so swap back, resulting in Richard immediately changing back to the mixed grill, telling me he is NOT going to have the same as me tonight, so I reluctantly change back to the mixed grill, with him predictably choosing the steak, with the busy, slightly confused lady at the bar continually crossing out what we have been choosing.

I think Richard has a secret fear, just starting to surface now, that, after this trip together, he will end up being like me.

When our meals arrive, with both of us having great salad starters, my plate is actually a massive, oval platter, absolutely laden down with food, and Richard gets two lovely pieces of steak; we contemplate each others meal with a touch of jealousy, then get stuck into our respective choices, voicing loud praise and sumptuous sounds as we devour what we keep on telling each other was the best choice on the menu, whilst having a couple of beers.

Both of us defeated by the size of the helpings, and apologise to the waitress, who says it is why so few people ordered desserts there. I must admit that I ended up ordering a vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce just to help her out- a wonderful way to finish such an unusual day for me.We walk back to motel, buying some soft drinks at the garage, and I tumble into bed by 2300 hours, absolutely revelling fact I don’t need to set my alarm for 0500 hours- O bliss, bliss, bliss!!!

Thought for the day: again… "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."
Leonardo da Vinci

"Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin."

Up at 0500 hours; banged on Richard's room to wake him up;  showered quickly (shaved night before for speed!) taxi outside motel room at 0545 hours; still pitch dark outside At chained gate to airfield by 0600 hours, climbing through gap in gate pointed out by helicopter pilots yesterday; Richard passing all our gear to me; taxi driver Bill offers torch, as so dark, and microlight parked in hangar some 100 metres away.

Richard fires up machine and taxi's to me and taxi driver, then load up plane; still totally dark. Bill taxi driver amazed at tiny size of microlight for flight from London- Richard explains good thing- no jet lag for us as spread over 52 days so far!

Another rattle of chained gate- security after us?- no, just another helicopter pilot called Rick.  Big base for Robinson R22 tiny two-man helicopters; hardly bigger than our microlight; used to round up cattle; just $300 per hour costs to ranchers in area!

Fleet of these tiny machines here; very competitive business to round up cattle on huge ranches all over this part of Queensland; choppers go back and forth driving cattle; obstinate ones that just lie under tree ignoring chopper, knowing safe under tree get backside stung with rubber pellets from shotgun the pilots carry- different hey|?! Rick seems in early twenties; nice guy; excuses himself, then, with it still virtually dark- just hint of dawn on horizon, he boots up little chopper, warms up, then whirrs away into the sky and disappears over nearby hills, heading for just another days work rounding up cattle…

Richard and I pile into aircraft after putting on flying suits etc; totally silent around us; airfield deserted, just start of dawn chorus from beautiful Australian birds waking around us; boot up, warm up, then taxi to deserted runway.

This small airfield fitted with runway lights, able to be activated by pilots coming in at night by tuning into particular radio frequency and giving command- great hey?!

Just enough light to see dark runway now; open throttle- go soaring up into beautiful delicate dawn  touching silent world around us; hint of sun touching rim of horizon soon after take off- Richard exclaims, as his fancy Garmin GPS donated to us by Garmen (many, many thanks guys- amazing kit!) GPS screen, bright when switched on, intuitively knows exact moment of dawn in this part of the world, and, exactly as sun peeps over horizon, announces on screen "dawn at 0642 hours Queensland- switching to daylight mode" screen immediately brightens to daylight- same happened in reverse when flying into Karachi in Pakistan when sun set- screen immediately dimmed to prevent night blindness!

I took several digital photos in direction of sunrise, with Richard giving directions "9 O clock at 45 degrees"- at least one should have the sun in it!

Hit much warmer air soon after take-off, but no turbulence for 4.45 hour flight to Barcaldine.
Flew for long period until sleep started trying to overpower me- asked Richard to take over; only flying at about 4.500 feet; lovely flight, despite my fuzziness due to lack of sleep!

Barcaldine small airfield; met several pilots refuelling at fuel bowser; apparently all work for big civil engineering company operating over vast area; all fly Beechcraft Bonanza's V-tailed aircraft, several wearing big typical Australian hats- great guys!

Told me alternative meaning of letters for most international airlines- very, very funny, but unfortunately not printable here- ask me privately sometime!

One useable different quote: Bad news travels around the world whilst good news is still getting out of bed!"

Having said that, literally everywhere Richard and I have landed throughout Australia's great Outback so far have heard of us and know what we are doing- right in the middle of nowhere, so good news is also definitely out of bed out here- top marks to SCB PR people!

After farewells to our new-found friends off again into the blue, this time into bad turbulence too, forcing us up to over 12,000 feet to avoid worst of it- still-air temperature up there dropped to just 3 degrees Centigrade, making my  frost-damaged hands ache fiercely, but we found the same following wind we had earlier in the day, giving us ground speeds of often up to the high 70 MPH's; compare this to just 43 MPH when we flew out of Darwin!

Took a few short video clips with my digital camera, trying to capture what it is like in bad turbulence at high altitude in a microlight- quite unnerving at times, as often it hits totally unexpectedly, and smoothes out a bit before I get my camera shooting!

Both Richard and I bitterly, bitterly cold for this flight, with ground speed also bleeding off, so decided to stop at Charleville, rather than another 70 minutes pushing for a further airfield.

A wonderful, wonderful joy to feel the air rushing around us starting to warm us; once down to 5,000 feet I took off both pairs of gloves and held my hands directly into the slipstream- painful bliss; my thumbs and finger-tips feeling cold as ice from previous Antarctic frost damage that limits blood circulation in the small capillaries there- told Richard wished I could sit on my hands in flight, but, even if him flying, no space to put them!

Charleville small but well laid out airfield virtually deserted when we landed, but, after taxiing and switching off near fuel, heard piped Country and Western music- just piped all over airfield, whether anybody there to listen to it or not!

Meet Mark, commercial pilot flying for DHL kind of company, doing some six flights away between here and Brisbane.

He flies a very smart twin-engined American Aero Commander with twin 295 HP engines- sleek and beautiful! He phones pharmacist friend in town who owns hangar nearby- clears us to stay there- great unstinting kindness everywhere we go! Mark showed us Met. chart for tomorrow; trough of dull, rainy weather coming through; will fly at dawn again, hoping to miss worst of it, but prepared to get wet and cold to get through!

Charleville was big shearing centre many years ago before wool price fell through; now cattle men mostly. Also famous place where QUANTAS started in 1922 with first flight from here to Cloncurry. Got taxi to Cattle Camp Motel; booked in at bar, then sunk two lovely ice-cold beers before going to our rooms- surrounded by Aussie cattle men, with their distinctive twangy accent all around us;  hard to beat a cold beer on a hot day, despite being half-frozen for much of it!This evening Richard and I looking at mileages covered, and remaining to Sydney; Darwin- Rimmers Spring (about 495 I think) Rimmers Spring to Cloncurry 413 miles Cloncurry to Charleville 498 miles. Tomorrow aiming for Dubbo (419)Sunday Dubbo to Newcastle, in preparation for grand finale flight into Sydney Monday morning early shorter flight.

Last few days very pressured for us, seeking to get to Sydney in time for SCB luncheon planned for Monday lunchtime, with Dick Smith, famous Australian with similar reputation to Richard Branson planning to meet us in his helicopter up the coast from Sydney on Monday morning with TV cameramen on board, to escort us down coast to The Heads and entrance into Sydney Harbour past Opera House, Harbour Bridge etc, following helicopter air lanes; God willing, with weather big factor; maybe somebody spoke to the wind the other day like Richard asked?!

Thought for the Day: I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do.– Helen Keller (1880-1968) American Writer

Up an hour before dawn, packing and preparing the aircraft, parked just outside our roadside pub in the middle of the Northern Territory; just total of 18 people here total; most just

Funny to be able to just walk outsie our room straight to the microlight- no hassling wih taxi's to the airport, filing flight plans etc- just jump in, as soon as sun touching horizon, stuff jam sandwich into pocket (breakfast not had time to eat!), ask pub manager to go up the main road to stop any huge road trains come thundering over us as we take off, wave cheerio to a surprising number of the places inhabitants who came to see us off, then gun the throttle, go roaring off down the road, with Richard yelling a bit during our fast taxi past the pub about road signs that needed to be avoided by the wing, then up, up into the air, in our beautiful balloon- no, I mean microlight, with the magic of a beautiful sunrise just touching the horizon.
We did a sharp sweeping bank  around and down again over the little group of our new friends waving at us from the dark road, with camera flashes popping, then setting our compass towards Queensland, climbing away into the warm, Northern Territory air, already kicking mildly with thermal activity, like a frisky mare making mischief.

Almost immediately realised the aircraft was not pulling well, with the engine sounding, as Richard put it, " like a bag full of nails"! We talked through options, with Richard suggesing it was probably the quality of fuel, not being premium but low octane petrol.Decided to stop at Barclays Homestead, some 2.45 hours down the road to dump the rest of our fuel and take on board good quality.The landing was on conventional runway near the small settlement, then taxied the microlight up the road and parked outside the little shop and petrol station! Lady inside immediately recognised us as the pilots flying to Sydney, and someone organised some jerry cans to siphon out our bad fuel. Another lovely experience, meeting wonderful Australian country people, with all of their hospitality and friendship and kindness!

I got quite tired pushing the microlight around the petrol station and then away again, with Richard steering and calling out encouragement to go faster!

An hour later we were back in the microlight, after zipping up our thermal flying suits amongst the heat and the flies, before taxing away down the road back to the airfield and taking off again-what a joy not to file any flight plans!

We had already flown nearly 3 hours by then, and the weather had been fairly smooth. We almost immediately got into turbulent weather, and climbed steadily higher and higher, looking for calmer air-the air picks up all its energy from the heat radiating from the ground, and sometimes that energy dissipated and cools at 8-10,000 feet, so that is where we went, looking for a better ground speed and calmer air. We finally climbed to over 12,000 feet-temperature in the cockpit only 7°C, with the 70 mph wind chill factor roaring through us reducing it to just above freezing-I ended up shivering uncontrollably at times, with Richard grabbing my knees and legs and hugging me to try and warm me up, but determined to keep on climbing as our ground speed improved!

Why did we stay there?-good ground speed-about 65-68 kn-best we have had for ages!

Flew past Mount Isa, our original destination for the day, to a smaller town called Cloncurry: Richard could see the huge mining towers from Mount Isa 40 miles away when at 12,000 feet-great view Richard said!

Landed at small airport there, and almost immediately warmed up in heat of afternoon blasting off tarmac; feet still frozen, and needed time to wake up! Immediately was offered a hanger by Dan, a friendly guy who was servicing his littleCessna, that he uses to round up cattle! Also met some other helicopter pilots who use their machines to round up cattle as well-one of them flew his helicopter from Sydney out to them just a few weeks ago-able to give us valuable information about the quickest route to Sydney! Fuelled up aircraft and secured her, then dropped off at pub in the town-the Lady here called Billy refused to charge as for our wonderful state meals or accommodation to night-it is her contribution to our flight-her  a husband seriously ill in hospital undertaking radiation therapy for cancer, yet still able to think about us and the blind people in the world-a truly wonderful, warmhearted, caring woman- God bless you |Billy, and bring healing to your husband.

Doing our best to reach Sydney by Sunday evening, ready for final flight around the harbour early Monday morning, before luncheon organised by the bank and lots of media interviews-very tired, but excited and amazed that we are nearly there-for so long it has just been a dream, and now, it appears we are only a few days away from completing our journey halfway around the world-I can hardly believe it.

Both Richard and I now very tired after some 46 days without a break, but determined to do our utmost to be in Sydney for Monday morning!

At an hour before dawn tomorrow, planning to be in the microlight and on the runway at first light, to make the most of the day-some bad weather ahead apparently, and over 1000 miles still to fly; heading for bed very tired, but full of optimism!

Thought for the day, inspired by Billy: If you have not often felt the joy of doing a kind act, you have neglected much, and most of all yourself.
 A. Neilen

Up at 0515 hours; finally in cockpit at 0900 hours, after usual delays clearing flight plans, completing documentation etc.  Sweating like a pig in the cockpit, sweat literally running down face and body, sitting in cockpit with fleece etc under thermal flying suit, waiting for Richard to kit up and get in; SCB bank people seeing us off- wonderful hospitality as always!

Always need to say my goodbye's before I put my headphones on, as, due to the need for them to cut out most of the engine noise in flight, can't hear anything once on, and can't see any signalling/waving from them either!

Very hot flight, with ATC keeping us at just 2,500 feet for some reason, and not the 5,000 feet requested  throughout four hour flight, mostly over sea, with island of Java about 10 miles on our right- had flying suit and fleece undone most of flight due to heat at lower altitude.

My computer navigation system packed in half-way through flight- overheating I think; had to rely on Richard flying remainder of leg.

Landed at Semarang- big military base with lots of army helicopters (Huey's I think, judging by thumping sound).

Great welcome by airport ground staff and airport management- apparently TV coverage proceeded us, so all aware of our mission.
Soon sorted out with Av-gas and hangarage; alerted some media people around, but didn't see when leaving airport.

Semarang big city- six million population!

In hotel room by only 1500 hours- wonderful, wonderful treat, being able to lie down and rest for a bit before catching up with Blog- feeling absolutely exhausted, realising basically no time/day off for last 42 days, apart from day in bed when ill.

4pm, with me fallen into almost drugged sleep on bed, woken up by gentle but very persistent knocking on door; turns out to be very polite journalist, alerted to our presence and whereabouts by thoughtful airport management. Journalist/photographer comes in, apologising not able to speak much english; I offer him Coke from mini-bar; more asleep than awake, wishing I could curl up and go to sleep in secret broom cupboard somewhere!

Man sits on bed, staring at me; myself staring back reclining on bed, encouraging questions to begin; he doesn't understand; we stare at each other, with him starting to take flash pictures of me, looking, I presume, like drugged lizard, and not blind aviator!Finally saved by another knock on door, this time by two more enthusiastic reporters and cameramen, with one woman speaking excellent english, with sense of humour to match. I call Richard from his room (waking him up as well!) and he joins me, also sitting on bed, with room now full of flashing photographers and lady translating questions for everybody. I tell her Richard much more famous than me, as several times world microlighting champion, flown over Everest, etc, etc, and that he started trip with huge, huge bushy beard, trimmed just before flight.

Beard so huge that several birds flew out in barbers shop when started hacking into it, two un-hatched eggs found in abandoned nest, and, most strange of all, Owl flew out from very dense bushy area near right ear, leaving behind big mound of mouse bones.  Richard told by chiropractor, when visiting for back problem that weight of rat and mouse bones found in nest near right ear cause of twisted back, and all OK now.

Richard quietly guffawing good-naturedly, whilst lady journalist laughing uncontrollably whilst translating for avid, seriously-minded eager reporters, scribbling away madly into shorthand books …

Finally we asked to stand together in room for more photos; giving them, I am sure, at least a few photos that may be useable…

(To Richard's amazement, by the way, the big photo on front page of newspaper outside our room showing me reclining on bed, with part of his face and forehead right up close in the photo, with rest of face/head missing- he went around people in the dining room who recognised us apologising, shaking his head, and saying to the bemused audience "bad photo, bad photo", whilst shaking his head and laughing apologetically…) Despite our humorous activity during interview, I felt like my life had been invaded, being woken up from deep, exhausted sleep.  Realised it was not their fault at all, but an indication I seriously needed to get some sleep.

Really, what I am craving is not only sleep, but time for myself; feeling like suffering from "time deprivation"- probably a common-enough problem in the busy world today, but I realise I have acute case right now!

Originally planning to catch up with Blogs later this afternoon, but feeling so absolutely drained and exhausted, that I gave in to little voice inside me saying "Don't write it now- go have some food with Richard, and do it later!".

Felt very guilty, like I was failing everybody by not keeping up to date with my daily reports. Remembered that I had fallen asleep at least once on all recent flights, and battled to stay alert when awake; told myself I need to be kind to myself, and give my body some rest; seems rational and right, but still leaves me feeling guilty, with so many people checking our websites daily. Had great meal with Richard; steak with green peppercorn sauce, along with tossed salad; staying away from all national food dishes now, after being ill in India; need to stick to food my body recognises!Back in room; downloaded my e mails and replied to urgent ones; plugged in phone, computer, camera, MP3 digital recorder, camera, then downloaded photos taken by me for the day, saving each day's images in separate folder.

Yes, I do take digital photos each day, with Richard suggesting content and where to point whilst flying! Also take video clips with camera at times; landings for example, using my camera; wing-mounted camera working only intermittently- usually just when I am not flying, due to kit problems etc!
Once everything downloaded and on charge fell into bed, feeling drugged with exhaustion, after setting alarm for 0515 hours, to do it all over again tomorrow!

Thought for the Day:“The most important thing I have learned over theyears is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous.” Margaret Fontey

Up at 0500 hours; delay in getting taxi; hundreds of citizens up attending dawn ANZAC Day services; out at Darwin airport before dawn; microlight hangared with Canadian Helicopter Company (now just CSC- largest helicopter operators in world) courtesy of Peter and his great team.

Huge thanks for wonderful hospitality and support provided by the CHDC teams at both Darwin and Truscott- thanks guys- you are all wonderful people…

Prepped aircraft and waited as two huge Super Puma choppers departed ahead of us, taking riggers to oilfields etc.
Choppers carry 18 people, and for you anoracks about helicopters, their tail rotor unit, just there to stop the body of the machine spinning, uses as much horsepower as the main engine of a Bell Jet Ranger chopper- impressive hey?!

Slight delay getting flight clearance, then off into quite strong head winds, heading South-East across vast expanse of Northern Territory; great to be flying again, but very aware huge responsibility/challenge trying to reach Sydney by Sunday evening, as bank event planned for Monday lunch-time, also Sunrise national breakfast television programme expecting us Monday morning!
Some 2,000 miles of very barren, inhospitable terrain separating us from end of our flight across half the world, both aware the most challenging time still before us.
Refuelled at Tyndale, just passed Catherine around midday; deserted due to ANZAC Day, apart from Andrew, great Australian Flying Doctor, having day off servicing his aircraft- organised fuel for us quickly.

Andrew doing great work amongst Aboriginal Communities spread far and wide across this region; life expectancy 17 years less than other Australians; 50% over 35 have diabetes, due to dietary and lifestyle problems; hugely impressed by his commitment to help them all.

Both Richard and I very concerned by severe head winds encountered; only averaging about 45 MPH in severe turbulence at times flying around 5,000 feet.

Andrew suggested we fly higher; took off and climbed to over 10,000 feet through heavy turbulence at times; average ground speed increased to early 60’s MPH; better, but still too slow for our needs… Also made us cold, with low temperatures of only around 10 degrees buffeting us continually for hours!

Have to follow main road, 10,000 feet down below us, as too dangerous to fly over barren Northern Territory; even where scattered cattle ranches exist, some as big as 1,0000 square kilometres; mostly very arid terrain; very unforgiving if forced down there with engine failure.

Kept upwind of road far below, so, if engine failure occurs, able to glide to road where people and help available.

Our whole flight over barren centre of Australia needs to be following only roads for this reason.

Have been following road that leads to Alice Springs, but have turned east on new heading.

Were hoping to reach Tenant Creek, but, due to headwinds and turbulence running low on fuel; flying for over seven hours today; decided to land on main road outside roadside pub at place called Rimmers Springs; flew low first, confirming petrol station there for refuelling in morning; only an hour before sunset and darkness. Checked no big cattle trains anywhere in sight, then landed on main road; common thing for microlight pilots to do in back of beyond, when no airstrip around! Taxied into parking space outside pub; total population of Rimmer Springs about 16 people I understand; most of them temporary working at pub or roadhouse as they call it, catering for passing traffic from Darwin (about 900 KM away).
People came out to meet us- amazed we “just dropped in for a beer and a bed for the night!

Neil, New Zealander working there saw us on TV last night; was yelling at staff to come outside when we first flew over, telling them he was sure that must be that blind pilot man flying from London… Told them; “why doesn’t he land here instead of flying on…”; then we banked, returned and landed; small world!

Lots of pictures with staff standing by plane in parking place; more when refuelling at petrol station attached to pub.

Another driver amazed to find aircraft lining up behind him for fuel; amazed to hear we had flown all the way from Darwin- no, we said, London! Total disbelief about latter, after scepticism about first place; ended up giving us donation for our flight!Met Adrian and Colleen from Johannesburg South Africa passing through and others; all amazed to see microlight on roadside and fuelling up!

Received two more donations in bar later, one from pub staff; very, very generous and kind people, touched by reason for flight.

Had early meal, as both very tired and needing rest.

Richard particularly concerned by huge distances ahead of us, and minute time frame to achieve it.

Decided all we could do is our best, with Richard asking any interested supporters to please stop the wind blowing- would help enormously he said!

Richard showed me huge map of Australia painted on big wall in pub; awesome distances!

Best bet is to head for East Coast around Brisbane if possible, as, seeking route over central Australia and high mountain ranges in hot, extremely turbulent conditions very unwise- we both agree!

Walking to our cabin room just now, Richard took me to see size of the two road train truck units parked by microlight; three semi-trailers, each 40 feet long, carrying 30 ton loads per trailer; over all length well over 150 feet; 32 wheels each- massive!

Good plan to be up at dawn and take off before they start populating the road as well. No problem actually, as very straight road with great vies. In both directions!
First time I have had the opportunity to “drop in” for a pint- somehow think we will be doing more of it in the outback, and quite normal we are told!

Took brief video clip of landing this evening; will try to get take off tomorrow as well, so you can see what it feels like!

Up early and at airport to meet Jon coming in flight from Djakarta, bound for Kupang.

Going through customs/security with extra kit from Richard security discovers my Swiss Army pen knife, apparently in pocket of Richard's kit bag. I don't try to explain what we are doing, and why we carry knives, to cut ourselves free if end up in sea, and simply ask if air crew can carry the knife for me and return it in Cupang; no problem; very helpful people.Afterwards, whilst having a cup of coffee with Jon and reflecting on how all is going, I suddenly realise big change in how airport staff have just handled me, compared with yesterday when I flew in as a pilot.

When I go through an airport as a blind pilot with Richard, and people have knowledge of our flight through the media, everybody assumes I have a level of expertise, competence  and potential as a blind person.

Today, travelling incognito with Jon, being just another blind person to get through the system and onto the plane, the treatment, whilst certainly courteous and professional, was totally different, with them presuming I needed a high level of guidance and advice/support.

Was I a totally different blind person today, just because I was not heading out onto the tarmac to fly a plane, but rather be a passenger in one?

All quite natural enough, I know and fully understand the change.

However, it got me thinking like this;  maybe  ALL of us are a bit like this, but with a difference.
I think that other people, when they look at you (not me now, YOU), they probably see much more potential in you than you see in yourself.
Most of us under estimate our own potential, despite other people seeing it and often encouraging us to attempt more with our lives.

For me, today, the opposite was taking place, with people stereotyping me a bit as a blind person.
I started wondering how different all the blind people in the world would look at themselves, if the world looked at them and treated them differently!

This got me really excited; just think about the following truth…

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you will help them become what they are capable of becoming.
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

OK, now don't think I am going on a big trip about blind people; I think this is an exciting life lesson for us all.

Most of you have far, far too low an estimation of what you are capable of; other people see potential in ourselves we don't see ourselves- isn't that so true?

Two applications here; firstly, start telling your friends and work colleagues the potential you see in them.Too often, we are threatened by the abilities we see in others.  Funnily enough, they don't see the same potential in themselves for some reason, so, do them a favour, and tell them! They say that if a manager wants to be a success, he/she should make successes of all those around them…

The second important lesson is this; you yourself have far more potential than you think; think higher, dream higher, aim higher, and you will be amazed how just thinking differently about yourself changes the person you are, and what you go on to achieve…

Don't let the world, or anybody else, squash you into their mould, but believe that your Creator has made you to do great things, and positively impact your generation;  somebody has to do it- so it may as well be you.

Whilst waiting for our plane, Jon and I were chatting about our recent experiences, and I was comparing my difficulty in flying in a perfect straight line on instrument, compared with Richard.

Jon reminded me of our time in Antarctica; in clear weather, when Jon was leading, he would take a compass bearing, then fix a point near the horizon (an ice formation etc), then we would just walk towards it for hours. However, in a whiteout, when all of us were walking in what appeared to be bright milk, with no idea where the ground was, let alone the horizon, Jon would need to check his compass literally every couple of minutes, and often make big alterations after swinging off course a bit. This example reminded me why it is important to be getting information from my compass every couple of seconds, requiring a tiring, high degree of concentration all the time, comparing my angle of bank, and occasionally my altimeter, track etc.

I guess it is like Richard trying to fly in cloud all the time; just a totally different kettle of fish, and somehow helpful to have spoken to Jon about it!

Strange, a few minutes later, taking off in the Boeing 737, accelerating down the very same runway I landed on yesterday; same limited seatbelt, but there the similarity stops.  Much greater power/speed, but, once airbourne, no sensation of speed from wind rushing past your face and body, no bucking aircraft underneath you, very quiet, even without headphones to drown the engine noise!

I have decided I just LOVE microlight flying, and thoroughly recommend at least one flight to you all- it is a wonderful experience!

Coming in to land in Kupang, I was mentally following the pilot down with his procedures, but then it all became very different from what all landings should be!

We hit very hard, just on our port back set of wheels, then we bounced to just the right set of main wheels, then the aircraft tilted alarmingly to the left again, with, Jon estimating, the wing tip not far off the ground; we floated literally for about six seconds (try counting it and imagining it- it's a BIG bounce!); when we hit again on the left back main undercarriage, the aircraft again tilted far to the right, with the wing tip not far off the ground before the right undercarriage hit again; we then did several bumps from left to right, before the nose-wheel finally came down; either the experienced pilot  was not concentrating, or the First Officer needs some practise.  One of those exceptional landings you are happy to walk away from, and will never forget!As an aside, we have had lots of great landings!

Richard has been teaching me the wisdom of landing at relatively high speeds, giving plenty of lift under the wings if needed, and the use of breaks quickly bleeds the speed off once down.

Once in the terminal, met by great ground handling staff; soon on quiet country road heading for nearby hotel; two very tired people, but suddenly aware of the quiet and serenity around us; car gliding along lonely country road, Jon describing beautiful wild flowers in blossom by roadside; blue sea on our right, green vegetation and trees all around; beautiful blue sky above, quiet, relaxing piano music in car- Richard Clayderman no less- and cool air conditioning wafting over us- wonderful sense of relaxation coming over us both.

Later, after booking into hotel, Jon and I stripped to shorts and headed for the pool by the beach mid-afternoon and ordered beer and sandwiches, went for a quiet swim in  beautiful swimming pool almost deserted, then relaxed and fell asleep on loungers, after hearing Richard had landed safely at Bema, and would be flying in here tomorrow.

Both woke up early evening, headed up to our room, and, believe it or not, I got into bed before 7 pm, read an audio book for an hour or so, and was fast asleep before 9 pm!  Wonderful hey?! I didn't even set my alarm for 0515 hours as usual, and slept like a log until past 0900 hours.

Thought for the Day: Treat YOURSELF as if you were what you ought to be and you will help yourself become what you are capable of becoming.
(adapted from) — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Quiet day today; only up and working on my Blog entries at 1100 hours after long sleep in- a glorious feeling not to feel exhausted in the morning! Jon went out to the airport to meet Richard and help with the fitting of our two new 20 litre long-range fuel tanks to supplement our current 95 litres, to give us a total of some 135 litres and a duration of some  9 hours, covering some 500 miles at a mean speed of 60 knots if necessary.

All being well, we plan to fly across to Australia on Sunday; tomorrow, Saturday, Richard needs time to finish servicing the aircraft and ensuring she is in tip-top condition for our flight. It is now very exciting, realising, to my own amazement, that we are now within striking distance of the country of our final destination!Jon is taking all our kit with him tomorrow on his flight to Darwin, so I will not be able to write another Blog until reunited with my computer in Darwin.This may be late Sunday evening, but my gut feeling is that it may only be Monday morning we arrive in Darwin- just very difficult to predict right now…

We have two choices regarding routes here.

We can take the direct route to Darwin, a distance of 460 miles across open water.

The new alternative, should we want it, is to fly a mere 260 miles to a new airstrip built for the oilfields as well as to monitor boat people seeking entry into Australia.

The airfield is called Truscot, and has no customs, so is not recognised as a legitimate port of entry into Australia. However, we understand that it will not be a problem to divert there for fuel if needed, and then fly a different route, mostly over land via another airfield called Windham to Darwin.  This would be two sides of a triangle, and a longer route overall, but certainly lots going for it. We will only decide tomorrow once in the air, comparing our ground speed and any headwind component linked to our burn rate with the extra fuel load.

Jon will fly from here on a commercial flight to Darwin leaving around midday, taking literally all our luggage with him, as the long range tanks fit into specially customised saddlebag containers that replace our existing saddlebag containers we keep our kit in.

All being well, we all meet up in Darwin later tomorrow.

If Richard and I divert via Truscot, we may or may not get all the way to Darwin, depending on weather, time on the ground etc, and will borrow tooth brushes overnight if necessary!

So, the next Blog from me, God willing,  will be from good old Aussieland, and we will be on the home straight; kind of anyway, as it is quite a big lump of land to fly over!

Thought for the Day: AND JUST TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT WHO SAID THIS, AND WHEN!

Incredible visionary, hey?!

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."
Leonardo da Vinci

Up at 5.15; exhausted but happy; breakfast with Richard apologising to other guests reading daily paper for terrible front-page photo of us;  they all looking at; lady shakes my hand after reading article- Richard embarrassed- don't blame him, judging by his description of photo!

At 0700 hours at airport in hangar prepping aircraft; high humidity; sweat running off us, even in shade of hangar

Eight-thirty in plane taxiing, but ATC don't give permission to taxi to departure point- vector us to stand outside main airport buildings- why? TV and other media all waiting for us there!

Usually high-security at airports preclude anybody getting onto tarmac; these media people either more persuasive, or airport management supportive of flight…

Arrived at stand, switched off, and media flocked around us, shooting, filming, asking questions, asking us to look this way and that way; Richard and I trying to get our headsets and helmets off to respond- good time with them all; very efficient, thoughtful questions and filming; not too long before ATC get signal media finished, and we given permission to depart!

Bali about 310 miles away, with us flying at 5,000 feet; lovely flight, cooler at higher altitude, with my kit working well, but drifting a bit, due to lumpy conditions, with cu-nim. clouds building up around us, forcing us to deviate around boiling cloud formations as they start developing.

Funny sensation, when we fly into edge of cloud; I immediately feel a drop of at least 5 degrees, and can smell and feel the dampness in the air; Richard describing some very pretty puffballs of clouds forming independently in places.

Due to bit of a headwind, and Bali, being a big international airport who may delay our landing, Richard and I decide to err on the side of caution, and divert to our optional refuelling point of Surabaya.

We call them when just 12 miles out, and are given clearance to land, and are directed to start our descent. High humidity and temperatures felt whilst still about 1,000 feet up, and it hits us like a hot, wet blanket as we touch down. Directed to particular stand to refuel, and, to our utter amazement, find a TV crew and other media all standing there, waiting for us!
We only decided to divert about 10 minutes earlier, and, lo and behold, they are there!

Does somebody know more than we know?!

My only answer, on reflection, is that ATC at Semarang must have told the inquisitive media that we had it down as a possible diversion, and they decided to be there just in case! Bit of a strange time, with the TV people not asking us any questions, but just filming us!

Richard alerted me to fact of camera whirring next to my face, so I gave them a run-down of what we were doing, and why, hoping I was answering the questions they were not asking!

Richard went off to file flight plan whilst I supervised refuelling of aircraft; the exuberant, enthusiastic man proceeded to squirt av-gas into us like we were a Jumbo Jet, at what seemed to me like about 10 litres a second!

Result was a spectacular geyser of av-gas fountaining high over my flying suit and seat, amongst huge apologies, with me trying to pour off what had not yet soaked in!

Amazing enough, within minutes, all seemed to have dissolved and evaporated, like a dry-cleaning job, leaving my suit smelling as fresh as a petrol station.

Had to depart quickly, due to storm building up behind us; had great 2.5 hours flight to Bali, mostly over water at 5,500 feet; very smooth air; virtually no turbulence due to flying over water most of the flight; magic conditions for me, as easy to keep well on track in smooth air, only deviating a couple of degrees either side of our track, except when I started falling asleep again in the soporific rhythmic voice of my nav. kit alternating between compass and angle of  bank!

We flew over the end of Bali island, keeping several miles out to see to avoid the sea breeze pushing up against the huge, 10,000 foot high volcanoes we had been passing, shrouded in cloud unfortunately- would have been a magnificent sight- for Richard anyway.

Funnily enough, I have no problems painting my own life-like images, based on Richard's descriptions, so I feel somewhat cheated along with Richard when the view is hidden!

Flew last 45 minutes over the island, mostly covered in cloud below, being aware how busy the airport was, judging by the almost incessant radio chatter of planes arriving/departing.

On our final approach with clearance to land, Richard pointed out huge Jumbo Jet at end of runway, waiting to depart after us; made me feel a little insecure, wondering if the captain of the monster would actually see our little butterfly coming in over him to land!

Made us suggest to ATC that we didn't mind the big guy going first, but the ATC man quietly reassured us that we were clear as number one to land, and- a second or two later, a kind, gravelly voice came over the radio to us saying "Thanks anyway for the thought mate!"- presumably the Jumbo pilot, watching us float past his cockpit!

There is definitely some camaraderie between all pilots in the world, and we felt quite special, that the driver of the monster was happy to include us in their elite club!

Hot, sultry air as we land, tired but happy after over 5 hours flying today, now taxiing on one of the worlds most beautiful and popular islands- Bali- the island that was rocked by several terrorist bombs several years ago.

We have been struggling over the last few days trying to secure fuel for our next stop at Bema, a small airport with no av-gas, and no guaranteed quality car petrol, that we can also fly on very well. Best petrol appears to be about 80 octane, but dubious source and quality, that may result in engine failure whilst on the next leg to Cupang, our jumping off point to the great continent of Australia and Darwin!

After attempting many options that included asking the air force to fly fuel in for us, and perhaps air-freighting our additional long-range fuel tanks from Cupang back to Bema, it reluctantly became clear that the only rational solution enabling us to stick to our tight schedule was for Richard to do the next leg, loaded up with an additional 50 litres of fuel strapped onto my seat.

Having earlier established the priority and goal of the flight being to raise awareness and funds for the Seeing Is Believing programme, we reluctantly took this course of action.

Met by great ground control staff and airport officials; soon had aircraft fuelled up and secure for night; headed to nearby hotel; very tired.

Late afternoon, after finding accommodation, realised the hotel was on the beach; stripped to shorts and flip-flop shoes and headed for the water, just as getting dark.
Appears to be a reef further out, as virtually no waves; water far out at low tide; I stick white stick into sand; we pile shirts and towel on top and wade out; keep shoes on as shells on sand; when up to waist progress halted by me suggesting to Richard unlikely reef sharks will come in this close; Richard has fairly obvious aversion to the creatures, and I find it fascinating exploring the limits of his mind- and feet!
No further, he enthusiastically suggests.

We float around, slowing down, both very tired after heavy day flying and early start. Totally dark now, even though only about 6.30 pm. Waded ashore to find water licking at base of my stick; retrieve clothes, and sit on nearby tables on edge of beach to order food, talking to Australian family nearby with baby Jackson (18 months- walking around, continually hitting his head on table tops; lovely family, enjoying last few days of Australian school holidays.Head for bed, after hearing from Jon Cook he is flying in early in the morning, and will join me on the flight to Cupang whilst Richard flies the fuel-less leg.

Relatively early night, no e-mail comms. and fall into bed after putting kit onto charge.

Thought for the Day: “He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has.”
 Epictetus (55-135 AD) Greek Philosopher

Up early morning- Richard headed off to service aircraft, myself speaking to all the SCB staff in Djakarta- great, enthusiastic team; me introduced by Ramesh Sundara, CIO here, in absence of CEO Simon Morris, currently in London!

After a 45 min. presentation and questions, heard great South African accent- Robin Bearstow  from Cape Town, who subsequently sent some biltong(jerky) to my room- heavenly to taste the real McCoy again- many thanks my friend!

Lunch time visited the Friends of the Blind Association on outskirts of Djakarta, headed up by Bambang Basuki, a great visionary man, doing wonders with very limited resources in a small building.

Every room I visited there was crammed with staff and clients that included blind school children, who go there after school to learn new skills.

Their services include internet access via JAWS English screen reader (trying to get development of local language screen reader), brail transcription using university student volunteers, electronic transcription from Word documents into braille with Indonesian braille contractions and reverse process, audio books into DAISY format for CD/MP3 access, electronic dictionary local language/english, keyboard and braille skills, uploading
braille books via internet to users to print,and much more.

I had the honour of presenting to the association a number of new computers with speech-output screen reading software from the Standard Chartered Bank- precious, precious gateways for the blind into our digital world.I came away really inspired to see how much is being done here with such enthusiasm, despite such limited resources for a country with some 3 million blind citizens.Just great to see the Standard Chartered Bank so involved, providing support for those who will never see again, but want to live independent, meaningful lives- computer skills the doorway into employment and independence for blind people the world over today…

Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day, give a blind man a computer with speech-access and you feed him and his family for a lifetime…

Great evening corporate event at Dutch-style large home, typical of Dutch East Indies style- as you know, the Dutch were in Indonesia from early in the 1600's until 1945, with Indonesia becoming independent after the Japanese occupation during World War 2. Indonesia an amazing archipelago of some 13,000 islands in a crescent shape, covering some 2,000 miles across the ocean between Australia and South-East Asia.National slogan: Unity in Diversity. Some 56 languages, and literally hundreds of different tribes originally, now national language (similar to Malay)  recognised in 1926 to unite the country.

Some 100 corporate guests and SCB staff and other guests; beautiful Indonesian music tinkling in background by Indonesian band whilst drinks/snacks served,

Myself doing several TV and journalist interviews before event starts.

Video intro/greetings made by Simon Brown, CEO for SCB here in his absence, then moving testimony by local woman with her young daughter of around seven years old, now already able to see again after cataract operations, with treatment continuing.Some fascinating Indonesian dancing then, with dancers with spiky hair, long fingernails and some sort of baby-snatching miming going on- great music and drum rhythms, but the plot totally lost on me, despite whispered descriptions by Richard and Jon Cook! Then an absolutely fascinating and moving presentation about needs of blind people in Indonesia by eye specialist Dr. Tjahjono, reminding us that 83% of the information we receive each day is through the eye, just 11% from the ear, and the other senses collecting the rest- sight is very important! Highest percentage of blindness in world in developing countries; Indonesia highest percentage in world, followed by India, Bangladesh.

The SCB also working in Indonesia with the Helen Keller International foundation, the Christian Blind Mission and the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association.

Finally myself introduced by Vikas Suri, Head of Global Markets for SCBAfterwards spoke again to some of the amazing microlight pilots who flew into Djakarta with us yesterday from the Federation Aerosports Indonesia, before heading off to our hotel to prepare for our early flight tomorrow- tired, but, once again, deeply touched by all we had experienced today, the people we met, and the great work of the bank in this massive scattered country.
Thought for the Day:  "Sight without vision is equal to blindness" -Helen Keller