June 1-8 Adelaide, Australia

Original plans to cross the pacific from the east coast of Australia were changed a few months ago because of the limited range of our aircraft. Due to media and fund raising commitments we departed Broome for Adelaide on a Virgin Blue commercial flight. Many thanks to Melissa at Virgin for arranging everything for us. It was really good to get back into an aeroplane and have someone else fly us somewhere. Virgin Blue began a direct service between Broome and Adelaide a number of weeks ago reducing the journey time to about 3 and half hours.

Adelaide was where we both did our flight training about four years ago. Helen and Graham, good friends of Paul's invited us to stay with them for the week. Being back here felt like we had never been away. The weather was more home like and so far it has rained for three of the days we have been here. We sat and watched the most spectacular electrical storm last night, happy not to be flying.

First thing Monday morning Paul went to visit St Dominic's College in North Adelaide. The school presented a cheque for the Marie Keating Foundation from money they had raised over the past few months. Pam Tobin has been fantastic in organising media and fund raising prior to our arrival and has raised several thousand dollars. All monies raised while here are being directed to Canteen Australia. A number of TV and radio interviews were carried out such was the interest in WF2003 here.

A visit to Bae Systems Flight Training Centre at Parafield Airport was an opportunity to catch up with friends and again great interest was shown from all the instructors and students we met up with. Hi to Mike Farrell (from Birr in Co Offaly and who is just finishing his commercial training) who took us on a sight seeing trip over the city? Thanks Mike and good luck in your commercial test flight. Also hi to Karen at the resource centre, good luck in your new adventure in Vanuatu (still looking for that missing library book!) Alan has been very busy over the past few days plotting our course for the pacific crossing. All is going well and nearly everything is in place. We have a few days in Darwin before setting off next Wednesday. PH-SMD has been undergoing maintenance in Broome in our absence. Our aircraft requires a new voltage regulator to be fitted and thanks to DHL Worldwide Express for getting one to us at very short notice.

Next update will be from Darwin after we arrive from Broome.

Adelaide Skyline Click here for larger view Adelaide suburbs from the air Tony Powell & Alan Socata TB10 - The aircraft Alan & Paul learned to fly in. Click here for larger view Socata TB10 Socata TB10 Mike Farrell and Paul   Toby McDonald, an old friend of Pauls.