From Mornington I watched the Solar Eclipse through my telescope using the solar filter, see pictures. I also tried to follow the eclipse via the web on Slooh.com but they lost all feeds at the critical moment. ABC TV just had a brief shot of the ring of fire moment... Continue reading

Yes the battle for that tiny trophy is on again. In 2013 we send another team of aspiring Australian Cricketers to England's green and pleasant lands to try and claim back the priceless urn. So I have decided write my version of an Ashes Diary with my hopes, despair and... Continue reading

Jim Russell and his Ford Special. This car has Testa Piatta (Italian for flat head) written on the side of the hood. Under the hood is the legendary flat head Ford V8. Jim used to campaign another red Ford in Historic racing but sold it a few years ago. The... Continue reading

Moody monochrome magic. Old school photography turns everday reality into dreamy wonder. This shot of Bushranger's Bay in Victoria was taken on Kodak Tri X 35mm film and stored away for the last 16 years. I pulled it out and scanned it to put on my flickr account. It was... Continue reading

After about 10 years of indecision, I finally bought a digital SLR camera. The Pentax K-r. A colleague at my astronomy society had one so I was aware of its capabilities. The first requirement was to be able to use my existing collection of K and KA lenses that date... Continue reading

Classic motorcycle racing came to Phillip Island again in January. Being a sucker for old aircooled four stroke noise I had to be there. I thought if the racers were game to race on period machines then I should record some of the day with period camera equipment. Yes I... Continue reading

In 2008 I wrote about my attempts to record radio outbursts from Jupiter but was plagued by severe background noise around 20-22Mhz. This year I've cut dipoles to test 24 and 28Mhz looking for a quiet region of the spectrum. 28MHz proved the quietest. The Moxon antenna (http://www.moxonantennaproject.com/) for 10... Continue reading

Having recently read Bram Stoker's Dracula I was impressed by some of the images created by his great descriptions of scenes. One in particular was of Dracula descending his castle wall, 'Once more I have seen the Count go out in his lizard fashion.' So I was inspired to sketch... Continue reading

I went to the Phillip Island Classic races on Saturday to see old style motorcycle racing and listen to 4-stroke noises from the V-twin and singles classic era. It was an action packed day with riders crashing on the high speed pit straight.....twice. Rex Wolfenden of T-Rex Racing (pictured) blew... Continue reading

An innings defeat at Adelaide, and England look invincible. Well the Aussies have an uphill battle in the remaining Test Matches if they are to reclaim the Ashes. I say they when I actually mean we. I feel personally resposible, it hurts me so. I was there that day 24... Continue reading

I've just watches some of the opening session of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. It appears to be a battle of the moustaches. Many of the Aussues are sporting half finished facial hair as part of the Movember charity. That is understandable, but what is Pietersen's excuse. He looks... Continue reading

The Liberal Party in Victoria have done it again. Last time their Senate Preferences elected the Family First candidate, this time their preferences have elected another loony party, The Democratic Labor Party. A long forgotten bunch of wowsers, the DLP have risen from the grave and snatched a senate seat.... Continue reading