Well, I have now flown across more tiger country than I knew existed. We flew to Carnarvon with a bit of tail wind then headed off over trees and scrub to Karratha. Bush all the way. Landed at “Yarraloola” for some fuel which was given to us free, but it had sediment in it. Luckily the fuel filter system did not block up and I got heaps and heaps of rubbish out of the sediment bowls for many days afterward. There were a few miss fires in the motor and some funny running but it never stopped. Just as well, as the whole trip across the top of Australia was over rough country with nowhere to land, some of it very dangerous in the event of engine trouble. I lodged flight plans for the first time over here as know one knew where we were if ther ...

The FlyAwaytoHeaven group landed safely last night ( 7 planes and 15 people) at Kalumburu at around 4.15pm, with the twin engine (Geoff from Melbourne) coming in earlier, and carrying Cory and Paul the photographer.  Mitch, the young 16 year old, was the last to land - a good landing it was too.

We ferried them all into our "motel" accomodation and were just in time for Mass at 5.30pm.  After Mass we set ourselves up outside the church, and heard a great country and western concert thanks to Cory and his co-guitarist.  There were quite a lot of the locals, and all the mission people, including Bishop Christopher Saunders from Broome, who was visiting on his way to Kununurra!  The children eventually got over their shyness, and started dancing - they had a great time.

I planned to fly with Stephan, Mitch and John with my battery fully charged. We were to travel in loose formation but as we took off my radio stopped receiving signal and my GPS ran flat batteries as I did not have it running from the plane battery. Three problems were too many for me so I landed at Serpentine airfield, just 5 miles north.

We met some local pilots who were very friendly and they helped sort out all the problems. Stephan and Mitch left around 1.00pm and John and I got away around 3.00pm for our flight north past

Goodbye to Adelaide - hello Port Pirie.  This was a joy for Fr. John who caught up with his long time friend Fr. Paul Crotty.  Fr. Paul together with John Rowe representing Rotary turned on a magnificent evening at the BH Club.  Transport from the Airport and billeting of pilots were organised by the Rotary Club and the generous people of the Parish.  Fr. John gave his presentation as the pilots told of their involvement with the Fly Away to Heaven.  A very successful evening was enjoyed by all those who attended.

The next day it was a visit to St. Mark’s College and the Christian Brothers College.  The students paid great attention as they listened to the needs of the people of East Timor.  It is hoped that these schools will take on a project for East Timor by uniting themselves with scho ...