Day 3 - Camden

Tiger Moth at Camden Airport

This was my day to fly. But it wasn't to be. Instead, it turned into a country drive and slight exploration of a small town named Camden. Camden's about one hour southwest of Sydney. (But it took me much longer as I seemed to drive in circles getting out of the city.)

Tiger Moth Instrument Panel

I'd been working with Airborne Aviation (located at Camden Airport) for the past 6 weeks so that I could rent one of their airplanes, a DeHavilland DHC-1 "Chipmonk". This is a post WWII airforce trainer and a unique opportunity. However, two things transpired against me. The first was a mechanical issue with the aircraft (an oil leak) and the second was the lack of a CoV (a temporary flight license) from Australia's aviation authority CASA, which was to be waiting for me when I arrived.

Well, I'm hoping things line-up later in the week so the flight can happen after all. But while I was there, I decided to check out the airport environment. Airborne Aviation also has three Tiger Moths, which are bi-wing, pre-WWII airforce trainers. They're very cool, but aren't rented without an instructor, so I decided to pass.

Bell 212s Standing By

There were three Bell 212s sitting nearby, positioned for firefighting emergencies. They looked picturesque, sky-lighted against the Australian bush in a field. I sometimes toy with the idea of learning to fly heli's, so I stopped in to chat with the guys at Aerowasp Helicopters. After discussing business, out came the snakes (which were located in aquariums in their lounge)!

Peter Holstein with a Murray River Carpet Python

Peter Holstein and John Carolan let me get a close-up look at a Corn Snake (indigenous to America, actually) and two Murray River Carpet Pythons (indigenous to Australia). I was surprised to learn that Australia has constrictors. The pythons had just eaten before my arrival, and you could see a lump in their bellies. I learned that temperature is critical after they've eaten. If the snake is too cold, the animal inside will not digest, but instead will rot leading to the death of the snake. Peter also described the process of molting and produced a nice molt (the complete exterior skin of the snake, which needs to be shed from time to time as the snake gets bigger.) It was a lot of fun. I hadn't played with snakes since I was a kid.

John Carolan with a Corn Snake

Camden

Camden's a typical (and charming) little bush town. I encountered many like it last year, and they all seem to have a traditional main street with all the conveniences located along each side. A Christmas tree in the middle of a Camden roundabout was a nice touch.

Okay - this morning something weird happened. A nice enough guy came up to me as I was reading my book (Fatal Shore) in a little park in my Sydney neighborhood. I had the book placed on my forearm, and I was hunched over in a comfortable position. He said he thought I was shooting up with heroin and wanted some! WOW! Then, after learning I'm an American (and not a drug addict - which he freely admitted to me that HE was), here came the politics. He's a HUGE Clinton fan. He calls them "Uncle Bill and Mrs. C" (kept saying that). He hates Bush, and asked me 'what do you think of that black fella' (Obama). 'I'm not political' I responded 'and why not spend your energy on something more productive'. He wouldn't have any of my response and continued to tell me about how the Meiers Space Station was responsible for downing John F. Kennedy Jr.'s plane when it crashed in the Atlantic. Then he finally said something I was interested in. He said 'watch out or someone will rob you', as he looked back behind us. The reason I peaked at this comment is because the morning before, a creepy looking guy was watching and following me in the same area (until I turned straight around and politely confronted him - don't worry, I knew what I was doing!). Big cities - interesting, but they have their drawbacks.

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Day 3 – Camden

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