WUNDERLI WANDERINGS

There’s always a bit of trepidation when embarking on something that one has never done before and is certainly not the run-of-the-mill kind of job – ferrying an airplane across endless hours of water. So it was with an added bit of “what have I signed up to” when Dylan wrote and said he couldn’t make the initial date. But as there were so many things lined up with this date MAF did a risk assessment and opted to fly the first two Caravans with the help, knowledge and support network of Dylan. So after the usual 24 hours of travel to get to the other side of the world I was happy to crash into bed in Newton – a small town just south of Moundridge where the 3 airplanes were parked. The next few days were spent trying to convince and dupe my body clock into thinking that everything was business as usual. The 5 days available prior to launching were busy enough. I spent some hours emptying the two planes and taking stock of everything in the pods and reloading them with a better...

  The start of the journey, Moundridge, Kansas The fuel tanks installed in the cabin of the plane in order for Simon and Christiaan to fly extended hours over the ocean Christiaan refueling the plane and still refueling...... Two of the six Caravan's heading to serve in PNG Some unique aircraft spotted along the way On the way to Santa Maria The tail end of the Grand Canyon The snow capped Rockies way in the distance For the pilots out there - 50kt headwind The essentials!! The uniform for the next flights will be a wet suit.....PTL they never got wet!!  (sorry a bit dark but they were taking off just before the sun came up) Goodbye Santa Maria On the way to Hilo, Hawaii Almost there.....Simon was FTC ONE   There are days in Hawaii where the sun doesn't shine An extra day in Hawaii meant take a walk to see one of the sights Unfortunately no time to take a surf day How the...

This past week Joshua and Zara had Awards night at school.  The above photo shows their achievements.  Along with their academics Joshua got two awards for basketball, one personal and one team award.  Great to celebrate their perseverance and hard work.

Joshua and Zara got to do some amazing things during their holidays.  As you can imagine there is a bit of reluctance to going back to school tomorrow.  Below are some of the activities they got up to as well as some time just "hanging out" with their friends.  Gone are the days where they need Mum or Dad to be there for every event.  Definitely a changing season!    Zara loves everything to do with animals.  Her goal is life is to own a farm with lots of animals - the saving up has already begun. Not quite the experience they had in Switzerland in the trees but fun nevertheless.  On this zip line you get to zoom over a crocodile. Zara was determined to be able to ride this motorbike by herself.  She did it!!  Even Mum had a go too! This might have been over the crocodile enclosure J loved every moment of this! J's first flight lesson with Hans Cools (MAF Flight instructor) - Photos courtesy of Hans Co...

Joshua plays on a basketball team called the Panthers.  They are now in the final after winning their game last week.  However, it came at a cost.  Joshua got sandwiched between two players which resulted in a badly swollen arm.  After a trip to the doctors surgery and some x-rays taken we were glad to find out that nothing was broken or fractured.  There was the risk that the swelling could be an issue but thankfully over the weekend it began to go down.  He now has two normal arms again although still not ready for another game.  Thankfully, due to school holidays there are no basketball games on so there is time for it to completely heal.  Grateful for speedy medical services!!

It takes a team of people to make a flight happen. Thankful for those who serve in different capacities in the PNG Team Am I going in the right direction? Uganda or PNG? :) Thankful for those who assist in the medical evacuations.  I think Simon is too :) Some new friends along the way Who needs a desk and an office? Don't you love this smile! Simon in his happy place! Another flight successfully completed A MAF flight can be a highlight for not only the passengers but for the village also What an office view! Looking for a gap in the clouds