Sunday, April 12, 2009

A Welcome to Oz



Those that follow these blogs would of course be aware that Blair Koistra (North of Narrabri - http://northofnarrabri.blogspot.com/) and his friend Lance Lassen arrived in Sydney yesterday.

Gary Laker and I met them at Central Station and so began a day of hobby purchases as we drove around Sydney.

We ended up at my place for a welcoming BBQ with a number of friends, Bob Merchant, Bob Stack, Bob Lynch, Graham Saint, Marcus Amman, Terry Flynn and David Allen.

Other friends that couldn't be there as they were away either holidaying or at the Hobsons Bay Exhibition in Victoria were (Ron Cunningham, Ian Dunn and James McInerney).

Some time was spent talking and running a couple of trains, eating and generally having a great time.

Blair and Lance left this morning on a punishing road trip around NSW to photograph various trains being as I understand it, assisted at various times by a number of other contacts here, who I am afraid I do not know.

I am sure that Blair will give a much more detailed report on his blog when he arrives back home and recovers.

Blair and Lance, "Welcome to Australia".

3 comments:

B. Kooistra said...

Lance and I have returned home to the land of cheap gasoline and rude people. . .thanks so much, Ray, to you and Christine, for the wonderful hospitality you displayed for our visit. It was a pleasure meeting you and all the other modelers, and just goes to show that model railways can be a wonderful bridge between countries! (oh, and that's Kooistra with two o's!)

We're missing Australia already. . .I'll try to make the next running night!

Ray P said...

Blair, I am glad you enjoyed your time here and I am very sorry about the missing 'o', I must have been typing too fast.

I figure that I will have another operating night in about 2 months.... but are you ready for another pick up goods with James McInerney as guard? .... ;-)

Ray

James McInerney said...

I resemble that comment... ;o)