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| 2009 Freightliner Argosy TSB of the NZL Group. |
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| STL's Kenworth K104 from 1999. |
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| MTD's yard had Macks to the max..... |
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| ....and Volvos as well, including.... |
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| ...an FMX model which is designed specifically for the construction industry, with its increased ground clearance and extra protective items to take the knocks and bumps.. |
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| Latest model FH Volvo demonstrator, ready to show potential buyers. |
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| In the hot seat ready to fly the Hughes 300. |
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| Lift off. |
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| Oops! pilot slightly out of shot shows how low flying along the river is done. |
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| Watch those wires. |
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| Banking to the right at about 700ft. |
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| Wife awaits with the other camera. |
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| About to touch down again. |
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| Made it. The flight was amazing. First time in a helicopter and I am just awestruck by their manoeuvrability. Watching from the ground doesn't give you the full story. As a helicopter pilot I must admit I'm completely useless.Trying to co-ordinate left hand, right hand, left foot and right foot in a machine which is inherently unstable, was just too much for me in a 20 minute flight. I think it would take me several hours to feel anywhere near confident. Pilot, Chris, was great. Trying to hover just two metres off the ground I got all wobbly and thought I was going to do some ploughing with the rotors, but Chris calmly said "I've got it" and brought it all smooth and level in a split second. My "crap" abilities aside it would have to be the most enjoyable flight I've ever had in any aircraft. I would love to go for a longer flight, but definitely leave the controls to those who know what they are doing. |
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| You might expect the mayor of a town the size of Masterton to move about in a rather fancy car, but Lyn Patterson (who was elected to the position last October) still relies on her Morrie she has had for many years. Although it looks as they it may have recently been given a new coat of paint. |
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| Recently, Mike sent me these photos taken from where he lives on the Kapiti coast. You can't beat a sunset over the sea. |
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| An afternoon ride through the Manawatu and Horowhenua areas on Saturday enabled me to get these shots. Stevenson's Structural Engineers at Tokomaru have this 2004 Isuzu EXZ 460 in their fleet to assist in delivering their engineered structures. |
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| MLT's line-up at Levin has 3 ERF EC14s. The one at the right hand end, dates from 1997, whilst the other two were both manufactured in 2000. Also in the line is a 2009 Freightliner Argosy TSB and a 2013 International 9800E Eagle. |
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| Reid's Transport at Rangiotu have always had American trucks as far as I know. Although the fleet consists mainly of the Kenworth name, there are also other breeds present. Here a 1993 Kenworth T600A sits alongside a pair of Western Star 3864Ss of '94 and '95 vintage. |
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| Also in the yard were , from left, a 1996 Kenworth T440, a 1998 Kenworth T401 and 2000 International 9200 Eagle. |
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| These were posted on a site a couple of years ago, but I have only just discovered them. Although they are made from either kits or ready-made plastic models, they have had much customizing. Made by Ray Foot whose father Jeff drove for RFL, they are a credit to Ray's modelling skills. I have enough trouble modifying 1:24 scale without trying 1:87, which these are. The site is www.1-87vehicles.org |
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| After spending most of Saturday cutting down the trees in front of my house and finishing up with a front lawn covered in branches, tree trunks and greenery, there was only one thing to do on Sunday. Get the BM and my trusty camera on the road for a ride. |
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| Freightliner FLB logger at Pahiatua, dates from 1996. |
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| Two of Satherley Loggings Kenworths were parked at Beale's yard at Mangatainoka. A 2008 T904 on the left and a 2013 T659 on the right. The 904 is powered by Caterpillar and the 659 by Cummins. |
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| It's always worth the short trip over Pukeora Hill, just before Waipukurau, to admire the view and to avoid the main road traffic |
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| I stopped at Hamua Cafe in Waipukurau for lunch. This well cared for Yamaha Venture from 1990 was parked outside. Goldwings were way more popular, but I always thought the Yammy was a better looker. |
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| Stephenson's at Waipawa have a line-up of Isuzus in their yard. They also have a line of Freightliner Argosys, but they were obscured by the white truck in the foreground. |
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| In another yard in Waipawa , I saw this 1980 Bedford TM. |
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| Two Vanguard utes in a field at Ormondville. I remember when Wally Palmer, the butcher in Kuripuni, Masterton, had one of these. |
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| Ormondville Railway Station has been restored to original condition. Most smaller rail stations were built to this plan, but most have been demolished or modernised. Note the Iron wheeled baggage trolley at the far end. They were common to all NZR stations for many years. |
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| By the fuel truck-stop at Matamau, were three loaded loggers. From left:1996 Foden S108, 2003 Volvo FH12 500, 2005 Scania R470. |
