Heading home, somewhere in southern New South Wales. You can make out a cloud front ahead near the Victorian border. The bright yellow crop is canola, a lot of which has been planted this year.

Isn't there something missing? Running up the Whale to check the fuel system is clear of water and to warm the oil prior to a change.

Finally a shot of my own aircraft! My partner is arriving home in 'The Whale' after she was away 3 months for maintenance. You can clearly see the characteristic 'bump' of the C175 at the front of the cowling, caused by the gearbox of the Continental GO-300.

This 1960 Skylark was allocated N7944T but probably never wore it as it was registered in Australia on 3 June that year. Like many Skylarks, it has had an STC modification done to re-engine it with a 180hp Lycoming. This aircraft is currently based at Ballarat.

The Whale at Ballarat.

Taken en route Penfield to Horsham. Pyrenees mountains in the background - not as impressive as the real Pyrenees!

Built 1959 & allocated N6796E but ntu. Shipped to Australia & assembled by Cessna agents, Rex Aviation, Bankstown. Registered VH-RFU 2 Feb 1960 in Perth. Sold 15 Feb 1961 to Royal Aero Club of WA. Traded in to Rex & sold to private owner in Meekatharra 9 Jul 65. Sold to SA Cessna agents Rossair, Parafield, 19 Oct 72 and on-sold to private owner Port Lincoln. Various private owners in SA until sold to the late Mike Valentine 6 Dec 2000 & based Penfield, Vic. Half share acquired by me 2002.

This is what an annual inspection looks like! Sitting in the back of the Royal Vic hangar - at least the old girl isn't in 'death corner' this year!

VH-RHM was registered in November 1960.

VH-RGR was reregistered VH-ZSB in January 1993.

VH-RFU was registered in February 1960.

1959-built Cessna 175A Skylark. Later to EI-AND.

VH-BMV clocked up 57 years on the register on June 24, 2017. In 1978 it was still wearing its stylish factory finish.