Now that all the wind has died down we decided to take our beloved German Shepherd for a much overdue romp on the beach. Our favorite beach to take her is at Bangalee. This is about 5 kl north of Yeppoon. From this site one could possibly run a L/S up to Sandy Point, about 15Kls or more . The entire beach has changed so much since all the rain and flood waters from the Fitzroy River flowing north dumped tons of silt onto the beach. The silt has mixed with the sand from the huge seas that have pounded the shore for many weeks. Now that its all settled, the sand and silt have merged into a compound that's as hard as sandstone. I've no idea what the beach is good for now that it's so hard, compacted and smooth. (someone smack him or tell him to keep quiet! ). There was a 4x4 on the beach and it hardly left a mark on the surface. Maybe I could go for a drive on it even all the way to Corio Bay, its rock hard "sandsilt" all the way.

Well that was the bad news about the poor beach, now for the great news. The three Fallshaw wheels that I ordered are now in my hot lil' hands. I cant wait to start on my new L/S. I hope to have the steel for the frame next week so I can start building. I will post lots of photos of the construction process for you all to see. Time for building is now very short. My old boss saw me in the new supermarket and wanted me back to design some machines for him. "only for about two weeks" he said. The work will keep away from home for at least three months. Perhaps I can build at night and not have to sleep .

Kody

Sounds great news for your beach. One Pauls best investments was good lighting for the shed so he could *pop* out to the shed in the evenings just to do a little job on the landyacht! One day he may even get the shed connected properly and we can do away with the extension cords Good luck in the building we look forward to seeing the pics.

Hi Cisco
To see the beach after all the wind and waves is just amazing. It is perfect for L/S's as the sand is so hard and smooth. I can't understand why there are so few land yachts in this area. The most I have ever seen was a total of three and one of them was kite powered but the wind was too strong for it. The other L/S's were out of sight in fifteen seconds as they headed up the beach. To drive a car (I think the sign states "vechicle") a permit to drive on the beach is needed. I know of a report in the local paper where a fella was fined 'cos he didn't have the permit. I will ask if a permit is required to "drive, pilot,sail" a L/S on the beach and if needed, how much $$. The permit may be the reason that L/S's are not here in any numbers, it would be a great shame if that were so. Such a permit may have evolved from a "situation" many years ago when two 4x4's were running up the beach to Fishing Creek. Both cars were towing boats (all legal in those days) from Bangalee and past the then Jap owned resort about 4 kls further along (now Rydges). Two Japs came running down to the beach and flagged the cars to a stop. The Aussie drivers were told "No can drive on beach, this OUR beach, go back. The locals state that one driver said to the other, "did you hear anything?"
"No mate"
"did you see anything?"
"No mate"
"So why are we stopped here?"
They then drove straight over the two Japs who were standing in front of the 4x4's. The Japs were left squashed down into the (soft) sand, sputtering and cursing. When questioned by the police, they said that they were unable to get the rego number and that no id. was possible as you Australians all look the same.
The outcome was of course, that they have no right to have freehold or control of our beaches. In fact, their resort stops about 400 meters above the high tide mark. Oh I still remember those days.

Kody

I'll bet I would have OLD FART. Don't tell me you were there today and got a blistering ride!!!!

There has been nothing sailable here around Bundy since before Easter.[}:)][}:)][}:)]

Now here is a special message for KODY.

Do NOT!!! go and ask ANYBODY!!! if you need a permit to sail on Farnborough Beach or any other beach or public parkland area.

I have it direct from Queensland POLICE that a land yacht is a "Recreational Device - Wheeled", and falls into the same category as skate boards, mountain, bmx and racing bicycles, kite buggies and billy karts, and , as such may not be used on any public road without a special permit, but may be used in any public parkland or recreational area in an as of right manner.

PLEASE!!! do not go asking around, particularly at the council or Parks and Wild Life, to see if you need a permission to land sail ANYWHERE!!!

If you do, sure as eggs is eggs, you will get some self important officious prick, who will justify his existance by getting some rule made and some permit system in place with a monetary cost, limiting our means of having FUN and FREEDOM.

All that is required is for all land sailors to respect the rights of other users of the areas that we use.

ALL LAND SAILORS!!! PLEASE TAKE NOTE. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

With the recent resurgence of land sailing and the recognition by most that A.L.S.A. will get fixed up, whether it likes it or not, we are on the cusp of having our sport and recreation, land sailing, recognised at the federal, state and local levels of government. Once that happens, we are home and hosed, insurance in place, publicised events and inclusion with mainstream sporting events.

This is our big opportunity Guys and Gals. Let's ALL pull together!!

End of speech. Down off soap box. All cheers and accollades gracefully and gratefully acknowleged.

Thanks Joe. You have set my mind at rest re Farnborough Beach. You are now the appointed guardian of land sailing on the aforementioned.

By the way, sorry I didn't make it up there after Easter. Had ole mate arrive on short notice from W.A. for a couple of weeks and had to do the host bit.

Will definitely be up there to see you in the not too distant. Cheers Peter.