Squeakaz Squawking's ....

Headed out to Luddenham in Sydney's south west to have a look at some model trains, cars & planes. The day was rather windy so not many planes were in the air but that didn't stop the trains and cars. At the Model Farm on Luddenham Rd, I got a glimpse at some 5 & 7 inch model live steam trains. Click one of the photos below to view the rest of the photos from SSME Luddenham.   (Click photo to view on Flickr) Shortly after we headed out to Vicary's Winery, which incorporates The Train Shed. On weekends and public Holidays they run Thomas and Friends 5 inch model trains for kids to ride on. They have - Thomas, Gordon, Percy and a few others. Click on one of the photos to view the other trains at The Train Shed.   (Click photo to view on Flickr)

I had only recently gotten my camera and Got called away with the RFS to head to a large fire burning in Nowra. I took my camera along to experiment with it at night as I was doing the night shift on the fireground. I took this photo when the wind came up and I noticed the trail being left in the air by the embers. I was amazed at how it turned out, seeing that I had no idea about settings or f stop or anything to do with my camera at the time.

(Click photo to view in Flickr) Saturday was the day I been hanging for the last 5 yrs. Time for us to pick up our puppy Sheldon. Sheldon is a mini foxie. I don't know who is more nervous, me or the puppy. I have never raised a dog from pup before so it will be a challenge no doubt.All the dogs I had when I was younger were from 6 mths and up. So pretty much over the puppy stage, but still a puppy if you know what I mean. Our first night with Sheldon was fun and sort of what I expected. Once he came home he started to explore the house and wanted to pee everywhere. This did not bode well as we have carpet throughout. The night seemed to go like this - Sleep, cry, pee, play, sleep & repeat. It will be interesting to see how much he will cry when I get up for work at midnight during the week. I may have to factor in extra time to have a play to keep him quiet. Sunday we are gong to leave him home alone as we are heading out for a little while, I just hope he doesn't cry...

True friends are hard to come by these days but you sure know when you have found one. To me a true friend is someone who will stand by you no matter what, provide support to you, someone who you can turn to in a time of need and a person who you can have fun with or just sit on the couch and watch a movie. Some traits I believe a true friend should hold is: honesty, trust, compassion, understanding, sympathy and empathy. Over the past few days I have been a little down and its during times like that, your true friends really show. It is good to be able to have somebody listen and say nothing, and you know that they are taking it all in and no matter what you tell them your friendship is only growing stronger by the second. Over the past week I received many phone calls, tweets and messages from friends, however I had a very unexpected visit today from a person who has become a very close and true friend to me over the past few years and to him I say a gracious and humble thank...

(Click photo to view on Flickr) On a beautiful winters day in Picton, warm enough not to need a jumper, I was to meet up with David, Woo, Azzie and Beau for afternoon tea. I arrived a little early to take in the quaint little town and grab a few shots of some trains. The first train I came across was a freighter. Above is the leading loco NR109. This is the first time I have seen this loco in the wild, and yes I know what most of you are thinking "he has to get out more". I was trying for a motion blur shot and I think I got it just a little bit. What do you think?

Mondayitis has hit me pretty hard. Today is a day I wished I never got out of bed. The day at work was fine and everything else seemed ok except for the fact that I felt like crap. Was down over a few things and even though talking to friends on the phone cheered me up a little the day is drawing to a close and I am still feeling the same. Today was the first day I went to work without putting some sort of product in my hair. People commented how different I looked and to be honest it was only due to lack of caring on my part. Lets hope Tuesday will be a better day all round.

(Click to view on Flickr) Spending a day with friends is always good. This photo is of one of Koopa. He belongs to my good friend Drue. After a little while down at the Nepean river taking photos of trains and scenery we went back to his place to take photos of his dogs. The thing I like the most about this photo is the colours and the angle at which the photo is taken.

Sunday started off a fairly normal day with my morning at work taking me to Penrith and Blacktown a few times. The diagram was fairly lengthy, a total of 213km's, in such a short shift, 7hrs and 37mins. (Click to view on Flickr) I was keen to get this out of the way as the afternoon had me heading south again. This time it was to Thirlmere and the days events at the Rail Museum "A day out with Thomas the Tank Engine". (Click to view on Flickr) A fantastic afternoon was had and many photos taken before heading home and early to bed for another early start on Monday. The rest of the photos from the day can be seen here

(Click photo to view on Flickr) Travelling to Liverpool one morning I decided to grab my camera out and have a play with a few night shots and long lowlight exposures. This photo is of a Millennium train passing the train I was travelling on. The things I like the most about this photo is the sky and the rails.

A most pleasurable day was had on Wednesday. After work and the gym I traveled down to Picton to see Dave and Woo and try this "all you can eat" afternoon tea I had heard so much about. Unfortunately Woo was sick, but thankfully she is on the mend. We were also joined by Beau and Azzie. I was not disappointed. The company was great, the food was great and the photos are great! (Click photo to view on Flickr) Just before heading out to afternoon tea, Dave gave me a quick tour of the old rail tunnel and then to a vantage point to grab the above photo. Thanks to Dave for the pointers. Had a really good chat with Dave on the way home before dropping him at Kingswood station with just minutes to spare to get the train. Pity everyday couldn't be like this one.

(Click Photo to go to Flickr page) The wife and I took a trip to Cataract Dam in Sydney's South. Since I am still coming to grips with how to use my camera, I thought I would play around a little and capture a few portrait shots. This photo is my favourite photo from all of the photos I have taken.

Monday I signed on at work at 0600hrs as Exchange car driver. There was something in the back of my mind as I was working throughout the day. What was it? Today was the day I was to take my first ever Endeavour Ride. This is an Endeavour. (Click the photo to visit the Flickr page) I was just like a little kid standing on the platform watching the train pull in. (A sight I see several times a week at work). I was off to Moss Vale. Upon arrival back to Campbelltown it was straight home and straight to bed for a 130am start Tuesday morning.

Sunday was a fairly relaxing day. It was also my only day off in 12 days. The morning seen us heading to the shops followed by a visit to a friends place were we chose our puppy! :) I would like to introduce Sheldon. our mini fox terrier. If all goes well with the vet and vaccinations he should join us at home on the weekend of 24/25th July. Sooo Excited!

This photo was taken at a Christmas party I attended. They turned the house lights down and the first this I saw was the glow from the flame through the candle. I grabbed the camera and this is the result. A soft photo but one that gets straight to the point I think.

Saturday seen the end of my working week. My day at work had me taking trains to Hornsby, Blacktown and Carlingford. For my trip to Hornsby I was expecting a Tangara to turn up, however an S Set showed. I will have to have words to Leigh about this. When I was rounding the corner between Seven hills and Blacktown fog started to appear. It seemed it was from Blacktown West that was covered in Fog. It was then time for a few trips to Carlingford on the Clyde to Carlingford Line. In the evening Mrs squeak and I headed up to Blaxland to visit some friends and for dinner. A bonus of visiting them is they have a puppy. They have a beagle "Marley"

Starting with this photo, I will share my favourite photos I have taken from my Flickr stream. This photo was taken in Newcastle whilst I was at a conference with the NSW Rural Fire Service. Seeing that my body Loves to wake up early (3/4am) even on my days off from work I thought I would make use of the time and decided to head to the coast to get this shot. This was taken by fluke as I am still learning to use my camera. I have an Olympus E-520 .

Hopefully this will become a day by day blog of my travels and of the exciting things that may not fill my life.