Fighter Pilot
First Day of Summer
The first day of summer has arrived and I look with dismay that my last update was almost two months ago. Not good for any sort of blog and for this I must apologise. Work is increasing here at Hobbiton Movie Set and that is my only excuse.
I must admit I am also trying to finish my Blurb book covering our trip to England last June and July and that is also running behind schedule.
My last two months have been gathering an image library of The Shire - some of which I have listed below. Media groups continue to visit on a weekly basis from around the world and it is just so wonderful to share the experiece of the set with them. By way of repetition a link to some text which I wrote a few weeks ago for the folks at Weta for their newsletter. Apologies if you have read it already.
In the meantime some images of the area and my first attempt at a poster for us.
And one from England.
I must admit I am also trying to finish my Blurb book covering our trip to England last June and July and that is also running behind schedule.
My last two months have been gathering an image library of The Shire - some of which I have listed below. Media groups continue to visit on a weekly basis from around the world and it is just so wonderful to share the experiece of the set with them. By way of repetition a link to some text which I wrote a few weeks ago for the folks at Weta for their newsletter. Apologies if you have read it already.
In the meantime some images of the area and my first attempt at a poster for us.
And one from England.
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ANZAC Day
23/04/09 21:02 Filed in: New Zealand
The 25th April is a milestone date for New Zealand and Australia. It was on this day in 1915 that the combined forces of these two countries stormed the beaches of Gallipoli to achieve a victory that was strategically impossible but created in this maelstrom of war a day to remember - a terrible day that would serve to commemorate many terrible days that would follow.
The 25th April is the day that we as a country pause and remember all of those young men and woman, a lost generation, flesh and blood, that fought for a cause that they had the courage to stand up for.
In my day job I have had the honour and privilege to know some of these people and it is a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life. It is a privilege - there is no better way to say it.
Yesterday I co-hosted the TV-3 ANZAC Day programme with Oliver Driver. Oliver and I had fun- we talked - we discussed - we listened. Listen is the only important word.
Lest We Forget.
Gentlemen - thank you - our heroes.
Watch this Saturday the 25th April on TV-3 at 7-00am.
The 25th April is the day that we as a country pause and remember all of those young men and woman, a lost generation, flesh and blood, that fought for a cause that they had the courage to stand up for.
In my day job I have had the honour and privilege to know some of these people and it is a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life. It is a privilege - there is no better way to say it.
Yesterday I co-hosted the TV-3 ANZAC Day programme with Oliver Driver. Oliver and I had fun- we talked - we discussed - we listened. Listen is the only important word.
Lest We Forget.
Gentlemen - thank you - our heroes.
Watch this Saturday the 25th April on TV-3 at 7-00am.
Wings Over Wairarapa
14/01/09 10:31 Filed in: New Zealand | Travel
This morning I fly to Wellington and catch the train up to Masterton. The next few days I will be “hanging out” with my great friends Phil Makanna, Trevor Graham and Jim Hickey.
Then the weekend will be spent commentating at the Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow.
Really looking forward to the show. Some special aircraft will be flying, including three SE5A WWI fighters.
I believe this will be the first time three of these fabulous little aircraft have been seen in the air together since about 1925.
In the meantime, my photography has been a little sparse over the last few weeks but here is an image taken of sunset over Lake Taupo taken when we drove to Auckland last December.
Then the weekend will be spent commentating at the Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow.
Really looking forward to the show. Some special aircraft will be flying, including three SE5A WWI fighters.
I believe this will be the first time three of these fabulous little aircraft have been seen in the air together since about 1925.
In the meantime, my photography has been a little sparse over the last few weeks but here is an image taken of sunset over Lake Taupo taken when we drove to Auckland last December.
A Proud Tradition
17/06/08 14:48 Filed in: Travel
A brief update. We return to New Zealand today but I just had to post these two images taken at the wonderful Kemble Air Day last Sunday.
One of the highlights of this trip has been commentating the amazing Typhoon which is now in service with the RAF. The aeroplane is special in itself but what makes it amazing is the display pilot this year. Flight Lieutenant Charlie Matthews is from Wanaka, New Zealand. This is cool as well but the really special thing is that Charlie is the nephew of my closest friend Tom Middleton.
Tom was sadly killed in a tragic accident in Wanaka. He would have been so proud of Charlie but as I commentated I could feel Tom standing beside me with one of his favourite quotes - this is fantastic matey.
What a magical moment to see Charlie carrying on the proud tradition of his family and aeroplanes and the proud tradition of New Zealanders flying with the RAF.
What a wonderful time it has been. More updates when I get back to NZ.
One of the highlights of this trip has been commentating the amazing Typhoon which is now in service with the RAF. The aeroplane is special in itself but what makes it amazing is the display pilot this year. Flight Lieutenant Charlie Matthews is from Wanaka, New Zealand. This is cool as well but the really special thing is that Charlie is the nephew of my closest friend Tom Middleton.
Tom was sadly killed in a tragic accident in Wanaka. He would have been so proud of Charlie but as I commentated I could feel Tom standing beside me with one of his favourite quotes - this is fantastic matey.
What a magical moment to see Charlie carrying on the proud tradition of his family and aeroplanes and the proud tradition of New Zealanders flying with the RAF.
What a wonderful time it has been. More updates when I get back to NZ.
The Biggin Hill Air Fair
10/06/08 03:44 Filed in: Travel
Well, what a show. Two days of non stop action with aeroplanes from a 1909 Bleriot to a 2008 Eurofighter Typhoon. I've had an absolute ball commentating, looking, soaking up history, meeting wonderful people. A sell out crowd of over 85,000 attended the show just on Sunday and looking at the quality of the event I am sure there will be no complaints.
Working a bit meant I couldn't take many photos of the show itself so below is a selection of those I took before and after the flying commenced. Highlights for me? Well, the biggest was meeting Flight Lieutenant Charlie Matthews - the Eurofighter Typhoon display pilot for 2008. Where does he come from? Wanaka, New Zealand. Made me very proud to be a Kiwi.
A few days off now in Oxfordshire staying at our favourite inn, The Coach & Horses at Chislehampton and then off to Kemble for the airshow next Sunday.
A close look at the awesome Apache Helicopter.
Working a bit meant I couldn't take many photos of the show itself so below is a selection of those I took before and after the flying commenced. Highlights for me? Well, the biggest was meeting Flight Lieutenant Charlie Matthews - the Eurofighter Typhoon display pilot for 2008. Where does he come from? Wanaka, New Zealand. Made me very proud to be a Kiwi.
A few days off now in Oxfordshire staying at our favourite inn, The Coach & Horses at Chislehampton and then off to Kemble for the airshow next Sunday.
A close look at the awesome Apache Helicopter.
First UK airshow appearance of the British Army Apache Helicopter.
Avro Lancaster from the BBMF.
Avro Lancaster from the BBMF
The sound and commentary team
Sunset over the historic skies of Biggin Hill.