I've been flying!
Earlier in the week I went back to the airport and had a squizz around, also found a real live instructor to talk with about things I want to do. He was very helpful, Johntheflyinginstructor, and friendly as well. So with no time like the present, we went for a quick flight. I hadnt been in the cockpit for four months, unless you count sitting in the left hand seat of that 777 last week. So a short familiarisation flight in a Cessna - yeah, the famous ones, though Ive only so much as sat in one of them once before - some turns around here and there, a bit of going up and down, then back to the airport and running a few laps around, just going in circles.
This plane lands a bit heavier than the airtourer... though that might have something to do with the pilot more so than the aircraft. I'll have to work on that.
Such a new plane, though. The airtourer is possibly the newest aeroplane I've flown before, and that is considerably older than I am. But this 'new' Cessna is no more than three years old! Nice leather seats, very comfy, plus fancy schmancy instruments and GPS and all the bells and whistles. Yay.
Oh, and there's a window in the back so you can look out and see where you've been.... well, its still nice.

Then yesterday back out there again, being 'familiar' enough with the aircraft to start the intensive stuff. I'm doing an instrument rating over here - which means flying without looking out the window. Yah. Well, the end result is being able to fly through clouds, instead of running away from them. This does have its advantages. So Thursday was spent flying around without me having any idea where we were, just flying the plane based on the six little dials in font of me. Was still fun, though. Apparently Johntheflyingintructor couldnt see much past ten k's anyway, so I wasnt missing much.

The other big news of the week - really big news - is Sarah has been accepted to Monash Uni for next year to do a Masters course. This means she will be living in Melbourne next year, and a visa will follow shortly, making getting in to the country a lot easier. Of course, I will still be in Canberra, but that is a lot closer than Sendai.

I think I am (scarily) finally used to driving on the other side of the road. I still have to think every now and then at intersections (left turn, FAR lane, right turn, NEAR lane), but it no longer feels like I'm about to be pancaked by a bus just driving down the right-hand lane on the road. It took a bit over a week to get comfortable: before then it was just plain scary. On the subject of cars here, I still think its odd to see cars without front number plates. Some cars do (Sarah's does), but most local cars either drive around looking naked on the front bumper bar, or stick 'novelty' number plates on. Things like the local university logo, which looks frighteningly like Neptune's pointy sticky thing, or smiley faces. And the indicator lights on the back... are actually the brake lights. Yup, brake lights flash on one side or the other, which just looks a little strange to me. (Some cars have the normal orange ones too).

The last few photos from when I was in Japan (hehe... past tense.. that makes me smile) are now up. There are some photos in Engrish, Culture and in Scenery, as well as some in the brand-spanking-new Flying album. I particulary like the road sign in Kyoto prohibiting rickshaws as well as bicycles. The powers that be obviously felt that this was a problem serious enough to have signs up.

Went out to Bloomington Airport the other day and talked with people there about going flying soon. I'm very much looking forward to getting back up in the air - its been far too long.

I think its lunch time... more wombatting later.