Semi Retired Foamer

For over four decades I have been a rail and bus photographer.

However, during this time I have aimed the lens at other subjects, be they different transportation, scenery, buildings and other bollocks.

Given these do not really fit the scope of my other sites, I felt compelled to set up a new site so as to inflict my other photographic garbage upon the world.
While primarily Philippine and Australian content, there will be the occasional forays into Fiji and Hong Kong. Perhaps other locations should the current pandemic ever allow it.

So sit back and enjoy, or hate, even be indifferent. That choice is purely up to you.

Official Home Of the 'Brad N Virls Adventure Series' - Images are copyright, so contact us if you would like to use any photos on your site/video! (We don't bite)

Thursday, 19 November 2020

PORT STEPHENS 2008

Hard to believe it was 12 years ago that we ventured up to Port Stephens for a long weekend.
Had our third child, purchased (and sold seven years later) a business, three different cars, moved homes and woke up to the huge pitfalls of being involved in the local Filo community here.

Twas quite a wet weekend, as evidenced by this
park area near Nobby's (Newcastle0.

For those of you interested in ships, the STAR CAPELLA is a bulk carrier that was built in 2001, with it's home port in Greece.

The ship was initially called STAR CAPELLA 1, however the '1' was dropped the year before this shot, in 2007.

The remains of a very old sand railway out to Nobbys.
About the only heavy rail our lovely Premier has not removed from Newcastle.
Sssssshhhhh don't tell her.

Nobbys Head
Some interesting history of the location HERE.

To make the kids, yeah and me, happy, we stopped in for a look at Fighter World in Williamtown.
Well worth a visit and eventually I will cover it in more depth on this site.

Fingal Bay

Then one of us got the bright idea to climb the very steep track up to 'Tomaree Head Summit'.
The views were quite spectacular, though it may not be ideal for those suffering from severe Arachnophobia

'Tomaree Head Summit' lookout looking out over Zenith Beach, with Wreck Beach in the distance.

'Tomaree Head Summit' lookout looking out over Shoal Bay.

Spiders freak me out, especially the more larger beasts of evil (forgive me spider fans).
What struck me most about the top of 'Tomaree Head Summit' was not the views, but the wall to wall webs covered in these massive things.

A bit of a Google reveals these to be Orb Weaving spiders, related to the type that readers may remember me rabbiting on about in my recent 'Tagaytay Picnic Grove' posting.

Seems that, despite my great dislike of such things, they enjoy popping up everywhere I go. :-(

Think this is an 'Old Man Banksia' plant.
But I know little of such guff.

A Kookaburra enjoying the Shoal Bay views as some photographer annoys him for a few photos.

Shoal Bay Shops.

Another bird watching the beautiful Shoal Bay view..

Fingal Bay Beach.

Birds seem to be the theme of this post.
Still, better than the spiders.

Our home from home, at the Fingal Bay Caravan Park.
It is located across the road from the beach and, in the tent, the wave sound at night felt like it was right outside the tent flaps.

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Other Recent Posts To Bore You:

Tanduay Rhum Visit - Cabuyao

Sydney Lady Class Ferries.

Divisoria and Tutuban Mall - Manila

Typhoon Rolly - Please help

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Monday, 2 November 2020

TYPHOON ROLLY

Can you help?

Our thoughts are with all the people of Albay suffering following Typhoon Rolly, which I am told was' the second biggest typhoon in Philippine history.

The photos coming through are just so hard to fathom.

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At this time, there would be many people looking for ways to help. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to best aim it.

Rappler offers these suggestions: HELP.

Ateneo de Naga University is also believed to be collecting donations for residents affected.

Phil Star Life offers these suggestions.

Following Typhoon Yolanda, BM Express (Australia) had a special freight offer to help. I have enquired of them as to any plans this time. I shall update should I get an answer.

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Check HERE for some photos of the Cagsawa ruins, and the San Francisco area following the typhoon.

It has been planned to cover the Cagsawa Ruins area in an upcoming post.
But given the recent events, it will be left for a while out of respect for those there.

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Friday, 30 October 2020

LUCENA 2009

Over the years, I have visited Lucena City (founded 1879) on many an occasion. while mostly passing through on trips to and from Bicol, a couple of times it was the focal point of a research trip down south and, on two occasions, our camp for a night.

While I would not say it is one of my most favourite places in the country, it is of much interest and, besides the time we flew through in one of those scary provincial buses, a stop here is always a must.

Although we passed through on a bus in 2007, this trip in 2009 was our first chance to have a bit of a ferret around.
Although I was primarily there to check out the railway history, the first thing that struck me was the vast amount of Volkswagon Beetles, the classic type, that were to be found.

Anyway, enough of that guff. This first visit mostly saw us exploring historic railway station and the amazing Perez Park right next door.

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Help Typhoon Rolly victims.
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Perez Park, named after the late Governor, Don Filemon E. Perez, has a history that dates back to the early 1920s.
The park is a lovely oasis in a very busy city, and sits in front of the impressive 'Quezon Provincial Capitol Building' (seen here).

Across Quezon Avenue, from Perez Park, is the equally impressive 'Iglesia ni Christo' church.

Nearby Perez Park is the historic Lucena railway station, or what is left of it following partial demolition. Thankfully, this act was stopped by local authorities, with a demand that it be rebuilt. Sadly, until now we are still awaiting this restoration to be carried out.

First opening in 1913, it has had mixed fortunes over the last few decades, with typhoons often closing the line and restoration of services often short-lived.

However, it does see the very occasional passing train, operating between Manila and Naga for passengers or rollingstock transfers.

The Lucena station building was a stunning, and very sturdy building, that could have probably gone on to serve for the next century and beyond.
It is of a cobblestone design that can be found at a number of locations along the Bicol line.

Lucena Shed.

Lucena locomotive shed.

Mostly now used for rollingstock associated with local trackwork.

Finally, in closing, here is a photo of the station in 2018.

Thankfully the demolition stopped before all was totally lost. We are hopeful that work to restore it commences soon and that it will one day be able to serve passing rail traffic again.