Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1993 13:17:43 -1000 From: allanc@syacus.acus.oz.au (Allan Charlton) Message-Id: Organization: Australian Centre for Unisys Software, ACUS Subject: Festival of the Winds, Bondi Well, it's over for another year, and it was the best festival I've ever seen. I didn't see everything, but I had a good view of most of it because I was "working" :-) on the field (Bondi Beach). Martin "Legs" Lester was there, and George Peters, and some of Peter Lynn's people (I missed the names) brought a huge platypus for its world premiere. Australian names included David Chandler, Tony Wolfenden, Helen Bushell, Simon Friedin, Mark and Lynn Lohrey, and Michael Alvarez. We had fliers from all Australian States. I couldn't say what the high point was, because there was a new one every ten minutes or so. Certainly the low point was the loss of one of Tony Wolfenden's Genkis, which disappeared over the rooftops after being cut loose by a spectator flying a $2 kite on monofilament line. Among the highlights were some buggying along the beach, some excellent demonstrations with 2 and 4 line stunt kites, tremendous displays by the big kite people, toffee drops, teddy bear parachuting, aerial photography, and more. George Peters and Martin Lester did a great number with an arch, exhausting themselves and entertaining the crowds. David Chandler hung his huge "Proud to be Tasmanian" flags form flowforms, with letter flags and windsocks. It was the first time I'd seen Icarus - an interesting kite. There was an inflatable Boeing, that flew quite well, but came down quickly to get a Malaysian Airlines logo put on its tail (MAS was the major sponsor) Later, they sent a 747 over the field at 3000 feet. George Peters' artistry is simply amazing; his birds and bugs are stunning. The octopus was there, and flew well all weekend. The Fugu was there, but the Gecko wasn't. Simon Friedin has a new train; beautifully made, flying beautifully. Tony Wolfenden's Genkis and Rokkakus are breathtaking, ... I could go on and on. We had beautiful weather, good winds, and tens of thousands of spectators filling the sky with colour. I will remember it for a very long time. Allan Charlton allanc@syacus.acus.oz.au = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =