The last day of 2007 and it's a really *hot* one (over 42 C), even the kangaroos are laying down on the job !
This year, it is other end of the spectrum, surrounded by quiet and peaceful bush land. Each evening, there has been spectacular sunsets ... and the nights have been crystal clear, cloudless and full of stars.
At midnight, even though, the city is over 30 kms away, you could still see the fireworks (just the highest ones) and hear them as well.
So, Happy New Year 2008 from all the creatures at this location !
During the morning, an initial maintenance crew determine that the 18 year-old 100KVA transformer has died. This is much easier and quicker to replace, than if a cable fault had been the problem.
As a result, around midday, the electricity maintenance crews arrive in force, in 5 trucks, with a back hoe and a new 100KVA transformer. Work proceeds quickly, smoothly and carefully (need to turn those 22,000 Volt power cables off first !). Cables are carefully cleared with a back hoe, the old transformer disconnected and replaced with the new transformer, which is reconnected and tested ...
By early afternoon, power is restored again ... and it's time to bring all the automation systems up again. Since this was an unusually long power outage (more than 24 hours), this means that a couple of start-up issues are encountered, which aren't normally seen.
Since the power was still out (and likely to be that way for a while) ... and it was such a beautiful Sunday morning, Tara and I went for a 6 km walk through the bush and along the river. It was hotter and more tiring than we'd anticipated, but sitting by the serene river setting was well worth the walk ...
Lack of lighting and electrical appliances does have an upside, like having the time to enjoy sunsets ...
Around midday, there was a nearly complete power failure :(
Spent some time (with Paul's assistance) trying to determine whether it was a site problem ... or a more extensive outage in the street or suburb (which is notorious for flaky mains power supply). Interestingly, at least one of the three phases appeared to be functioning. Turned out to be a problem with the mains power supply (needed to verify this, otherwise it costs AUS$260 call-out fee, if it is our problem). Called the power company, who turned out to be having a really busy time, due to high winds and hot weather.
Late afternoon, the maintenance crew turn up ... and repair a *fuse* at the top of the power pole, at the end of the street. Power is restored.
Bring all the house systems back up, everything checks out fine. Head out to the front gate ... no power. Head back to the house ... no power. Sigh. Call up the power company again ... who won't be able to send anyone out for a while, because now they are really busy !
Around 11 pm, another maintenance crew arrive. They have been working since 7:30 am. They determine that 2 fuses have blown this time ... and that it is likely to be a problem with either the 100KVA transformer or the 22,000 Volt cables between the street and the transformer. Sadly, they don't have the equipment to determine which. Before they leave, they turn off the one remaining phase, so that electrical appliances aren't damaged.
So, the day ends with no power.
Warren improved the touchscreen system image, so that both the existing and new GUI can be accessed (with a bit of manual tweaking). Also, Warren installed the latest version of OpenMaji with the latest deployment script ... and reworked the existing system to interoperate with the OpenMaji update. It all hangs together as before, but I'll need to make it all start automagically.
Installed OpenLaszlo and the new GUI infrastructure and have successfully performed a simple test on one of the existing touchscreens.
After a late, but successful day, there is a brief power outage around 10 pm. The UPSs keep all of the key systems running ... and when power returned, most everything came back up cleanly (see Bugzilla).
Moved in. Settled in.
Worked with Gabe on new GUI specifics, particular to the site. Took a complete set of screen snapshots of the existing system. Wow ... there are a lot of screens and many different types of devices, which you don't realize until you go through them in detail.
Warren upgraded the touchscreen system images ... and provided technical hand-over. And, Leif gets his helicopter properly airborne for the first time.
Spent a lazy Sunday afternoon wandering around the sanctuary. Meandering trails, surrounded by sub-tropical plants, pass by the various animal exhibits. Very relaxing.
Coincidentally, my "old" friend Jimbo and his family were holidaying in Broadbeach. So, even though he only lives 15 minutes away from us in Melbourne ... it turned out to be easier to catch up with them 1,800 km away from home !
Then, late that evening whilst we were getting a coffee at a nearby shop, I bumped into an old squash playing acquaintance, Phil Larmer, who I hadn't seen for years. He was staying in the same apartment building as Jimbo ... a spooky coincidence !
Anyway, a good end to a great day.
When we were last here 5 years ago, Tara had a hair wrap done, which she loved and wore for about 6 months. Well, here we are again ... and whilst many things have changed ... the same lady, with the same stall, in the same place is going literally day and night, wrapping brightly coloured cotton string and baubles into girls hair. Nice to see that some things don't change.
