Netherlands is an amazing place.

Have not had time to update you with what 's been going on until now, we went and visited Flora Holland and had a look at there operation wow was it impressive.This is a co-op and they turn over 4.1 billion euro's per year.We then had some guest speakers from other large co-op's and they explained there business models for us I think between the three directors that spoke there combined co-op's turned over around 20 billion euros. Man these Dutch gys are switched on. I am leaving for London tommorow arve have to go on the TUBE that will be an experience!

Well I made it.

Well I have to say that the 26 hrs spent on a plane was probably not the best thing I have ever done, but man it was worth it. The Netherlands is a beautiful place, so neat and well set out.
Yesterday we visited a farmer with his own wind turbine his biogas plant that he ran in conjunction with his dairy. The country here is in some places 7 m below sea level and water is continuously being pumped and controlled with water dykes.
All of 2012 Nuffield Scholars are here for the week , what a switched on group of people.

Computer is Go!!

How great are these Nuffield people when we visited a host in Methven a scholar, to look at his business his wife and daughter kindly offered to look at my laptop, and they have fixed the internet connection dramas.Thanks again Roz and Gemma.
Been doing a few miles since my last blog seen some amazing businesses and fantastic people.Dairy is definitely on the move over here.Visited an organic black current farmer and he chills his produce,ever wondered what minus 20 Celsius feels like in a shirt and jeans. Here is a photo of the boys in the cold room!
We are off to Europe tomorrow one 11 hr leg and then a 12hr leg don't know how I am going to cope ,I will let you know in my next blog.

Landed in New Zealand.

Been having computer drama's had to borrow Ray's to do this update. Have had a couple of great days visiting farms over here, our first day Sunday we went through a milk processing factory, and then to a robotic dairy , very cool. Then in the arvo we went to another working dairy to speak with some real go getters, dairy is really on the move over here. Have a go at the scenery over here we were at a grain growers property today and this is his backyard.

The journey's started!

Well the day has come and I am in Canberra adding to my blog, I must say it was harder saying goodbye to my family than I thought. I am a lucky man to have such a wonderful family, who are supporting me on this journey.I also need to thank Sugar Research & Development Corperation for there sponsorship to Nuffield to even make this opportunitty available not only for me , but for other Sugarcane Industry participants as well.

My Backyard.

Last afternoon at home this arve , so we decided to have a swim.
Well the bags are packed and the plane tickets are in hand, the next post will be done in transit .

Anatomy of a sugarcane harvester

This is the closest thing to open heart on a machine, the whole feed train has been removed for maintenence.

How's the weather in Europe minus something Celcius, talk about Climate Shock it is 38 / 39 degrees celcius in Dalbeg and about 75 % Humidity.

Blog Redesigned

You may have noticed that my blog looks a whole lot better, no I haven't become a computer tech overnight! I have to thank our eldest daughter Emily for the new professional blog.

This is a photo of what I like to do hobby wise, it is a Offroad Race Buggy that I built from the ground up, unfortunately I don't get to race anymore . Making a living has got in the road!!!

Rain today, maintanence time.

Big rain today black all day , spent the day in the shed dismantaling the cane harvester, it's now in about 1000 pieces. I thought I should post a photo of the harvester in action.

Been having internet drama's and haven't been able to add to my blog.

Had a 2011 scholar come to visit the other week to give me a run down on what to expect on my trip. Man these Nuffield guys are easy to pick, they all have such enthusiasim. The local rag ran a story on my impending trip in yesterdays paper. It came out pretty well, I think that Nuffield will become more recognised up here eventually. I met NFF chairman Jock Lorie the other night, had a good conversation about how agriculture needs to promote itself more to the community.

This is the Burdekin Dam in 2009.

Pretty much have all the stuff I need to go (lets hope). Only 2 weeks until the journey starts.