All the best from the West Hi Denise and David, Thanks for the detailed write-up and the photos; enjoyed both greatly. Trust you are well and busy. All of the best from the West, Wolf
All the best from the West If ever there was an adventurer on our trip it was you, Wolf...the places you have been! Hope you saw your own space handshake pic among the photos. Thanks for commenting and watch this space. Our cruise hasn't finished yet.
thanks again for the updates Hi Denise and David, Thanks for being such good correspondents.... rather showing up Wolf and me!! Hope you are now out and about, although I think NSW isn't quite as free as we are - however given 4 or 6 sailors from a recently berthed ship are now in isolation with CV19, maybe we will go back to a few weeks ago? Who knows. Hope this finds you both well. And thanks again for the updates. Glenda and Wolf
thanks again for the updates Thank you Glenda for keeping in touch. My pleasure to post these blogs to bring back shared images and memories and keep them in focus.
I was an Apollo 11 junkie Hi David & Denise, As we progress though the current events Simon and I both hope you are keeping well. We are, although we not enjoying the cold weather and having our wings cut. We do however continue to look forward to future travels. This is our 1st full time autumn in Melbourne since 2015 and we have winter on our doorstep. BRRRR!!! Thank you so much for your blogs. They are always so informative. Your latest blog is packed with information and such an interesting read. I was an Apollo 11 junkie saving all the newspapers at the time. However, although I had heard of the Sputniks, Laika the dog, Yuri Gagarin and the 1st spacewalk all the other must have passed me by. Your comment about the Americans saying that the Cosmonaut Museum has better exhibits than the Kennedy Space Centre I totally agree. I could have spent hours in there trying to absorb all the displays and information. Mind you at the Kennedy Space Centre we did get to go out to the Apollo launch pad and into the mission control centre rooms and those things were very special as they were frozen in time. Got up to watch the Space X launch and was disappointed at the ABC coverage and was channel surfing to find a better one when the new flash came up. Oh well that's life as we know it. Keep well and safe. Kind regards, Liz
I was an Apollo 11 junkie So good to hear from you Liz. Now we have seen the impressive Russian contributions at the Cosmonaut Museum in Moscow we fellow space junkies should visit the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida like Simon & you have. But will it ever be safe enough to visit USA again...health wise?
...standing on the shoulders of those that precede On pondering the contents of your blog I conclude that by standing on the shoulders of those that precede you allows one to reach the heights of our dreams & beyond...
...standing on the shoulders of those that precede Well said my love. Yet history teaches us that man does not learn from mistakes of the past. While the Sun shines will it see humanity's future endeavours and smile? "Together we must learn how to compose difference, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose." Dwight D. Eisenhower
...hoping that victory & international collaboration continues Wow David - that was a brilliant read, enthralled from beginning to end - I must add, I have enjoyed the extensive discussions we have had whilst you were writing this blog, to be able to condense all that you know & have learnt is quite a skill.
I was blown away that so much was achieved in such a short period of time in history, each victory becoming the stepping stone for the next... hoping that victory & international collaboration continues.
...hoping that victory & international collaboration continues To be able to discover and share a taste of the Russian contribution to the early development of space exploration has opened my eyes to the heavens like never before my love. So often we hear Western perspectives or preconceptions and so often our shared travels blow us away when we discover what is beyond and awaiting us on other sides. I fear international commercial self interests may override the victory and benefits that international space collaboration provides. And lets face it...we know the global perils we faced in the Cold War...as we go forward do we want Russia not to be by our side?
One small step for man.... Excellent documentary Dave; a space race revisited. And you are absolutely right - the first of first is always remembered. I am curious when we can land in Mars and Venus - not sure if I could see that in my lifetime.
One small step for man... Hi Tab. I should have mentioned the vital role of Australia's Parkes Radio Telescope in the first moon landing that ensured the World had the live TV pictures of that historic event. The Russian cosmonaut told us Canada is also involved in the international space research projects. I am aware Canada has a role in providing robotics for the International Space Station including Canadarm3 and is involved in the Lunar Gateway project. But Trump has recently declared the Artemis Accords will “reinforce that space resource extraction and utilization can and will be conducted.” The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits the “national appropriation” of the moon and other “celestial bodies”. Trump thinks USA can give private companies exclusive access to such resources. The Artemis Accords have already been condemned by Russia as a blatant move to remake space law in favour of the U.S. Will this affect the cooperation of Russia with USA that began with the Space Handshake in 1975? It will be interesting what the future holds in these areas...and whether Canada will be dragged along by USA to just do what it is told. It is said Canada needs to think of itself as a pilot, not a passenger, when it comes to decision-making about the future of space. Food for thought!!!
Endless fascination From the Dangerous One: Growing up in the States, the launch of any manned spacecraft was an incredibly momentous event. I can remember watching in school as our teacher would bring a black and white TV from her home for us to view. The space race was truly amazing to see what man could really do......I wonder what's on the horizon???
Endless fascination It amazes me Dangerous One how much was achieved in early space exploration considering the early stages of computer technology was nothing like it is now. Yet the Space Race had a large role in such breakneck innovative development. As time goes by the saying "the sky is the limit" is becoming an understatement. Maybe it should be "the sky has no limit!"
Space Exploration and Politics It is always good having a little competition to push the limits. The race was on. We live near NASA and on occasion can see the air trails from the liftoffs. Recently, a lot of Space X launches have been going up. The Hubble is an amazing piece of equipment. Thanks for the reminder of the space race details. MJ
Space Exploration and Politics It must be a source of inspiration and pride to have Cape Canaveral near your back door MJ. I hope your local news shares each takeoff on TV and media so the public can continue to be involved. In Oz we just get snatches but we hope to get footage of Elon Musk's latest Space X liftoff on 27 May being the first to launch astronauts into space from US soil since 2011. Hope you'll get to see it live. That would be awesome.
Thanks for the interesting history lesson about the space race... You mentioned Gen. Thomas Stafford, and I thought I had seen that name. It turns out he lived here in Woodland Park. There is a sign as you enter this town that states that he lives here!
Thanks for the interesting history lesson about the space race... My pleasure, Bob. I find it fascinating. Considering your status in Woodland Park, you might come across Gen. Stafford. You could ask him how to do "The Space Handshake" as a conversation starter!!!
The Space Race Wow, thank you for providing an overview of the space race between the US and Russia. Once more I realise how flawed our history lessons in school were. We talked so much about the West and so little about the East. We never learned of the many successes that Russia celebrated with their missions into space. And it must have been a very special experience to meet a real cosmonaut!
The Space Race Thanks for reading and commenting Katha. Having some knowledge of the contribution of the Russians to space research, innovation and the massive achievements in the Space Race reminds us that without it we would not have the astounding progress in space exploration to date. It takes vast amounts of money and without the Cold War USA versus USSR who knows if we would even have landed on the moon!
Russia is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, so said W. Churchill... Take a look at it's history and you might agree. Though patricide, fratricide, filicide and everything else pertaining to killing one or more of your own family members is a common thread within all royal/aristocratic families throughout the world. So not much of a enigma there.
Russia Filicide...killing ones son or daughter. It has a ring to it that is missing from my blog...thanks Ralf. The Russian is детоубийство "detoubiystvo"...kinda got a ring to that too! From my Russian blogs there is ample evidence of high infant mortality in royal children of the tsars, so understandable that Ivan the Terrible may have been in anguish that infanticide or filicide by his hand was also part of the equation.
I always love a good murder mystery! Hi Dave& Denise,
Trust you are fine & dandy & tolerating this life “on hold”? At least that’s how I feel now. Tomorrow- well I may just murder someone!
Thanks again for more history & great photos. I always love a good murder mystery! Uglich was great & just reeked of history. A sedate little town now.
I look forward to your next instalment with a twist of course.
Mary
I always love a good murder mystery! Another great comment Mary, on what was truly a trip with many highlights. Uglich was definitely a jewel of the Golden Ring. Alas possibly the last of my panorama slideshows of the magnificent rivers of NW Russia as we approach Moscow. Gotta say I am enjoying the ride.
My wife Denise & I like to travel "on paths less travelled" that capture our imagination, inspire my photography & where we mix with locals & remain safe.
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All the best from the West
Hi Denise and David, Thanks for the detailed write-up and the photos; enjoyed both greatly. Trust you are well and busy. All of the best from the West, Wolf