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CQ is just over a week away.  I haven't done anywhere near as much riding as I'd wanted to, but in saying that, I really do feel ready.  I'm in the same headspace I get in just before an exam, where I know that I know all I need to know (try saying that three times fast), and there's no point trying to know more.  Well, I'm kinda at that point with my preparation for CQ.  I know I've got it in me to do the distances.  And I know that if I need to rest on the day, I can do that at any one of a number of rest stops, without feeling guilty about it.  Moreover, I intend to take in the views and experiences of CQ.  It's not a race, it's not a charity ride, it's supposed to be an experience.

The CQ handbook details all sorts of attractions at each of the towns we're visiting.  The first stop, at Goombungee (a mere 37Km from the start) boasts galleries, wine tasting, tea and damper at a museum, and.. importantly.. giant steaks at the local pub.  Now really, after a long, hard (not) 37Km ride.. what could be better than a nice, juicy steak?  Day 2 is a 77/89Km ride (depending on which option you take), and winds up in a town called Kaimkillenbun (officially QLD's longest-named town).  The Bun has no town water or sewer, but has a pub.. which should tell you something about the locals' priorities!!

I won't bore you with details of the remaining 7 days, except to make mention that our rest day is in Oakey.  Oakey is a flying town, and boasts one of the Australian Army's flying Wings.  I don't know what the Army calls its Wings, but since I don't know the Army vocabulary and do know the RAAF's, the RAAF's nomenclature is what you're getting.  Of note is that Oakey houses the Army's aviation training schools and the chopper school.  I don't know off the top of my head if the Army has any fixed-wing aircraft.  I have a feeling it's all rotary wing (choppers, for those of you that aren't air heads).  All that aside, what I'm trying to get to is this:  I've made plans to go gliding at one of Oakey's civilian gliding facilities.  I've never been gliding before (having missed the opportunity as a Cadet on account of the epilepsy) and I'm really looking foward to it.  I've never had my grubby little mitts on real flight controls before.  It will be interesting to see how reality matches up to flight sims! 

I occasionally visit the AAFC's web site.  Ever since leaving the AIRTC (as it was then known), I've given thought to returning as an instructor.  But every time I give it serious thought, I remind myself that it requires a significant committment of my time, and that the last thing I want is to do a half-arsed job of it (my last year as a Cadet was spent doing a half-arsed job, and despite duxing the SNCO course and being promoted to CDTSGT, I was subsequently passed over for all other promotions).  Also, there is the matter of the epilepsy (which they overlooked when I was a Cadet, but might not overlook for an instructor).  Plus there's the gay thing - who knows how, or indeed if, attitudes have changed.  All that aside, it is with some pleasure that I note two things.  1.  One of my old instructors is now Unit Commander of two Squadrons.  2.  One of my occasional instructors (he was an instructor at another Flight, and we crossed paths only during promotion courses), who was at the time an LAC, is now a Wing Commander.  I'm very pleased to see his efforts rewarded.

Getting back to CQ - this time next week I'll be trying to jam stuff into a bag, and getting ready to travel to Toowoomba!  Friday of next week, I'll be gone, gone, gooooone!!!!