Thank you for your patience during my extended absence from this blog.

I hope you understand that this past 2 months since the sudden and unexpected death of my younger brother has been an incredibly tough time for me personally and my family. I have had a lot to deal with, and it has been hard. Really hard.

I got away from things for two weeks to Japan in April, for a trip already pre-arranged almost a year ago. 

 I am pleased to say I received my two Checkmate displays this week from the UK, one black and one cream coloured. Let's take a closer look! 

This will be part one of a two part blog series as there is a lot to look at and a lot of systems to try them out on!

Welcome to my first blog post of 2025. I hope you and your family had a great Xmas and new year period and got some much needed rest and relaxation.

I had planned that also, but it didn't quite turn out the way I had hoped...but it started out well enough, with a planned train trip just after Xmas 2024 to Melbourne on the Overland train to see family.

 There is an interesting yearly tradition in the country town of Strathlbyn, a short drive from Adelaide. It is called the Great Duck Race. I haven't never seen it before now, despite living in Adelaide since 1994!