The big day arrived and the morning dawned to the sound of "rain drops keep falling on my roof"; ahhh the joys of sunny Queensland. I had time to down a hearty breakfast, load the car and head off for the big adventure. First stop was Mark Teeboon's for a chat and cuppa before collecting his birds in anticipation of the weekend to unfold before me.A brisk drive down the highway before stopping for a bite at the wonderful Icon on the main drag of Warwick; the golden arches. After filling my inner body with those wonderful delicacies I was to make tracks to Tenterfield, birthplace of our great nation, to catch up with fellow enthusiast and friend Stan Hickey.

After a couple of hours chatting, viewing Stan's establishment and refreshments, it was time for the days final leg.'Till now the weather had been great after crossing the Great Divide but once over the border to "Cockroach Country" things changed and it was wet weather tyres all the way to Glen Innes; the end to the first leg of the big adventure. Here I was to catch up with fellow traveller, Peter Trow. We managed to squeeze in a quick viewing of his aviaries before the cool evening sky forced us inside for the night. After a long chat over dinner it was time to box the birds for the secong leg of the journey.

On the second day we were awoken to the screaming alarm; well before sun-up. With the car loaded and refreshments packed; great sangers kerry, it was off down the road to Armidale to collect another fellow traveller; Graham Piddington. A birdman from way back and eager to restart his love affair with bengo's (maybe Zebra's too). As a dedicated driver with local knowledge it was a change of direction that took us through some wonderful breath taking country, and Peter's hometown, before we joined the Pacific Highway at Raymond Terrace.

From here it was south to Sydney, stopping along the way to veiw some well established dealers. Time to find a room for the night and after 3 stops we ventured upon "The great Alexander Motel" at Windsor to rest our weary bodies. But the day wasn't over..... We still had enough time to visit fellow member, Les Stratford. A wonderful man and a real gentleman. Les gave his time to show us his birds and establishment and while he would not part with any Zebras, especially a lovely Cream Backed Hen :-), he did provide us with some some useful Bengalese; thanks again Les. By now dusk was upon us and after a big day it was time to feed our weary souls. Being country folk they are it was off to Pizza Hut for a treat; must be a tough life without those luxuries in the country.

The following day was the Big Event and after having loaded the car, detoured via the Golden Arches for breakfast, fought our way through the fog we arrived at the showground to be greeted by friendly faces with a hot cuppa and toast; what hospitality.

Birds were benched. and it was time to take up my official duty for the day as one of the judges. I must thank the ZFSA Committee for providing me with the opportunity to fulfil my duties as a Panel Judge with special thanks to Geoff Roberts for stepping aside and giving me the opportunity; THANK YOU!!

I must say I was impressed with the quality and the number of birds benched on the day, so real stunners. After my official duties were completed it was time to mingle and catch up with old friends. Lunch at the club with fellow exhibitors was well enjoyed before ventiuring back back to the hall for the raffle and official presentation of awards.

It is a credit to the members and exhibitors to see such quality and congratulaions to all the winners on the day, your efforts are justly deserved. I must congratulate my traveling companion for winning Champion Marked White; not bad fora country hick (watch out city folk Peter is coming). Once the presentations were completed it was time for a last hooray before loading the birds and making the trek to Glen Innes; Arriving back deep in the dark of night.

Almost the end to a great weekend Monday saw us rising to "the sun is shining and the birds are singing"; ahh what lovely weather... for cockroach country. Time to sun the birds and view Peter's establishment in daylight. Some quality birds were to be seen; especially that nest of Greys flown while we were away.

Load the car and I was off.... not quite. The car decided it didn't want to leave cockroach country (after all it was its home), after a couple of hours coaxing we were back on the road. A quick stop at Stan's to drop off some birds and it was non-stop, thanks to those drive thru services at the Golden Arches, back to Brisbane. Another quick stop to unload at Mark's and I was home sweet home.

WHAT AN ENJOYABLE WEEKEND.

I must congratulate the ZFSA Committee, in combination with FES, for hosting such a great event. It is always a pleasure attending such events and the friendliness and comradery between the members is always a highlight; this will ensure ZFSA and FES have a stron future. The weekend will surely be a highlight of the year for me even though I went away empty handed, but there is always next year.

I look forward to making the same trip in 2003 and wish all members every success for the coming season.

Yours in Zebras,

Tim Hartung