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iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
Copyright - All Rights Reserved - Black Diamond Images
After flying to Hanoi from Sydney we took the overnight train up to Sapa in far north Vietnam for 4 days, returning to Hanoi and then flying to Frankfurt in Germany.
In order to pick up our Peugeot 3008 AWD lease car the closest city was Frankfurt. Most pickup/drop off cities are in France and apart from Frankfurt in Germany the only other country is Italy with pickup/drop off points in Rome and Milan.
The Sixt Rent a Car Office in Langen near the Airport in Frankfurt suited our itinerary best for pickup and return.
The minimum lease period was 21 days when we travelled in 2023, but in 2024 its now 15 days. The maximum lease period is 175 days.
The car you are leasing is brand new with just a few kilometres on the clock. There's a a few things to consider. Make sure to purchase your Toll Road Passes and when travelling in Europe and it's important to anticipate what kind of tires you may need, especially if you are likely to encounter snow on the road at any stage.
We leased the car through Car 2 Europe - Driveaway and it was a very simple process, but the booking had to be completed well ahead of the date of pickup.
The company picked us up from Frankfurt Airport and delivered us back to the airport at the end of our 29 day lease period. We ended up driving 3,143 km in the 29 days with more than one third of that distance with the car in hybrid mode at a total cost of just $500 Australian in fuel costs.
It was indeed a huge relief to get the car back in one piece, and without a mark on it, though not so sure the tires would agree having frequently had to deal with the high brick edges on many roads, particularly in Germany. Fortunately though, everything went well driving wise for us, even allowing for us having to adjust quickly to driving on the opposite side of the road to that which we drive in Australia.
The route map above shows our route and the towns and cities we stayed in, along with the number of overnight stays in each place. We aimed to keep the driving under 300kms per day, but some days did exceed that when mountain passes closed on us requiring us to take unintended long detours.
The pace of this itinerary may be a little fast for some travellers however it was necessary owing to the fact that we had to pick up a tour in Iceland on a specific date a few weeks after leaving Frankfurt. After we did leave Frankfurt, we hired another car and drove around Denmark for 6 days before we flew to Iceland.
The planning for this trip took several years and was originally planned for 2020 but Covid put a stop to that.
Our itinerary was designed, after studying Google Earth/Maps, with the aim of allowing us to drive as many mountain passes in the European Alps as we could fit into our available 29 day time frame.
The full journey is documented on Polarsteps.
It obviously would have been better however had we had up to another 7 days, but of course that also means an additional 7 days of expensive accommodation, not to mention the extra meal costs.
It is worth noting that leasing is far cheaper than renting a car over periods beyond 21 days in Europe, and whilst it did work out well for us, if something had gone wrong, I'm not sure how much support one could reasonably expect from the company.
Nevertheless, given our experience we would have no hesitation in doing it again.
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway
Copyright - All Rights Reserved - Black Diamond Images
Thankyou Andreas Becker for your assistance to identify this building. It's very much appreciated.
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
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Naurvoo is a substantially modified (Easy 11.6) (38 feet) Catamaran. The design, by Queenslander Peter Snell, was known as an "Easy Catamaran" though it proved anything but that, taking boatbuilder Phil Wright over 12 years of actually building time to complete but actually, over 31 years before it was finally launched on the 19th May 2025.
Phil Wright is the great grandsons of John Wright, founder of Tuncurry, NSW and of Wright Shipyards, a business that began in 1875 with several generations of the family managing the business until its closure in 1958.
Despite this family boat-building connection Phil Wright had no previous experience with building boats.
For some, as yet unexplained reason, in the early 1990’s Phil decided he was going to build a catamaran and go off sailing the oceans of the world. While this is a dream he never came to realise he did in fact ultimately achieve at least the construction of an impressive boat.
The story began in 1994 when he optimistically sought out plans for a suitable catamaran that he could by a process of trial and error teach himself how to build. After selecting Peter Snell's 11.6m Easy Catamaran he began construction of the rudders, frames and keels in his double car garage at Green Point, near Forster, NSW but this space soon proved much too restrictive to allow the project to proceed.
The decision to sell and buy a property with a house and large shed to house the boat was finally taken and in the early 2000's he sold his home in Green Point and moved to Timbertops, an acreage subdivision just north of Darawank, about 10kms north of Tuncurry.
By June of 2010 the boat, which can sleep up to 7 people, was well advanced, though some 16 years after its construction had begun. Construction was at times slow, always dependent on available funds, family circumstances and on the motivation to struggle through difficult construction challenges, often necessitating researching new technologies and materials all the while having to learn new skills.
Phil was also fortunate that he had several friends who were willing to assist him whenever he needed help. While there were many others, two bear particular mention, Laurie Kilham and Robert Smith.
Some jobs such as completing the electrical wiring required specialised skills and, in such cases, experts were hired.
Most of the work however was carried out on a trial-and-error basis and sometimes this resulted in errors resulting in the need to rebuild some sections of the boat due to incorrect calculations, building construction methods or faulty selection of building materials or components.
As his knowledge of construction methods, materials and skill level grew progress was made, though lack of motivation and money sometimes meant that the boat sat idle, sometimes for several years before work would continue.
However, by February of 2014, some 20 years after construction had begun, the boat was finally ready to be raised to allow rollers to be placed under its keels in readiness to allow it to be winched outside the shed onto two concrete pads.
The operation to remove it outside the shed took place on Friday 15th March 2014.
On the 20th of February 2016, 22 years after construction began, the boat was moved by crane and lowloader about 250m to two newly laid concrete pads at the front of his Timbertops property.
The plan was then to fit it out with rigging, mast and sails and launch it into the Wallamba River as soon as funding became available.
This was going to be a costly exercise at the time involving potentially over $30,000 to complete. With Phil's retirement from paid work at around that time the necessary motivations and finances to complete the sail rigging and move the boat to the water became more and more challenging. This resulted in the boat, though for all intents and purposes finished, remaining on its blocks for another 9 years with almost no further work done on it during that period.
Finally, in April of 2025, now 31 years after construction had begun, an offer was made to buy the boat as it was, structurally finished, but for the sail rigging.
After some consideration Phil accepted the offer and finally made the decision to sell the boat to an enthusiastic buyer intent on finally getting it completed and in the water as soon as was possible.
The new owners were soon on-site cleaning up the boat and after a bit of hard yakka the boat scrubbed up looking a million dollars.
On the 19th May 2025 the boat was finally lifted by crane onto a lowloader and moved to the Wallamba River, north of Tuncurry where in untimely torrential rain the 5 tonne boat was lowered by crane into a rapidly rising Wallamba River.
(On May 21st 2025 Taree, on the Manning River just 30 kms north, suffered its most devastaing flood in recorded memory with the river rising to 6.44 m.)
It was a joy to behold for those who had watched this boats construction over such long a period to see it finally hit the water.
Phil had always had concerns that the boat would be too heavy however once floating of its own accord it became clear it was sitting perfectly in the water, a great source of relief for all involved.
With the rain tumbling down it wasn't long before the new owners were able to get the twin outboards on the boat fired up and immediately move it downstream to Tuncurry then across Wallis Lake to Coomba Bay, on the southern end of Wallis Lake.
Flickr Album - Moving - Launching Naurvoo
The whole operation was carried out just a day before the Wallamba River broke its banks and flooded.
With the boat now at Coomba Bay the owners, Lee and Debbie Roper plan to crane the boat out of the water onto dry land where the vessel will be fully rigged and some structural changes made.
Once the necessary work is completed the boat will be renamed "Affinity 3 of Naurvoo" and then sailed down the coast to Brisbane Water on the lower Central Coast where it will be permanently based in Hardys Bay.
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway
The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam.
Copyright - All Rights Reserved - Black Diamond Images
Here's an updated CHAT GPT based summary of the catastrophic May 2025 Manning River flood, sourced only from evidence-based sources and without reference to any News Limited / Fox News or Murdoch Press sources:
See below the sources used to compile this report by Chat GPT.
️ Rainfall Totals
The flooding was triggered by intense and prolonged rainfall across the Manning Valley:
Taree : Recorded 279 mm in 24 hours and 283 mm over 48 hours by 9:00 AM on Tuesday May 20.
Wingham : Received approximately 726.6 mm during May, with 279 mm falling on Tuesday May 20 alone.
Gloucester and Croki: Specific rainfall data for these towns during the event is not readily available; however, the entire region experienced significant precipitation contributing to the flooding.
🌊 Maximum Flood Heights
Peak river levels during the flood were unprecedented:
Taree : The Manning River reached 6.44 meters at the Martin Bridge gauge around 6:00 PM on Wednesday May 21, surpassing the previous 1929 record of 5.9 meters.
Wingham : Peaked at 10.80 meters, exceeding the moderate flood level of 8.90 meters.
Croki : The river held at 2.90 meters, exceeding the minor flood threshold of 1.50 meters.
Gloucester: Specific flood height data for Gloucester during this event is not provided in the available sources.
📅 Timeline of the Flooding
The most severe flooding occurred between Tuesday May 20 and Thursday May 22, 2025:
Tuesday May 20: Torrential rains led to rapid river rises.
Wednesday May 21: Record flood levels were recorded in Taree and Wingham.
Thursday May 22: Floodwaters began to recede in some areas, but many communities remained isolated.
👥 Human Impact
Fatalities: Five confirmed deaths, including a 63-year-old farmer in Moto who prioritized rescuing his neighbors over himself.
Isolated Residents: Approximately 50,000 people were cut off due to floodwaters.
Evacuations and Rescues: Over 670 rescues were conducted by emergency services, with hundreds of residents evacuated.
️Property and Infrastructure Damage
Properties Damaged: Over 10,000 properties sustained damage.
Homes Destroyed: At least 800 homes were destroyed.
Uninhabitable Homes: Specific numbers of homes declared uninhabitable are not detailed in the available sources.
📈 Flood Frequency and Climate Change
The flood was characterized as a "one-in-500-year" event, with the Manning River at Taree exceeding the 500-year Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) level of 6.2 meters, potentially reaching a 600-year ARI depending on analysis methods.
Experts attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events to climate change, which leads to more severe rainfall patterns and, consequently, higher flood risks.
🔮 Future Flood Risk
Given the patterns of extreme weather and the influence of climate change, the likelihood of significant flooding events in the Manning catchment area remains elevated. Continued monitoring and investment in flood mitigation infrastructure are essential to manage future risks.
SOURCES
Risk Frontiers (Macquarie University): independent, data-focused natural hazard research.
BoM (Bureau of Meteorology): raw data and modelling without editorialisation.
SES NSW / Resilience NSW: factual updates on evacuations, rescues, and local impact.
Guardian Australia (generally Murdoch-free and climate-literate).
Reuters, AP, or Al Jazeera English, for international coverage with less domestic bias.
Peer-reviewed academic literature if the event is already being studied.
Climate Council or Australian Academy of Science for climate attribution studies.
Copyright - All Rights Reserved - Black Diamond Images
On August 5th 2023 we excitedly arrived in Sydney at Ridges Hotel, thanks to good friends who drove us to Sydney.
This was to be the beginning of a 3 month trip which would begin the next day with our flight to Ho Chi Min City in Vietnam then on to Hanoi. From Hanoi it was up to Sapa on the overnight train, returning after 4 days to Hanoi. We chose this 6 day Sapa leg of the trip in order to enjoy a culturally different experience from those experiences we expected to have in Europe.
From Hanoi we flew to Frankfurt in Germany from where we would lease a car and commence a 21 day driving trip through the European Alps. Our journey would take us through Germany, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, France, Italy and Austria at the conclusion of which we would end up back in Frankfurt to turn in the car ready for the next enthralling leg.
A flight from Frankfurt saw us arrive in Copenhagen. After picking up our rental car it was off to the west coast to do a 7 day circumnavigation of Denmark finishing back in Copenhagen.
From Copenhagen we jumped on a flight to Iceland, arriving in Reykjavik from where we would commence a 10-day circumnavigation via an Intrepid small group Tour. Then it was off to Stockholm in Sweden for 4 days followed by a train to Oslo in Norway. From Oslo we joined a Hurtigruten Northern Lights 10-day tour which began with a train trip across to Bergen from where we would take the ship, Kong Harald to the top of Norway, to Kirkenes where we would disembark the ship ready for our 10-day tour through Finland to Helsinki. A short visit to Tallinn in Estonia would see our last days on the European subcontinent finally come to a close.
It was now early November 2023 and finally, time to head home, but not before stopping in Tokyo for another 4 great days of culturally different experiences in Japan.
In the coming weeks and months I hope to relive the experiences of that amazing 3 month journey by posting some images here on Flickr.
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
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Klausen Pass (Klausenpass in German) is one of Switzerland's renowned alpine passes, offering stunning scenic views and a rich historical background. It serves as a vital connection between the cantons of Glarus and Uri.
We commenced our journey earlier in the day from Vaduz in Liechtenstein. We then travelled via Lake Walensee to Luchsingen and began our drive over Klausen Pass, finishing the day in Wassen. The next day, we would take the famous Susten Pass (Sustenstrasse) to Innertkirchen, then on to Lauterbrunnen and Grindlewald.
Starting in Glarus Canton:
Luchsingen - Elevation: ~560 m
A quiet village in the Glarus valley with a mix of historic homes and modern residences Luchsingen is known for its proximity to the Linth River and lush green surroundings.
The village is popular as a starting point for hiking and cycling trails leading into the Glarus Alps.
The Ascent from Luchsingen to Klausen Pass Summit sees the road begin with gentle curves and transitions into steeper, winding segments as you ascend.
Leuggelbach - Elevation: ~580 m
A small, picturesque village near the Linth River.
Features traditional Swiss architecture with wooden chalets and well-maintained gardens.
Offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains, including the Tödi Massif.
Hätzingen - Elevation: ~600 m
A peaceful rural settlement with a blend of agricultural activity and natural beauty.
The area is ideal for exploring the lower alpine foothills, with easy access to the Klausen Pass route.
Linthal - Elevation: ~662 m
The last major village in the Glarus valley before the Klausen Pass ascent begins.
Known for its traditional inns, small shops, and access to the Linth Gorge.
Acts as a gateway to the pass, with trailheads for alpine hiking.
The nearby Tierfehd hydroelectric power station is an engineering marvel and offers guided tours in summer.
Crossing Klausen Pass:
Urnerboden - Elevation: ~1,300 m
The largest alpine pasture in Switzerland, spanning about 42 km².
Famous for its expansive meadows filled with grazing cows, which produce milk for the renowned Alpkäse (alpine cheese).
The small chapel and seasonal markets make it a lovely stop for travelers.
A favorite spot for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers.
Klausen Pass Summit - Elevation: 1,948 m
A dramatic high point with stunning views of peaks like the Glärnisch and Clariden.
Features a seasonal café or kiosk for refreshments and a chance to enjoy the alpine air.
Marked by steep cliffs and rocky terrain, making it a popular destination for motorcyclists and cyclists.
Descending into Uri Canton:
Äsch -Elevation: ~1,280 m
A tiny hamlet perched along the upper Schächental Valley.
Known for its alpine pastures, rustic charm, and views of the valley below.
Features a small, picturesque chapel that is a frequent subject of photographs.
Unterschächen - Elevation: ~996 m
A postcard-perfect Swiss village surrounded by lush meadows and forests.
The Schächen River runs through the area, enhancing its idyllic charm.
Offers access to hiking trails like the one leading to Brunnital or the alpine lakes in the area.
Known for its annual alpabzug (cow parade), where decorated cows are brought down from the mountains in autumn.
Bürglen - Elevation: ~520 m
The historic birthplace of Wilhelm Tell, Switzerland’s legendary folk hero.
Home to the Wilhelm Tell Museum, which explores the cultural and historical significance of Tell’s legend.
Surrounded by fertile fields and traditional farmsteads, it embodies classic Swiss rural life.
Ending in Uri Canton:
Altdorf - Elevation: ~458 m
The cultural and administrative capital of Uri Canton.
Known for the Wilhelm Tell Monument, a statue commemorating the Swiss hero.
The town square features charming cafés, shops, and historic buildings.
Offers excellent connectivity via highways and railways, making it a bustling yet quaint town.
Wassen - Elevation: ~928 m
Famous for its Wassen Church, a picturesque landmark visible from the Gotthard railway’s looping tracks.
The surrounding landscape offers breathtaking views of alpine peaks and valleys.
A quiet village that serves as a gateway to the Gotthard Pass.
Popular with travelers exploring the historic Gotthard railway and alpine passes.
The Klausen Pass has been traversed since medieval times, serving as a crucial link for trade, commerce, and movement between northern and southern Switzerland.
Strategic Importance:
Historically, Klausen Pass was a vital corridor for the movement of goods such as salt, textiles, and agricultural products. Its strategic location also made it significant during various military campaigns.
The current road over Klausen Pass was constructed in the 19th century, enhancing connectivity, and fostering economic growth in the region.
With the advent of automobile travel, Klausen Pass became a popular route for tourists seeking picturesque alpine landscapes.
Klausen Pass is renowned for its breathtaking scenery but also poses certain challenges for drivers:
Road Characteristics:
Curves and Elevation: The pass features numerous hairpin bends and reaches an elevation of approximately 1,948 meters (6,385 feet) above sea level.
Narrow Lanes: Some sections may have narrower lanes and limited passing opportunities.
Seasonal Considerations:
Summer and Early Autumn: Generally open from late June to October, depending on weather conditions. Ideal for driving, cycling, and hiking.
Winter Closure: Typically closed from mid-October to late June due to heavy snowfall and hazardous conditions.
Safety Measures:
Signage and Guardrails: Well-marked signs and guardrails are in place to guide drivers safely.
Emergency Facilities Availability of emergency phones and assistance in case of breakdowns.
Perception of Danger:
Moderate Risk: While Klausen Pass is not among the most dangerous Swiss passes, it requires attentive driving due to its winding roads and variable weather conditions.
Experienced Drivers Recommended: Drivers should be comfortable with mountain driving and prepared for sudden weather changes.
Accident Statistics
While specific annual accident numbers for Klausen Pass may not be publicly detailed, general insights include:
Accident Frequency:
Low to Moderate: Given the pass's seasonal closure during winter and controlled traffic during open months, the number of accidents is relatively low compared to major highways.
Common Causes:
Weather-Related Incidents: Slippery roads due to rain or fog can lead to skidding.
Driver Error: Misjudging curves or speed limits, especially by unfamiliar drivers.
Wildlife Collisions: Animals crossing roads can cause unexpected hazards.
Safety Statistics:
Switzerland's High Safety Standards: Switzerland maintains rigorous road safety standards, contributing to lower accident rates on mountain passes like Klausen.
Recommendations for Drivers:
Stay Informed: Check weather and road conditions before traveling.
Vehicle Preparation: Ensure your vehicle is equipped for mountain driving, including appropriate tires and brakes.
Cautious Driving: Adhere to speed limits, use headlights appropriately, and stay vigilant for unexpected obstacles.
For the most accurate and up-to-date accident statistics, it is advisable to consult local authorities such as the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) or the cantonal traffic departments of Uri and Glarus.
Conclusion
Klausen Pass stands as a testament to Switzerland's rich alpine heritage, offering both historical significance and natural beauty. While it presents certain driving challenges typical of mountain passes, adherence to safety measures and awareness can ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Whether you're a history enthusiast, nature lover, or an avid driver, Klausen Pass provides a memorable Swiss experience. ChatGPT
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Raintrees Native and Rainforest Gardens - Diamond Beach, NSW
On the 27th of April 2025 we were pleased to finally see enough rain to make the creek flow yet remain nicely contained within its banks, without any flooding.
Since January 2025 the creek hadn't got out of its banks, despite regular falls of rain, most of which didn't exceed 10mm, leading up to the end of April 2025.
Of course, the period late May 2025 saw record and devastating flooding in the Manning River catchment with the Manning River exceeding its previous record flood height, reaching 6.44m. The flooding lasted more than a week with in excess of 700mm of rain in some parts of the Manning catchment over the period. Several important bridges were lost including the Bight Bridge at Wingham and the Tiri Bridge further up river, not to mention the complete washout of the runups to relatively new concrete bridges like Leslie’s Bridge, Gloryvale, Bretti and Giro which will keep Thunderbolts way closed for many months.
Interestingly although the Oxley Highway remains closed due to landslides at Mt Seaview apparently its still possible to link to the Oxley Highway via Wingham and Elands across Knoddingbull Road though the isolation and the poor road condition means its definitely not a recommended route west to Walcha or Tamworth. I've seen comments on Facebook which suggest that although Thunderbolts Way is cut by bridge washouts west of Gloucester there is an alternative gravel road route via Wingham, Cooplicurripa and Nowendoc that has remained accessible, in the right vehicle. The last time I travelled this road it was in poor condition but some comments I've seen on Facebook suggest the road is drivable in the right car.
In normal circumstances there is an alternate route to Tamworth from Taree or Forster via the Buckets Way to Gloucester then up to Barrington Tops and through Barrington Tops National Park to Scone then up the New England Highway to Tamworth. This route however has remained closed due to bridge washouts.
Last week in the midst of all the flooding I needed to drive to Tamworth and with all roads west closed or unsuitable for a Tesla Model Y I elected travel south to Hexham then via the New England Highway to Murrurundi and Willow Tree and on to Tamworth, effectively a 6 hour trip.
The New England Highway was dreadful and full of potholes so
for our return journey we looked at what our options were. We'd heard that the the Waterfall Way had reopened after being closed by landslide at Thora, just west of Bellingen, so we decided to come home from Tamworth via Armidale, Dorrigo, Bellingen and Port Macquarie. The Pacific Highway had been closed at Coopernook for a week but fortunately it too had reopened allowing us to return home to Diamond Beach.
That round trip was close to 1000km and interestingly as it turned out the Waterfall Way leg was about 50km shorter than the Hexham route, though it was an hour slower.
Taree and the Manning Valley's late May 2025 flood was designated a 1 in 500-year flood (or 1 in 600 years depending on how its calculated) and its possible another equivalent flood could occur at any time though the fact that this flood occurred quite late in the season could reduce the risk factors.
Fortunately, Raintrees only flooded very minimally in the subsequent rain that arrived in late May of 2025, despite our proximity to the record flooding in the Manning River.
The ground was so saturated however that we had at least 8 trees fall over, several of them too large to stand back up again. They'll need removal while attempts will be made to replant and star picket stake the others and hope for the best.
In the years 2020 through to 2025 lots of Lomandra histrix and Lomandra spicata have planted along the creek line here to help minimise erosion.
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iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
iPhone 14 Giveaway is here. Participate and win a brand new iPhone 14 for free. The price of the iPhone 14 IS $999, you can win for free with this Giveaway. We have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a free year of AKKO coverage to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam. #iphone14 #iphone14giveaway #freeiphone14pro #giveawayiphoe14promax #iphone14pro #iphone14promax #appleiphone14 #giveawaycontest #giveaways #applegiveaway
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I asked Chat GPT - What are the advantages and disadvantages of leasing compared to renting a car in Europe.
Leasing and renting a car in Europe each have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on factors like the length of your stay, where you plan to travel, and what type of vehicle experience you want. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each option:
Leasing a Car
Leasing (often through services like DriveAway or Peugeot Open Europe) is usually intended for longer-term use, typically 21 days or more.
Advantages
Cost Efficiency for Long-Term Use: Leasing is often cheaper than renting if you need a car for an extended period (usually over 3 weeks).
Brand-New Vehicle: Leases generally offer new or nearly new cars, which are less likely to have maintenance issues.
Inclusive Insurance: Lease contracts often come with fully comprehensive insurance and zero-excess coverage, often covering multiple countries in Europe.
Unlimited Mileage: Many lease agreements include unlimited mileage, which can be a huge advantage if you plan to cover long distances.
Tax Savings: For non-EU residents, leasing through certain companies offers tax-exempt vehicles, making it more affordable.
Customizable Vehicle: You can often choose the make and model of the car, which may not be as flexible with rentals.
Disadvantages
Limited to Certain Countries: Although you can drive in many EU/EEA countries, some are restricted (e.g., Eastern European countries or non-EU Balkans), and additional insurance or permissions may be needed.
Minimum Lease Period: Leases typically require a minimum commitment of 21 days, so it’s not suitable for shorter stays.
Advance Booking Required: Leasing usually requires booking in advance, so it may not work well for spontaneous trips.
Initial Paperwork and Setup: The leasing process involves more paperwork and upfront setup, often including the need to pick up the vehicle at specific locations (usually major cities or airports).
Renting a Car
Car rentals are usually meant for short-term needs, often ranging from a few days to a few weeks.
Advantages
Flexibility for Short-Term Use: Renting is ideal for shorter periods or if you only need a car for part of your trip.
Available Across Europe: Rental companies are widely available, allowing you to pick up and drop off vehicles in different cities and countries (though additional fees may apply for cross-border drop-offs).
Easier Booking: Rentals can often be booked on shorter notice, making it more suitable for spontaneous travel plans.
More Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations: Rental cars can be picked up and returned at many locations, including smaller cities and towns, making it convenient if you’re moving around frequently.
Varied Insurance Options: Rental agencies offer different levels of insurance, allowing you to adjust coverage according to your needs and budget.
Disadvantages
Higher Cost for Long-Term Rentals: Renting becomes significantly more expensive for extended periods (typically beyond 2-3 weeks).
Mileage Limits: Rentals often come with mileage restrictions, and unlimited mileage can be costly to add.
Insurance Coverage Variability: Basic rental insurance may come with a high deductible or limited coverage, and adding comprehensive insurance can be expensive.
Older Vehicles: Rental cars may not be as new as leased vehicles, and the selection of specific models is often limited, especially if booking on short notice.
Summary
Choose Leasing if you’ll be in Europe for several weeks or more and want a new, reliable car with full insurance, no mileage limits, and lower costs for long-term use.
Choose Renting if you need flexibility for a short period, prefer to book closer to your travel dates, or want the option to pick up and drop off in different locations across Europe.
Both options have their merits, but the decision ultimately depends on the specifics of your trip and how much flexibility you need.