Graeme VK3XTA in China



Graeme VK3XTA in China

Graeme was in China, here is a 'claytons' blog of his travels
(Graeme did not have the time or equipment to do it himself)
Paul VK3TGX

ps:- Talked to him on 2M today, Home safely at 4:00 PM 3/9/2006

Back to Paul's GGREC photo page

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Thursday, 31 August 2006 11:38 AM, Graeme returning to Australia

Gidday all from Wuxi China,
Just got notification from here for those who don’t know yet,
I am returning to Australia on Sunday the third of September arriving in Melbourne at Tullamarine air port 11 30 am
at terminal 1. Toni is picking me up from there and will be home an hour or two after that (after collecting luggage
and customs and that sort of thing) so should be home in Langwarrin early Sunday afternoon all going to plan
Ok will see you all soon for catch up after that.
Ok cheers for now from Graeme in China...

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Monday, 28 August 2006 8:43 AM, Pictures from China market

Gidday all, a few pics from a market we went to on Sunday. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables here, fruit very good quality.
Bought some macadamia nuts and apples. Note the scales they use quite common in markets here. We bought nuts here as the young
lad here on the left spoke to us in English which attracted us to the stall. the other shot is the river we cross to go
to local electrical market water looks a little dirty though not able to swim in this one either too polluted.
ok hope everyone is well ,keep sending emails and I will answer as quickly as possible here with rather flaky internet that we have here.
Internet at hotel. Ok, worksite has got a lot worse in recent weeks will send pictures when I can. Going in late to work this morning as we
are going to the market again this morning to pick up a few items on the way to work ok have to go now for breakfast and get ready for work.
Ok till next time, Graeme your mate in china...

Wuxi market 27/08/2006 007
Wuxii pictures 25/08/2006 009


Sent Saturday, 26 August 2006 1:26 AM, More pix from markets here

Gidday all, sorry it’s been a while since the last one, a bit busy here working 12 hour days plus now to busy to
take day off this week. Will take one next week, (I hope ) working 7 days a week has got knobs all over it.
Ok, a few pictures I took this morning, these 2 are of Jackie and myself at the local market. You can get every
thing here from electric motors to pumps to electrical components, relays, contactors, test equipment, to tools.
Upstairs is mechanical things such as hydraulic components, air cylinders, lathes, and machine tools.
Very interesting, big boys toy shop. If they haven’t got it here it probably isn’t made at all.
Not much in way of electronic components though, must be different market somewhere for such things.
Not much here has CE compliance, though so we can’t use it for the machines we make but for testing is ok.
The other shot is one I took in Carrefour of electric bikes for sale. Many models to choose from, prices you can see
on some of them are of course in Yuan, to get Australian dollars, divide by 6 is pretty close, 1800 Yuan equals about 300 dollars and so on
Ok, its late here, will send more pix soon, stay in touch, keep those emails coming,
I haven’t email at work at the moment, internet gone down for some reason, not sure why, will investigate so I can send emails at lunch time
Ok, bye for now will contact again soon, missing you all at home, thinking of you all during the day while I work
Ok, cheers for now, Graeme in China.....

Wuxii pictures
25/08/2006, 005
Wuxii pictures
25/08/2006 006
Electric bikes in Carrefour


Sent Saturday, 19 August 2006 13:35 PM

Gidday all, a few more pix from me in China.
First one is me on trike, electric powered, took this one this morning.
Second one is little taxi, looks like a cabin around a motor bike, going to go for a ride in one of these for sure.
Next pic is Phillip, myself, and Jackie, having a pie with sauce in the Aussie bar, they taste great after so much Chinese food.
Ok at work at moment, will be around.
Ok, stay in touch, thinking of you all at home, Graeme your mate in China, far away.
Ok till next time cya...

Wuxii pictures 19/08/2006 008
Wuxii pictures 17/08/2006 005
Wuxii pictures 19/08/2006 006


Sent Friday, 18 August 2006 8:11 AM

Gidday all, a few more pics from the day off we had.
The hand of Buddha is full size replica of the hand on the statue, it is lucky to touch the hand of Buddha,
so this one is a little easier to reach and you don’t have to climb all the stairs to get to it.
The picture of Lake Tahu shows the colour of the water, not safe to swim or drink.
Looks like algae bloom, occurs at this time of year, I guess due to temperature and other local conditions being right for it.
The other pic is one of those tractors? I was mentioning before, finally found one nearby not running that I could get close to.
Ok doing well
Parts delays, wrong parts being sent, no labour to put machines together, nah no problems.
Ok, thinking of you all at home, working away here and looking around when I can.
Ok till next time, thinking of you all, your mate Graeme in China....

Hand of Buddha
Lake tahu green water 1
Wuxii pictures 17/08/2006 013


Big Buddha, sent Sunday, 13 August 2006 23:34 PM

Heres a few from the week end trip to big Buddha, enjoyed the day immensely, but very hot, you know when it’s hot, locals sweating too.
The Birth of Buddha fountain is surrounded by 8 dragons and his birth is from the lotus flower, not sure what the water has to do with it...
Very religious place, many people here worshipping Buddha, and smell of incense in the air.
The other is of me at the pretend wheel of a traditional fishing boat that we cruised Lake Tahou on.
The last one is of the boat itself. Ok had a great day off, looking forward to next one in 2 weeks, going on tour to Sue Joe,
- not sure how its spelt but that’s the way its pronounced.
Ok, will send more soon your mate Graeme in China, ok cheers till next time...

Birth of Buddha fountain
Captain Graeme
Wuxi pictures 12/08/2006
Big Buddha 042


Wuxi, China, Big Buddha pix, sent Saturday, 12 August 2006 18:37 PM

Gidday all just got back from big Buddha, 88.8 meters tall bronze statue of Buddha, very interesting.
Total of 5 Buda’s in the area, farthest is in Hong Kong, this one most recent, built 1997, made of bronze (not solid) very impressive.
This one is known as east Buddha, the others West South North and Centre, the others not as big as this one.
Good climb to get to top at his feet. Very hot here today while walking, then it rained in car on the way home.
Very humid now, about to go for a swim in the pool so will go for now.
Stay in touch, more pix coming soon, your mate in China, Graeme...

5 doors of enlightenment
Big Buddha 003
Buddha at base of stairs 2
Graeme at Buddha foot


Pix from work, sent Wednesday, 9 August 2006 13:44 PM.

Just a quick one, a few from the coal face
As you can see, many conveyors to put together, 120 in total.
In the shot with the test panel you can see many more rollers waiting to be assembled into frames.
There are 2 test panels in this shot which we use to test run the motors.
The other picture is a ute in the area, many types over here, many look home made and in poor condition.
Will send more pics soon. Found out today, have Saturday off and going to big Buddha for a look around.
Should be spectacular, going for the whole day, and only 2 of us going so will stop as required during tour.
Ok will email again soon, Graeme your mate in China... Till next one.

Conveyor with test panel
Conveyors in assembly area
Wuxi pictures 9/08/2006 001


6/8/2006, Night Time.

Gidday all, late at night here, just a few pix I took this evening on way home from the Blue Bar.
The first is me with statue of legendary animal, they scare away evil spirits? Not real sure about that one.
The second is a park we passed on the way back to hotel, looks fantastic, photo doesn’t do it justice.
The other is a restaurant near by. They love their coloured lights don’t they.
Ok its late, will catch you all soon, keep those emails comin; will try to answer on same day.
Ok, cheers for now from Graeme in China.....

Graeme with legend beast
Park at night
Restaurant 1


Graeme on bike, Sunday, 6 August 2006 21:19 PM

Gidday all, real quick one - going out for tea soon, roast dinner, lookin forward to it.
Just been to swimming pool, a little small but ok and welcome after nearly melting today - was very hot at work.
Ok will stay in touch, keepem coming (emails – address at top of page)
Glad to read news from home, ok must go, your mate in China..... Graeme...

Pictures Wuxi 06/08/2006 003


Pictures from Graeme in China taken 02/08/2006

Hi all, just a few pix I took this morning. Hope they come out ok
Fist time in ages I have been out during the day light.
Did I tell you its bloody hot here; just going to the market in daily heat brings on a sweat like you wouldn’t believe.
Doing ok, will probably be lighter when I get home, like walking around in a sauna all day.
Ok hope every one is well and doing ok, keep those emails coming and will chat to you soon.
Your mate far away in China, Graeme...
ps thinking of you all, ok bye for now....

Wuxi 02/08/2006
hotel and street 003
Wuxi 02/08/2006
hotel and street 002


More pictures from China, Friday, 28 July 2006 22:56 PM

Just a few pix in this latest installment, from the boat trip and another truck I spotted doing the rounds.
This one is hand cranked at the front, looks like stationary engine inside, single cylinder.
Ok doing well and starting to look in shops as my birthday approaches, will look for something for self over next week or so.
Will be working through this weekend and have day off next weekend if work permits.
Ok till next one, Graeme thinking of you all at home, it’s good to hear from you even if only a few lines of text. Please send emails.
Ok will go for now and catch up soon, your mate Graeme in China...

Home made truck 3
Power company building


Graeme on canal trip on day off, Wednesday, 26 July 2006 18:33 PM

Here we go, another installment in the story.
Went for a canal trip with the owner of Ronnies Ausie bar on Sunday, good day out, went for 6 hours, Bbq for lunch on board, real good show.
Ronnies is a bit of a celebrity here and his Ausie bar has been open for the past 5 years. Top bloke though from Western Australia.
Doing ok here and love to receive emails, so thank you for sending them.
Ok will keep on working, everyone stay safe and am thinking of all of you home in Australia.
Getting my feet on the ground here and will probably go for a swim tonight after work.
Ok will go now, see ya in the soup, Graeme...

Loaded barge
Wuxi pix boat trip 23/07 031
Ronnie, Jason, Graeme,
and Tony


Monday, 24 July 2006 19:00 PM

Gidday from Graeme with the next installment
Things going ok here if somewhat frustrating at times.
Found the local pool, its expensive, its small, but it is wet and close to hotel.
Boat trip was good, story in itself. I think the show "Men behaving badly" would be an appropriate title.
Good fun though, Ronnie who runs the Aussie bar is a real character, we were watched and waved too by all
on the sides of the river, was real cool, they heard the music coming from about a kilometer away.
These 2 photos were taken today, I think the guy with the wardrobe on his bike is shifting house,
we aint seen nothin like this in Australia, had a good laugh and everyone cheered.
The other photo is Monday morning rush hour, lots of bikes as far as you can see and
every main intersection we came to was the same, lots of people going to work
Any way must go; I’m at work at the moment and reading your emails.
Thanks for staying in touch makes it seem not quite so far from home when I get mail. Keep them coming.
Thinking of you, Graeme your mate in China, till next time cheers.

Rush hour
Monday morn 24/07
Loaded bike


Pix from Hamfest, Sunday, 23 July 2006 11:06 AM

Just had a look on your website at hamfest pictures, spewin I missed the event, would love to have been there.
Got today off (Sunday, first day off since here) but it is raining outside so not sure
if canal trip is on or not, still 25 degrees out there. well im off to pool for morning swim.


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Some more pix from Graeme, Heres the local gym, odd looking place, Sunday, 23 July 2006 1:44 AM

This is the gym I spoke about, weird lookin joint great landmark as there is not another one like it.
The other shot is of some bikes parked out the front of the shopping center, boy they use them a lot.
Now counting the number of people on one bike, 4, no helmets and some one on phone as well,
push bike, 3 people mum dad and child, quite common.

Local transport devices
Local gymnasium


Hi from China, Graeme here keep those emails comin, Sunday, 23 July 2006 0:01 AM

The tricycle is somewhat loaded, electric powered. You can see the chain underneath and the batteries are under the seat.
The other is me at work taken by a colleague. These are the conveyors we are working on.
Note the hand cranked megger in the pic; I haven’t seen one of these for 20 years.
I bought this one last week for 140 Yuan (about 20 dollars), works well, I hope to take it home when I leave.
Ok doing ok if not a little frustrated at times, they have their way of doing things and don’t like to change.
Ok having tomorrow off, and going on canal cruise, I think it’s and excuse for a pissup.
Will look after self and drink coca cola, that’s the safe way of doing it.

Electric tricycle, loaded
Graeme at work 21/07


Hi from Graeme - Transport devices, Wednesday, 19 July 2006 16:07 PM

Just a quickie just thought id send a couple of pix of some of the contraptions people get around in over here.
They do look purpose built and cheep, many more coming, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Pix 19/07/06, 006
Pix 19/07/06, 003
Pix 19/07/06, 005


More pix from Graeme in China, Monday, 17 July 2006 11:59 AM

Gidday all, doing ok here in China, Took these pix the other night on the way out to tea.
Nice meal, Hamburger from a pub called the Blue Bar. (Owned buy an Ausie)
Keeping well, found a swimming pool near by, Cost 50 Yuan, About 5 dollars Australian, Too expensive for locals so not real busy.
Must wear a hair cap in water and they provide a towel, probably something to do with health regs here.
Ok must go, I am at work at the moment, Still can’t log onto Hot Mail from hotel, However every thing else works ok.
Ok, thinking of you all and will catch up again real soon, Graeme

On the way to Blue Bar
On way to Blue Bar, 3


Gidday all from Graeme in China, Friday, 14 July 2006 18:20 PM

Gidday to all, Hotel internet very dodgy, Hope to have it sorted tonight.
Today briefly visited market here in town, very different to home, many people
try to sell you incense for prayer on Sunday, or to got to temples in area.
Had lunch at Chinese restaurant, food was good but did include chicken claws,
Didn’t try those, Other meat I am told was beef, Tasted ok, So ill take there word for it.
Also had rice and been curd, Looked like scrotums in dish, tasted ok, Hope they weren’t scrotums.
Any way im dragging the level down again. I am ok, Proper work starting tomorrow,
Parts arriving daily, Electrical labour here tomorrow.
Ok, Must go (I am at work) will catch up soon.
I hope I can sort out email so I can stay in contact more readily.
Now I have phone card, Toni, so I can call form work. Mobile works out 30 mins aprox = 5 dollars Australian
Internet free, Will get onto them and do a song and dance till we get it.

Market entrance
Harry, Cameron, & Jason


Pictures from Wuxi. China, Thursday, 13 July 2006 12:41 PM

Just a real quick one, at work at the moment, will drop a picture from hotel room I took this morning.
I am well; Temperature around 35 degrees today and about 80% humidity, can cut the air with a knife.
Eating well, found a place that sells meat pies with sauce, a welcome change from local food.
Ok, Must go, Catch up soon, All the best, Graeme...

View (6:30am) from hotel room


Gidday from Graeme in Jinchin, China, Wednesday, 12 July 2006 2:56 AM

Gidday all, just a quick one from me as it is 1AM in morning here, 3AM where you are.
Having a good time here and working hard, Hours are long bin working 12 hour days till today.
Will be moving on to Wuxi (Wooshie) tomorrow to continue with conveyor project.
Ok, Doing well and sent pix to show you what it’s like here, lots
of bikes here parked on footpath. Great sights to see when I can.
Ok, Stay in touch all, Thinking of you and home.
Stay safe and well, ok, hear from you soon Graeme...

Hotel lobby, lion and lamp
Bikes parked


Hi from Graeme in China, Tuesday, 11 July 2006 1:06 AM

Just a quick one to say hi and doing well in China, very humid here,
temperature around 30 to 35 every day and around 90% humidity.
Currently doing 12 hour days seven days a week, project is behind so making up for lost time.
Doing ok and have seen some interesting products for sale here, would love to buy but wouldn’t get back through customs...,
fireworks, beebee guns that look real, mosquito zapper that looks like tennis raquet.
Ok its late here just a quick note and will catch up again soon thinking of you all and cheers for now Graeme...

General store 6:30AM
Local park entry
Hundreds of years old
Local KFC


Greetings from Graeme in China, Friday, 7 July 2006 2:22 AM

Just a quick one to say alls well here, very hot and humid.
Will attach some pix for you to see from downtown Shanghai and Chiayin.
Will be moving over to Wooshie on Monday if all goes to plan.
ok its late and I will go now, will email again soon, Graeme from Chianyin.

Beijing road, 6
Bejing road, 2
Chianyin pictures
05/07/2006 032

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