On the way back

Waiting in the QANTAS Club in Melbourne for my flight. Allowed myself plenty of extra time.

Saved money on a book by Geoffrey Beevers. Looked at the price on Amazon UK and then Book Depository. Amazon was more expensive by about 30 dollars. Ordered from Book Depository with free postage with a delivery of 8-12 days.

Lords of Time 3 - Saturday

Just finished at "Lords of Time 3". It was a great event with some interesting guests.

The guests were

• Katy Manning.
• Geoffrey Beevers.
• Gary Russell.
• Terrance Dicks.
• Matthew Waterhouse.

Started with getting photo's taken with each of the guests. They got everyone by row number. As I was in the first row that was good.

Then a interesting talk from Geoffrey Beevers who played The Master in the Keeper of Traken. He talked about his career and attendance at conventions. He is also a published author.

Then a break for lunch where the VIP ticket holders can mingle with the guests over lunch.

Then Matthew Waterhouse talked after lunch. His discussed his time on Doctor Who.

Up next was Terrance Dicks and Gary Russell who talked about how they  became script editors on Doctor Who and Terrance described how he was commissioned to write scripts after other scripts failed to be delivered.

Gary whose career is a lot more diverse than most people  have. He is a writer,actor and director.

Then a short break before Kay Manning's talk with Gary Russell help her out. She is very unexpected. She has a great range as a vocal artist and is extremely funny.

Picked up my photo's that were taken earlier in the day. They are really good.

Then onto the autographs. Got a photo autograph from every guest and Terrance and Gary to autograph a book.

Went back to auditorium to watch some videos and called it a day at 5:00pm.

Nice walk back to the hotel and relaxing watching "Around the world in 80 days" on television. It is the original David Niven version.

Fly back tomorrow morning. Hope the flight is not late.

Lords of Time 3 - VIP Party

Had a great evening last night at the Lords of Time 3 VIP party with the convention guests

• Matthew Waterhouse.
• Katy Manning. 
• Geoffrey Beevers.
• Terrance Dicks.
• Gary Russell.

I had to look up which convention I had already met Matthew at (Project Motormouth in England Last Year) and we talked about that.

Got a hug from Katy.

Gary Russell talked about his acting career. I had forgotten his acting work on two TV shows 'The Phoenix and the Carpet' and 'The Famous Five'.

I am trying to decide which of the books I bought with me to get Terrance to autograph today at the convention.

I only found one book in my collection for Gary to autograph. I have to finish cataloguing my books.

Back in Melbourne again

Just flew from Brisbane to Melbourne.

Disabled flight mode and the phone went mad with incoming emails. Just reading them and having a coffee. Mostly junk mail.

Supanova Sunday

Got two more autographs 

• Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica).
• Gil McKinney (Supernatural and Once upon a time).

Then settled in for the afternoon talks.This is spread over two auditoriums but they are not far apart.

• Torri Higginson (Stargate Atlantis)
• Gil McKinnon (Supernatural and Once Upon a Time)
• Louise Brealey (Sherlock and Ripper Street)
• Grant Imahara (Mythbusters)
• He talked about his time at Industrial Light and Magic where he worked with Adam and Tory. 
• Alan Tudyk (Firefly and Dollhouse)
• I hadn't realised how much voice work he has done. He is a very funny man. 

I thought  I might have to miss some of Alan Tudyk's talk but the schedule was slightly wrong and Grant's talk finished 10 minutes before Alan's started so I had plenty of time to get from one auditorium to the other.

Alan Tudyk's talk was the last that interested me so I decided to call it a day.

Brisbane is still cleaning up from the storms last week.

Just getting ready to pack before returning home tomorrow.

I just saw an ad on GEM for the 'Who do you think you are' series which is on Monday night with Jim Parsons. I hope they are showing the same episode in Hobart.

Supanova Saturday

Spent the morning collecting autographs and photo shoots from

• Alan Tudyk (Firefly)
• Louise Brealey (Sherlock)
• Neve McIntosh (Doctor Who)
• Grant Imahara (Mythbusters and Star Trek Continues)
• Victor Webster (Continuum and Mutant X)
• Tahmoh Penikett (Dollhouse and Battlestar Galactica)
• Torri Higginson (Stargate Atlantis)
• Robert Knepper (Stargate Universe)

Grabbed a quick Sandwich in the little cafe in the Convention Centre. No queues compared to the cafe inside the exhibition hall (20 metre long queue). 

Then went to the smaller theatre for the remainder of the afternoon with talks from

Grant Imahara form Mythbusters who talked about hi career at Industrial Light and Magic and Mythbusters. He is a really good speaker. I was going to ask a question but he answered a previous question which also answered mine (About Microcontrollers)

The next talk in the same theatre was Neve McIntosh (Madame Vastra). She is a greater entertainer. She kept the audience entertained.

The next was the panel with Tahmoh Penikett and Jamie Bamber talking about Battlestar Galactica. After getting used to Jamie's accent (He is British) rather than the accent he used for Apollo.

Just went to the Grant Imahara. Great talk about his career at ILM and Mythbusters. Now waiting for the start of Neve McIntosh's talk.

Just walked back to the hotel (About 5 minutes) and booked a taxi to go the VIP party this evening.

I am glad the afternoon was all talks as my feet are a bit sore from standing in queues and walking around the convention. I am glad I took Mike's advice about some good walking shoes before I went overseas last year. They are still going strong.

Arrived in Brisbane

My flight out of hobart left 30 minutes late due to the aircraft arriving late after delays in Melbourne.

I arrived in Melbourne at 11:45am and had to catch the 12:05pm flight to Brisbane.

QANTASLink has a nice new ramp for B717 instead of stairs to board the aircraft.

The hotel didn't have my room ready so I stored my luggage and walked down to the convention centre to pick up my tickets.

Got my autograph and photo token for tomorrow and then went to a talk by Torri Higginson and James Kyson about a new show called  Nobility they are working on. They showed a clip and it looks like it might be good.

Went back to the hotel. They had finished preparing the room. Changed and went back down to the convention for the opening ceremony.

Just watching the ABC news about the storms that hit Brisbane yesterday. Glad I didn't fly in yesterday. There is storm debris in the nearby streets.

Off to Brisbane for Supanova

Just having breakfast in the QANTAS Club at Hobart Airport while waiting for my flight to Brisbane for Supanova.

Fire alarm

Jusy got woken up a fire alarm in the hotel. False alarm fortunately so didn't need to evacuate.I had forgotten how loud they are.

Bookshops are dangerous

Shouldn't go into bookshops when travelling. Too much temptation. $95 in this case.

Afternoon at Armageddon Expo

Had a fascinating series of Q&A sessions last this morning and afternoon

Sarah Louise Madison talked about her career as a weeping angel on Doctor Who. David Bickerstaff  from England hosted her Q&A. She probably needed more than half an hour.

Then Jenna Coleman with David Bickerstaff hosting.

Then David Hewlett (Rodney Mckay in SGA) entertaining us until he was gatecrashed by David Nykl. They entertained us for the rest of the hour.

Stargate System Lords were next (Cliff Simon,Peter Williams,Suanne Braun and Jaqueline Samuda). For actors who played the best villians (Ba'al,Apophis,Hathor and Niirti) in Stargate they kept the audience laughing for a majority of the hour.

This is apparently the most System Lords at one convention. I have a photo with all four of them.

When I got there autographs Peter Williams had been trying to remember which episode it was from. I told him it was from Moebius and he was happy to know that. I picked a photo for Jaqueline which she also liked as she got to keep the earing's and bindi that she wore.

Got my last photo with Mira Furlan and had to rush the for the last event of the day which was David Hewlett showing the film he wrote and directed called Debug.

It is a great SF/Horror Film. This was it's first public showing of the film and should be available on DVD soon in Australia and New Zealand.

When I was in Chicago last year David got fans who were interested in appearing in the film to have there photo taken which I did. Unfortunately I ended up on the cutting room floor I still get a credit at the end along with all the other people.

David talked about how hard it has been to get a distributor for it. This is the second film I have seen at a convention (Space Milk Shake last year) which is having trouble getting a distributor which is really silly as they are both great films. Space Milk Shake a SF/Comedy and Debug a SF/Horror story.

Had a really great time at Armageddon Expo this weekend.

Got the train from Showgrounds back to Flinders Street Station and walked back to the hotel. Will do that next time as it much more comfortable than the Tram at busy times.

Sunday - autograph hunting

Collecting autographs this morning.

Have got

Michael Hogan (Battlestar Galactica)
Mira Furlan (B5)
Cliff Simon (Ba'al Stargate)
Jaqueline Samuda (Niirti Stargate)
Peter Williams (Apophis Stargate)
Suanne Braun (Hathor Stargate)

Just writing this while waiting for Margo Kidder to come back and that is all of the autographs.

Getting a Mira Furlan photo this afternoon.

The photo is the queue for Jenna Coleman.

Supernatural Dinner

Just got back in from dinner with Alaina Huffman, AJ Buckley & Travis Webster from Supernatural. Great Evening with everyone at the table.

Today at Armageddon Expo

Busy day at Armageddon Expo today. Got the four (Jenna Coleman,Sarah Madison,Helen Slater and Alaina Huffman) of the eleven autographs I was after. Will get the rest tomorrow morning. I could have got more this morning as I expected it to take longer than it did.

Got my photo shot with the four stargate system lords as well as David Hewlett and David Nykl. Went to see the last few minutes of Sarah Madison (Weeping Angel in Doctor Who) and then Jenna Coleman.

Back to the photos with Sarah Madison,Jenna Coleman, Helen Slater and then Alaina Huffman.

Just got back to the hotel to change for the dinner tonight with the Supernatural Group.

Jenna Coleman

Just waiting for Jenna Coleman talk to start.

Getting Autpgraphs

Just got the four autographs for today

Jenna Coleman
Helen Slater Supergirl & Smallville)
Sarah Madison (Weeping Angel)
Alaina Huffman (Stargate Universe & Smallville)

The rest I am getting tomorrow.

Off to Armageddon Expo in Melbourne

Off to Melbourne for Armageddon Expo. Really looking forward to it. Some really good guests that will be great to meet.

Weather looks good for the event.

Melbourne Airport Again

Got to wait 2 hours in Melbourne before my next flight to Hobart.

Having coffee in the QANTAS Club and using there wi-fi connection.

Heading Home

Just arrived at Brisbane Airport and having a cold drink in the QANTAS Club.

Glad to be leaving as the forecast is 29 today for Brisbane.

Longer route than usual to the airport from my hotel as there is construction work on building causing road closures.

2 hr 25 min flight to Melbourne and a 2 hour wait there for Hobart.

River Cruise - Tuesday

Took a trip on the river today on the free ferry service.

Sitting in the hotel bar writing this after lunch.

Maritime Museum - Monday

Went to the Queensland Maritime museum today.

Looked over the HMAS Diamantina which served during the WW2.

The drydock that she sits in completely flooded during the 2011 floods and she refloated. Yes ships are still called she although apparently lloyd's tried to change to it but it resulted in an uproar so ship's are still she.

The Diamantina and a lighthouse ship on display in the drydock.The last photo (Through glass) show the Diamantina floating and the lightship sinking.

Ozcomiccon Sunday

Went to the Emma Caufield Q&A this afternoon.

Then the Joanne Kelly one Eddie McClintock gatecrashed. They work together very well. The Eddie Q&A session was next.

Went back to the hotel to drop off some things and then went back for the William Shatner talk.

Lots of Laughter

Just come from the Colin Ferguson and Kavan Smith Q&A. There was a lot of laughter during the session.

Just having an early lunch before this afternoon sessions.

Ozcomiccon Sunday

Planning a day of Q&A sessions starting with

• Eureka (Colin Ferguson and Kavan Smith)
• Emma Caulfield
• Joanne Kelly
• Eddie McClintock

and may be William Shatner at 5:00pm

Ocomiccon Brisbane Saturday

Got to the convention about 9:15 and went to collect the autographs I wanted.

• Joanne Kelly (Warehouse 13)
• Emma Caulfield (Buffy)
• Nicholas Brendon (Buffy)
• Kavan Smith (Stargate Atlantis,Eureka and Sanctuary)

These are the only people I have not got autographs at previous conventions.

Got photos with

• Kavan Smith
• Eddie McClintock & Joanne Kelly (Group and Separate Joanne)
• Emma Caulfield and Nicholas Brendon

Went to the Buffy Q&A session but had to leave half way through to go to a photo shoot with Kavan Smith.

The exhibition floor where the photo shoot take place is at least 10 minutes walk from the theatre where the Q&A took place. You have to walk down one side of the building up to levels and then back along the building to the theatre.

One good addition is a lounge for the VIP ticket holders with coffee and tea available. This saves queueing for drinks at the cafe's on the exhibition floor.

Waited around to collect all of the photo's.

Got back to the hotel about 5:00 and got ready for dinner with Eddie and Joanne. 

Really great evening. There were about 20 people at the Warehouse 13 on two tables and the guest switch halfway through so you get talk to both. 

Eddie and Joanne are both great.

Jason Momoa and Chris Judge were clowning around during the evening.

Walked back to my hotel again on a lovely evening.

Got a good nights sleep (too much alcohol at the dinner).

Ozcomiccon Brisbane VIP Party

Went to the Ozcomiccon VIP Party tonight. 

Got to meet 

• Joanne Kelly (Warehouse 13),
• Eddie McClintock (Warehouse 13) , 
• Emma Caulfield (Buffy), 
• Kavan Smith (Stargate Atlantis,Sanctuary & Eureka) ,
• Colin Ferguson (Eureka),
• William Shatner ,
• David Nykl (Stargate Atlantis)

Was a great evening. Walked back to my hotel on a lovely evening.

Mt. Coot-tha

Just had lunch at the summit of Coot-tha at a height of 287m (wikipedia) .

Brisbane

Deciding what to do today.I think the bus tour is probably the best for today.

Ozcomiccon Brisbane

Getting ready to leave for ozcomiccon brisbane.

Ross Tasmania

Got into Ross about an hour ago and the 1 bedroom cottage is charming

Arrived in Melbourne

Good flight from Adelaide. Benedict was on the flight.

Having some soup in the QANTAS club.

Leaving Adelaide

My sleep pattern upset by reverting from Daylight saving.

At the airport in the QANTAS club having a cold drink and writing this blog.

Another 40 minutes to wait before departure. My aircraft is leaving from the gate directly outside the Club so I don't have far to go.

Have to wait about 1:30 in Melbourne before leaving for Hobart

Ozcomiccon Adelaide Sunday

Not many things on in the morning as they focus on Autograph and Photo's so didn't rush. Arrived at about 11am and checked out the vendors on the floor. Almost bid on a poster of Amanda that Dennys Illic was auctioning for Charity but decided I would have no where to hang it (4ft x 2ft). I had already bought a couple of great prints in Perth to get framed.

Went to the second Sanctuary Q&A. Just as funny. Robin and Amanda are talking about doing a play together and they said they would like to bring it to Australia.

Had some lunch and then went to the Corin Nemec panel. They needed a larger room as they turning people away. Bought some raffle tickets for Sanctuary for Kids Charity - didn't win anything as I don't think I would have had space for it.

Went to the Denny's Illic Photography panel (Yes I did that in Perth) but they are always different.

Did another walk around the vendors and resisted tempation to buy anything.

OzComiccon Saturday Afternoon

The Sanctuary Q&A was hilarious. Amanda Tapping and Robin Dunne have so much fun together on stage. The stage that they held the talk in was full (approx 1500 people). We were kept entertained for an hour.

Went to the Tim Rose (Star Wars - Admiral Ackbar) talk next. He talked about his career as a puppeteer and animatronics builder on a lot of projects. Most recently Doctor Who (Dinosaurs on a spaceship,Cybermats and an upcoming episode with Peter Capaldi).

Sat in the Corin Nemec Talk for a while but decided that queueing for the Benedict Cunberbatch talk would be a good idea. It was only for Benedict Experience and Platinum Ticket Holders (about 700 people) and although I had to sit back a bit they display the video they are recording on the screen behind the actors. He is nothing like way he plays Sherlock.

After that I went and got a photo with Tim Rose and called it a day and walked back to the hotel.

Had a rest. Changed for dinner and took a slow walk to the venue.

Great dinner with Corin Nemec and a great bunch of people (10 people + guest).

Shared a taxi back to the hotel as several of us were staying at Rydges as it is the closest hotel to the Showgrounds.

Ozcomiccon adelaide saturday

Getting autographs from Robin Dunne, Amanda Tapping, Corin Nemec and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Also the photo shoot with Benedict

Just waiting for the Sanctuary Q&A at 1pm and then Tim Rose followed by Benedict

Flight to Adelaide

Arrived slightly later than expected in Adelaide as we were slightly delayed in departing Perth.

A nice smooth flight. Watched some 'Big Bang Theory' on the inflight entertainment system as none of the movies on offer interested me. I had forgotten the episode "The 43 Peculiarity" which is hilarious.

Ordered the Bratwurst in pastry and salad for lunch on the flight. That is a fancy description of a large savoury sausage roll. It was very tasty though.

Got my luggage rather quickly as the carousel  and both pieces were together rather and separated by lots of other luggage.

Just going to take it easy in Adelaide today and get ready for the weekend.

Leaving Perth

Just getting a coffee at the Qantas Club.

Military search aircraft parked on the field

On the Swan River

Returning from Fremantle on the James Stirling.

Having lunch in Fremantle

Having lunch at Cicerellos on the waterfront at Fremantle. Having to fight off the seagulls for my lunch

Fremantle by ferry

Just boarding the ferry to Fremantle for a day tour.

Ozcomiccon Perth 2014 - Sunday

Going to the convention about 11am as there are no talks that I want to see before 12 so I will have an early lunch and go to the talks and get the last photo and the last few talks.

Connor Trinneer Q&A (Enterprise and Stargate Atlantis)
Sanctuary Q&A (Amanda and Robin)
Ian McNiece Photo (Doctor Who - Churchill)
Dennys Illic Q&A (Celebrity Photographer)
Corin Nemec Q&A (Stargate SG1)
Ian McNiece Q&A

Perth has cooled down in the last few days and it is more comfortable. Have bought tickets for a trip to Fremantle and tram tour on Tuesday.

Ozcomiccon Perth 2014 - Saturday

Looking forward to a busy and entertaining day.

Started off with Breakfast with Amanda Tapping.

Then walked down to the convention from the hotel (Rydges).

and started with autographs from

Nana Visitor (Star Trek DS9)
Connor Trinneer (Enterprise and Stargate Atlantis)
Tim Rose (Star Wars - Admiral Ackbar)

Moved onto the photos shoots with

Amanda Tapping and Robin Dunne (Sanctuary)
Amanda Tapping,Jewel Staite, Connor Trinneer and Corin Nemec (Stargate)

Then started in on the Q&A sessions with

Nana Visitor (Star Trek DS9)
Amanda Tapping (Stargate SG1 and Sanctuary)
Jewel Staite (Firefly and Stargate Atlantis)

Then a photo with Jewel Staite and moved on to Robin Dunne's Q&A session.

Got the final photo of the day with Connor Trinneer and Nana Visitor.

Called it a day at the convention and walked back to the hotel.

Had dinner tickets with Robin Dunne.

Party

Went to the Ozcomiccon party last night. Had a great evening talking to guests and other attendees.

More bus tour

Bought a ticket upgrade on the bus tour. This is a ferry trip to Fremantle and the tram tour and return ferry ride.

Kings Park

Having lunch and seeing the war memorial at Kings Park. It is 31 degrees now.

Perth bus tour

Just about to start the bus tour

Melbourne Airport

20 minutes late arriving in Melbourne.In holding pattern due to traffic congestion related to weather.

Leaving for Ozcomiccon in Perth

Checked in at Hobart and having coffee in the QANTAS Lounge.

Have to wait for three hours in Melbourne before flying on to Perth.