Meantime, there was a melt-down for some at the Sydney domestic terminal
this morning when both the Jetstar and Virgin Blue check-in systems crashed.
There were long delays at the check-in counters which backed-up the system,
including for incoming aircraft awaiting a spot at the gate. The system is online again.
No wonder I couldn't log in their website this morning!
I telephoned Andrew Murrell today who is driving up with his wife to Cairns from Sydney.
Andrew reported that yesterday, whilst near Rockhampton, there were roadworks
in progress and they had a contra flow arrangement in place.
Whilst stopped and awaiting their turn, a long queue of vehicles built up behind them.
Andrew got out of the car and bellowed, "Put up your hand if you are driving
to the eclipse!" and he raised his own hand. He reported that approximately half
the people in the long line of traffic raised their hands.
Meantime, there was a melt-down for some at the Sydney domestic terminal
this morning when both the Jetstar and Virgin Blue check-in systems crashed.
There were long delays at the check-in counters which backed-up the system,
including for incoming aircraft awaiting a spot at the gate. The system is online again.
Thank goodness it wasn't Qantas - we flew out this morning, no problems. In lovely Cardwell tonight. Roads relatively quiet north of Townsville, but the motel manager says there have been many people heading north in recent days.
This was taken around the same time as totality will occur on Wednesday from Trinity Beach. There was a band of cloud out to sea which obscured the sun from just after sunrise to about 5 degrees of elevation or so, but it was clear after that. Now if I can only remove the troublesome roof overhang obscuring the view from my balcony...
I know that the weather is not likely to be as kind on eclipse day, but we can but hope.
Safe travels to all coming up here - see you at the post-eclipse party to either brag or commiserate with a few beers.
Traffic is quiet. I'm on the Bruce Highway ("Beaudy Bruce!") and heard little overnight. About a car a minute heading north at the moment - some will be locals picking up the milk. Gorgeous view from our verandah. If totality was here we'd be sitting pretty. The sun rises over Hinchinbrook Island.
Traveled along the Mulligan Hwy today to do so scouting for inland retreats for my group. The mobile phone coverage map for telstra is pretty well spot on.
Joe
Folks, it may not be coverage that's the issue, but overload. During events like this, the mobile phone network can clog and be unusable. I remember Melbourne's first Grand Prix when voice calls couldn't be dialled during the day, and text messages took HOURS to be delivered across the city.
I wonder if Telstra will be setting up extra mobile cells in Cairns like they did for the Melbourne Cup last week?
Folks, it may not be coverage that's the issue, but overload. During events like this, the mobile phone network can clog and be unusable. I remember Melbourne's first Grand Prix when voice calls couldn't be dialled during the day, and text messages took HOURS to be delivered across the city.
I wonder if Telstra will be setting up extra mobile cells in Cairns like they did for the Melbourne Cup last week?
The Telstra service at Mt Carbine is very limited. The webcam there was first installed to run off NextG, but it would only upload every so often, then i was forced to use the pubs internet.
Looking at the coverage maps, but i think the Mt Carbine reception comes from Deep Gorge, Mareeba