Jody Daniel: Blog

Hi all. Don't think you can take two girls on holiday and get a remote chance to write something! Yes, I did get to finish chapter 12 of Stray Cats, but chapter 13 is only halfway to complete. My one Editor told me to not rush things. No, I won't rush anything, otherwise the quality will not be the same. Wise words.

Okay, the holiday was needed, as both girls was nearing burnout status, after more than a year without a break. I had to take them away to go and recharge their batteries. Sun, sea, white unspoiled sandy beaches, and lots of crappy junk-food to eat. Eight beaches to choose from on the daily excursions, caused me to drive around 350 kilometres in the two weeks in KwaZulu-Natal. That brought my logbook for the car to just well over 2200 kilometres for the trip. Oh, yes, the shopping. Don't forget the girls favourite pastime, SHOPPING. Lucky that I know how to pack a car and use all the space. There's always extra stuff to bring home. Girls will always be, girls.

Well, the stray cats at home was glad to see us. I still wonder if it was us, or if it was the "HERE COMES NEW FOOD" syndrome? (As they nearly finished the 5 kilograms of food I placed in the feeder.)

We collected our little Kalahari lion today. She seems to have enjoyed her stay with the Cat Hotel, Spa & Bar. She just complains that although she received her manicure and pedicure, they neglected to serve her, her dry Vodka Martini, shaken, not stirred. Well such is life, you can't get it all. I just told her that with the alcohol ban lifted, someone forgot to send the memo to the Cat Hotel, Spa & Bar. (Don't know if Tammy believed me.)

With the girls going back to work tomorrow, I might get some quiet time for myself to start writing again, and finish chapter 13. I might add that this time away gave me some time to re-plan the story line in Stray cats, and I have some ideas I need to explore. I was a bit sceptical about how the story was going, but fear not, there will be some stuff that you won't suspect.

Have a good time and stay safe.

Bye 4 now!

Hi there. Nope, I'm not MIA. Only on holiday with RH & SIL. We are down on the coast on the KwaZulu Natal south coast in nice tropical weather.

I just posted Stray Cats Hunt in Darkness, chapter 12. When the moderators are finish with it, you can get it.

I started to work on chapter 13 with a piña colada on the side, setting sail with Captain Morgan and not leaving dry land!

Keep well and satay Safe!

Bye 4 now.

Hi there. Currently, I'm on a road trip to the KZN coast. Done 200 kilos of a 725 kilo trip and just stopped for Espresso. Will try to finish C12 of Stray Cats Hunt in Darkness, on time for upload. Fear not. J is still around. Only taking RH on a little 2-week holiday.

Stay Safe.

Bye 4 now.

Hi there. Okay, with all the variants of the Aermacchi MB-326, one can easily be confused. I have looked at my notes and found that you were right, and I was having a load-shedding moment. (LOL)

So here is the CORRECTED version for Stray Cats.

Just for kicks, underneath is a list of ALL the variants of the Aermacchi MB-326, including the licence build ones.

MB-326: Two prototypes and 125 production training aircraft for the Italian Air Force
• MB-326A: Proposed armed version for weapons training, not built.
• MB-326B: Eight two-seat jet trainer, light attack aircraft for Tunisia.
• MB-326D: Four two-seat unarmed jet trainers for Italia.
• MB-326E: Six two-seat armed jet trainers for the Italian Air Force.
• MB-326F: Nine two-seat jet trainer, light attack aircraft for Ghana.
• MB-326G: Two two-seat jet trainer, ground-attack aircraft.
◦ MB-326GB: Two-seat jet trainer, ground-attack aircraft. Eight sold to the Argentine Navy.
◦ 17 aircraft were exported to Zaire, and another 23 aircraft to Zambia.
◦ MB-326GC: Two-seat jet trainer, ground-attack aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force. 167 aircraft built under license in Brazil as the Embraer EMB-326 for the Brazilian Air Force. Eleven of them were transferred to the Argentine Navy after the Falklands War. Six aircraft were exported to Togo, and another ten to Paraguay. Total production, 182.
◦ AT-26 Xavante: Brazilian Air Force designation of the MB-326GC.
◦ RT-26 Xavante: Some AT-26 Xavantes were converted into reconnaissance aircraft.
• MB-326H: 87 two-seat jet trainers built for the Royal Australian Air Force, and 10 for the Royal Australian Navy. Twelve Italian-built aircraft and 85 built under license in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation with the designation "CA-30".
• MB-326K: Single-seat ground-attack aircraft for the South African Air Force. Built under license in South Africa by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation.
◦ Impala Mk II: South African Air Force designation of the MB-326K.
◦ MB-326KB: Single-seat ground-attack aircraft for Zaire. (Six built).
◦ MB-326KD: Single-seat ground-attack aircraft for Dubai. (Three built).
◦ MB-326KG: Single-seat ground-attack aircraft for Ghana. (Four built).
◦ MB-326KT: Single-seat ground-attack aircraft for Tunisia. (Seven built).
• MB-326L: Two-seat advanced jet trainer aircraft.
◦ MB-326LD: Two-seat advanced jet training aircraft for Dubai. (Two built).
◦ MB-326LT: Two-seat advanced jet training aircraft for Tunisia. Four built.
• MB-326M: Two-seat jet trainer, ground-attack aircraft for the South African Air Force. Built under license in South Africa by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation.
◦ Impala Mk I: South African Air Force designation of the MB-326M.
• MB-326RM: Five Italian Air Force MB-326s were converted into ECM aircraft.

Hope this help!

Stay Safe!

Bye 4 now!

Chapter 11 of Stray Cats Hunt in Darkness, posted. SOL will publish a little later, so be on the lookout for this new episode in the ongoing saga. There is a mention in the text, about a WWII
Boeing B17G called "Hikin for Home" (Yeah it is spelled H-I-K-I-N.) Well for those of you that wanted to see what this War Bird looked like during WWII and the rendition of her in FSX, just have a look at my external blog to see some pictures. I have "Memphis Bell" and "Nine-O-nine" as well. Such a shame about poor old Nine-O-Nine. One of those things that happens and could have been avoided.

BTW - For those of you that want to see what Mapungubwe look like: There's a good documentary currently on SABC called "MASIVE AFRICA." Please, Google it. Episode 5 deals with a little reserve next to Mapungubwe, but do stray into Mapungubwe. The animals and the scenery is the same.

Stay Safe!

Bye 4 now!