On Horn we gathered and met with doubts

of weather encountered hereabouts.

Bill was full of confidence though

and assured us it was all systems go.

Bob Bates came forth to guide us North

a living legend we all thought.

Into Bob’s computer we did peer

to make sense of weather here.

Fine and Beaut was verdicts clear

we’ll not see lousy weather here.

So off we went to the North

but no New Guinea did come forth.

Then as we climbed the clouds did scatter

revealing high mountains that don’t matter.

Huge mountains either side we saw

there lay Hagen on the valley floor.

To Madang we ventured next

fine and beaut the weather to expect.

We climbed to clear the mountains high

then further to clear the clouds did fly.

To Madang we dropped 10,000 feet

our confidence now did grow a treat.

Weather, what weather – it’s fine and beaut!

a fact we could not dispute.

Thunder and rain did wake us before we next flew

more peering at the computer did we do.

Along the Coast or go direct

decisions, decisions, what to expect.

Coastal flying we will go

to see beach and reef we went so low.

Karawari strip came into view

‘bit close to that hill Kel!’, said the crew.

Thunder and rain did wake us when next we flew

no computer gazing did we do.

Assurances from Bob of fine and beaut

a forecast like that you can’t refute.

We climbed and climbed and crew did peer

I did see trees in that cloud so near.

12,000 feet to clear the hills to Tari we went

then drop the gear for a quick descent.

Rain did wake us before next we flew

confidently set forth – ‘it’s just heavy dew!’.

Then either side did gardens lay

along the track called a highway.

Artworks piled high we headed South

into weather – fine and beaut.