So I decided to purchase a brand new Anaconda - named Dauntless Explorer.

Why I have decided to purchase such a ship. Well I new I could fly the Excelsior and I just wanted something different. Plus my next trip was into The Formidine Rift. It's an unknown location - at least to me, I want to find something.

I have done my normal shakedown cruise and built the ship accordingly. It has a good jump range, 45 ly and still carries weapons and shields.

Day 1 - launch from Timbalderis on route to Wredguia TL-N b20-1.

Lets see what's out in the black.

There is a moment when you drop out of FDS and see that sight. The station. Any station.

After 37 days travelling on this expedition, I finally docked at a station in Gateway.

Dam that was a comforting sight indeed. To see other ships, admittedly I wanted to avoid most due to lack of firepower now, was very gratifying indeed. However, I needed to land given the amount of data I was carrying. Plus the Excelsior had a few issues none of which would cause me any real problems but I did not want to get into a fight.

Exchanges with the docking crew, set the ship on automatic and let dock control take charge. Smooth perfect landing.

Repairs were completed including the paintwork and now of to log my data. Boy that was some trip, the number of newly discovered worlds including a few Earth like ones made me feel proud. Then there were the credits. That made pretty good reading and a hell of a difference to the bank balance.

So al in all very successful. I learnt more about the ship, outfitting, exploration data and a few credits. Time for a break and a think.

Sagittarius A

Made it. What a sight to see as well. Avoid the black hole first and then scan the area. What I did find was a Mega-ship just drifting in space. Half thought about investigating but decided to head on to the Anchorage. A quick jump, and there it is. Safe heaven for pilots and ships.

Docking computer back online, automated landing and home. First thing, repair all systems, refuel and then head to the bar. A good drink, meal and chat to other pilots. Decided not to sell my data for now, I will make a lot more at the end of all this.

Restocked the ship, removed a couple of modules to increase my jump range and set the navigation system for the next waypoint. It will take a few more days than I thought and yes I am a bit behind schedule. Still I have time on my hands so tomorrow I will press on.

Black hole!

Warning sounds echoed on the bridge. Dam, this is close. Heat rising trying not to panic, looking for the clear way out.

Excelsior almost knew what she had to do. Engines at full, waiting to engage FSD otherwise more heat damage. Take the odd photo my co-pilot said.

"Yea why not a memento of us blowing-up" My reply was curt. Dam silly time to think about that. Still he managed to snap a few shots.

Finally we cleared the gradational pull, hit FSD and headed for safer space.A bit more damage to repair, autos could handle most it apart from power and hull. Must pick a hull repair kit at the Anchorage.

So back to calm sailing, open space, scanning systems and landing at night.

14,000ly to the Explorers Anchorage a bit behind but what the heck.

Deep space exploration. Its long, some times tedious and yet rewarding. There are dangers in space. Far too many sometimes.

Keeping my ship in tacked is tough. Many days in space but she is tough. The paint work will need redoing when we reach the Explorers Anchorage and a few minor repairs. But all in all so far so good.

The finds are what makes these trips. Discovering new Earth Like Worlds and I seem to have discovered a few. The funny thing with deep space is the view takes ages to change. Then you suddenly enter a system and everything changes.

Blaa Hypai OZ-O d6-9 for one - I started to scan and found a nebula close by. Well can't miss the chance to explore that one. Dropping fro FSD there was a the nebula. Just before it was a ringed planet and we found a huge mineral deposit. Then a few contacts appeared and well I knew it was not the fleet so, time to head back into space.

A quick short jump to the next location Blaa Hypai OZ-O d6-16 and more treasures to find. In fact an amazing series of finds. Landed for the night next to an ancient ruin. More to explore before heading to the next waypoint.

Its been a tough few days reaching the waypoints. Numerous photographs taken and lots of data recorded. Watching the probes drop onto moons can be fun.

Excelsior is performing well and thank god I brought the second repair unit. We have will have to make a stop at the Explorers Anchorage and rest. Night time stops have been fine so far. One minor panic, one moon had a slightly higher gravity than I liked and we did well to avoid hitting it.

Glad the jump range was increased that's made a lot of difference. We can reach places better. However, I may still wish to make a few changes when we stop.

Well night time stop reached maybe make the next waypoint tomorrow, we will see.

Blo Eurl YN-T d3-45 system

A bit of a rough moment caught me by surprise. I woke up to the ship dropping from FSD and the alert sounds ringing through the ship. Somehow we had a system problem and crashed out. Minor hull damage and systems affected.

I put the repair systems to work and concentrated on the Fed, thrusters and environment.

We were lucky. Very lucky. Finally made my way to the next way point and spotted a planet to land. I was very careful setting her down, no further damage and I could relax.

A few more photographs and probes launched to gather data. A full check of the damaged modules in morning before continuing on the journey. We always had support to call on and the Explorers Anchorage half way. That would certainly be a call to make no matter what.

Onward to waypoint 4 and a days rest.

La Grande Expedition 3305 day 3

Day 3 and numerous jumps into the expedition finally reached the first way point.

After an overnight stop we took off and pressed onward to the way point. Less and less pirate threats now so we can relax and enjoy the sights. A lot of data collected already and much more to come.

First stop and the first true photographic opportunity. Over flying the planet with its red double craters and chance to enjoy the view.

A good place to set down for the night and plan the next way point. I must remember to stop off at the Explorers Anchorage and pick up a few supplies. Lucky we have that on this route.

Well day 1 is here and time to head out. The expedition is gathering and the launch is underway.

I hope to meet up with a few of the other pilots later as we explore.

Leaving the space station behind for such a long trip is always a worry, but I have a good ship, well stocked, a few bottles of the right stuff and plenty of music to listen too.

Photographing along the way will be new for me and something of a record of the journey. My co-pilot is happy, quite and reading his book as normal.

Out into the black.

More later

Dropping out into normal space is always a worry, you never know what you will find.

The arrival at Bragurom Du sounded alarms, hostile system, not so good. Navigation system and scanning found me the station I needed and course set.

Within a few moments pirate hassle. Excelsior handled herself well and we left him far behind.

A space station is a welcomed sight no matter what it looks like.

"Excelsior requesting permission to land." Then you wait a moment.

"Permission granted land at bay 23"

Switch to automatics and let Excelsior do the rest. Nice and easy does it. Docking complete ground crew despatched. I headed over to the main port office and checked out the bar. Always the bar first. A drink, food and survey the missions. This is the starting point for the Le Grande Expedition in a few days time. Chance to earn a few credits running some missions and final outfitting.

Contacting a few engineers to make modifications to the ship, extending the FSD range and strengthening the hull. All part of the final outfitting.

Time to head out and make a bit more cash.