Karl’s Corregidor Trips.

[Karl Welteke]

ROCKSLIDES, SOUTH SIDE OF MALINTA HILL

FIRST DAY OF CORREGIDOR VISIT 2013-02-11
Mariveles to Corregidor, South-Shore Road around Malinta Hill.

My plan was to meet up with fots2 and Phantom and for me to stay one week.

The trip from Mariveles to Corregidor is covered in the previous segment. Tom Aring and fots2 had not arrived yet and I arrived in the afternoon. So I went around the south side of Malinta Hill to check on the recent reported rockslides.

The Rockslides are substantial and they make clear that the South-Shore Road around Malinta Hill would be hazardous to public use.

In this album, about the rockslides on the South-Shore Road, around the south side of Malinta Hill are 52 images.
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Malinta%20Hill/Around%20Malinta%20Hill/S-Shore%20Rd%202013-02-11?sort=9&page=1

Here are some sample images:



Z587-This is the west side of Malinta Hill on Corregidor. This concrete road comes from Bottomside and continuous behind me to the west entrance of the Malinta Tunnel. Straight ahead is the South-Shore road going around the south side of Malinta Hill.



Z588-I marked in the landmarks for this album on this section of the 1936 Corregidor map.



Z586-Like a cove, here in the bushes are the two remaining Malinta Hill accessible Navy Tunnels. This in the SW side of Malinta Hill.



Z589-This is the most NE (north east) rockslide on the South-Shore Road around Malinta Hill. I walked just a little further and we have the 92nd Garage area in view.



Z590-A better view of the most NE rockslide, you can see the traffic sign ahead that is where the South-Shore Road bends north and inland.



Z591-This is the area, I call, the 2nd most NE rockslide.



Z592-Looking in the other direction over the 2nd most NE rockslide.



Z593-The biggest or most risky rock slide area on the Malinta Hill South-Shore Road.



Z594-The biggest or most risky rock slide area on the Malinta Hill South-Shore Road. These pictures were shot on the return trip, I had walked first all the way passed the slides without taking pictures.



Z595-I am approaching the spot of the 3rd machine gun emplacement but only a large I-beam is left.



Z596-The South-Shore Road is pretty much intact along the three Machine gun emplacements.



Z597-Looking across machine gun emplacement #1 across the South-Dock and towards Breakwater Point.

Note to Conrad Buehler:
I have to assume that most wrecks are still in the harbor, that they are deep enough not to cause a navigational hazard. In my 10 years traveling here I never seen any salvage work going on. But I have experienced that Filipinos are crafty and there may have been small salvage work by small groups in the past with only the rudimental equipment.

[cbuehler]

Great photos of the south road. They bring back memories when I hiked it around 11 years ago. There was evidence of rock slides back then of course (they had a big one during the battle in 1945), but some are much more recent as shown in these photos. I actually do not recall the metal road fencing back then, but it must have been there. I particularly remember the intact area of the road that curves around near the MG emplacements. Looks the same. I picked up a US 75mm case there.
It is probable that the terrific amount of explosives that Malinta Hill received in ww2 is one of the major causes of the slides even today.
Natural erosion is finding pre-fractured rock to aid it.

CB

[Karl Welteke]

BOTTOMSIDE, CORREGIDOR ISLAND 2013-02-11

FIRST DAY OF CORREGIDOR VISIT 2013-02-11 to 2013-01-18

My plan was to meet up with fots2 and Phantom and for me to stay one week.

The trip from Mariveles to Corregidor and the walk to the South Shore Road around Malinta Hill on this first day are covered in the two previous segments. Tom Aring and fots2 had not arrived yet and I arrived in the afternoon, so I just walked around Bottomside and shot pictures randomly.

I shot 62 images on this walk around Bottomside and the pictures are in this album:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Bottomside%20Corregidor/B-Side%202013-02-11%20various%20images?sort=3&page=1


Here are some sample images:



Z626-North Channel, Gen. MacArthur stature, Lorcha Dock.



Z627-Engineering Wharf or Dock, Morrison Hill are dead ahead and Engineering Ravine is left of Morrison Hill.



Z628-The boat landing area, north side of Bottomside, between the Mine Dock and the Eng.-Dock. The structure in the middle, shore line is a relative new watering hole, established a few years now and is utilized by many of the island employees.



Z629-The big news at MacArthur Café is that the Nipa-Huts between it and the current Coast Guard Station have been razed, they were rotten.



Z630-The RTVs are waiting for customers at the Bottomside south shore, they are somewhat exposed to the weather, I think.



Z631-The RTV rules, we are looking in the direction of the chapel (not in view). Right of the sign is the former Coast Guard Building, left of the sign, in the distance is the Gen. Wainwright Memorial.



Z632-The Kayaks next to former Pirate’s Cove watering hole, it had other names. It has dried up, it is not operating now.



Z633-The Pirate’s Cove watering hole, it had other names. It has dried up, it is not operating now. I enjoyed coming here and sip on a cold beer.



Z634-The Kayak rules, this sign is located next to the Zip line bottom tower.



Z635-If you did not know about the Helo landing at Bottomside and you have a helicopter you could give me a ride to here.



Z636-Along the south shore of Bottomside are several seating and shade structures for obvious purposes. Maybe they were built for that big Youth-Meet they had on Corregidor many years ago, before my time. In the distance are the South Dock and Caballo Island.



Z637-Further down, west, along the south shore of Bottomside are more seating and shade structures. I assume, guess, they were generated for that big Youth-Meet they had on Corregidor many years ago.



Z638-This row of female shower stalls obviously must have been constructed for big Youth-Meet they had on Corregidor many years ago. There is another row for men and a toilet structure in between.



Z639-A look back at the female shower stall row.



Z640-I also had walked up to the Stockade-Level and on my way down, the road splits to north and south Bottomside. Dead ahead is the top of Skipper hill where the Corregidor Inn is now located.



Z641-Looking right from the last image we are looking onto the south side of Bottomside, and see Caballo Island.



Z642-Looking further to the right towards Breakwater point. In front we can see the tracks of the RTVs



Z643-Looking at Corregidor Inn from the SW, remember, the Corregidor Trolley line run just below the hotel, about 3 terraces down.

[Karl Welteke]

STOCKADE LEVEL, CORREGIDOR ISLAND 2013-02-11

FIRST DAY OF CORREGIDOR VISIT 2013-02-11 to 2013-01-18

My plan was to meet up with fots2 and Phantom and for me to stay one week.

The trip from Mariveles to Corregidor, the walk to the South Shore Road around Malinta Hill and the Corregidor Bottomside random picture stroll on this first day are covered in the three previous segments. Tom Aring and fots2 had not arrived yet and I arrived in the afternoon, so I continued the walk up the Stockade level to say hello to Mr. Ronilo Benadero. He is the Corregidor resident manager for the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI).
.
I shot 20 images on this walk to the Stockade level and the pictures are in this album. They have very nice description:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Stockade%20Level-Area/Random%20Stockade%20shots?sort=9&page=1

This is the last segment out of four of this first day on my week long visit to Corregidor. As always, I record my visits on paper, see below. It covers this and the three previous segments:


Corregidor Diary
2013-11th to 18th Feb. 7 Days w. AJM, Tom A.


Day One, Monday the 11th Feb. 2013

Took Bus to Mariveles; at the gate to the Rouvia Port I got the good news that the ferry had arrived per the Monday schedule. I took my gear to the ferry and loaded it. Then I went to the Duty Free store to kill time by reading. At 1 pm I was at the pier to buy the ferry ticket from the FAB attendants. The attendant will change to a younger lady next time, she got broke in today. The ferry ticket to Corregidor was 250 peso still.

Had again one of those experiences that makes one love to be in the Philippines. As I approached the Rouvia Port Gate, the guard recognized me as a frequent visitor and rushed towards me to help me carry my stuff. Then the guard supervisor offered the guard to help me carry my stuff to the ferry. But I thanked them and told them I still can handle carrying my stuff.

On the ride to Corregidor I took pictures of the Mariveles Harbor and the new power plant. Sun Cruises used the big boat today and we landed at the North Dock. I paid my entrance fee and checked into the MacArthur Café. It is always a pleasant feeling to return to the island. One is received by all as an old friend.

I noticed a lot less garbage at the North Dock area and was told later that the Philippine Coast Guard was here recently and picked up most of it and hauled it away in a barge.

I walked to the South Shore Malinta Hill road. More rock slides occurred and I climbed over about 4 of them. The Malinta Hill south entrance is certainly buried.

On the south shore of Bottomside I took many pictures and walked up the Stockade level to say hello to the Island OIC Mr. Ron.

Worked on my pictures, had a Carlos meal and retired early.

End
Here are some sample images:



Z646-Walked from Bottomside south shore to the Stockade level, using a short cut way. That Plastic water tank above the SW corner of Bottomside is now destroyed, I don’t know what happened!



Z647-Reached the South-Shore Road below the ex Spanish Fort, the grass is growing wildly now.



Z648-Walked from Bottomside south shore to the Stockade level, continuing up the short cut from the Corregidor South-Shore Road.



Z649-On the Corregidor Stockade level, this is the back of the east post-war Corregidor public School building. The school was discontinued before my 1st time on Corregidor, 2004.



Z650-This is the best Google Earth is doing for us, I marked the location of every landmark in the album URL above.



Z651-On the Corregidor Stockade level, right is the ex Spanish Fort (not in view) and left is post-war Corregidor public School building. The bunker right was built by the Japanese, it is said. The small building ahead is a post-war utility building between the long post-war long guest Rowhouse at left ( in view) and the long staff row house at right (not in view).



Z652-On the Corregidor Stockade level, west of the two post-war Corregidor public School buildings is another small house. It was used by the legendary Denny Howell when he lost his house in James Ravine do to the weather. It is now used by Mr. Ronilo Benadero. He is the Corregidor resident manager for the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI).



Z653-On the Corregidor Stockade level. I have walked down the road from the post-war Corregidor public School building and I am looking back. Left is the Corregidor staff row house and right would be the CFI utility building.



Z654-On the Corregidor Stockade level. I have walked from the Stockade row houses area and stepped onto the Bottomside to Middleside Corregidor Road and I see monkeys in the tree.



Z655-View of the Corregidor Inn and Malinta Hill at Corregidor Bottomside as I walk down the Middleside-Bottomside Road from the Stockade level.



Z656-On the Corregidor Stockade level. As I walk down the Middleside-Bottomside Road from the Stockade level, about half way down, at right is this gun shelter.


Note:
All the 176 images from all 4 segments above from this first day 2013-02-11 on Corregidor for this visit are in this one album with short titles only.
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20at%20Random/CI%20Random%20Subalbum%20No%202/2013-02-11%20Mariveles-Bottomside?sort=9&page=1

[Karl Welteke]

CORREGIDOR 2013 Feb. 12, ENJOY A WALK WITH KARL

Here Is My Diary Entry Of That Walk:

Corregidor Diary
2013-11th to 18th Feb. 7 Days w. AJM, Tom A.


Day Two, Tuesday the 12th Feb. 2013

It rained this morning and I waited about to 9 am and then the weather was back to normal

Walked to Engineering Wharf and checked the area of the defense positions VII-M-5, the Two 6 pounder pedestal position and VII-F-2. Took pictures there.

The Pistol Range and the Fresh Water Tank No. 9 near the above positions were next.

Then I revisited the mysterious concrete sections just west of the Japanese gun and via the VII-F-2. Then went to the road above, continued to the Trolley Track above that and followed the track to it’s crossing of the Engineering Ravine.

From there I continued up to Middleside and after looking at the 3 Mil rain water storage tanks stopped by at the Kwiecinskies and said hello.

Barrio San Isidro and the Nipa Quarters next to it were my next goals because AJM recently discovered several concrete structures there. I found them right away, more by luck then reading AJM’s report carefully.

After that I returned to MacArthur café and wrapped up this day.

The North Channel was about at normal wind and wave condition again. This time in the morning, during the walk, I noticed a helicopter and a small aircraft were flying around

Worked on my pictures, ate a couple of sandwiches, had two beers and retired early.

Edith, the manger of the MacArthur Café text me and said she is not working here any longer. We wished each other well and said –good bye-.

AJM and Tom A. have not joined me yet

End

167 pictures with short titles from this whole walk have been uploaded into this album:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20at%20Random/CI%20Random%20Subalbum%20No%202/2013-02-12%20Eng-Wharf%20area?sort=6&page=1

The walk on this day I will present in several segments again. This is the first one and only deals with the start of this walk.

Here are some sample images:



Z688-My room at the MacArthur café and I’m ready for the walk, checking the camera one more time.



Z689-It rained this morning and I only got started a little after 9am after the rain stopped. I met Ron (who runs the island for CFI) and Gilbert (the Photographer on the island), they were standing by for the Sun Cruises ferry to arrive.



Z690-From in front of the Corregidor Admin Building we see the Sun Cruises ferry approaching. It is about 0930 hours.



Z691-The Sun Cruises ferry is making its landing on the North Mine Wharf.



Z692-This section of the 1936 Corregidor map has most of the landmarks of this album indicated.



Z693-I stepped onto the Eng.-Wharf and have a look back, I’m looking into the Engineering Ravine.



Z694-Still standing on the Eng.-Wharf and I looking up Morrison Hill. The first few segments of this thread are about all the things to see in that circled area.



Z695-between the Eng.-Wharf and Morrison Hill, some of the island residents have small banca paddle boats and go fishing sometime.



Z696-Approaching Morrison Hill now and I’m looking ahead as to where I can get up. Note the trash in the grass that is from the NE wind, blowing trash onto the shore from the water.



Z697-That low ravine looking depression, ahead, seems to be the best way, I’m moving up.



Z698-Once upon a time, around 1942, these steps were used to go up but now it was better my way. These steps were near by my path I had chosen.



Z699-On my many visits I have seen many traps set but this is the first time I seen a lizard caught and not picked up. And this lizard is fairly big.



Z670-I made it up to the level, location, of defense position VII-M-5 and I’m enjoying a look back at the Bottomside north shore with all the piers, wharf.

This is the end of the first segment of the 2013 Feb. 12th Corregidor visit presentation.

[Karl Welteke]

CORREGIDOR 2013 Feb. 12, ENJOY A WALK WITH KARL

THIS IS THE SECOND SEGMENT and it will cover an area very close to and above the Engineering Wharf, up the Morrison Hill slope. It includes the defense positions VII-M-5, the newer gun shelter, the old Two-6-Pounder position, the magazine and the tunnel that may have served all the 1942 defending troops in this very exposed position to the besieging Imperial Japanese Forces on South Bataan.

I established 4 new small albums about these locations and give the URLs here with a few sample images. Remember the pictures in the albums are much larger!



Z775-This map covers all 4 objects of this segment.

DEFENSE POSITION VII-M-5 is THE closest and lowest ONE from the Engineering Wharf. VII=section 7; M= Machine gun; 5=number five. I established this album with 9 images:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Defense%20Positions%20Ft-Mills/VII-M-5%20Def-Pos%20above%20Eng-Wharf?sort=6&page=1



Z776-2009-01-11 this is how the defense position VII-M-5 looks most of the time.



Z777-2013-02-12 that is how the defense position VII-M-5 looked on this date after I cleared it a little bit.



Z778-2013-02-12 that is how the defense position VII-M-5 looks from the inshore side and it is the east end.

TWO-SIX POUNDER POSITION and the GUN SHELTER

10 pictures have been placed into this album:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Defense%20Positions%20Ft-Mills/Gun-Shelter%20Eng-Wharf%20Above/Shelter%20images%20only?sort=9&page=1



Z779-2006-02-02 The gun shelter near and above the Engineering Wharf.



Z780- The map for this segment with the 4 objects.



Z781-2006-02-02 my friend Tom A. is inside the shelter. From this 2006 picture it is clear it is only a matter of time and it will go down the cliff.



Z782-2013-02-12 the shelter is down, I believe it happen in 2011.




TWO-SIX POUNDER POSITION and the MAGAZINES
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Defense%20Positions%20Ft-Mills/Gun-Shelter%20Eng-Wharf%20Above/Shelter%20images%20only?sort=9&page=1



Z783- 2006-02-02 About 12 feet ahead of Tom A, one can see a small opening in the ground, it is built with concrete and I call it the very small magazine. And we can see where we are in relation to the shelter.



Z784-2009-01-11 Close-up of the very small concrete magazine next to the gun shelter near and above the Engineering Wharf.



Z785-2009-01-11 the walk-in size concrete magazine inshore of the gun shelter near and above the Engineering Wharf. The distance is about 35 feet.



Z786-2013-02-12 looking inside, thru the door of the walk-in size concrete magazine inshore of the gun shelter near and above the Engineering Wharf. The distance to the shelter is about 35 feet.


TUNNEL at the TWO-SIX POUNDER and GUN SHELTER POSITION
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Tunnels%20on%20Corregidor/Tnl%20above%20Eng-Dock?sort=6&page=1



Z787-2006-02-02 the large inshore entrance to the tunnel inshore of the gun shelter near and above the Engineering Wharf. It is also about 10 to 15 feet west from the walk-in magazine door.



Z788- 2006-02-02 my friend Tom A. is walking towards the smaller shore side entrance to the tunnel. Note the rocks laying on the ground and note the very small concrete magazine behind him.



Z789- 2009-01-11 the smaller shore side entrance to the tunnel. Note the rocks laying on the ground in front of the tunnel entrance. And on the bottom of the picture is the large concrete base for the old pedestal Six Pounder gun.



Z790- 2009-01-11 if you lay on the ground and reach into the tunnel one can tell it is good size tunnel. This is the smaller shore side entrance to the tunnel, inshore of the gun shelter near and above the Engineering Wharf.

I wonder, when were the gun shelters installed and when were the Six-Pounder guns installed. I wonder more who sat in these positions in 1942 in the defense of Corregidor.


167 pictures with short titles from this whole walk have been uploaded into this album:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20at%20Random/CI%20Random%20Subalbum%20No%202/2013-02-12%20Eng-Wharf%20area?sort=6&page=1

[oozlefinch]

I have a short story about the Japanese. gun above Engineer Wharf. In 1987 I made my first trip to Corregidor, accompanied by Al McGrew. Al had made his first return in 1980, and I believe he came back each year and spent a month or so each time. This time we had to take a banca over from Cabcaban because we couldn't be sure the ferry would make the run, or not. When we got on the island we went up to the original Corregidor Inn run by Patsy. Well, Al and Patsy sit down and start catching up on what had happened since they had last met. I have finally gotten to Corregidor and I can't wait to go exploring, so I do. I head over to the Power Plant area, and start nosing around structures there. I see the gun shelter up the hill and climb up to it. I'm like a kid in a toy store. I climb further up the ridge and what do I see, but the Japanese. gun. To say I was excited is an understatement. At this point I was getting a little tired as we had about midnight, caught a couple hours of sleep and taken a car from Manila to Cabcaben (that's another story). I went back to the Inn and Al and Patsy were still gabbing away. Al asked me what I saw and I told him about the gun. He said "what gun?" It seems that in all of his trips, 6 to 8 months on the island, he had never seen the gun. I doubt seriously that I was the first visitor to see the gun, but none of his friends on the island had ever taken him to see it.

[Karl Welteke]

CORREGIDOR 2013 Feb. 12, ENJOY A WALK WITH KARL

THIS IS THE THIRD SEGMENT of this day and it will cover an area above the Engineering Wharf, up the Morrison Hill slope alongside the North-Shore-Road before it makes its turn to run parallel to the north shore. It includes the Fresh Water Tank #9 and the prefabricated concrete shelter at the Pistol Range
I established 2 new small albums about these 2 locations and give the URLs here with a few sample images. Remember the pictures in the albums are much larger!

Here is the album of the prefabricated concrete shelter, half moon shape, (prefabrication is my assumption) at the Pistol Range with 13 images and 4 sample images:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Morrison%20Hill/Pistol-Range%20Pre-Fab%20Shelter%20or%20Magazine?sort=9&page=1



Z863- 2004-01-24 The prefabricated concrete shelter/magazine at the Pistol Range above the Engineering Wharf. Note all the steel sticking out, around the door, which will be gone in later images.



Z864- Look at the right side/edge of this map where I marked in the location of the Fresh Water Tank No. 9 and the Pistol Range.



Here is a bigger version of that map.



Z865- 2013-02-12 The ventilation end of the prefabricated concrete shelter/magazine at the Pistol Range above the Engineering Wharf.



Z866- 2013-02-12 The door end from the inside of the prefabricated concrete shelter/magazine at the Pistol Range above the Engineering Wharf. Notice there is a new hole next to the door as compared to the 2004 image.



Z867- 2013-02-12 The ventilation end from the inside of the prefabricated concrete shelter/magazine at the Pistol Range above the Engineering Wharf.

Here is the album of the Fresh Water Tank No. 9 near the Pistol Range with 9 images and 3 sample images:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Morrison%20Hill/Wtr-Tnk%20No%209%20Fresh%20Water?sort=9&page=1



Z868- 2013-02-12 The Fresh Water Tank No. 9 near the Pistol Range shot from the North Shore Road direction.



Z869- 2013-02-12 The Fresh Water Tank No. 9 near the Pistol Range, a section of remaining wall. This area must have been an area of a lot of incoming enemy artillery.




Z869- 2013-02-12 Part of the top cover is cashed down into the tank. Fresh Water Tank No 9 above the old coal power plant and above the Engineering Wharf.

[chadhill]

Nice job, Karl. You've been contributing many great posts here. Thank you.

[Karl Welteke]

CORREGIDOR 2013 Feb. 12, ENJOY A WALK WITH KARL

THIS IS THE FOURTH SEGMENT and it will cover an area further up the slope of Morrison Hill. It includes the defense positions VII-F-2, and the mystery concrete we found recently. There are at least 2 huge concrete pieces with the pre WWI twisted rebar. So far nobody tried to guess where they came from and how they got here.

I established 2 new small albums about these locations and give the URLs here with a few sample images. Remember the pictures in the albums are much larger!



Z904-This map covers all 2 objects of this segment.



Z904-The map in its original size

DEFENSE POSITION FIELD GUN VII-F-2 is located above the Pistol Range and the Fresh Water Tank #9 and just below the only remaining Japanese gun still in position. VII=section 7; F=Field Gun; 2=Number Two. I established this album with 14 images:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Defense%20Positions%20Ft-Mills/VII-F-2%20above%20Eng-Wharf%20below%20Jap-gun?sort=9&page=1

Here are 3 sample images:



Z905- 2013-02-12 Looking at #1 gun from behind the gun position.
I understand when standing behind the gun battery the gun at right is #1 and the left gun is #2.



Z906- 2013-02-12 The field gun position VII-F-2. The entrance to the magazine from the #1 gun position.



Z907- 2013-02-12 Looking into the magazine between #1 gun and #2 gun of this VII-F-2 (Field Gun Position). This shot is from the #1 gun end to #2 gun end.



Z908- 2013-02-12 The entrance to the magazine from the #2 gun position. In 2005 one still could see some of the powder cans filled with dirt and gravel that were used for added splinter protection.

THE MYSTERY CONCRETE NEAR THE JAPANESE GUN
were put into this album with 27 images:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20by%20subject/Morrison%20Hill/Mystery%20Concrete?sort=9&page=1

Here are two sample shots:



Z909- 2013-02-12 The side of one of the two or more huge concrete pieces.



Z910- 2013-02-12 Another large piece of the mystery concrete, on the ground one can see what must be about 2 inch in diameter twisted rebar. Also the whitish material for the concrete is puzzling.


167 pictures with short titles from this whole walk have been uploaded into this album:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20at%20Random/CI%20Random%20Subalbum%20No%202/2013-02-12%20Eng-Wharf%20area?sort=6&page=1


Note to Chad: thank you for your note!