G'day,

 Thanks for the welcome and the comments re the Foster Marque
AMPICO.  Well at least I know mine wasn't an orphan!  I do not have it
any longer --- I exchanged it for an Alfa Romeo car, but that's another
story!I was flying blind when I restored it about 15 years ago, but I
still see it occasionally as it is now owned by a friend (badly needs
tuning <piano, not friend !!>, but still running OK).  I might still
have some of my original diagrams, but if not, I can get access to the
piano itself but this will take longer.

 AFAIR, the description by Bob Conant is fairly close, but I do not
believe there was any real crescendo effect, but rather a few fixed
steps with no time factor.  I did not have a *real* AMPICO to compare
it with, but IMHO it must have fallen rather short of the correct
interpretation.  I suspect it was on a par with the pedal D-A's with
the single expression system which are more common in this country than
the full system.  As for "bush walking", this is a popular leisure (?)
activity in this country and can vary from 2-3 hours of strolling in
nearby parks or woods to arduous cross country or mountain hikes of a
number of days suited to the very fit and experienced only.  There are
many clubs which cater for the various abilities and plenty of guide
books for the individuals.  I am sure most countries have their
equivalents.  It is a great way to see your own or another country if
you have the time :>).

 BTW, I am a member of the Historical Radio Society of Australia and
the Phonograph Society of South Australia (includes mech. music).

Cheers,¶
Darrell