Jerry_Atrick

It was cheap and reliable, but so were model T Fords in their time. Times and technology has moved on, and, sadly for some, the alternatives are cheaper, more reliable, require much less maintenance, and produce less emissions to boot. Model T fords in today's money were about USD $15000 (AUD$21,000). For $19,000 you can get small hatch backs.. now, who is going to buy a car to the Model T spec for $21,000 when you can have the alternatives cheaper? Not too many takers, I would think. Yes, there has to be an investment to bring it on to critical mass, just like there was an investment in coal stations. Remember, all of Australia's power generation was originally government owned because of the investments required - before the governments sold the family silver. I guess candles and horses weren't enough. It's not woke, it's economics - pure and simple. I recall plenty of blackouts as a kid... when it was virtually all coal. And a hell of a lot less demand than today - no air conditoners and the like fo us commoners. When I worked in the industry, the maintenance of coal plants was horrendous compared to even nuclear (nuclear was more expensive due to the standards, not the actual work that had to be done). We live in thereal world, with real data, not some nostalgiv throwback.

@Grumpy Old Nasho - if I remember corectly, you are in QLD (but maybe mixing it up with Willidoo). Anyway, the numbers don't like. Coal is still the majority source of electricity generation - at around 60%. The solar is about 28%, then comes gas and other renewwables: https://electricity-generation-map.treasury.qld.gov.au/ Now, if you live in SE QLD, then max your electricity usage at midday to 2 or 3pm from memory. And that is THANKS TO SOLAR If you live outside SE QLD, it is likely coal and gas that is holding your prices up. Ironically, most of the solar farms in QLD are SW QLD. Just stick with coal and your prices will continue to rise as it is more expensive to produce electricity, and getting more expensive to extract. You're welcome

I don't get the furore around the new uk passport rule. Australia has had the same rule for years

yah.. its for the wheels

how much do the execs make and exactly how much more at risk of them losing their job as the workers? Soiunds socialist, doesn't it. The thing is, the execs can usually f it up much more than the workers and still pocket huge amounts of money at the taxpsyers expense. And they usually stay on long after the work has finished. (BTW, I am not saying workers should earn $260K, but good on 'em if they do)

The evidence looks damning, but what happene until innocent until proven guilty? Somehow the orangutan, who has about the same amount of evidence as Mountbatten seems to be immune.. from that and many other alleged crimes. Many others implicated as badly.. but nary a word about them. At least Mendleson has been arrested on suspiciopn of misconduct of public office. He will take Starmer with him.

I wonder if the cladding will be fireproof?

Sorry - they only allow a number of guest reads before the lock it down. Basically Chump is demanding an ex Obaba admin official be removed from the Netflix board. So much for capitalism. He is showing he is a communist by having the state effective operate the economy.

Derrr.. d) Went for truth, justice, and most importantly (and possible contrary to he a priori), the American way!

Here ya go: https://www.ft.com/content/165878b9-2984-4df9-ba8a-c19f133e9ad8?shareType=nongift Complete authoritarian. Chump is.. a chump.

Another positive. Becaue my son and I ride together a bit, I decided to lash out and buy ann intercom to allow us to communicate. Blimey - how far has tech come since I learned to ride and had a one way wireless tannoy with an instructor barking down it, only catching 1.2 the message between interference and range issues. The great thing about these intercoms is they use Bluetooth and Mesh, have an effective range of about a mile Sadly, the market town we decided to put roots around, Taunton, which is the market town of Somerset, seems not to attract too many new stores - despite there being quite a bit of wealth around. However, the town of Yeovil, which seems a bit of a hovel, but has a Learnado helicopter finishing facility and a grass runway (sadly that cilvilans are generally not allowed to use) virtually in the centre of town, does attract businesses. They are obviosuly doing something right that Taunton is not doing. And they attracted Infiniti Motorcycles, which is now more an accessory store than bike seller. Here is a link to their store: https://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/find-a-store/yeovil As you know, although a reasonably prolific online shopper, I am now voting with my wallet and using stores. OK, it is about as far from us timewise as the Bristol store because there is no thumping moptorway between the two towns. Last Saturday, I went there to look at the intercoms. There were two reasons. First, despite it not being that convenient timewise, I want to support a "local" store, even if it is a chain. Secondly, I felt I didn't know that much about intercoms and the tech and wanted it explained. So the previous Saturday (14th Feb), I trundeled there with the boy. Well, the store was still being stocked out, and the staff were fairly new (there was one bloke I think for eye candy for the women and maybe some men, but was very tentative - and he was in his late 30s/early 40s). When I asked about the intercoms, they directed me to a 30-something woman, who was great. She listened to what I wanted, and that I didn't know, and then took the time to explain the main two manufacturers, their good points and their bad points. I did of course do some research beforehand, and much of what she said accorded to the research I did, but she had product insights of both and recommended the brand and model I eventually bought. She talked me out of buying the more expensive model of the manufacturer because the additional features weren't really useful for my riding missions. On top of that, she signed my up to their club (rewards program) and applied the discount that would have applied to my next purchase. Bewdy! I had brought my son's and my helmet in, and, mine being a Shoei reuired an adaptor plate. They didn't have it in stock so put it on back order and said it would be in on Tuesday (17th). It arrived, but being in London, I couldn't get there until yesterday (Saturday 21st). I handed the helmets over, and the look on her face was despondent. She apologised profusely and said she couldn't get to fitting the mics and speakers until later that day. I said it was OK, looked at some anti fog stuff and she asked why we needed it as both helmets had pinlocks. I said my son's visor between the pinlock fogs up, as does everything else. She said leave it with her - and not to buy the defogger. Anyway, I returned about 4 hours later, and she was there working away with the helmets. She was having an issue with my sons, and in what would have tested the most patient people, managed to sort it. She did mine next, which was easier. She handed over the helmets, went through the intercom functions as much as she knew (admitting that she still have a bit to learn - not bad two weeks out of the army not having worked with motorcycle stuff before). But, I noticed, both my son and my visors and helmets were spotless and polished to boot. She must have spent at least two hours working on those things. You wouldn't get that from Amazon. I was a very happy chappy and really appreciative of such great service. If they were delviered from an online order, I think it is fair to say, they would not be being used and sent back I asked her name, which is "Tam". As a token of appreication, a gift box of Tim Tams is heading her way.. and of course, I have emailed Infiniti thanking them for her great service.

Two things to celebrate. I have forged a great relationship with both kids. Daughter has been home for the weekl's break from university. When I went to pick her up, she was a real grump. But after a while of a little gentle coaxing, she opened up and we had a great chat about her problems - more issues. I was able to listen and, although as her father, to be honest, a little uncomfortable with some of the discussion, she was open and I was able to impart independent advice - not as a protective father - but with empathy to her age and how we were when we were that age - which is suprisingly more similar than different. My son is getting into his motorcycling (riding at the moment - the maintenance and other aspects will come). Normnally, young adults don't want to have their old men around, but he is always asking me to come out for a ride with him (of course, I pay for the snack). Yesterday, we had a great early morning ride and a reasonable breakfast - dad paid, of course. But we had a fantastic little conversation about goings on in his life and planning the Aus thing. Anyway, Daughter finishes her term at end of March. I have asked her if she can leave a week earlier, would she like to come to Aus for 3 weeks. She has never been one for travel, but she has said yep. So, I have to apply for leave.. Frankfurt on the 16th for a week, and then Aus.. I can work overseas for 10 days in countries I have the right to work.. so the first week I will work and let her get over jet lag. During that week, she can meet family she hasn't met yet. Amd then we will hit the road (even though I have a CASA medical, won't be enough time to organise a flying holiday). There is a fly in the ointment. Her passport expired about 3 months ago and she is quite lazy when it comes to renewing them. I can't book until she renews.

Just because the kids fly the nest (or are independent of mum and dad) doesn't mean you have tome to do what you want. Got zippo done on the reno.. Wanted to go to a specific runner shop about 20 miles away as my feet are wide and only Asics are constantly right for them across a manufacturers' range.. But no.. despite not bad weather today, things just got in the way, so Amazon it was, unfortunately.

Are you sure that is the case? https://theconversation.com/earth-is-trapping-much-more-heat-than-climate-models-forecast-and-the-rate-has-doubled-in-20-years-258822. I haven't done more than locate this, so it could all be bollocks. Even if the models over-estimated warming, they are not wrong; they would have merely over-estimated the rate of change. However, if the article above is correct, it appears they have underestimated the rate of temperatur change. Again, and either wasy, it does not mean they are wrong, but need further calibration and research to what other factors are at play.