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When we sold our last place I paid to have the outside cedar weatherboards repainted in red cedar colour. The buyer repainted I white immediately.

Are you serious? This poor couple made an administrative mistake and you think that deserves months in prison? Meantime you try to link it back (once again) to something that happened to you 50 years ago? I give up. Live in your upside down bubble.

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.

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.

Thanks all for a surprisingly logical response! I agree with much of it except a couple of ad hominem bits. Can I ask for comment on the following? The climate models that have been developed to date are, to the extent they have been tested, wrong. Over the past thirty years every base case model and every public prediction has shown a greater temperature increase than was actually experienced. We cannot rule on the models from the past decade, because there hasn’t been time to find out how they perform. But we have no reason to expect they will be any better.

She Probably has rooms FULL of Tim tams, Jerry. Nev

The great depression started by Wall street commenced in 1929 and a Lot of US companies went out of business Others survived with Much lower sales. People were destitute. Public works were done by some governments. Any one who went through it never forgot it. it affected their way of thinking forever, WW2 got the World out of that depression but debts continued for Countries Like Britain and Australia. Russia never Paid any of the Debt to the USA. The German and Japanese economies were Helped by the USA, so they Prospered. Nev

Another bloody site blocked by a paywall.

Must be terrible having no one to Boss you around. Hug a tree. Get a pet lizard. Build a Veggie garden. Become a Painter. Build a Bird Bath. Nev

A Challenge to Democracy and a Civilised World. Of All the Possible good Candidates in ALL of the USA, this Most Flawed Uncouth Unpredictable, unsuitable, nasty Vengeful ..........add no more than 100 examples for simplicity "Person" Gets to be the POTUS and C in C of the US Armed forces that He calls Suckers and Losers.. Nev

Aaah, the secret of making america great again.... Is to get another country to start a war and sit on the sidelines making money from it. Your multiple choice question:- Until Japan attacked and Hitler directly involved the USA, did the USA.... a) Send troops to assist UK etc (as the UK did in Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan) b) Provide free equipment to assist the UK c) Provide largely old equipment in return for worldwide bases, or money that the UK didn't have so had to borrow and spent decades paying back? i.e. So until their hand was forced, USA made profits from the blood of UK and others fighting Axis. USA's actions are consistent through recent history. Capitalism rules over morals.

One problem, l'm getting indecision again. They say keep emotion out of business decisions but whenever l come back here for a bit especially if l do any work on it, l start falling inlove with it again- damn it. ld bloody know. lt's just such a nice block and spot , you even start enjoying just being in the quiet tiny town - that depresses me at first , it comes and goes , but then you start to see people just doing their thing out here peacefully going about their life. Often relate it to the rest of the world going so crazy these days but then there's this place. Forget it all. But then financially to, it'd just be so much bloody easier l'd be set just stayng put and just extend, which l can cover myself. Living scott free no bills peaceful and in a lovely spot. l can hardly even afford something better either but staying l'd be set. Damn it. lt's just the long term thing though, practicality. But then people do that all the time, even on huge farms. Gonna be harder later, especially the driving, and there's no services for miles, ldbloody know. Plenty of older people here, spose they're mostly married and stuff though too, family, l'm not any more though so alone makes later a bit harder l guess to.

Haaaa, isn't that typical eh. You try make it look nice but then they go change it anyway.lt's like damned if you do or don't. l love the cedar myself it's my fav. This is only a cabin mind you not some big house but it was cedar 15yrs but when the last guy moved off l had the brainstorm to paint it grey, hate it. Just thought a buyer might prefer as greys so trendy atm it but they'll prob come along and paint it bloody cedar ha ha. But yeah, went to look at a block last week they had a really nice gateway, thinking of maybe doing that just to make it look nicer and so more tempting, fair bit of work though and a few bucks. Well that blocks been up for sale over 12mths, block up the road here had an old wire gate falling off and sold in 3wks sooooo, damned if l know. This areas normally hard to sell blocks alone and there's a heap of them come up for sale atm so l don't wanna do much but good if l can stand it out a bit. But then mine has the cabin, that's a huge plus so hopefully that gets it done , the others are just bare land. Same with trees, l love my trees, l've planted all my trees mine was just this bare to back when but ha, bet you a buyer cuts them all down. But then the next guy will buy one of the bare blocks and plant bloody trees right.

Trumps complete lunacy know no bounds. He has announced that a Hospital ship is on its way to Greenland to care of many people who are sick & not being cared for. Greenlands PM has declined to accept it. What happened was a Danish sailor got sick & was transported 7NM to Nuuck by Seahawk helicopter for treatment. Apart from that nothing. Greenland has a free healthcare system & you have to pay for everything in the US. Also social media posts say that both of the American hospital ships are at a shipyard in Mobile Alabama. When asked for comment the navy referred callers to the White House. https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360942171/greenland-says-no-thanks-trumps-curious-us-hospital-boat-plan

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.

Agree with that. There are areas where it makes not much difference. We are currently going for the refurb to sell and are now into our third year. We have decided now, just get it presentable to a canvas for the next person. The target market for us will likely have the cash to rip it all out and do what they want without materially impacting their bank balance. Previously, we were trying for perfection.. it can never happen.

There ya go, spoiling everything by spreading a confusing thick layer of logic over the issues. That's not how the game is played.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/21/karen-newton-valid-visa-detained-ice Says it all, really. I may have mentioned this already, but I have a friend in Portand, OR, who has been diagnosed with Parkinsons. I would love to go over and see him, but, what appearsa a not so irrational fear of being locked up.

I watched the vid, and I can honestly say that is almost 7.5 minutes of my life I won't get back. In a general sense, I don't disagree with what is said.. Pick any subject and there are those that wish to shut the other side down through deligitimising them rather than the argument. And this vid is no different. It assets a bunch of stuff, shows a snippett aof a headline or makes assertions without actually offering substantive evidence. It is also one of the oldest tricks in the book; deligitimse them by asserting they are deligitimising you. And that is what this vid is largely doinng. For example, the assertion the IPCC report is purely political because it was read out by a diplomat? Seriously? What other evidence does he proffer? Oh, he asserts the report is entirely based on the worst case scenario? Again, he offers no evidence, but a cursory glance at the report (all volumes and summaries here: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/), it is at the upper range for forecasting. I do agree, there are actors on all sides that seek to shut down debate, silence the other side, deligitimse them, and not listen and argue on facts. They are the ideologists and fanatics. They may bet the most airtime, but they are, as far as I can tell, in the minority - at least when the facts are on their side.. that is becasuse when the facts are on your side, you don't have to resport to these other tactics to win the case - at least in theory. When the facts are against one side or one doesn't know the facts to sup[port their agenda, they tend to use these other tactics. This video does exactly what it accuses the other side of doing. It is seeking to discredit the debate of the other side by asserting the other side is discrediting his side. It is quite the irony, to be sure; and offers some isolated instances of where it has happened, and drawn in othe organisations and instuttions without offering a shred of actual evidence. Pot calling the kettle black. You are quite right.. Very little of science is "settled", if by that you mean absolutely everything about something is known and there is no more to be learned. The basic equation of lift we all learned in PPL, CPL, and ATPL training was wrong. More accuratley, it did not account for all components of airflow and forces that generate lift. This was finally proven by an Oxford professor (from memory) who refined the equation. For pilots understanding of lift, it has had zero impact, because the theory as it was understood explianed flight, and it still a major component of the theory of lift. The same for atomic theory. When I did high school science, the only sub atomic particles were electrons, protons, and neutrons. Now, quantum physics takes it further. It does not change the core theory, but refines it. In other words, the existing understanding at the time was showing the right direction of tracel - but either refines the direction or the size/predictability of stayin on that direction. Notice, the science world calls them theories and not absolute. But in may cases, the changes refine rather than debunk existing theories and science. It is, I regret to say, the same with climate. Those ideologically opposed to the the theory use "science is not settled" to debunk the whole science. The science is understood enough that, sadly, our behaviour is contrinuting materially to global warming. There seems to be very little scientific dispute to that. There is dispute - yes - and I agree with the video that the evidence should be challenged and that counter-evidence (for want of a better word) should be heard and also challenged. Where the science seems not to be settled is exactly how much and what the rate it is occuring before it causes catastrophic changes to the earth - this does not mean the earth withers and dies; but that the earth cannot sustain life on the planet to the same level and/or type as it currently does. One of the key reasons for their not being such certainty is because we are talking a climate/meteoroligical science - one that, if we look at purely meterorlogical science, is setlled enough to be able to be reasonably accurate at predicting weather, but still enough unknown variables/factors that we cnanot possibly predicit with certaintly. This is why pure and applied maths in VCE in Victoria was changed to change and approximation. (it is now a bunch of other things).

Do you still LOVE how Trump is doing it? Why would you risk going THERE to watch the soccer? Too risky. It's a $#!thole now. Those people went there for the Holiday of a Lifetime and got treated in a way that shouldn't be tolerated in ANY CIVILISED Country.Nev

Debates are Combative by nature and a winner is decided which has Litle to do with the subject chosen. Even the Insurance companies Militaries and Oil companies don't dispute the reality of anthropomorphic Climate change. Farmers who keep records know it too. Sea level rises Ocean temps and acidity. More EXTREME Climate event . Ice Melting at the 3rd Pole. ( the Himalaya's) that threatens the future food security of Millions. CO2 records show what is happening. The climate change deniers are Running out of ideas as more evidence emerges We CAN easily Make this Place Uninhabitable. We cannot burn much More of the Oil Gas and Coal available and not make things rapidly worse. Energy from other sources must and can be used. Nev

Yes, I was missing something. Tolls now apply to trucks (not cars) on the Westgate Bridge and on parts of the Westgate Freeway. The news is so poor at presenting facts and data prefering outrage. Whether expensive infrastructure should be paid for only by the users or spread out across all taxpayers, or a little of both, is something I dont have a strong opinion on.

Sometimes you come across a comedy sketch that is not necessarily laugh-out-loud, but does trigger a smirk of recognition. We fly to Adelaide 4 times a year to visit my mother in aged care. This means 8 trips through airport security, plus a few more for other trips. It has been frustrating (a lot better lately, though) that there has never seemed to be a standard procedure, and the staff are often under pressure and grumpy (again, I note a recent improvement). In the past, we have had the conversation that goes "Is it Melbourne or Adelaide where you have to take out your laptop?" Last week, one situation in this video actually occurred. My wife and I found this quite amusing - Trayyyyy

It's been a while since anything positive was posted in this thread - so to counter the negativity, here's some party photos! SWMBO and I went to a friends party (Christie, and she was 50) on Sat 17th. It was held at a local bowling club and we all had a good time - despite the fact I rarely go to parties now. Christie is a senior ER nurse, she's got a lovely nature. She laid on some great finger food, she had a DJ with some great 80's music, and there was dancing and good general fun. One of the most amusing parts of the evening was, Christie hired a portable photo booth for the evening and it came with a pile of props, and everyone had a ball with it! Christie is the girl in the blue, off-the-shoulder dress, and her daughter Molly (20) is in the white dress with the black images on it. Her younger brother Sam is in all black, and hubby Gary is wearing the check shirt. The images start at the bottom, where setup and testing the day before, produced some interesting "test" imagery, mostly involving Gary and Molly. See if you can spot OT and SWMBO, we're halfway down the images, posing with Christie, and I've got my best Elton John shades on. https://gallery.glowbooth.com.au/view/e85ec5e4-2f3e-4634-a126-076cff8346cd?

It's time to bump this thread. When is a war not a war? Answer:- When it's a Special Operation. That works for Pooten and his best buddy in USofA. It worked so well for orange-atan, that he has lined up a bunch of Special Operations...... such as Mexico (wasn't that where they got Texas & Mississippi?), Cuba, Panama, Greenland, Canada...... These have been mentioned.

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

Stop it Nev. You are depressing me. We all know that anthro-something climate change is just invented by the communist lefties for political purposes. (Don't we have a special font for sarcasm?)

What IS the Cost of doing NOTHING?. It's OK for Trump. He's not going to live that long and has Plenty of Airconditioning. . When Places become Unliveable we'll have a real Immigrant Problem or maybe Here won't be too good either. We are a very dry continent and have some of the World's highest recorded temperatures. Shallow Dams are a compete waste of time and Money. We've stuffed up a lot of the artesian water as well.. .Nev