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I could bore you all with another commute.. not much different to the last ones, except that I followed fast bikes and not fast cars. Other than that, my last ride was the ride-on mower. Bloody three hours today and only 1/3 of the place done. It is cooling here.. only 14 degrees c today... but the wind kept the grass (and Dandelions) dry.. But, the grass has rebounded after the summer's dryness and is as thick as treacle.

Although I didn't intend to make this thread about PhDs or Chalmers specifically (both unintended consequences), it seems Chalmers needn't have worried about mind reading what could possibly happen under his watch - it was laid out for him in very good time: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/18/labor-knew-in-july-months-earlier-than-previously-admitted-that-ato-planned-to-ban-credit-card-payments Here's another unintended consequence. El Chumpo has decided to defer the sanctions bill pushed through by the late Lindsay Graham, who finally seemed to find a semblance of a moral compass. In addition, he decides he is going to allow Russian [blood] oil onto the international markets in a vain effort to lower domestic Diesel prices. Allowing Russia to sell oil and receive money will undoubtedly result in them being able to fund more pain on Ukraine. However, what el Chumpo (and his team, I guess) either missed ot don't care about is that Russia supports Iran... providing them oil for, inter alia, their military as well as intelligence - of where US positions are and movements. Both if these are used to attack the US in the ME and the US' allies (Houthi's are baving a ball with Saudi at the moment). I would like to think the unintended consequence of Chump's folly focus on a vain attempt at reducing domestic Diesel prices would result in potential deaths to Americans and her allies thanks to Russia supporting Iran?

Stopped in Huonville after an excellent ride around the Channel - Margate through to Cygnet. Barely any traffic and a gorgeous afternoon. Coming over a rise after Gordon, there's nothing but water in front with a fishing boat coming in and the Hartz mountains in the background - absolutely stunning.

Yes, I know it's not an old car, it's an old bulldozer. A machinery mob in Oakey have this Vickers Vikon Dozer on marketplace, not selling it, just looking for information. Until now I didn't know Vickers made dozers. According to the owners there were only twenty one Vikons made and only two running examples left in the world, this one and one in New Zealand. It's powered by a supercharged four cylinder Rolls Royce diesel engine and is built on the track system of a Tetrarch light tank, which were built by Vickers Armstrongs Limited in the 1930’s and used in WW2. The Vikon was build in the 1950's. The video is of the New Zealand example at Wanaka. Not the prettiest bulldozer I've seen.

The chairman ( He who gets the Chairs) at the MEN'S Shed ( It's HIS shed) has a Geely Ev and a new Hip and It's ON tomorrow. The Men's shed. Whoopey! Another Member Swapped his Volvo for a Geely Hybrid. No money changed hands. My solution has been at a lot lower level. A bit of overdue TLC for MY 1998 AU Fairmont with 367,000 Kms and runs on GAS at 1$ / Litre, Never garaged. It's probably running better than it ever has. The motor turns over about one turn to start and makes NO clicking Noises. It's good enough for me. (AND the Dogs). Nev

That's about $123 per 100km in diesel alone. I think old mate should consider flying+ Airbnb.

The problem really is that it is a hybrid, designed to appeal to those with a fear of full electric and rusted on range anxiety. A hybrid is the worst of both worlds. The battery is small so the electric range is woeful. The ICE engine is also small so needs to work hard to replace the energy drain from the battery. Charging a battery from an ICE engine is very inefficient. It has all the disadvantages of every ICE engined vehicle of consuming fossil fuel including maintenance and complexity. How this bloke with the Shark got 24 litres/100k crossing the great dividing range which is essentially up hill overall and 44 on the flat doesn't add up. Was he driving in to a 50-80kmh headwind on the flat with a big flat fronted 3 tonne caravan? You cannot regenerate anywhere near the energy going downhill lost going uphill to the top. Only a long sustained down hill run will increase the energy level of the battery.

44 litres/100km is woeful. Almost a litre every 2km. Admittedly our caravan was half that weight and being a fold down camper was not much higher than the car roof, but our Santa Fe got 11 litres/100km when towing it.

You won't get any regenerative in flat Country but there are NO Hills either. That motor set up eliminates the Gearbox and clutch. When you consider the total weight involved it may not be that Bad. Also you don't know how draggy the Caravan is and How fast He went and where the wind was coming from. The Chinese have an ICE that is over 45% efficient. When you have a Lot of wind drag, going a bit slower makes a lot of difference to the Fuel consumption. I don't think it's Fair to call it a Toorak Tractor.. They have a fantastic rear suspension and aren't just Built for Looks. Nev

Great that you were out too Peter! The missus and I rode to Nicholls Rivulet to visit Crawleighwood Gardens. I agree, good day for it, would have been even nicer with no wind.

Really BAD News! Mens shed OFF because Hip not up to it. I'm close to Inconsolable. .Nev

Although it is Tazmania, the sun came out. Nice pleasant day. Bike hasn't run since last summer - no reason to ride for pleasure when it's raining for 3 months. Great to be alive riding our winding roads! Got home to find that old faithful had contracted Jerry's disease. I noticed the instrument lights were pulsing at idle. A quick check showed battery voltage only 12.8v after a big run. Should be 14v. Another check showed onr phase from the alternator at 0v. and the regulator running hot. Ordering a new stator and regulator. A bit of a dampener.