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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.

Yesterday I had a calibration appointment for my Cochlear implant. It started with the audiologist connecting the device to her computer and playing a range of beeps at various frequencies, starting too low to hear, and increasing them until they were at a comfortable volume. She then read out a number of words from a printed list of about 30, with her face obscured, and I had to locate the word on the list and repeat it without being able to lip-read. Passed that without problem. Next, she placed a page of 12 half sentences in front of me. Again, obscuring her face, she read out the full sentence which I had to repeat back to her. The example I recall was: Printed: She cleaned the floor.... The spoken sentence: She cleaned the floor with a mop and broom. I passed all 12 sentences at the first attempt. She said she normally doesn't get to pulling that page out until the second month. I've had the device for 9 days. I can now hold conversations, watch the TV, and talk on the phone without the hearing aid in the other ear.

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.

Trump's limo driver got arrested for possession of drugs. They found over 230 pounds of dope in the back seat.

It's been reported that the Starlink speed decrease was ordered by the White house. So that, along with the purchase of diesel from Russia in contravention of their own sanctions, means that Trump is an active accessory in the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. I'd love to see the kompromat that Putin holds on Trump. Given that Trump visited Moscow with the Miss Universe or some similar competition, it's not hard to guess, especially as Russia are known to install cameras and bugs in hotel rooms.

Not sure it's what trumpy did, or Elon, or Kegbreath. But in Ukraine, starlink recently suddenly stopped working for any receiver travelling faster than 100mph. It is used for anti missile/drone intercepts. The Ukranians sent a Starlink device travelling at speed from Ukraine, into Europe and back. The starlink worked perfectly once it crossed out of Ukraine. It stopped as soon as it came back. Military Starlink is controlled by USA. So USA is actively preventing Ukraine from defending its own territory. Also, investigating a fallen Russian Geran drone has found US semiconductors in its computer pcb. USA is now working for Putin.

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.

Another scam by the man.

So its trully terrible then.

I call a big fat bullshit to almost everthing Musk says and does. I dont see his flying car as anything but hyper marketing that will be nothing like the car that is on sale. The acceleration is technically possible but highly suspect. Some hyper electric cars can do a sub 2 sec claimed to 100, the worlds fastest is 1 sec and thats a special electric hyper go cart of small size and massive short term power. Its drivers report a very scary drive and G block would be a thing if not for the very short drive time. This is more that F1 acceleration. Anything under 3 secs is extreme acceleration and requires great skill to safely use and the right conditions. My BMW bike is capable of 2.6 sec to 100kmh and that feels extreme and keeps rocketing once you get past that. 80kmh overtaking can easily be 160 if passing a truck in mere seconds, any car capable of that type acceleration would be deadly in most hands. We absolutely do not need more cars like Musk is pushing. On to the flying claims- absolute bullshit. The "car" that had rockets and apparently suction fans seems fake. Yes, the fans are possible as they are proven on the Mcmurty Sperling, but thats a track dedicated single seater and relies on pressure gradient to suck it to a surface. It has no rockets, and as soon a ground\surface contact is lost, so is the suction. I would think the flying one is a 200-300kg dummy made of carbon with thrusters and fans or even a electromagnet on the track it climbs and clings to. It falls and moves to smoothly in the video to be realistic. Or a hidden arm not seen on camera, I am sure his AI could hide the arm. I think its just a big bullshit campaign to push share prices and way overpromise as per normal. I await years of promises, lost money and then followed by claims that the FAA banned it because it could "really Fly".

That's your intelligent opinion. Are we dealing with an intelligent electorate?

Don't be too sure of a Democrat landslide in the mid-terms. The idea of that happening is based partly in polling. Over the last three Presidential elections the polling has been way off compared to its accuracy before about 2008. There is a number of factors causing that. This video describes some of those factors. This video discusses the topic. The presentation is unbiased.

Yes. The person is a paraplegic, having been shot through the spine during the incident. Wouldn't look good shooting a cripple. Shades of the SS. Not the usual image of the condemned man backed up against a wall, being offered a last cigarette and a blindfold.

If you think that the things will change on 4th November if the Dems gain a majority in either House, you are wrong. The winners of local elections will not take up their seats until 3rd January 2027. Between November and February, each State has to confirm and certify the winners of each seat within it. This can takes weeks and you can be sure that both Parties will be calling for recounts in close seats. How close? How long is a piece of string in the case of teh Republicans. After each State has confirmed the results in its seats, a certificate is sent to the Clerk of the House. Then in January, all those who have been elected congregate in the House they have been elected to and the Clerk Clerk calls the roll, giving a seat to the person called. That's why that ruckus happened on the 6th January 2021. It could happen again. Here's a video that give a description of what Trump and his cohorts could do if the Republicans cop a beating.

The Dems don't seem to promote any meaningful platform. The most they are offering is 'Vote for us to make things like they used to be'. Are they forgetting that the Trump led Republican administration got elected because the public don't want the previous style of corruption and warmongering? Sure it isn't draining the swamp. But will a Dem win be enough to bring about a shift away from billionaire controlled government?

I think the Republicans realise they will lose the House, but Trump will do everything he can to hold onto the Senate. If the Democrats win the Senate as well, they will be in a much stronger position to make his life miserable. My concern is that the Democrats are so focused on campaigning against Trump that they haven't figured out what they're actually for and what they would do to turn the ship around, so nothing much will get done for the next two years.

Here is a Google AI search of car age on Australias roads Fleet Age Breakdown National Fleet Average: 11.54 years Passenger Vehicles Average: Roughly 11.2 to 11.4 years Oldest State/Territory Fleet: Tasmania (average age of 13.5 years) Youngest State/Territory Fleet: Australian Capital Territory (average age of 10.4 years) [1, 2] Fleet Composition & Stats Total Registered Vehicles: Over 22.3 million motor vehicles across Australia New Vehicle Turnover: About 25% of vehicles are under 5 years old, while around 27% are older than 10 years. No Road Salting Effect: Because Australia does not salt its roads in winter, vehicles suffer far less rust damage, allowing older cars to stay functional and look newer longer on Reddit. [1, 2, 3, 4]

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

Cynic! Yes there are lots of similar crazies out there. And the fact that such examples are so easy to find, means that there are also statistically significant multitudes of slightly less laughable examples as well. Still indicates all is lost. I will match your cynicism and dig a pit of utter distain beneath it.

True, But he is dragging the Tasmania govt into huge debt and letting corporate mates get free reign over public assets. So the whole country will pay via federal bailouts for things like the aluminium smelter and all sorts of dodgy shit. Bet they ask for a bigger GST slice plus more health and education funding to cover their arse. A blind dog could manage a economy better.

My Prado diesel tows my van at 15-16 l/100km.

I can remember it was fairly common for old blokes to live permanently at a pub in one of the rooms. Often WW1 vets. When I was growing up we had one old fella living permanently in our local pub. He had the nickname Woody as he used to chop the pub's firewood and do odd jobs for his board and lodging. He didn't drink, just lived at the pub. Woody was a lovely old bloke, a real gentleman. I got to know him quite well as he used to come out to the farm and stay and look after us if my dad had to go away for a couple of days. In those days the adults would go to the pub and take all the kids with them. Us kids would play around in the pub's backyard and climb the big tree there and at some stage we'd always end up going to see Woody in his room and have a yarn with him. After I'd moved away as a late teenager/early adult, whenever I was back visiting my dad I'd often drop in and see old Woody at the pub. Eventually he got so old and frail he ended up in a home.

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.

Jim Chalmers must be feeling its effects today. The "abolition" of credit card surcharges to make the coffee cheaper according to Albo resulted in the ATO scrapping taking credit card payments for tax. I am not sure, but I thought the treasurer would have been consulted before the ATO decided to scrap the ability to pay with a credit card, especially if so many small businesses rely on it - which is in itself a worrying sign. I am trying to work out if this is really unintended consequences or just incompetence. Here is my conspiracy theory. When a consumer is presented a bill at the counter, and they will be slugged a fee for using the credit card, unless they are broke or tempo short of cash on their debit card (assuming they are not going to cop a bigger charge on their debit card use), then they are likely not to use that credit card. That causes a bit of a headache to the credit card companies as that is less lending they are dolling out and less transaction surcharges they are making. So, maybe lobbying the government (and i have no evidence of this), they managed to persuade the government that not allowing credit card surcharges was in the consumer interest. Or maybe consumer groups took the kool-aid and suggested the same to the government - with good intentions. What people forget is that, especially for small businesses - these charges can be 3% + a minimum transaction fee. For small items like a coffee, that can be a bit of change per transaction for the flat fee. But, if a business can't charge a surcharge, they are left with two options: 1. absorb it because all small business owners are greedy bar stewards and want to fleece the public, right? Or two, just pass it on in increased prices - to everyone. But, that way, if you're tempted to use your credit card and avail yourself of the, is it 55 days interest free period, you will do it. The credit card companies still get some money and you're none the wiser. So, Albo spruiking the coffee being cheaper is not quite true and there were stories of before and after prices of the surcharge ban coming in was a biot of an own goal depending on where you purchased your coffee (and other things). Now, the ATO issue. I get that little issue of credit card surcharges on the tax payment may have slipped Chalmer's mind. I mean I am not sure he has had the experience of running a small business and the cash flow issues that come with that. I am not even sure he would have bothered to consult the ATO on the move because the ATO is about tax, and not credit card payments. But, surely, the ATO would have consulted Chalmers before making a unilateral decision to withdraw accepting credit cards if so many small businesses make their payments with credit cards. After all, the ATO just can't raise its prices. In which case, maybe Chalmers forgot to ask how many make the payments and how much is paid using credit cards. I would guess that the ATO would have presented it as, "Gee, boss. If we can't make credit card payment surcharges and unilaterally increase the corporate tax rate, GST, or whatever taxes are paid this way, then we will lose $xbn to the credit card companies." And everyone got fixated on the cost and not the impact. So rather than ask why that would be the case and what would be the impact of going ahead or not introducing a carve out for ATO payments (apart from that being political suicide), the ATO just went ahead - after all - they are a bit of a law unto themselves. Well, it has come to bite the government on the bum. In the scheme of things, not in a huge way, and it will all blow over - The problem is that the decision to allow credit card payments to be taken by the ATO will only be for a year. What then? But, this is an example in poor thinking. The idea that the surcharge would be a boon for consumers is a joke. Ye, only 17& of cafes in this case have unilaterally increased their prices - you can bet others will follow suit. Also, you don't, as a consumer get to take advantage of a lower price by not using cheaper forms of payment. How is that a boon for consumers? Yes, you coul argue it punishes those who are skint at the time.. Er.. if you;re skint, shouldn't you be paring back a bit anyway - using a credit card will just make you skinter. And you have just cut off an important cash flow management capability for small businesses. Well done. I used to have a small software reseller in Aus.. I can't recall if it was Westpac or Anz that provided the merchant facilities to take credit cards, but I recall in the contract, I couldn't apply surcharges (well it was worded I couldn't offer discounts to those not using a credit card that wasn't available to those who used credit cards, if I recall correctly). The transaction costs sometimes made a sale unprofitable when competing with the big fellas. I managed to eek out a living from it, but jeepers it was tough. And that was offering support to try and bring in some margin against the big fellas. Almost every consumer is cost conscious - one learns that very quickly despite what the text books say. I put these sorts of government decisions more to incompetence than to unintended consequences - but the latter is usually the result of the former.

Cool use of a old Goldwing.

Interesting use of a WW2 Type G-1 low pressure oxygen tank as a fuel tank. The photo looks AI generated but it's not; I enhanced it as the original was fairly low quality.

Credit where credit is due. Karoline was very good doing the job she was hired to do. She was quick witted and alwys seemed to be up to the minute with the messages she delivered. You could often pick some little white lies, such as when she said she had spoken to Trump earlier in the day. Since he has a reputation for not getting going early, her statement was most likely a porky. Howeve, she's move up in the world and is not on TV and likely to get her own show!

It's useless anyway. Musk himself said the rocket version would be illegal on public roads. And if it's a normal EV weight (plus the weight of the rocket system) then one of the 5 second stunts it did probably drains the rocket fuel.

Karoline Leavitt was no dummy. She was confident and articulate and a very good press secretary for the Trump administration if you only judge her performance on those terms. It’s a pity she was batting for the wrong side and mostly spreading fact free propaganda, but she did it well.

Got your attention though hasn't it? Nev

I thought I'd get at least one. The Sportster has been one of Harleys best Handling bikes and often used in desert Racing. The frames don't flex and never tankslap. . The 1000 cc Iron Sportster engine Makes 63HP standard. That's better than any Vincent except the one built to order.(black Lightning.) The best of the others is 55 HP.. I've had my 81 model from new. Nev

What is the difference between a French Kiss and an Australian Kiss? An Australian Kiss is down under.

Can you tell the difference?

Regarding Katter's idea. How would the government for a State in that area firstly establish the structures necessary to run things like health, education, law? Secondly, how would it obtain the money to do these things? It is idealistic, but not practical to create a new State in an area that does not have the population to carry out teh necessary functions of government. I think that's why Western Australia shelved the idea. Besides, I don't think it would be permissable under the Constitution.

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

As for the reversal of the indicator and lights stalks, this is the standard that has applied in Europe for decades and also China. The UK, Japan, Korea & Australia made vehicles were the opposite. My MG4 made in China conforms to the European standard not its original British heritage.

Definitely a good memory. I remember him on Pick-a-Box correcting Bob Dyer when Bob said his answer was wrong.

It's Barry Jones, Pick A Box wizard and Labor politition.

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.

Beautiful old F-5 Ford with the original V8 flathead just listed on marketplace in Brisbane.

She's grown older. Now she's a Ms.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2242806886285552

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

Abbah? Yeah they were gods.

I think the House will go to the Democrats but the Senate is probably doubtful. I also think Trump and his minions are planning a lot of disruption in States that they look like losing. It won't be a clean election and the results will be disputed in the courts for weeks if not months. Trump will do everything he can to avoid losing and he has the Justice department, Russ Vought and a bunch of election deniers in influential federal and state positions to help him do it.

An Airline Pilot I once knew went into a Hardware store dressed like that and Ordered a Bottle of Methylated spirits. He rubbed it fondly and asked "I don't suppose you Have a COLD one , do you?" Nev

Donald the Dick Tator just checking his equipment. He had a damaging leak from his administration.

They're called Maggots.

And let's not forget, his last electoral win was the majority of people who turned out to vote... Not just the electoral colleges - but also the popular vote. I can't be arsed looking at what the voter turnout was, but if it was low, there were enough pricks who didn't care enough about it. (Remove from the USA population those who turned out to vote against him from the prick population of the USA). And for the context of being pricks, I include some good friends of mine in the USA who thought for some reason it was a good idea at the time.

I think you will find the best paid CEO rarely pays much tax at all.