Jerry_Atrick

They must be a bit pungent by now 😉 In the UK, which also has uite strict gun laws, almost anythign can become a dangerous weapon under the dangerous weapons act. If someone is carrying a rock in a sock for the purpose of commiting some damage, then that particualr rock in a sock will become a dangerous weapon under the act. I can't recall precisely, but I think it is an objective test - i.e. not what the person actually intended, but what the reasonable (not average) person would deem to be the purpose. I could be wrong on the intent threshold.

Any war between Palestinians and Isarelis always brings out the protestors. The call for a ceasfire - by Israel, knowing Hamas and those who preceded it wouldn't engage in a ceasfire. They don't call for an end to the war.. but to kill the Jews and Gas the Jews.. I am sorry, but i am calling it out. Look at the almost rioting in Sydney, the intimidation globally of Jews on campuses.. Don';t see people harassing the Russians, the Syrians, the various Africans, etc.. And I am at a loss as to why even far more gross excesses in the region don't even rate a mention. You can justify it all you want, but the reality it, it is anti-semtism.. A lot of people just don't want a Jewish state... but are more than happy with the other violence in the region to occur with nary another thought.

Agree the world has lost its mind... Don't agree Israel by itself has a lot to do with it.. Mass antisemitism has preceded Israel by many centuries.

Here's a long one, so clear the diary and make yourself a cuppa... Last Tuesday evening, I prepared my riding kit. First – off to the petrol station/garage to refuel the bike. Back home, the helmet and boots were cleaned; and the riding clothes were laid out ready to go. My topbox plate adaptor didn’t arrive on time, meaning I had to adapt a backpack to being waterproof (not that I needed it in the end) by placing a thicker garbage bag in it to act as a liner. I packed the minimal clothes and toiletries needed for the trip, rolled the top of the garbage bag, zipped up the back pack and prayed the weather forecast would hold true (which it did). Doh! I forgot to purchase the disc and level locks! The chain I purchased is too big and heavy to carry in the back pack and unfortunately, the padlock bar is too thick to pass through front disc holes and the gate is too short for the rear disk length between the holes and the rim of the disc. So, the only security I had on the bike is he Honda HISS system (relatively easily replaced) and the steering lock (easily broken). Never mind. I went to bed early-ish on Tuesday night, ready for the 3am start to the day on Wednesday morning. Being about 13 years since I have really ridden, including London, I hit the sack with a mix of excitement and fear. Consequently, I was restless and didn’t get much deep sleep. The alarm went off at 3am (I normally wake about 2:30), only two hours after I last looked at the clock. Both my body and brain were totally disengaged, so, while aiming for the snooze button, I hit the alarm off button. I next saw the clock at 4:15am. Ship! Got up, brushed teeth, showered and left the razor untouched. Raced downstairs, got suited and booted for the ride. Helmet on, cover off the bike, started her up, gloves on, stand up – no time to check the oil or tyre pressures – which I did a couple of days ago and it hasn’t been ridden since. Around a tight bend from the parking and down our steep driveway. The sky was overcast, but everything was pretty dry. The temperature was about 8 degrees C, I would say, and pleasant. The two mile drive from our village via the country lane, past farm and woodland was slow on account of not wanting to meet a deer in the same way I did with the car the prior week. Onto the A358 and headed south into Taunton. I was also taking it easy along that route for the same reason, but once into Taunton, I picked up the pace a bit. From North West of Taunton to South East of Taunton, I can’t honestly say if I stayed within the speed limit. It was around 4:45am when I entered the M5 motorway, heading northbound at junction 26. That was probably the quickest I had ever done it and the traffic was surprisingly light – lighter than the 3:00 – 3:15 am time I normally leave. The bike effortlessly reached just slightly north of 70mph and I was settled in nicely. Although in the now 12 years I have been down here, I have never seen an animal carcass on the M5 or M4, I was focusing my attention on the sides of the motorway as well as ahead and behind. My alertness was piqued for animals along almost all of the ride on the motorway.. and then specifically for foxes in London, where they are protected and are more prevalent than cats. Heading north on the M5 and the east on the M4 was fairly non-eventful. The bike has a sensitive throttle and excellent engine braking, and I am still getting used to it. So, I found holding a speed a little difficult to start with as the needle oscillated between south and north od 75 indicated mph. The traffic was heavier than I am used to, but flowed well for most of the way. When I drove my car, I would normally stop at Leigh Delamare services (junction 17 of the M4 motorway, west of Swindon) and Heston Services (east of Heathrow – within London). If I was tired I would stop at either Membury (Junction 14 of the M4) and/or Reading. As I was in a rush, even though my lower capacity bladder (at my age – not because of a medical procedure) was indicating it may be a good time to empty as I was coming up to Leigh Delamare, I decided to continue. Again, when driving, by about Membury services (junction 14), and definitely by Reading services (about junction 11), I am normally yawning and feeling a little tired (aka fatigued), especially after interrupted sleeps. However, obviously, the body decided rather than force myself up at 3am like I would previously have done, that the extra sleep was needed, and I was feeling pretty good. The sun started rising as I passed Reading and the traffic was getting heavier, but still moving nicely. From Reading all the way to Heston Services (junction 1-ish), it is variable speed limit, with fixed speed camera everywhere, so I sit on about 72 – 73 indicated. Passing the M25 exit (about junction 3 I think), the old bladder was filling again, so I decided a stop would be in order. Parking the bike amongst the sea of bikes was a doddle, and before I knew it I was on the road again, aghast at the traffic that had built up. It was bumper to bumper all the way into London form there. I was filtering through traffic, but to the tune of revving motorcycle engines and beeps behind me. I was obviously slow, and so pulled in to let frustrated comrades pass while waving a fist of defiance to the car at me. It is an especially close camaraderie we all share, I figured. Up until this day, my commute was to drive from home to either North Sheen or Mortlake station, both of which are benign suburbs with little real change since I left London. I would then jump on an overland train to Waterloo, and either take a bus or tube to Liverpool Street. There has not been much development in the North Sheen/Mortlake/Richmond/Barnes area, and not much on the Strand in London, nor the Underground. Around Liverpool street, there has been some development, but no changes to the road layouts and traffic calming since I emigrated to the South West of England. Well, the Embankment, Battersea, Clapham, Vauxhall, Borough, and London Bridge area have changed immensely. And the road layouts and traffic calming have also changed immensely. I spent from 7:30am to 9:30am uncertain of position. All familiar landmarks had been replaced, road layouts changed, roads were simply cut off from anything but buses, bicycles and taxis. The speed limit was 20mph everywhere – even arterial roads where I have still yet to see a pedestrian. The result: total mayhem. I think it is the law of unintended consequences, but the pedestrians, even when devoid of phones, seem to be without a brain and just appear in front of you out of nowhere. Bicylists have no regard to their nor anyone else’s lives. I am not talking of a minorities, as in the old days, but a majority. It was more chaotic than many South East Asian and East Asian countries – and a lot more dangerous. I am guessing with all the restrictions of cars, people think they don’t need to think, be observant and follow basic rules of the road. Finally I got through London Bridge, heading north up Bishopsgate. Suddenly a policeman hailed me over and reminded me only buses, bicycles, and for some reason, as if taxis are not cars, taxis are allowed to travel north on Bishopsgate between 7am and 7pm. I apologised and explained it was 12 years since riding in London and all of the changes, with the accompanying signs had bamboozled me. He asked me to do a U turn, and explained I can expect a request to contribute to his majesty’s services thanks to a camera not far behind me. So, I had to head towards Tower of London, follow the ring road around towards London Wall. Unf, I took a wrong turn and ended up on the road parallel to the road that leads to London Wall, but south of it. And the continuation of that road past Bishopsgate has been cut off to normal traffic, which meant heading south down Bishopsgate and doing it all again. Each time was at least 15 minutes with the traffic and the calming. I finally got to London Wall, onto Finsbury Square as by 10:30am, there was no way there was going to be any of the free parking on Finsbury Circus. I paid the whole £1.69 for street parking for the day, engaged the steering lock, said a small prayer no one would steal it (I am an atheist), and went to work. In the evening, I arrived to find my steed lonely as the few that were willing to pay for motorcycle parking seem to have long gone. As I took turned left onto Moorgate, I came up behind a moped who was vaguely going in the same direction as me. I followed him through a labyrinth of London laneways and streets and somehow, we were at Blackfriars Road. Excellent! This was a route that I used to take home beforehand. I headed west on Blackfriars road towards Elephant & Castle, did a left and then a right to a road heading away from Elephant & Castle and towards the Imperial War Museum. There were two mopeds waiting at the red light. My route normally would be right to head away from Elephant & Castle, left to go past the Imperial War Museum and Left again to head towards Stockwell and either continue that way, or right towards Vauxhall and head to Richmond that way. However, the mopeds turned left down a little street prior to that which the war museum is on. I thought they must know a shortcut so followed them. They did know a short cut, but it took one through emergency access only gates and I did not want to do it. So I persevered looking for a way out of that maze and onto the street I wanted to go down. I ended up tailing a newish looking Bentley, which was driving slow. He made a left turn at some street which turned out to be the entrance to a gated development. The security guard waved him through and wave me though. I figured that would be easier to exit through than try a U turn so I followed. The Bentley came to a stop must have gone through the gears to Park as the reverse light came on momentarily. The driver leaned out of the window and motioned me forward. He was a young bloke and I thought, he was going to give me a right-bollocking. With a smile on his face he complimented the bike. I explained to him it is the oldest I could find that was ULEZ compliant and it was the first time in 12 years I had ridden in London. He was quite nice, actually. And I duly complimented his car, but resisted the urge to suggest swapping them. We exchanged pleasantries and bid each other farewell as I took off to find my way home. Fine number two is probably coming in the post because in this maze of suburban streets, it suddenly became no traffic except for those with permits that live there.. in the middle of the street – not even an intersection, and with a car inspecting my number plate at close range, it was not practical to just stop.. So, I did a U turn ant the nearest opportunity and escaped. I finally found the route I wanted to take and apart from some road works, it was smooth sailing all the way. Although the 20mph is a joke on the main arterial roads. I had a ueue of cars a mile behind me, so I pulled over and decided to follow – they were all doing 30mph until they came to speed cameras; police cars didn’t bother them. And yet, somehow, in roads where there are few if any pedestrians, it didn’t seem necessarily more unsafe than at 20mph… in fact, quite the opposite. I stopped about three minutes from the pub to fill up the bike. I got to the pub and parked the bike in the driveway. The next morning, I was out by 5:45am. Normally, that would mean just missing the train and a half hour wait. But, the ride was wonderful.. nary a car on the road as peak hour seems a lot shorter in London than it used to. I followed my old route into work knowing the changes in landmarks and road layouts. And I got to Bishopsgate before 7am, meaning I could ride north up it. Finsbury Circus had only a couple of bikes on it already. I parked up, and it was fine. After work, on the bike, but had to plan the escape as at this time of year, I will only take the M5 and M4, especially after hitting the deer on the A303 with the car (now written-off). I decided I would stay on the south side of the Thames until near the end of the embankment, but I left it too late (Wandsworth in the end) and on crossing the river, had no idea where I was and proceeded to be temporarily uncertain of position for about 10 minutes before finding myself near Putney. So, a quick U turn and I was shortly on the A4 which leads to the M4; but not before falling prey to another resident permit traffic only street where they made a big song and dance about cameras. Fine number three should be heading my way. The ride on the M4 was fine, and although the bladder was letting me know that a pitstop may be a good idea, I lasted until Sedgmoor Services just before junction 23 on the M5.. About ¾ of the way home, I reckon. The traffic was light, but heavy enough to not worry too much about deer and badgers. My bladder probably would have made it home, but the Bike’s tank was indicating it was getting quite thirsty.. which did peeve me off a little as fuel at Motorway services are usually 25p – 30p per litre more expensive than normal petrol stations/garages/forecourts/service stations (take your pick). I stayed at nominally 70mph, sometimes going up to 80, sometimes down to 60. I arrived home 3.5 hours after I left, which is about an hour shorter than when I had the car, mainly because I can get through traffic better, but I didn’t stop at any of the services for dinner, which I normally do. I let the bike cool, out the covers on, and that was job done! Observations of the adventure were, inner London is crazy now, and the so called traffic calming is making people very stressed and making very stupid decisions. It would be interesting to see the accident stats before and after all of this crap; The bike itself is comfortable and rides well. But, it is thirstier than I expected. Round trip was about 420 miles thanks to getting lost.. taking wrong turns, etc. It should normally be about 400 miles. But I loved every minute of it, even if I did get frustrated a couple of times. Ask me if I still feel that way when the bills from his majesty’s services arrive, though.

Absolutely we are entitled to our own views. On the payback for the current war - you maybe right - but I think from the protestors who were calling for death and gassing the jews as opposed to stopping the war, and the fact that the hatred of jews pecedes Israel by many centuries, if not millenia, I doubt the current war is anything other than an excuse.. I hope I am wrong, but doubt it. Re the war, Israel from about day 1 has maintained that disarming Hamas and returning the hostages would stop it.. not even killing Hamas. Hamas are still there, they wage a war and hide behind their citizens. What would you do if you were in Israel's situation (and I am NOT saying Israel is acting with entire propriety, either). Indeed - Ahmed al Ahmed is a hero and should be recognised as such, especially when you consider those who appear to be attempting to impede the police dealing with the murderers. @old man emu dealt with that one nicely. Suffice to say, I have rarely seen a poor application of logic... If you can hit a bunny from 100m with a police issued pistol and your father can at 500m under pressure of shots being fired and the ensuring mayhem, they you should have been in the olympics shooting team.. I seriously doubt you could do it without a decent long-barrelled gun and a scope. Certainly at 500m, it would be very difficult. Very differenet situation. You may not watch US movies now, but i bet you did if you seriosly believe the the dramatics you suggest would be real life.

Farrrk.. You need to move here.. Balmy 8 degrees.. Lovely motorcycling weather.

What sort of fathe would risk his son's life for some ideology? I will never know. However, I want to make sure we do not demonise Muslims (and yes, my previous post may be taken that way - it was intentded to show more the hatred towards Jews). My partner tells me it is rumoured it was a Muslim who disarmed one of the gunmen in the vid Peter posted. It will be interesting to see how the gunmen sustained their injuries - especially since one of them was disarmed. I am sorry, Peter, I cannot agree. We are better than them. Life is precious - even for those who commit henous violation of our laws.. We can punish in other ways..

I should add, it is not entirely the fault ogf the government, but more decisive action may have made some think twice - it may not have.

I agree with most of what you have said except this. At the Palestinian protests, at campuses, in Sydney, Melbourne, etc, people were openly chanting kill the jews and gas the jews. This was not protesting for Palestine, but protesting against Jews.. anywhere.. and calling for their murder. The response from the governments? Tepid. Did anyone get charged with incitement or racial vilifcation? Crickets. In the UK it was nuch the same, except apparently you can be charged with a hate offence calling a horse gay or something. Surprise, surprise, the same thing happened, although more weren't killed because of logistics and it was a long gunman as I recall. Just imagine the response had it been Jews protesting to kill and behead the Muslims...

What you describe is exactly what I experienced growing up and leading a young adult life in Australia - admittedly largely insulated from having to deal with First Nations on a day to day basis. However, this is very different to being taught to feel guilty about it. I doubt there are too many non-Aboriginals that feel guilty about Aboriginal past treatment, and I doubt there is, in the national curriculum, education designed to impart guilt (I am speaking to my brother today - will ask since he is an educator). In fact, I would not hesitate to say, we were passively taught disrespect with some of the teaching I recall... Propagation of lots of myths.

Nothing dogly about it.. If you're in the wrong spot at the wrong time, little you can do about itsould a flying disc come hurtling towards you at breakneck (pardon the pun) speed. Luck, cpincidence, freakish, or whatever one likes to call it.

Different context, and I am not sure it is about guilt, but recognition that an existing culture lived here, and conquered.. with rights supporessed for many more generations.

Mostly, yes... And certainly none of my Frankfuirt office work colleagues were directly involved. But, there remain laws on the books designed to stop the rise of Nazism. For example, privacy laws are very strong and sometimes take precendece over other laws designed to stop harm. For example, you can't record telephone conversations in Germany at all. Yet, EU law requires recording of telephone lines of financial services sales, originators, syndicators, and traders to prevent market abuse and fraud. Germany has a carve out of this requirement. The conversation was the first day after work in a bar in Frankfurt.. One of the locals, answering a question, let us know he lives in Manheim.. Me: "Wow.. you're not going to believe this, but my father used to play football [soccer] for your town's team - he was the captain. Him: "Yah, well, it's only a local club... nothing special.." Me. "It wasn't when he was playing; it was in the equivalent of the Bundesleague. I have a phot of him holding up cup to a very large crowd... Him: "Wow.. When was that... " Me (innocently) "Oh, after the war... the club was knoen as Waldorf-Manheim". crickets from everyone - people looking down.. Me thinking they didn't hear it, repeated it louder.. .and my ribs welcomed a well-aimed elbow from my manager... Oops.... I have no idea of the school curriculum in Germany, but a question of what it is relating to WWII yielded this: I think the guilt trip has to go as three or four genrations since can't be held responsible, and if they are made to feel guilty about something they are four times removed from, they will start to feel resentment, and head back to the right... Oh, wait.. hold my beer.

When you're time's up, it's up.. When it's not; it's not...

Don't mention ze war!!! (It took me all of 5 hours to learn that in Frankfurt. Not invited back, yet)

I don't disagree, but ironically, prrivate enterprise is subject to much stricter rules than the government - and those rules are provided by the government - usually through tax disincentives, but also now conduct rules, etc. So unless private enterprise want to pay through the nose and the individuals through FBT, they have a much more sparlingly set of allowable expenses then your MPs (this is why the APS won't accept gifts - as well as the conduct rules. You will not believe the rules I had to navigate to accept a vendor dontaing £50 to an authorised charity in my name - in the end I asked them to donate it in their name - I don't need the accolade - and the rules are similar in Australia). The decision to travel is different to the cost of travel. The question of whether deliveing a 6 minute speech was value for money is not the same question as whether the cost of the travel and allowable expenses is accceptable or not. The minister won't usually unilaterally decide to trot off to the UN and make a speech; it will be done in consultation with the cabinet/PM office because there will be some political objective. Was it literally jump off the plane, walk in, give a 6 minute speech, walk out and jump on a plane back? Or was there some sort of unofficial meetings taking place. We tend to look at these things in isolation, but often there are tactics in play to reach an objective - one of the many battles to win the war. Even if it were literally off the plane, speak, on the plane and nothing else, it may have been part of some tactics to demonstrate to allies or partners a commitment to further negotiate for the benefit. It will all depend on the objective and whether or not that contibuted to/achieved the objective. Those questions will determine whether the trip - regardless of the cost, which has to include the minister and their staffers' time that could be spent doing something else productive was value for money. But once it is decided a trip is requied, then the quetion of cost/allowable expenses of the trip being excessive comes into play. Apart from obviosuly excessive cases, that is a subjective matter of judgement. I personally didn't think the $100K (was it) for Wells to go to NY with however many staffers given the nature of the work, etc was excessive Yes, it could have been cheaper, but these are not jollies and they should be afforded the facilities that allows them to be effective working in almost diametrcially opposed timezones where they don't have the luxury of time to adjust for jet lag. On the assertion that they are paid enough for their families, I have two points to make. Firstly when pollies have to suffer the lurks of the job - harassment, houding by the press, public admonishment, threats to life, etc,. we all say that is part and parcel of the job, they knew it before they entered it, and we have no sympathy. The perks are also part and parcel of the job - so why are we criticising them for utilising them? Maybe if you can't take your family with you, on the salary you can get, it may dissuade those that have a modicum of competence and you will only be left with the SFMs of the world. Of course we know most pollies at the top aren't the best, but to be honest, compared to the last lot, I will take these ones any day. Secondly, to you or I, $400K is a lot of money. But don't forget, these are really CEOs of large national organisations. If we are going to compare the expenses to large national private enterprises, how much do CEOs of equivlnet sized with equivalent responsibilites in the private side earn? Maybe we should just bump up ministers' salaries accordingly and not let their families travel be on the public purse? As I recall the APS scoundrel who was in charge of one of the government department (Human Services, I think) at the time of Robodebt was on something like $900K/year... And that person reports to a minister! If that were private enterprise, the minister would be earaning more than the officer reporting to them - normally. Sincerely, Devil's Advocate, Esq.

Well, I think Chumpo is the bees knees... (I am planning on visiting a sick friend in the USA... ) Amazing how theiy're about protecting free speech no matter how divisive - only when it is theirs... And how they are so indifferent to people with their own views... and not the snowflakes they like to assert others are.

I sort of agree with Kev on this.. Wells is the minister for communications and sport. So what the news isn't telling is is whether she is at the sporting events in an official capacity or not. If she is in an official capacity, it is understandable, for instance, that the commonwealth cars are waiting for her (it's not like they can discharge the driver for the day and then have them come back, I wuld guess - they aren't a taxi company). And if two tickets are given - then it is sort of natural her husband comes along.. Sort of... The trip to New York were for her and her two staffers. I am not sure how long they were for, but it is $33K for each, on average. So, flights are likely to be at least business class.. say $10 - $15K each. First class, which one would expect a minister to travel will be c. $20K (they should get a discount, but lets just go with the numbers). That is between 30 and $60K gone. Do we know the number of nights she and her staffers were there? Grand Hyatt hotel web lookup starts from USD $272/night. No doubt the rooms for the staffers can be the more basic room, but the minister should have a decent room, woth probably a separate living/working room to her bedroom for some privacy. So that won't be am Air BnB.. That is, of course, unless there are suites in the embassy - but the embassy (or highh commission) is probably in Washington DC. Now, before you fellas shout, yeah, she can go cattle like the rest of us, and why shoudl dhehave a fancy suite, as someone who extensively travelled for business, the aircraft and hotel rooms are like mobile offices. You do work in them. I have written a whole budget paper between London and Prague; prepared for meetings, presentations, and the like; after leaving the office and usually some dinner with clients/colleagues, there is the recapping the days events and preparing for the next day. At the same time, you have to deal with things back at the office and other sites/clients you deall with. It seems glamorous and a jolly to many, but a proper business trip (I don't mean attending conventions - and I have never done them) is hard graft, or yakka in the Aussie vernacular. However, I do miss it. So, so what if she had a few chateau de Hoity Toity wines or something else.. But that is for her only. We used to get (and give) tickets for 2 to events - I would always take a work colleague. They also worked for the firm and did a lot - so it was only fair. And I can't recall ever paying for my family to go on a holiday - even if it was to bring them along with me for the ride. That shold not happen, unless it is exceptional.. like a carer relationship or come extraordinary circumstance. In fact, I used to bring my partner along with me for business trips and pay for the flight - the company poicked up the hote because the room was the same price whether it was one or two people. Occasionally it was more for two, in which case I paid the difference. I did use frequent flyer miles for her sometimes, but, these are a perk, not used by the company and thankfully here, not fring benefits taxed. But that is the thing. Real business travel is taxing, you can't get a lot done with your personal life that you can at home. Some perks should be tolerated - it is a question of proprotionality.

Didn't Bronwyn Bishop's career end over a helicopter jolly?

Defo not a good look. What happens will depend on her influence in him retaining power

Live stream

Well, I didn't get to commute on the motorbike in this week just gone, which is a pain. The weather was OK, and ithe rain had passed through, but the plate for my top box is too narrow for the luggage rack. Of course, lazy bones here decided to wait for the Sunday right before returning to work to try and mount the plate and top box, and found out too late to aget an adaptor kit (I searched through all sorts of shrapnel I have at home but nothing quite fit. Back at work, there is little time to research, but this morning, after teasing some locals about another Ashes crumble, I found an adapter kit on eBay, so hopefully it arrives by Tuesday as I am not going in until early Wednesday morning. And, at the moment, the weather gods are telling me Wednesday and Thursday there is a moderate chance of rain. Of course, at the moment, Tuesday is forecast to be raining (something like 95% chance of rain)... all day. I haven't yet had a chance to clean the bike and was going to do it Tuesday morning when I was taking a little time off for some errands.. not so.. I guess.. But, on the bright side, the weather is unseasonably warm with forecasts of 9 degrees C @3amon Wednesday morning where I live and 11 degrees in London at 6am (ETA). 10 degrees by 18:00 in London, and say 10pm when I get back to Halse, it should be 9 degrees still. Rain is forecast. Wind will be c. 12 mph for the two days, but forgivingly will be a tailwind both days. I will try andd get a quick ride in tomorrow or Tuesday to check all is OK with the Bike. Oh, and it looks like the man child will get a Honda CG125 for Chrissie. 2005 model, cheap as chips, to practice for his license course and test.

Using the Contact Us page on their new website

From what I read, it wasn't reneweables that caused the issue, but they certainly didn't help the issue because there are no ruddy biug flywheels to take the load. There is a lot more to go wrong, as are a lot of technologies that advance. But, as thorughout technological development through history, somethinng goes wrong and we learn from it, adjust the design and move one. There are other ways to stabilise a grid than relying on spare capacity of conventional power stations. The reality is the generation side is changing and the transmission/distribution side has to adapt to meet the changes. That really depends on how the generation, transmission, and distirbution network is developed. I would say the generation plant is awfully expensive when it is not in use. However, due to the distributed nature of renewables, I find it poretty inconceivable using a mix of generation technologires, there would be no generation going one somehwere in a regional area. No sun, no wind at the same time over various microclimes probably happens. Batteries come in, and they can be distributed; there can be a place for a much smaller fossil or wood-burning generation networ. or nuclea to pick up the slack Also, remember, when a facility goes down, the total generation capability of that facility goes down - that is expensive. You can lose a panel/cell or an array of them, but the rest of the facility will still generate. When plants go down, and they do with alarming regularity, the cost is huge. In the nuclear days, if we could save a day of an outage, way abck then, it s was £1m/day saved. When you have the infrastructure there, yes, it is economic But, how much does, say, $650,0000 get you up and running fairly quickly with renewable generation? You can then say, yeah, but youhave to upgrade the grid.. Well, the grid is being upgraded anyway, but even with renewables, it is continually being upgraded, so grid upgrade costs aren't really relevant. But, lets say they are.. How much will your nuclear facilities cost. At last count, local facility here is up to USD$45bn projected and years late. Australia doesn't have the experience at nuclear builds.. TYhat buys an awful lot of generation for whatwe have experience in - renewables. I am not sure about Australia, but taxpayers money is used here to prrop up all generation so the consumer doesn't have to pay the full price of it. I am sure I read somewhere Australia does to. This is usually through tax credits, contracts for difference, guaranteed loans, low-interest givernment loans, grants and the like. So why shoudl renewables be excluded from the list? On that basis, yeah, I would be happy for out taxpayers funds supporting it (and I am in no way connected to the industry at all, anymore). In addition, the benefit of lowest CO2, even compared to whole of life nuclear, is good for the planet, as well as, in the case of nuclear, not having to have the cost of waste storage and maintenance, etc, which are rarely refleted in the costs of the CO2 equations. To me, the good it can doe far outweighs the need to subsidise it in its maturing stage. The UK is importing wood chips for two reasons. First, although I think it is a fallacy, to reduce emissions. In fact, per kw. coal prodices lower CO2 emissions because of its energy density, except in he theortetical perfectly managed forestry - which it isn't. But secondly, an on island 1/33 the size of Australia and with twice the population, it is hard to put caol plants too far away from anyone. The toxic pollutants emitted by caol, even considering scurbbing, and miles worse than wood burning pellets, so it is also an air-quality thing. The UK still has good quantities of mineable coal.. but it it still a silent and slow killer of many people with repiratory disorders. So, there is method in what you see as their madness. Again, this is point in time.. But, I agree that Germany was completely nuts to abandon its nucelar generation ihn the wake of Fukishima. I think towards thei end og Merkel's chancellorship, she became a little nuts. Germany have been talking about restarting their nulcear facilities as they were mothballed in generally very good condition. I am not sure what has come of it. The UK dilly-dallied for decades over its energy policy and it is paying for it now. France is predomionantly nuclear powered and has been investing in nuclear since god-knows when. When I last looked, all nuclear generation was, and i think still is owned by EDF. Although quoted on the French bourse, it is something like 90% owned by the French government. If it had to operate as a real company, and charge eelctricity at commercial rates like the rest of it, there would be another French revolution. And they stick dogmatically to their guns.. The EPRs they are building out are a lemon, but vive le France - they are too proud to change tac. But, these were original nuclear generators when renewables weren't what they are today. If Australia wants to go nuclear, it may pay to wait.. because there are billions being thrown at fusion. Yeah you get the radioactive waste (tritium), but you don't get the quantity, and there is no fallout, outside the containment area in the case of an accident as when you stop the reaction, the radiation stops.

It's a 2017 model. We bought it with 1,000 miles on the clock. We realised that its on condition service schedule was a joke, so I change the oil every 5k miles and service it every 10k miles regardless, and it has been a treat. The enterntainment/sat nav unit was flakey, but a software update developed by an independent maintenance company fixed it. Mini, like Bentley, is owned now by BMW, but still produced in the UK (Oxford, I think). It has great handling, and for the weight of the thing, is quite nippy in sport mode (which does make a decent different). If it get's written off, our funds are sapped a bit by the house, but will try and fins something from behind the sofa cushions to get one of their electric (not hybrid) ones. Though, it will take some time.