Edgel brand is now owned by the Yanks (can't recall the name of the company). The company operates 2 big plants in Aust and now the only ones doing Aust canned and frozen food, one in Bathurst and one in Launceston, and not just under the Edgel brand. And only use Aust products. They are having a hard time competing against imports so are now working closely with the farmers to try and improve productivity and reduce the costs SO THEY CAN KEEP OPERATING.
I went to the chemist to get hay fever headache tablets and was given "Chemists Own" brand. Okay, the chemists get together and market a Home Brand. So I thought ............ "Made in India."
Will go out of my way to buy Aussie brands. Must remember to take my glasses with me to read the lables
Qld did very well under the gerry mander system of Jo B-K where the whole state was truly represented, not just the majority of people who lived in the small section of Brisbane and the Gold Retiree Coast.
If you look back to pre-Whitlam days, Qld had totally free medicare and a lot of infrastructure paid by paid by the mining companies. And the education system was ahead in so many ways.
But we have had "progress" in so many ways since Uncle Jo and his doubtfull form of Govt was kicked out.
Many people have looked at alternate forms of energy over so many years. I can run a generator on petrol or diesel to power my home for much less than the electricity providers the cost me. But there are some Laws against doing this.
Australia has a place that makes the vanes for wind generators but unfortunately they are 3 metres shorter than the ones we have here "on contract." They export their vanes.
Alice Springs had an 'air-conditioned' building in the late 1800s (Adelaide House). And it still works today.
My gas hot water service decided to die over the weekend. Had a nice hot shower yesterday and thought it odd when I turned the taps off and not turned on the "Cold" tap, but had things to do.
Got back home, had dinner and no hot water to wash up. Okay, strong winds on Saturday may have blown the Pilot Light out. Have a play tomorrow.
Not a chance of getting it going today. So looking at $1,000 or so to replace it. I could simply light some of my firewood to boil up enough to have a tub every day or have a Pomme wash when I need it (yuk).
We do love our "conveniences" so much.
Seriously, how many people would put up with having to go out the back to pump some water or having to light a fire to have hot water?
Born and bred in Sydney and brought up playing Thugby League, lived there for 50 years. Played Aussie Rules for 2 years in High School (until they dropped it because we were so bad). Even played Thugby league for a few years after leaving school.
But still loved the Aussie Rules. Used to sit down Saturday afternoons to watch the only televised game. Go to watch games mates were playing in. Parents finally got sucked in and watching it, never understanding the Rules but always said that it was a good entertainment sport to watch. Years later. I even got my dinky die Rabbittos step-father into watching it.
I have always been a Bombers fan. What they did to Essendon has left a sour taste in all AFL/VFL fans' mouths this year.
The Dockers played pathetically in the first 1/4, a little better in the next and then came out firing. Went and did my shopping at half time. I had no real enthusiasm for the game. And good on the Dockers for getting to where they did and the supporters for getting behind them so much.
There were over 100,000 people at the MCG to watch the game. Doubt the NRL will manage 50,000.
Okay, Micky. You do have to realise that the little bit of cheese (I do love cheeses) is a big no-no for a diabetic. Not to mention the sweetened bread they serve.
I was one of the "Chosen Few" of National Service at the age of 19. I did manage to avoid service beacause I was studying at the time. But it did mean that I was on the knife-edge to make sure I passed those exams so I did not have to serve for what I did not believe was "Right for our country."
I have many family, friends and acquaintences who did serve in Vietnam and they have not really told their stories. Uncle Mike who was in helicopters in the RAAF served in the "Police Action" in Malaysia for many years volunteered to do Vietnam service only so he could attract the War Services Loan Scheme when he returned from his many years of "Inactive" service fighting guerillas in Malysia.
Truth be told, the 19yo who were there where the ones "who wanted to fight............ whoever."
Micky, when you get to the stage of not working and need someone to talk to, it is great having those calls during the day. Love it when they say that "As you are such a good loyal customer always paying on time, we can offer you such a great deal by upgrading to our system."
Only started paying on time for any provider of any service when they started charging me for being late. Was neccesary when I was broke but more just a bit of "how far will they go" these days without the penalties.
Even telling them I do not work does not seem to stop them calling. Thinking now to go back to Plan A. "I have not worked for some time. I am renting a room in this squalid place and about 6 months behind in rent. I cannot get the dole and the cops are on to me about me selling drugs (not true but...). I do need to be able to get a mobile going again so I can get back into business"
What is it with old ladies hitting the acclerator in cars when they are about to hit something? Have seen too many happening over the years. Early this year, an old lady hit the accelerator while parking nose in and went through the office windows. Luckily, it was lunchtime and staff where not there. 3 desks were wiped out.
I know I harp on about driving safely but....
I was 16 when I did my first driver training course. I was taught defensive driving. My 18yo brother was doing the same course and ended up racing cars. Got my license at 17 after surviving learning from my brother and mother (she raced as well).
Was in my early 30s when I had to learn how to drive a truck. Lots of tuition going on there. At 50, I joined a 4WD club and one of the things they insisted on was Driver Training.
33 years of driving legally on the road and I need driver training? Okay, I had an auto 4WD and did learn a few things like using the left foot on the brake. Has helped to learn how to effectively drive an auto. Always thought they were was for the people who could not drive. Mum had the manual, dad had the auto.
But in my slide in the wet, I went back to instincts and it was left foot on the clutch and right foot on the brake. 2.5 tonnes of metal does not stop as quick as a plastic car with ABS anti-lock braking.
And that brings me back to my learner stage when I was driving my mum's auto Rambler for the first time. Had to stop very quickly one time....hit the brake and the clutch at the same time. Ramblers had a very wide brake pedal .... and the auto had no clutch. So both feet on the brake pedal. Nearly put everyone through the windscreen.
I have 2 who turned 30 last November, with 1 this year (November) and the other much younger one (bloody soon and I hope my calandar reminds me when).......
When my son turned 21, I gave him (and my older daughter) some shares. Now he is turning 30 and could look at the money thing again.
Was going to make the trip to Sydney for it but found out he is avoiding the issue and they are going on a cruise.
Thinking about tagging along No, not that silly.
My great-grandmother always provided for every visitor to her place over Xmas. She covered the full-sized billiard table with presents. Many were not labelled "To...." Great as unexpected visitors got something. Usually stuff she got the year before and still wrapped.
Statistics prove that males have more crashes than females.
I have travelled about 40,000kms each year in my own vehicles plus many of those years driving for my work. All up about 2 million kms in 44 years of driving. Involved in 4 crashes average 1 per 10 years or 1 per 250,000kms.
A lot of my driving time has been when there are a lot of other people on the road which means I am more likely to be involved in a crash. Statistics show that peak hour traffic is when most crashes occur.
I have worked in road safety for more than 30 years and have made a few observations about drivers and their habits. I have noticed over the years that most vehicles in peak hour traffic or on the major road networks are driven by men. Women tend to be more sensible and either work locally or have a greater reliance on public transport for the trips into the city.
Another observation is that when the family or a couple go out, it is usually a male driving. Family/couple and it is the male driving (unless it has been a picnic and he has been driving. Have a look when you are out on the weekend.
My daughter has been driving for 14 years and has not had a crash yet. And she does love driving. But when the 3 of us go out, it is usually the son-in-law who drives. And I do my best not to hit the brake pedal when he is driving.
Ex #1 rarely drove in the 25 years we were together. Mainly the 7km round trip to the local shops while I did most of the driving at other times (she did not like driving). Lucky to do 2,000kms a year while we were together. And she had 2 major crashes during that time. Her average per year (1 per 12.5 years) is better than mine but for kms travelled?????
My mother, in 60 years of driving, only ever hit someone when she was on the racetrack (some cars do get in the way). My stepfather managed to be in 3 crashes in 1 year at the same spot. Rear-ended each time but he did start then stop at the same very big roundabout.
Males are not neccessarily worse drivers, just that statistically they are more likely to be involved in a crash.
For me, #1 was when the guy in front of me took off and, when I looked and decided I had enough time to cross as well, he decided decided to brake.
#2 truck was driving on the wrong side of the road in a carpark and I had to swerve to miss him and scraped a power pole.
#3 I was slowing for a red light and a drunk came around the corner and hit me head-on.
#4 Idiot in front of me slammed on his brakes for an orange light in the wet. I slid.
Emus don't count because they do not think
My niece was involved in 7 crashes in her first year of driving. None of them technically her fault. "Uncle Wash, I didn't think they would pull out when I was in the right."
I come from a family of racing drivers. Racing calls for assertive/aggressive driving. I was taught Defensive driving for the road.
My granfather, my mother and my brother were racing car drivers who never had a crash outside the racetrack. My father, my sister and I have.
Ex #1 is the one who made all the claims on mycar insurance.
Had a call from Telstra regarding I had not upgraded or updated my Internet plan for at least 4 years. "Oh, sir, you are on a very old plan. We can offer you a very special offer. You are a very loyal customer and we can see that you do not use your landline that you pay so much for. We are offering you this once in a lifetime (?) offer where we will reduce your telephone rental from $39.95 per month to just $9.95 per month. Of course, this will also mean to you that we will also reduce all those other discounts that you currently receive but when you sign up for this once in a life time super special deal, you will be so much better off."
Umm, total savings for a 24 month contract is what per month? "Yes, sir. You will have much savings."
"Ummmmmm, it does sound good, you have my email address, please forward me the details so I can think about it."
Get the email and it will cost me extra $20 per month for the crap I am getting now.
And since that call, my internet is very slow and keeps failing.
Now that I have one of those new toys called iPhone, I can get emails and the internet all for the one very low price. Just need to work out in real-person stuff how to use a decent sized screen to do this and dump the rest.
Was at a Land Rover Defender Day today. Mate and I have both done the same thing this year, had a dummy spit and said "enough is enough."
Then he has a go at me for finally buying a Defender after knocking the limited space for my long legs. Managed to have a couple of decent drives of one last year out in the desert. I just fit.
Then I asked him about his Series 3 Land Rover. "Have you done anything to it?" "Yeah, let it get more rust in the chassis."
Might be heading out your way this coming week for something to do. But it is a bit hard planning ahead. So many things to do these days.
Mate is a Qantas pilot and he always has a copilot to keep an eye on him. And the traffic controllers are on the air saying "QF493, your approach speed is too fast. QF493, your approach angle is too high, please adjust. QF493, your approach angle is too low, FENCKEN PULL UP."
Bloody scary flying with him in a light aircraft when the "copilot" has never flown a plane and keeps playing with every button and dial.
Bone: "Goose (as the Qantas pilot is known as to us), what happens when I do this?"
Goose: "Don't touch that. That is our landing gear."
Bone: "What about this then?"
Goose: "NOOOOOOOOO, don't touch that, it dumps all the fuel out when we have to make an emergency landing."
Bone: "What does this do?"
Goose: "Can someone tie Bone up so he can't touch anything?"
Managed to get through 4 crashes plus 2 emu hits. Mainly little damage.
Worst was the head-on which nearly wrote off the car. Drunk came around the corner and onto my side of the road, luckily I was slowing for the traffic signals and it ended up being a fairly low(?) speed impact...70-80km/hr. Both cars towed away and it a took week to get mine fixed. Mine was about 18 months old and spare parts were easy to get.
Luckily we all had seatbelts on. I have investigated a couple of these low speed crashes where no seatbelt was worn resulting in a fatality.
Nice looking Series 2. Was having a giggle about "My X always found her side of the rover windy" (aren't they all) and then saw the second picture and laughed.
Still trying to work out what the "Other arf is further up the hill" is referring to.
Only reason they have lasted me 14 years is that they were regularly cleaned. The spots are spraypaint from a time when fixing a shearing shed roof. I was screwing the roof down and the spraypainter was trying to hurry me up. But coming apart at the seams and now relegated to the garden.
wash2u Forum Posts (3,768)
2.5 tonnes of metal does not stop as quick as a plastic car with ABS anti-lock braking.
No, not that silly.
RE: Australia Our Home
Edgel brand is now owned by the Yanks (can't recall the name of the company). The company operates 2 big plants in Aust and now the only ones doing Aust canned and frozen food, one in Bathurst and one in Launceston, and not just under the Edgel brand. And only use Aust products. They are having a hard time competing against imports so are now working closely with the farmers to try and improve productivity and reduce the costs SO THEY CAN KEEP OPERATING.I went to the chemist to get hay fever headache tablets and was given "Chemists Own" brand. Okay, the chemists get together and market a Home Brand. So I thought ............ "Made in India."
Will go out of my way to buy Aussie brands. Must remember to take my glasses with me to read the lables