Wumm

Nah Mate, All of my spare and weekend time these days is spent renovating my Daughters' house (along with most of our spare cash!) in the hope of getting it on the market before Christmas Holidays. The timing of the recent Covid lockdown opened up nicely and played well into their hands, it wasn't looking too promising at the end of July. But great to see that it went ahead this year after all. S

A good haul there, and also good to see someone other than the usual suspects pick up an award for a change. S

Henri? Bah... Forget about it! S

Just be careful Harv... If you happen to run into Mike Tyson... Keep running! S

Unfortunately, the Prime Minister has lost control of the situation as regards Covid-19. He has no power over the individual States, who are all following their own rules to varying degrees of success. Couple that with every Man and his Dog blaming him for the Vaccine failures, and he's on a hiding to nothing at the moment. What is becoming clear however; is that there will be no end to lock-downs and restrictions until the people running the particular State you happen to live in decide it to be over. They have complete control of their populations, the ability to imprison or deny entry to out-of-State visitors (in clear breach of the Constitution), and declare emergency laws based on dubious evidence in the name of Health directives. There is no consistency in decisions, nor common sense or reason in many cases. They can do this for as long as they want. They can break Individuals' lives and Businesses with the stroke of a pen, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. So long as there's still active cases; whether vaccinated or not, we'll all be isolating and wearing masks until they decide enough. Every time you enter a commercial Premises here in Queensland, it's compulsory to log onto the Government App and scan in on your 'phone (or sign in if you don't have one). The Government has passed legislation that allows the Proprietor to Barr access should you refuse. There is no choice or other options. If you force the issue, the Police are summoned and you get fined. If you resist further, you get arrested. This also includes your Workplace... My Employer requires me to clock on and off to account for the time to pay me. But I also have to scan into the Government App to first get inside, or Security can deny you access. The Union have been told that everyone must comply, or be sent home without pay... The Union position is that the Employer has the information if and when it may be required in the case of a Covid-positive Employee, in which case we will all be sent home to quarantine for 14 days as the Factory will be shut down for cleaning. Nonetheless, it's now become a condition of earning a wage that you must tell the Government where you are at all times; work, rest or play. As it was in this case... Police at the entrance of the local Hardware store... "Where do you live? Why are you here? Is it essential that you buy a wrench because your kitchen pipe has burst? Where are you going after here? Give me your details." "Why do you need my details? I've already logged onto the App..." "I can ask you for your name, age and address at any time and you must comply." It's becoming a little too Stasi-like for my comfort here. This used to be a free Country. S

I am in complete agreement with Brad. He's talking about having to show that you're Covid vaccinated to access a shop on the local High Street, not to travel abroad. Vaccine Passports are an unnecessary form of segregation. Some in the Community aren't eligible to receive vaccinations yet, or live in a regional area where they aren't available. Until we get to 80% community vaccinations, everyone is subject to lock-downs and restrictions whether fully vaccinated or not, as apparently you can still carry and pass on the Virus through breakthrough infections. However, once we reach the 80% mark, which is the level of coverage the Authorities here are promoting, it won't matter who's vaccinated or not as this is the level they're telling us we need to get to to lessen the severity of the Virus. This of course will all change at a whim, as is their wont. S

The slow vaccine roll-out here is a combination of three factors Rob... Poor choices, apathy, and the Tyranny of Distance. About the middle of last year, the Federal Government decided that they would hedge their bets and secure vaccines from a number of different Manufacturers. Key to this strategy was having some independence because of our position way down here at the bottom of the World. Researchers at the University of Queensland were making headway on their own vaccine, and a licence was also granted to produce the Astra Zenica at the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in Melbourne. Despite the early promise of the UQ vaccine, it turned out that it also unfortunately gave recipients false positive HIV readings, so it fell by the wayside. This left the AZ as the only locally produced vaccine. To back this up, in November last year, the Feds secured 10 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and 40 million of the Moderna. This combination alone would have been enough to easily cover the Adult component of our 26 million population. However, when the vaccines were finally approved by our Therapeutic Goods Administration (ATAGI) for use in March this year, the Moderna vaccine was not ready. As of this date, it still has not arrived in Australia. So this left an initial trickle of the 10 million Pfizer and the initial doses of A/Z that Oxford provided until our production started, when vaccinations began in March. This wasn't overly concerning at the time, because the initial vaccines went to the elderly, vulnerable and Emergency workers, and there were hardly any active cases here. But soon after, the EU blocked supply of the Pfizer vaccine to Australia, supposedly because we were doing so well with the isolation strategy, and other places needed the supply more that we did. So instead of only 18% of the population fully vaccinated to date, it would be 30% if we'd had those 3 million doses as promised. Again, this wasn't deemed to be a problem, as the messaging from both the Federal and State Governments was 'It's not a race'. There was no urgency shown, as the Authorities relied heavily on the isolation strategy. We'll all get our turn once it's available. Apathy. Than as Gaz says, opinions started to turn against the Astra Zenica. There was a death of an otherwise healthy A/Z vaccinated person, then another. To date there has been 7, with many more deaths of people with co-morbidities that are considered to have contributed to their clots. The Media latched onto these deaths, highlighted them to create fear in the community, then criticised the Government for not having clear messaging around the issue! This feeds the ani-vax component of the community, who go out and protest on the streets. The Queensland Government have abandoned A/Z and won't administer it. Our Chief Health Officer says it kills healthy young people, and to follow the Science. The Federal Government says that ATAGI recommends it, and to follow the Science. ATAGI has changed it's stance on A/Z half a dozen times; first it's safe, then it may kill random healthy people (but that's OK because it's highly unlikely), then it's good for everyone, then it's no good for people under 40, and finally now it's better you have it whatever your age because cases are increasing now. The Federal Government has indemnified Doctors from prosecution who administer A/Z and their Patients have a bad or fatal reaction; but there is no support offered to the individual if it's you or your loved-one who's life is ruined by submitting to a medicine that the Government encourages you to take while knowing it can kill or disable you for the rest of your life. So which Science should you follow? We are a large Country, over two-thirds the size of the United States, but with only 26 million people and not a population of 350 million. The Pfizer can't always be kept in the temperatures required to be effective once it get to Outback locations. We have so much Astra Zenica product now that we're giving it away; to Indonesia, Vietnam, PNG and Polynesia for instance. But for some in Regional Australia, A/Z is the only option available. I'm not Anti-Vax in any way, shape or form. My Mother's twin died of Polio in the 1940's before a vaccine was available... Had fate decided differently I would not be alive today. I just believe that the Government should not be approving medicines that they know can kill otherwise healthy people. And I know that many other Australians agree with me. S

You're welcome Gaz, Good luck with that wing join. S

You just can't trust restorations... The Eduard photo shows screws. These really should be M6 x 18mm bolts, according to Messerschmitt documents, but ten per wing is correct. One of the weaknesses of the Bf109 design was always the single wing spar, and with the introduction of the more streamlined F series variants, speeds and aerodynamic loading increased. Subsequently, some airframes began to lose wings during combat (and others their tails, but due to other issues). The solution was to strengthen the wing at the top interface with an additional brace (part number #9, 'Anschlussbeschlag' on the list) attached with hexagonal bolts, washers and crown nuts underneath (parts 10, 11 and 12). This arrangement continued for the duration of production throughout the War. Werner Molders' F-1 variant. No bolts visible, and no bulge on the otherwise smooth wing fillet cover panel. G-6 variant in the AWM... The fillet panel is distended a little here, but the bolts are visible. And finally the famous G-2 variant Black 6... With the fillet panel removed, showing the attached bracket position and the wing bolts. HTH, S

According to the Advice (although it's not been updated since late April), entry from most of Europe is verboten unless exemptions are granted. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html That is of course; not to say that Eduard, S/H, et al can't simply ship their wares across the Pond and have US-based representatives run their stands? S

Well done Martin! I am also double jabbed with the Pfizer vaccine now; fortunately, while waiting for my Wife at a local Hospital for a procedure she was having in mid-June, a Nurse was doing the rounds at 2:30 in the afternoon asking random people if they wished to be vaccinated... There had been a few cancellations at the vaccination Hub, they'd made up too many batches and didn't want to see it go to waste. She had a queue of people in tow, it reminded me a little of the Pied Piper of Hamelin! The cases in Sydney have continued to rise in the last fortnight, to the point where there were 112 Community cases today. Remembering, this all started from a single individual not doing his job. Authorities expect that the lockdown there will continue for the next 6 weeks at least. There are concerns that people still aren't isolating when directed, as many of the new cases announced daily are later found to be out in the Community while infectious. Meanwhile, here in Queensland (touch wood) the Delta variant can't seem to take hold for trying. There were two confirmed Delta cases in the last month, but the only others it spread to were their respective Spouses. The larger Alpha outbreak was traced to a single individual who tested negative on day 12 of quarantine, but tested positive after being released on day 14. These cases mostly involved Portuguese and Greek community centres, before eventually reducing to the status quo of zero infections that has been the case for a week now. The following graphic shows the tracing: Again, we are extremely fortunate here that the cases are low enough to effectively execute tracing. In the middle of this, we were treated to an extraordinary statement by the State's Chief Health Officer that did serious damage to Vaccine confidence. In response to the Prime Minister's statement that people under 40 who were not yet eligible for the Pfizer vaccine could choose to have Astra Zenica instead with their Doctor's approval and have coverage earlier than they normally would have, and therefore increase Community immunity, Dr Young said (and I quote): "We've seen up to 49 deaths in the UK from that syndrome. I don't want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got Covid probably wouldn't die." https://amp-abc-net-au.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/100256022?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16250767327291&amp_ct=1625076872268&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From %1%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2021-06-30%2Fqld-cho-rejects-morrisons-astrazeneca-comments-covid-vaccine%2F100256022 The Queensland Premier then followed, telling the public to ignore the Federal Health advice, listen to the State Health advice instead, and for under 40's not to consider the A/Z under any circumstances. Meanwhile, the actual advice from the State Government is that the A/Z vaccine is safe, and has no higher risk of clotting than the Pfizer (as shown on the waiver I was required to sign to receive my jab). To even suggest that an otherwise healthy young individual might die from a vaccination is extreme rhetoric. Young people see this, are fearful of the A/Z jab, and wait until later when the Country gets more Pfizer. Older people with co-morbidities see this, and think 'If young healthy people can die from this, what hope have I got?' and don't get vaccinated at all. It's an unbelievably damaging statement from someone who purports to have the best interest of the Community at heart, and should know better. Meanwhile, the State Premier calls for the quota of returning Australians to be halved... While still intending to fly to Tokyo for the Olympics, and take someone's place in quarantine after her return. You seriously can't make this sh#t up. S

Unless they're a Gigolo. Now there's a job your Wife would want you to retire from. S

I think that's a fairly consistent description of Jobseekers these days. Practically all young people I've had experience with want to start on the middle rungs of the Career ladder, and expect to be paid above the odds for it. Do as little as possible, be on their 'phones half the time, and let someone else do the hard work for them. 4 of the 6 Trainees I had last year had left by the end of their first month, so in the end I was potentially putting my health at risk for nothing. You can still have a sh#tty job and love it though. Someone has to empty the garbage cans and sweep the floors. I used to absolutely love being a professional Driver; but the lack of any semblance of road policing and just simply dealing with Human beings on a daily basis wore me down. In the end loving the work and taking pride in my performance wasn't enough to offset the negatives. At this stage of my life, I'd rather have the extra 4 hours a day with my Wife; and as far as work goes, love what I do rather than do what I love. S

If there's one piece of advice I can give you Scott, it's to make sure that you discuss everything with your Wife and make sure that you're both on the same page mentally and emotionally. You sound like you've both done all the math, and you seem to have that side of things pretty much squared away, but that's really only half of the battle without considering the headspace issues that may arise. In March this year, I left a job after 14 years with the same Employer. I was working a 10 to 12 hour day doing deliveries in all weather, with another 2 hours commuting back and forth daily... a thousand times on and off the clutch for a 25 mile crawl every night home. What started out as mostly envelopes and small parcels last decade eventually morphed into beds and gym sets with the advent of the internet and e-commerce. Covid only made things worse... During the last year I was spat on, coughed on, sneezed on and physically assaulted while doing my job. Traffic was continually getting worse, as people drove their own cars everywhere because they were afraid to sit next to a stranger on public transport. I became the designated Driver Trainer for new Employees, without any choice or any extra renumeration for the responsibility, and had 6 complete strangers placed inside the truck with me for a week at a time last year when we were all supposed to be socially distancing. The Company attitude was always "do it, or else we'll get someone who will", all the time holding the benefits I'd accrued against me. Eventually I came to realise that I was the typical 'Frog in a boiling pot'. For the last year or two my Wife was constantly encouraging me to come to her workplace. Her job is 7 minutes from our home, they always seem to be hiring, the hourly pay rate is better and it's an 8 hour day come rain, hail or shine. For all that time I put it off; blinded by misplaced loyalty to a Company that didn't care about my health or wellbeing, and worried about the consequences of both of us losing our job at the same time and the household being without any income. The tipping point arrived when I asked to take the 10 year long service leave owed to me that was now 4 years overdue, so that I could use that time and money to make repairs to my Daughters' house... And was denied. I was beyond ready to leave that place. But what I really needed to do was swallow my pride and accept that my Wife had been right all along. After discussing things with her thoroughly we came to agree that things would be better, and that all of the possible benefits far outweighed the risk of us both becoming unemployed at the same time. I also made a promise to her that I would never blame her if that was somehow to happen, because in the end it was my responsibility to make the decision. That last statement seems to be self-evident, but she needed to hear that from me, and I needed to accept it in my heart to move forward. It sounds as if your mind is made up. And fair play to you, things seem to be falling into place naturally - that's always a good indicator. So many Retirees don't get the luxury of having a choice in the matter. Just make sure the two of you are on the same page about the timing is all. S

I second this emoji. This makes me want to kumquats. S

Au, Bergine! S

Why is that Cat carrying a purse? And don't say... "Because he has no pockets." S

Well, effectively you got the shot to prevent you from contacting a deadly Virus Jeff. However, one of the side benefits of being vaccinated was expected to be that restrictions would relax and that things would go back to a semblance of 'normal'. But it's not panning out that way. Greater Sydney has now gone back into lockdown. A Limousine driver has started a cluster of over a hundred cases, by being allowed to ferry quarantining people to and from the airport whilst not being vaccinated himself. The Authorities have stated that he won't be charged or fined, as apparently there's no legislation in NSW that you need to be vaccinated to be able to transport possibly infectious people around the City in an enclosed vehicle in the dead of Winter... The mind boggles. We are also now wearing masks again in Greater Brisbane after a fly-in Mine worker tested positive to the Delta strain. 170 fellow workers are now also in isolation, but it's too early to tell if they've stopped it spreading. A few other sporadic cases pop up here and there, mostly 'escaping' from quarantine. Despite common sense, we are still forcing regular Citizens merely crossing State borders to isolate in the same facilities as returning International travelers. Apparently after 15 months of this, they're now going to look into the possible risks of doing so. The task group reporting to the Federal Government has recommended that the Astra Zenica jab now only be given to the over-60's. There have been more cases of the TTS Thrombosis, but no more deaths thankfully. This has meant less of the Pfizer to go around. Which means longer before we get to 80% community vaccinations, which in turn means more lock-downs every time someone sneezes. S

That's because they're all obviously reasonable people Carl, which is always a good thing when it comes to Families. Although, if they were privy to what goes on down in that basement... S

That's a pretty good version of a real ugly head right there... Dolman Miniatures do a 90mm version, and also a white metal 1/35th scale 'Wild Bill'. Not as faithful as their recent Aces figures unfortunately. http://dolmanminiatures.com/figures-90mm/15-wild-bill.html No... You could still be constantly compared to an old flame who dated your Wife 10 or 20 years ago who's only redeeming quality was his Engineering degree that you didn't sit for. It's a thing. It could happen. Probably... S

There's a very fine line between collecting and hoarding... Ask me, I know. S

Mine would be approaching the hundred mark; combining Aircraft, Armour, 1/24 Autos and a few Figure kits. In other words, far to many to ever complete in my lifetime. After sitting out in the Queensland heat, sealed inside a shipping container, I find myself asking... How warped is the plastic in that Puma kit Gaz? S

Agreed... Also a couple in the 'Background Music' thread. You'd think that imaginary entities would have better things to do with their time? S

To be honest, I really detest Spambots. Followed by a totally non-specific anecdote. A performance we can all do without. Then ended with a sentence that basically means nothing.

But... how else... do... you attach... your... Gut flap? S