G'day from down under

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 7:12 am

G'day everyone,

I have just joined FG and am looking forward to making new friends. I have a home based business in bushfire equipment, solar power systems and off road equipment in Melbourne, Australia.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 7:15 am

welcome!:-6I hope you enjoy it here:D

Mustang · Post by **Mustang** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 7:18 am

Welcome to FG, tektrek! :-6

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:36 am

tektrek;1330524 wrote: G'day everyone,

I have just joined FG and am looking forward to making new friends. I have a home based business in bushfire equipment, solar power systems and off road equipment in Melbourne, Australia.

Hello again and welcome!:-6

I'm so glad you decided to join us, pull up a chair, coffee and enjoy!:guitarist

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Lon · Post by **Lon** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 9:47 am

Welcome------------------I love your city.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 10:21 am

Welcome to FG:-6

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:18 am

Welcome to FG, Tektrek. Hope you enjoy the discussions here.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:26 am

It's always good to have new members so welcome

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:45 pm

Hello dearest I hope you enjoy your time here. I've already introduced you to Open mind on fb.

o

o:o

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:20 pm

Hi there.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:25 pm

fuzzywuzzy;1330565 wrote: Hello dearest I hope you enjoy your time here. I've already introduced you to Open mind on fb.

o

o:o

The photo gives it away really, doesn't it?:wah:

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:57 pm

fuzzywuzzy;1330565 wrote: Hello dearest I hope you enjoy your time here. I've already introduced you to Open mind on fb.

o

o:o

huh! you forgot about me, what does a girl have to do?:yh_rotfl

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:15 pm

Odie;1330609 wrote: huh! you forgot about me, what does a girl have to do?:yh_rotfl

Don't do it, Odie!:wah:

Hello, tektrek. Enjoy your visits with us.

Here's a welcome mat for you.

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Odie · Post by **Odie** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:06 pm

along-for-the-ride;1330613 wrote: Don't do it, Odie!:wah:

fortunately, Mustang is keeing me alive!:yh_rotfl

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:24 pm

Hi everyone.

Thank you for the warm welcomes.

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:14 pm

They are pretty cool around here. Lets face it they've put up with me for this long. lol lol lol lol <-----------------thinking now if that was a nervous laugh? lol

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:35 pm

fuzzywuzzy;1330649 wrote: They are pretty cool around here. Lets face it they've put up with me for this long. lol lol lol lol

putting up with you is easy compared to some here.

:yh_rotfl

our new friend is a welcomed addition!:-6

another Australian mate!:guitarist

perhaps he even has a kangaroo or two up his sleeve:yh_rotfl

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fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 7:12 pm

Piff. he's city folk. I'm not sure he could even identify one

joke joke

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:01 pm

fuzzywuzzy;1330660 wrote: Piff. he's city folk. I'm not sure he could even identify one

joke joke

.....city folk?

can he at least identify dingos?:yh_rotfl

'The dingos got your baby!':wah:

Seinfeld.

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 5:13 am

I know what a damned roo looks like! Even cuddled them and felt their babies in their pouches (maybe I'm a roo whisperer) and I have been within 2m (6ft) of dingoes on Fraser Island. For years I and years I wanted a dingo as a pet after spending a couple of hours with a domesticated one at a wildlife sanctuary in Sth Australia.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:36 am

tektrek;1330706 wrote: I know what a damned roo looks like! Even cuddled them and felt their babies in their pouches (maybe I'm a roo whisperer) and I have been within 2m (6ft) of dingoes on Fraser Island. For years I and years I wanted a dingo as a pet after spending a couple of hours with a domesticated one at a wildlife sanctuary in Sth Australia.

were just funning with you, you have to get used to that around here.

Do you have any photos of dingo's?

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:28 am

OK, you're just taking the p1ss out of me. Very Aussie thing to do.

Unfortunately I don't have any pics to hand of dingos or roos or any other wildlife as they are locked up in a dead external drive waiting for recovery one day.

Tell you what though, a few days after the Black saturday fires last year I brokered a peace treaty between farmers and native animals over free access to water and food which my response group had organised. It took a while but the farmers finally agreed to allowing the native animals to access the fodder and water for a few months until the bush revived enough. Around this time I saw heaps of starving roos, birds and the odd koala and twice came across echidnas, one sitting in the middle of the road watching the traffic whiz by and the other on the side of the road looking for some tucker. The little guy sitting on the road was persuaded by me and my son to finish crossing the road and into some unburnt scrub where he could find some sort of safety.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 9:35 am

tektrek;1330758 wrote: OK, you're just taking the p1ss out of me. Very Aussie thing to do.

Unfortunately I don't have any pics to hand of dingos or roos or any other wildlife as they are locked up in a dead external drive waiting for recovery one day.

Tell you what though, a few days after the Black saturday fires last year I brokered a peace treaty between farmers and native animals over free access to water and food which my response group had organised. It took a while but the farmers finally agreed to allowing the native animals to access the fodder and water for a few months until the bush revived enough. Around this time I saw heaps of starving roos, birds and the odd koala and twice came across echidnas, one sitting in the middle of the road watching the traffic whiz by and the other on the side of the road looking for some tucker. The little guy sitting on the road was persuaded by me and my son to finish crossing the road and into some unburnt scrub where he could find some sort of safety.

bout time the farmer's shared as those fires were devasting!:-5

fuzzy had posted a thread, it was just unbearable to see so many animals that didn't survive and what everyone went through. Plus, it was our news everyday, but not near as indepth as fuzzy's was.

I would have done the same as you and your son, they have to find safety, water, food.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 4:29 pm

Hey Tek :-6,

It's nice that you've joined FG. Any friend of Megan's is a friend of ours.

Guess you know all the elite people who live in Melbourne like our Mags:-6

Hope you enjoy your stay in FG:-6

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:43 pm

Odie;1330774 wrote: bout time the farmer's shared as those fires were devasting!:-5

fuzzy had posted a thread, it was just unbearable to see so many animals that didn't survive and what everyone went through. Plus, it was our news everyday, but not near as indepth as fuzzy's was.

I would have done the same as you and your son, they have to find safety, water, food.

Following the 2009 catastrophe we are now gearing up for a predicted shocker of a summer fire wise. I am in the midst of preparing a few rural communities who were were affected last year by bushfires on how to be better prepared and if need be defend their properties more effectively. As Fuzzy will tell you we don't have enough fire fighters or fire trucks to cover the rural population and some groups of farmers are now forming their own community fire units to look after each other. I am assisting these folk in how this should be done especially with fire suppression equipment, communications and community welfare.

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:46 pm

Kathy Ellen;1330843 wrote: Hey Tek :-6,

It's nice that you've joined FG. Any friend of Megan's is a friend of ours.

Guess you know all the elite people who live in Melbourne like our Mags:-6

Hope you enjoy your stay in FG:-6

Thank you.

There are many people like Fuzzy that I know more so following last year's shocking bushfires. Many of these people are now my friends and we stay in regular contact via the internet (most of them are some 100-200 miles away) and sometimes in person if I'm in their area.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:01 pm

tektrek;1330872 wrote: Following the 2009 catastrophe we are now gearing up for a predicted shocker of a summer fire wise. I am in the midst of preparing a few rural communities who were were affected last year by bushfires on how to be better prepared and if need be defend their properties more effectively. As Fuzzy will tell you we don't have enough fire fighters or fire trucks to cover the rural population and some groups of farmers are now forming their own community fire units to look after each other. I am assisting these folk in how this should be done especially with fire suppression equipment, communications and community welfare.

It's good that everyone has come together and will now be better prepared.

Fuzzy told us you didn't have much equipment or man-power, after all, who would, as they just kept spreading.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 12:02 am

tektrek;1330872 wrote: Following the 2009 catastrophe we are now gearing up for a predicted shocker of a summer fire wise. I am in the midst of preparing a few rural communities who were were affected last year by bushfires on how to be better prepared and if need be defend their properties more effectively. As Fuzzy will tell you we don't have enough fire fighters or fire trucks to cover the rural population and some groups of farmers are now forming their own community fire units to look after each other. I am assisting these folk in how this should be done especially with fire suppression equipment, communications and community welfare.

I hope it's not as bad as last year though it is inevitable that there will be fires. Not a good thing to have to look to each year.

Still, it's good more folk are getting better prepared for it. I just hope they can make themselves go if it becomes apparent they can't beat the fires. There could be a lot of people killed for that reason.

Fuzzy's daily commentary was more informative than our news broadcasts and gave the feeling of being there almost. Fuzz has a way of getting the emotions across as well somehow.

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 1:58 am

It's a shame that I wasn't on here last year as I could have given you all a daily update on the fire relief operations I was involved in. I was at the time co-ordinating 950 volunteers and in hourly consultation by phone and 2-way radio with fire relief centres and municipal emergency managers over the first 7 days following Black Saturday. Things got so hectic that I closed my business for 3 months and devoted 7 days a week in human food and animal fodder deliveries, cleanups, potable water deliveries and farm fence repairs amongst other things.

It was good reading Fuzzy's account of what she saw and endured as I only heard stories from some 250-300km north of her.

If we experience similar conditions next Jan/Feb/Mar I'm going to make sure that I have my camera and video cameras ready to film what I as a relief volunteer sees. Hopefully another catastrophic event won't happen.

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:19 am

hhhmmmmm. regret that now. JUst had a look again ...................Yes Tec I'm getting counselling now ....geesh!!! I gave everyone a basic round up of events, didn't go in to all the ****. Tis all. As jumbled as it was . I'm right ....no problem.

We all did our bit eh?

anyway this is your thread lets not dwell on other stuff? next big one is 2015 that's okay we'll be better equiped.

so this is **** for an intro thread .don't realy want to know about next season to be honest...they said all that crap last season

......Tek is really into 4x4 driving and other stuff too.

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 6:40 am

fuzzywuzzy;1330912 wrote: hhhmmmmm. regret that now. JUst had a look again ...................Yes Tec I'm getting counselling now ....geesh!!! I gave everyone a basic round up of events, didn't go in to all the ****. Tis all. As jumbled as it was . I'm right ....no problem.

We all did our bit eh?

anyway this is your thread lets not dwell on other stuff? next big one is 2015 that's okay we'll be better equiped.

so this is **** for an intro thread .don't realy want to know about next season to be honest...they said all that crap last season

......Tek is really into 4x4 driving and other stuff too.

Hey Fuzzy!!!!!!!!!!!!:-4:-4:-4:-4 Good to see you're back babe.

I haven't heard anything about 2015. All the panic merchants and arm chair experts with their pseudo science are saying the end is nigh on December 21, 2012. I think the movie industry has got to them.

Anyway if you want to talk more about your feelings, thoughts etc about Feb 7th please please go right ahead - better out than in. I have mistakenly kept a lot of in to the detriment of my own mental health as have so many others.

Hmmmm...........yes I do have other interests like 4 wheeling and camping and the list just goes on and on. Being a voracious reader of just about anything and adventurer of life I'm hoping that I can join in some lively discussions here with you guys.

By the way Fuzzy love.....please empty your mail box as I have tried a few times to PM you this week.

Hugs to all. :-6

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 7:06 am

fuzzywuzzy;1330912 wrote: hhhmmmmm. regret that now. JUst had a look again ...................Yes Tec I'm getting counselling now ....geesh!!! I gave everyone a basic round up of events, didn't go in to all the ****. Tis all. As jumbled as it was . I'm right ....no problem.

We all did our bit eh?

anyway this is your thread lets not dwell on other stuff? next big one is 2015 that's okay we'll be better equiped.

so this is **** for an intro thread .don't realy want to know about next season to be honest...they said all that crap last season

......Tek is really into 4x4 driving and other stuff too.

Hello fuzzy, glad your back!:-6

You did above and beyond what any citizen could have done or did do.

and it is Tek's intro thread, so let's keep it in the past, the future just maybe brighter this year.

I love 4X4's, really need one living here.

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 12:35 am

Odie, may be an All Wheel Drive like a Nissan X-Trail would be more suitable instead of a larger 4WD unless you intend going on an expedition up north.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 5:23 am

tektrek;1331134 wrote: Odie, may be an All Wheel Drive like a Nissan X-Trail would be more suitable instead of a larger 4WD unless you intend going on an expedition up north.

Believe it or not....if you know how to drive in winter here, there's no problem.

I've seen many 4X4's who think they can get out of a situation just because its a bigger vehicle and it has 4X4, but some just don't know how to drive & slip and slide everywhere.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:30 am

Odie;1331155 wrote: Believe it or not....if you know how to drive in winter here, there's no problem.

I've seen many 4X4's who think they can get out of a situation just because its a bigger vehicle and it has 4X4, but some just don't know how to drive & slip and slide everywhere.

It's fun when you know how.:guitarist

Is yours front or rear wheel drive?

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:26 am

I love four wheeling in snow, mud, sand, over rocks, through rivers and just about anywhere else. Slipping sideways is great fun especially when doing a power slide - kind of reminds me of my old rally days driving at 120-150mph and power sliding round bends. These days I still slide but at more respectable speeds and in 4WD. Buckets of fun all the same.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:30 am

OpenMind;1331163 wrote: It's fun when you know how.:guitarist

Is yours front or rear wheel drive?

I've never had any problems getting through snow or freezing rain and I just drive a car, which is front wheel drive.

slow down well ahead of any lights, stop signs, etc.

when going up a hill or down, put the transmission into 2nd, the car will move better and will not spin the tires.

If your coming up to close to someone that has stopped, again...put it in second gear to slow the engine down and again..the tires don't spin...same thing when you turn a corner.

now......what do you drive and what are some good hints about winter driving even though you don't get much snow?

tektrek · Post by **tektrek** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 8:07 am

I find automatic trannies scary in wet slippery conditions. Give me a manual (stick shift) any day especially when I'm in low range 4WD.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 8:39 am

tektrek;1330524 wrote: G'day everyone,

I have just joined FG and am looking forward to making new friends. I have a home based business in bushfire equipment, solar power systems and off road equipment in Melbourne, Australia.
My apologies Tek as I missed this thread Initially.

Welcome to Forum garden and I am sure you will make many friends here.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 9:49 am

tektrek;1331202 wrote: I find automatic trannies scary in wet slippery conditions. Give me a manual (stick shift) any day especially when I'm in low range 4WD.

I've never had any problems with an automatic Tek, I guess its what your used to.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 2:36 pm

Odie;1331185 wrote: I've never had any problems getting through snow or freezing rain and I just drive a car, which is front wheel drive.

slow down well ahead of any lights, stop signs, etc.

when going up a hill or down, put the transmission into 2nd, the car will move better and will not spin the tires.

If your coming up to close to someone that has stopped, again...put it in second gear to slow the engine down and again..the tires don't spin...same thing when you turn a corner.

now......what do you drive and what are some good hints about winter driving even though you don't get much snow?

Front wheel drive is excitingly scary in the snow. But the simple rule is to keep your foot off the accelerator and the brake and steer where you want to end up. I learnt that rule by accident by the way without having an accident which was handy. I prefer rear wheel drive in the snow because you can really throw the car about. I have actually managed to do a vehicular pirouette with a rear wheel drive.

On the other hand, when going up a steep hill under snow, you need the driving wheels leading. if you have a rear wheel drive car, that means reversing up. And I've had to do that too.

What spoils the fun in the snow is everyone else who are scared shitless and in this country that means major traffic queues.

Finally, always carry a shovel and a few pieces of cardboard.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:59 pm

OpenMind;1331259 wrote: Front wheel drive is excitingly scary in the snow. But the simple rule is to keep your foot off the accelerator and the brake and steer where you want to end up. I learnt that rule by accident by the way without having an accident which was handy. I prefer rear wheel drive in the snow because you can really throw the car about. I have actually managed to do a vehicular pirouette with a rear wheel drive.

On the other hand, when going up a steep hill under snow, you need the driving wheels leading. if you have a rear wheel drive car, that means reversing up. And I've had to do that too.

What spoils the fun in the snow is everyone else who are scared shitless and in this country that means major traffic queues.

Finally, always carry a shovel and a few pieces of cardboard.

they need to get out more and learn how to drive in the snow, then they won't be so scared shitless in your country.:yh_rotfl

I carry a shovel as well as flares, blanket, extra socks, water and a coat.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 6:23 am

Odie;1331317 wrote: they need to get out more and learn how to drive in the snow, then they won't be so scared shitless in your country.:yh_rotfl

I carry a shovel as well as flares, blanket, extra socks, water and a coat.

We've hardly had a decent spell of snow lately. That's the problem. Whereas I have memories of long periods of snow, many of our younger drivers have no memories at all of serious snow and definitely have no experience of driving in it.

Our last winter where I live didn't have so much snow as a lot of freezing sleet. The roads were pure ice and the gritters couldn't be taken out. People were crossing the roads on their hands and knees.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:30 am

OpenMind;1331399 wrote: We've hardly had a decent spell of snow lately. That's the problem. Whereas I have memories of long periods of snow, many of our younger drivers have no memories at all of serious snow and definitely have no experience of driving in it.

Our last winter where I live didn't have so much snow as a lot of freezing sleet. The roads were pure ice and the gritters couldn't be taken out. People were crossing the roads on their hands and knees.

OH I hate freezing sleet OM, its the worse to drive on.

that was a horrific time for everyone there!