The totally off-topic thread

[OZDUCK]

I was pleased to see that some of our local tourist sites are finally starting to better cater for overseas visitor. Our German friends, who we took to Kalgoorlie & Esperance, visited the Margaret River region on their own and went through Mammoth Cave. They were pleased to tell us that they were supplied with an audio guide in German. They can both speak and read English but it makes a trip more enjoyable if you don't have to "work" at it. The same goes with the local ATM's now offering a choice of languages, including German.

I have actually just came in from outside to watch their SQ flight flying overhead to take them back home to Stuttgart, via a few days in Singapore.

 

[Pushka]

French train drivers retire at 52. All French workers receive 5 weeks annual leave so more than what Australians get. They should be fine to travel. Spain gets 22 working days plus 14 public holiday leave days.

 

[Cossie]

Cancelled Otago. My friend has had problems with his engine and as that was one of the main reasons for going and the cold weather, seemed prudent to not go. There is always next year.

This is his car, for those that may be interested. It's a Toyota Celica TA64, but not as you know it!

 

[GarrettM]

I was pleased to see that some of our local tourist sites are finally starting to better cater for overseas visitor. Our German friends, who we took to Kalgoorlie & Esperance, visited the Margaret River region on their own and went through Mammoth Cave. They were pleased to tell us that they were supplied with an audio guide in German. They can both speak and read English but it makes a trip more enjoyable if you don't have to "work" at it. The same goes with the local ATM's now offering a choice of languages, including German.

I have actually just came in from outside to watch their SQ flight flying overhead to take them back home to Stuttgart, via a few days in Singapore.

Having completed our two week driving tour I reckon one of the biggest barriers to attracting people continues to be access to wifi and internet. Apart from Dome you will not get wifi at any establishment in Esperance. It makes it very hard as a visitor to do research or plan things on the fly.

And phone coverage in Dumbleyung (non-Telstra) doesn't exist at all.

Crazy.

 

[JohnK]

It's all over channel seven and ABC radio.

So if you don't watch channel seven or listen to ABC radio you'll miss the coverage?

My comment was along the lines of not much general interest. Attendance is down on expectations. The Star had free tickets as sponsors and also airfates and accommodation and I couldn't get through.

Lunchroom chatter another. This is almost non existent but I guess that could depend on workplace.

 

[Pushka]

So if you don't watch channel seven or listen to ABC radio you'll miss the coverage?

My comment was along the lines of not much general interest. Attendance is down on expectations. The Star had free tickets as sponsors and also airfates and accommodation and I couldn't get through.

Lunchroom chatter another. This is almost non existent but I guess that could depend on workplace.

I’d agree there’s not much interest. But the media is still flogging it. Just listening to Ch10 right now showing it.

Every time the NBN visits our street the internet goes cactus. They visited yesterday. Again. No internet. TPG fix it for an hour then it’s gone again. We are not on NBN.

 

[OZDUCK]

Having completed our two week driving tour I reckon one of the biggest barriers to attracting people continues to be access to wifi and internet. Apart from Dome you will not get wifi at any establishment in Esperance. It makes it very hard as a visitor to do research or plan things on the fly.

And phone coverage in Dumbleyung (non-Telstra) doesn't exist at all.

Crazy.

Actually, we got quite good WiFi when eating at the Pier Hotel in Esperance.

The phone coverage, for non-Telstra phones, was very bad. My cheapo Lebara rarely worked and my wives Optus was a bit of a gamble. Our visitors bought ALDI sims - which as they used the Telstra network were pretty good - though not much use when we were in the scrub west of Menzies.

 

[love_the_life]

Cancelled Otago. My friend has had problems with his engine and as that was one of the main reasons for going and the cold weather, seemed prudent to not go. There is always next year.

This is his car, for those that may be interested. It's a Toyota Celica TA64, but not as you know it!



View attachment 122711 View attachment 122712 View attachment 122713

That's a pity. Still going to NZ though for a bit of a holiday?

 

[serfty]

ABC Checkout looks at Europecar tonight.

8pm

 

[serfty]

ABC Checkout looks at Europecar tonight.

8pm

Also stuff on online reviews such as TripAdvisor.

 

[TheRealTMA]

ABC Checkout looks at Europecar tonight.

8pm

I liked “The Shed at Dulwich”, top on TripAdvisor.

 

[Cossie]

That's a pity. Still going to NZ though for a bit of a holiday?

No, we'll save it for later......

 

[serfty]

ABC Checkout looks at Europecar tonight.

8pm

Europcar stuff was limited ... But informative.

 

[Quickstatus]

Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia‏Verified account @BOM_SA 12m12 minutes ago
ADELAIDE APRIL RECORD #Adelaide has reached 33° marking first time Adelaide has reached max temps ≥33° in April in 3 consecutive days.

OK I'm over it now - when is it going to cool down and rain (pleeeaase)

I thought all the SA renewable energy was supposed to lower temperatures

 

[Milboo]

Meetings around lunchtime are pretty standard for me - but I can take lunch anytime I choose so doesn’t impact me.

My first meeting was 8.30 today - meant an early start for me as I start around 9.30 usually. Had a 12.30 teleconference during which I scoffed some sandwiches left over from a workshop catering and thankfully my 7pm weekly call was cancelled due to illness.

Working for a global company after hours calls are the norm. I have 3-4 a month, normally around 7-8pm.

 

[Pushka]

I thought all the SA renewable energy was supposed to lower temperatures

We don’t have to say that anymore. That Govt is gonski.

 

[JohnK]

Europe is becoming a cot case. Full pension retirement at 50. 30 hour week. Macron is trying to turn it around but it’s getting difficult.

Early pension after 35 years service pretty much killed Greece. And to top it off you could continue working and pay very little tax.

Madness.

 

[drron]

Early pension after 35 years service pretty much killed Greece. And to top it off you could continue working and pay very little tax.

Madness.

Unlike here where I am paying for 2 pensioner couples.

 

[JohnM]

Actually, we got quite good WiFi when eating at the Pier Hotel in Esperance.

The phone coverage, for non-Telstra phones, was very bad. My cheapo Lebara rarely worked and my wives Optus was a bit of a gamble. Our visitors bought ALDI sims - which as they used the Telstra network were pretty good - though not much use when we were in the scrub west of Menzies.

WA is a very big place with a very low population density. It astounds me that anyone who might travel outside Perth or a few of the major centres would even consider any carrier other than Telstra if they wanted any sort of decent coverage. I remember when people would whinge that even Rottnest was hopeless with Optus (maybe it still is). You get what you pay for.

If you get on a hill W of Menzies around where you were, Telstra will work .

The economics hardly work for even Telstra out there, I'd reckon. The problem of universal service obligation that's avoided by the likes of Optus etc.

I stick with Telstra very largely because I spend so much time in the bush.

 

[VPS]

I thought all the SA renewable energy was supposed to lower temperatures

well it ain't working - 36 again tomorrow - looking forward to going back to work in NZ next week - at least it will be cold and wet and green