1 Westprint Friday Five

Westprint Friday Five 2012.2.3

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Westprint Friday Five 2012.1.27

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:04:00 GMT

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Westprint Friday Five 2012.1.20

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:02:00 GMT

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Westprint Friday Five 2012.1.13

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Westprint Friday Five 2012.1.6

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Westprint Friday Five 2011.12.23

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:49:00 GMT

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Westprint Friday Five 2011.12.16

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:19:00 GMT

<html> <img border="0" src="http://www.westprint.com.au/images/Copy%20of%20westprint%20logo.gif" width="190" height="135"> <o:p>Follow Westprint on facebook   <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WestprintMaps"><img border="0" src="http://www.westprint.com.au/images/Web%20Page%20Photos/facebook_button.gif" width="32" height="39"></a> Westprint Friday Five December 16th, 2011<o:p>  </o:p> Included this week:<o:p> </o:p> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">Mongolian adventure<o:p> </o:p> </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">Caravan Weights<o:p> </o:p> </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">SkyTrek</li> </ul> Next week: Birdsville Track info.<o:p> </o:p> Mongolian adventure part two.<o:p> </o:p> <a href="http://www.westprint.com.au/">www.westprint.com.au</a><o:p> </o:p> <a href="http://www.westprint.com.au/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/Friday_Five/">link for archives</a></o:p> Friday Five<o:p>  </o:p> <ol style="margin-top:0cm" start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><a href="http://www.westprint.com.au/Product%20Pages/animals4.htm">Kangaroo</a>. This is the remarkable story of our most famous marsupial, from its ancient origins and prehistoric significance to current-day management and conservation. $24.95 plus post. <a href="http://ww3.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm?userid=5227620&product=Kangaroo&price=24.95&qty=1&return=www.westprint.com.au/Product%20Pages/animals4.htm">Add to Cart</a></li> </ol> <ol style="margin-top:0cm" start="2" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><a href="http://www.westprint.com.au/Product%20Pages/autobiography.htm">An Outback Life</a>. Mary Groves describes the heart-breaking isolation, the hard work and the rises and falls in her family fortunes as they battle to survive in the Top End. Mary was just 14 when her family moved to the Northern Territory from Melbourne. In her early 20s, she met Joe Groves - a cattleman, horse breaker, drover and rodeo rider. Mary and Joe fell in love and raised four children while leading an exciting and challenging life on an array of cattle stations. An earthy tale of love, hope, loss and survival in the outback, Mary tells her story at a lively pace, with one entertaining yarn after another.319pp  $33.00 plus post <a href="http://ww3.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm?userid=5227620&product=An+Outback+Life&price=33.00&qty=1&return=www.westprint.com.au/Product%20Pages/autobiography.htm">Add to Cart</a> </li> </ol> <ol style="margin-top:0cm" start="3" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><a href="http://www.westprint.com.au/Product%20Pages/marine2.htm">White Divers of Broome</a>. The true story of a 1912 attempt by the Federal government to replace the Asian pearl divers with divers trained by the British Royal Navy, and its fatal aftermath. $24.95 plus post. <a href="http://ww3.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm?userid=5227620&product=White+Divers+of+Broome&price=24.95&qty=1&return=www.westprint.com.au/Product%20Pages/marine2.htm">Add to Cart</a> </li> </ol> <ol style="margin-top:0cm" start="4" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><a href="http://www.westprint.com.au/Product%20Pages/wartime4.htm">(The) Sky Racers</a>. Fasten your fleecy-lined flying suit, and pull on your leather helmet, goggles, and gloves. It is 1919, the First World War is over, and the Commonwealth Government has put up �10,000 prize money for the first Australian air crew to fly from London to Port Darwin. Up until now, the longest flight anywhere in the world has been 2,000 miles, yet this one will be 11,000 miles, almost halfway round the planet - with very few landing strips on the way. Sixteen outstanding young Australian aviators - decorated ex-servicemen - have the opportunity to participate in the unique air race. Kingsford Smith, Bert Hinkler, Hudson Fysh, Keith and Ross Smith and the indefatigable Ray Parer - all to become legendary for their exploits - are involved. By today's standards their aircraft would be considered almost unbelievably primitive. Yet at the time, they were at the cutting edge of the new science of aeronautics. Still, only six flyers will reach Australia by aeroplane. Others will never see their country again. $35.95 <a href="http://ww3.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm?userid=5227620&product=Sky+Racers&price=35.95&qty=1&return=www.westprint.com.au/Product%20Pages/wartime4.htm">Add to Cart</a> </li> </ol> <ol style="margin-top:0cm" start="5" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><a href="http://www.westprint.com.au/Product%20Pages/aboriginals2.htm">(The) Biggest Estate on Earth</a> - How Aborigines made Australia   -   Bill Gammage. The Biggest Estate on Earth explodes the myth that pre-settlement Australia was an untamed wilderness revealing the complex, country-wide systems of land management used by Aboriginal people. Once Aboriginal people were no longer able to tend their country, it became overgrown and vulnerable to the hugely damaging bushfires we now experience. What we think of as virgin bush in a national park is nothing of the kind. The Biggest Estate on Earth rewrites the history of this continent, with huge implications for us today $50.00 plus post. <a href="http://ww3.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm?userid=5227620&product=Biggest+Estate+on+Earth&price=50.00&qty=1&return=www.westprint.com.au/Product%20Pages/aboriginals2.htm">Add to Cart</a><o:p> </o:p> </li> </ol> <o:p>  </o:p> Products are allocated on a first-come first serve basis. To reserve your copy of any of the following books please email <a href="mailto:info@westprint.com.au">info@westprint.com.au</a> with the title you are interested in. All emails will be answered during the following week, either with details of how to pay, or a �sorry, the item has already sold� email. Where possible, postage on multiple items will be recalculated to offer you the best price. <o:p>  </o:p> Postage Rates. These items will usually not be found on our website. Orders will be supplied on a �first come, first serve� basis. Westprint normal postage rates are now $8.50 for one book, $11.00 for two books, $13.00 for 3 or more books. Free post applies to orders of more than $150.00. Postage rates apply to Australia only. Airmail postage rates apply to overseas orders.<o:p> </o:p> <o:p>  </o:p> Notes from the Office � Blasphemy<o:p>  </o:p> Each week we go through all the emails contributed and remove any terms that people may find offensive. Last week I missed one. My apologies if you did not receive your Friday Five � some did not pass the �blasphemy filter� and weren�t delivered. And more so, my apologies to anyone who may have been offended.  <o:p> </o:p> <o:p>  </o:p> Friday Forum<o:p> </o:p> Jo�s comments are back in green.<o:p>  </o:p> Cascades Recreation Site Closure<o:p>  </o:p> The Cascades Recreation Site will be closed until 31 March 2012. In conjunction with the Shire of Manjimup, DEC will be upgrading and sealing part of Glauder Road from Pemberton/Northcliffe Road into the Cascades Recreation Site. Local traffic will be able to access private property at the eastern end of Glauder Road via the Parker Road detour. Any enquiries should be directed to the Donnelly District office in Pemberton on 97761207. </o:p> Caravan Weights<o:p>  </o:p> The following information is from Peter (see last week�s FF). How to increase legal weight.<o:p>  </o:p> Firstly the caravan CHASSIS manufacturer Fits a compliance plate to the draw bar � this for example may read GTM (Max weight on axle/s) 2700kg and ATM (max weight on axle/s plus drawbar) 2900kg (200kg on drawer bar). <o:p> </o:p> The CARAVAN manufacturer also fits a compliance plate. Assume the van and chassis weighs 2000kg and they somehow decide that it should carry 400kg.<o:p> </o:p> The CARAVAN manufacturer plates it at ATM 2400kg (2000kg plus 400kg) In this instance there is a good case to go back to the CARAVAN manufacturer and ask them to fit a compliance plate to 2900kg. <o:p> </o:p> Alternatively a consulting engineer can (probably at considerable expense) carry out calculations on the chassis construction and suspension, then if required recommend appropriate strengthening or modification, submit this to the local transport authorities and have a new GTM modification plate installed. <o:p> </o:p> SECONDLY VEHICLES<o:p> </o:p> Let�s use an example of a vehicle that has a plated GVM (Gross vehicle mass) of 3000kg and is allowed to tow 750kg un-braked and 2500kg braked. In the owner�s manual or on the tyre pressure placard the maximum axle weights are published. For instance Front 1600kg rear 1800kg - A total of 3400kg. <o:p> </o:p> In SA a consulting engineer after inspecting the vehicle, usually after heavy duty suspension has been fitted, will issue a modification compliance plate to 3400kg.<o:p> </o:p> This also comes with a plate for the towbar stating that when loaded beyond standard GVM the un-braked towing capacity is reduced by the amount that the vehicle weighs beyond original equipment GVM. <o:p> </o:p> If our loaded example vehicle weighs 3300kg that is 300kg beyond the original GVM.<o:p> </o:p> Therefore whilst laden it is only allowed to tow 450kg un-braked. (750kg � 300kg). It must be noted that that this does not increase the GCM (Gross combined mass of vehicle and trailer). If our example vehicle is allowed to tow 2500kg then the GCM is 5500kg (3000kg + 2500kg). If the vehicle is laden to 3300kg then it is only allowed to tow 2200kg (5500kg � 3300kg)<o:p> </o:p> Our Consulting engineers are signatories for all states. The only catch is the vehicles have to be presented here in SA as they must sign that they have personally inspected the vehicle. Average cost for SA registered vehicles is about $550 most interstaters are about $650. Hope all this helps. Peter. Adelaide.</o:p> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2">The ATM can often be increased legally quite easily. I have used the term ATM (aggregate trailer mass - the maximum permissible total van weight) and not GVM. All guidelines on trailers legally refer to ATM and GTM (gross trailer weight - the maxim permissible loading on the axles.) Despite the fact that all legislation refers to these terms the states motor registries data bases make no provision to record the ATM and thus this figure is recorded in the GVM field.<o:p> </o:p> </li> </ul> Increasing the ATM of Your Van. In many instances you will find a chassis manufacturer�s plate on the chassis of your van. This will have a weight figure for the GTM (gross trailer mass - maximum permissible weight carried on the trailers wheels) of the chassis. If your chassis was built by Preston Chassis you will find it on the front of the A-frame cross member that carries the jockey wheel clamp. If this extra plate is not on the chassis you may be able to approach the van manufacturer and find out what is the maximum that the axles of your van will carry. Also at this stage also have your van weighed EMPTY, you may find that it is much heavier than the tare weight stamped on the vans compliance plate.<o:p> </o:p> Once you have ascertained the GTM of the chassis, compare this with the ATM and GTM figures on the vans compliance (VIN) plate. You may find that the chassis GTM is much higher than the vans GTM. If this is so you may be able to increase the maximum weights of your van without having to do any structural changes. <o:p> </o:p> The next step is to approach an 'Engineering Signatory.' You can find a list of these at <a href="http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi_15_engineering_signatories_december_2011.pdf">http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi_15_engineering_signatories_december_2011.pdf</a> - this is an NSW RTA list but contains signatories in other states. In other states you should be able to get similar lists. Arrange with one of the signatories to assess your van. If you cannot show the engineer a chassis maker�s plate or documentation from the van manufacturer then the engineer still may be able to assess the capacity of your van by examining the chassis and running gear.<o:p> </o:p> If the signatory approves the increase in weights then he will issue a new compliance plate for your van and all the necessary paperwork from him to re-register your van with the increased weights. You will then need to attach the plate to your van and complete the necessary paperwork with your local motor registry. In NSW you will also need a blue slip issued by an authorised inspection station to accompany the documentation you take to your motor registry.<o:p> </o:p> This is the process I went through when I had the weights upgraded on my van. When getting this done do not leave yourself short of load allowance. If you spend long periods in your van you will find that you will be carrying much more than the 300 or 400 kg that the manufacturers allow you. I carry nearly 500 kg in my single axle 5.5 metre van, including 8 kg of gas and 80 kg of water. I suggest your load allowance should be at least 400 kg plus the weight of water in all your tanks plus gas.<o:p> </o:p> If there is little difference between the chassis GTM and the vans GTM then all may not be lost. Consult your engineering signatory about strengthening the chassis and upgrading the running gear. I have also been through this exercise successfully. Peter. Chain Valley Bay, NSW.<o:p>  </o:p> Hope you all understood the two Peter�s emails better than I did!<o:p>  </o:p> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2">I was interested to read the bit about caravan tyre pressures. My family and I have an Autopro store and some time ago I had a customer come into our store with some wheel bearings in his hand and asked me to have a look at them, they were pretty knocked about. They were from his caravan and had done only a bit over 3500 kms. He had bought them from our store and was questioning the quality of bearings that we sold, they were Timken which I him told were of good quality. <o:p> </o:p> </li> </ul> It was a single wheeled caravan and I asked "how much does it weigh", he didn't know. He bought new bearings and a couple of weeks later he returned and informed me that I'd set him thinking about his van so he took it to the local weigh bridge, 2.1 tonnes and that on single wheels.<o:p> </o:p> He said they had added an annexe and as well as all the stuff that you add when going away for a longer period of time on the road which had added to the weight. Not being a vanner, I'm not sure if this is the norm. Ian. Camperdown.<o:p>  </o:p> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2">I had the GVM of my Nissan GU Patrol 2000 model increased in 2009. My vehicle has been modified lengthened, so it is a duel cab with a tray. The GVM was increased by about 500kg by changing the springs and shock absorbers. I am willing to provide further information, and can be contacted by phone or email. Bill<o:p> </o:p> </li> </ul> Anyone wanting Bill�s contact details please send an email to <a href="mailto:info@westprint.com.au">info@westprint.com.au</a><a href="mailto:info@westprint.com.au"><o:p> </a>  SkyTrek</o:p> I believe that the comment relating to SkyTrek may be incorrect. There was an issue with the party next door who refused to allow access across their property but this has now been resolved. The resolution saw an increase in fees of about $20.00 per vehicle. Nick.<o:p>  </o:p> I haven�t been in touch with Willow Springs Station but I did find this on the internet today dated 12 December 2011 from 4wdaction. <o:p>  </o:p> Anyone who�s been 4WDing in the Flinders Ranges will know the SkyTrek is one of the most amazing and iconic destinations in the South Australia. In May 2001, the Reynolds Family sold off a proportion of land to the Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby Preservation Association (YFRWPA) on the understanding that Willow Springs Station would lease back The Bunkers proportion of the SkyTrek track and provide the Association with ongoing funding. The YFRWPA is an offshoot of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia � SA (SSAA-SA), who has since raised the leasing price to the Reynolds from $4000/year to $12,660/year. As a result, Brendan and Carmel Reynolds are unable to meet the financial demands of the YFRWPA and have little choice but to divert SkyTrek around The Bunkers Conservation Reserve, thus closing access to Mt Caernarvon. <o:p> </o:p> The price increase is based on an external audit that has little knowledge of the internal issues of the area. In 2005, the first increase imposed by the YFRWPA forced Willow Springs to pass the increase onto their visitors, increasing prices 35%. Fortunately, they were blessed with some good fortune as the rain-filled Lake Eyre creating one of the most amazing 4WD destinations seen in years. To the lawyers of the YFRWPA, the increase in prices and visitors meant that the further increase to lease appeared financially logical.<o:p> </o:p> �Setting a renewal fee like a treadmill is a recipe for a financial disaster and we do not wish to go down that path,� owners Brendan and Carmel said.<o:p> </o:p> At the end of the day, 4WDers love getting out and exploring this country. But episodes like this make it hard to do that.</o:p> Satphones<o:p>  </o:p> I've used most of the sat phones that are on the market at one time or another and like mobile phones; NONE can guarantee reception ALL the time.<o:p> </o:p> I've used the Isatphone on a few occasions including down in the Snowy River gorge country of eastern Victoria, surely one of the worse places you could use one, as the Inmarsat satellite that services Australia (which Isatphone links to and yes, there is just one sat!) is parked somewhere over Indonesia. The phone worked extremely well - which I must say, pleasantly surprised me. It�s also worked fine elsewhere and with the package available it's a hard one to beat for recreational travellers.<o:p> </o:p> Don't forget if you are spending more than 180 days outside mobile phone service areas in the next two years you can take up the subsidy from the Fed Government (bless their cotton pickin' socks!) which effectively brings the cost of the Isatphone down to less than $400.<o:p> </o:p> Here's a hint if you have an old model Iridium phone - the 9500 - and not the current model phone. You can actually use your Telstar SIM card in it from your normal mobile phone. No service monthly fee, no connection fee, no contract! Just when you use it expect to pay around $3/minute. I had heard it was going to cost me $20/minute but I've used it a few times on a couple of separate occasions and when the Telstra bill came in it was just $3 or so a minute. I reckon that is pretty good deal for an emergency phone which sits in the glovebox of my 4WD and only gets used once every year or so.<o:p> </o:p> Note also you can have an Iridium phone and not be connected into the Telstra sat service at all, but instead be connected through the Iridium satphone service itself - it just depends on who your provider is. However, the Telstra sat service is generally the better of the two as they have a dedicated 'pipe' from the Iridium ground station in the USA back to Sydney, so reception and voice clarity is better when you are in Australia. Ron</o:p> The comments re the different Satphone networks are very valid. I am a Satphone user, and have used the Iridium network for several years. Iridium is the network used by the US Department of Defence. I believe the comment regarding having to use a more expensive phone could be misleading. <o:p> </o:p> The cheapest satphone setup (on Iridium) comes if you are an existing Telstra mobile customer (not prepaid-it can be a simple $20 pm account). Ensure your mobile has �International Roaming� enabled. This is free and done online or with a telephone call. Now you can simply remove the SIM card from your mobile and insert it into your Satphone (which will be Motorola if you use Iridium). Your Satphone will now work, will have your normal mobile number, and all calls will appear on your normal Telstra bill (at international rates of course). You can be called on your mobile number, and can make calls to anywhere, by dialling the number, including STD code, normally, as if you were on your mobile. No special International or agent specific numbers. Emergency, 1800, and 13 numbers can all be dialled. Telstra is the only network I know of connected to Iridium.<o:p> </o:p> Of course you need a Satphone for this. I bought mine second-hand from a Satphone rental company. Many will not sell you a phone without also purchasing a contract, so try several. WA companies are best because of the mining usage. I hope this helps someone, and I am happy answer questions. Geoff<o:p> </o:p> <o:p>  </o:p> G'day Jo <o:p>  </o:p> I would like to add a couple of Numbers/contacts for satphone emergencies. I have heard these are correct, however I can't guarantee anything and details must be checked before using.<o:p>  </o:p> Telephone numbers                                   Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) - Australia<o:p> </o:p> <h2>24 Hour Emergency Contact Numbers<o:p> </o:p> </h2> 1800 641 792 (Maritime)                 1800 815 257 (Aviation)     or<o:p> </o:p> +612 6230 6811 (Maritime)            +612 6230 6899 (Aviation)<o:p>  </o:p> I was told "Aviation" means any land based emergency.<o:p>  </o:p> RFDS emergency numbers reference<o:p>  </o:p> <a href="http://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/Emergency-Numbers/#.TuGN6rqrcRE.email">http://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/Emergency-Numbers/#.TuGN6rqrcRE.email</a> <o:p> </o:p> I hate to be vague, but I am passing on what I was told.<o:p> </o:p> Murray  <o:p>  </o:p> Waste Woes<o:p>  </o:p> Seems like an instant invite for Opinion Clashes when the topic of Human Waste in the Outdoors is raised. We solved our problem by setting up a Porta Loo/Potty alcove on the back seat of the 4WD and "His" task each loo stop is to take loo out, set up and we use it then it is packed away until next time. Mind you a full one is VERY HEAVY!  Then there is NO Paper Daisy Trail, and the "Black Water" is then disposed of in the growing Number of Dump Points.  No Chemicals are required; the waste is very well masticated by slosh action and is safe even in Septic Systems. Good periodical cleaning is required of course and it is done in places where Official Dump Points are. We had a funny one on the Paroo near Hungerford, when a Ranger came by and could not stop staring at the Porta Loo neatly set up at the foot of the swag! Ian<o:p>  </o:p> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">We did some sea kayaking in southern Alaska followed by a canoe trip in the mountains north of the Arctic Circle. There the rule is that you don't dig holes, just leave everything on the surface and burn the paper. Mind you, bushfires are not exactly a serious threat! Mike.</li> </ul> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">At Wunyu Beach on the north coast of the Coburg Peninsular (a recreational site for Uranium workers in Kakadu and Jabiru) there is a valley running onto the beach covered in paperbarks. Paperbarks usually indicate freshwater and the valley was in fact a seep with a spring onto the sand. At the beach end a pipe had been driven into the sod and water ran from the end of it. A traditional water source for probably hundreds if not thousands of years.<o:p> </o:p> </li> </ul> The valley and the paperbarks unfortunately were also the only cover for private ablutions and the ground was literally covered with toilet paper, some bleached and some still stained. Now it appears logical that the human wastes percolated into the soil and into the water source. The European visitors brought their own drinks as the cans attested (although the cans were few indicating some responsibility) and probably did not resort to using the natural spring. I'm not being judgmental but a little forethought might have left that water source uncontaminated. Please people beware of your impact on your surroundings. Sometimes unthinking action can have a devastating effect on not only nature but the people who use it. Dieter <o:p>  </o:p> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">When there's no solid material in evidence with said campsite and carpark decorations, as has been the case on the vast majority of occasions that I have observed, then it sure ain't the blokes who are responsible! Mike.  </li> </ul> Budget Camping in Tasmania.<o:p>  </o:p> Not sure if all RV travelers are aware of the problems facing us all at the moment in Tasmania in regards to Budget Camping and in some area's free camping. Four caravan park owners have complained to the Economic Regulator that Town councils were taking their customers away by offering low cost camping in many of towns and villages spread around Tasmania. The solution was that councils should be made to charge the same rate as caravan parks.<o:p> </o:p> We all know the high cost of getting a car and caravan or a motorhome across to Tasmania on the ferry which makes many of us on fixed incomes such as the pension look for cheap campsites whilst over there. None of us really want Jumping Castles etc as we have all passed our use-by date for enjoying playgrounds etc in parks. One of the main industries in Tasmania and also on the mainland is Tourism and the dollar trail that we the RV Travelers leave behind as we travel is huge and without this income many small businesses in Tasmania and also around the mainland would close.<o:p> </o:p> Ken Kipping AM is the consumer representative for both Motoring Australia and the CMCA spent four busy days down in Hobart meeting with members of State Government, Local Councils Tourism Bodies and private business people explaining to them all that it would be economic madness for the Government to let this happen and that 90% of travelers planning to visit Tasmania would change their plans and travel on the Mainland. Motouring Australia also sent a letter of concern in regards to this problem to the Deputy Premier Bryan Green MP while clubs such as the CMCA and the ATCM&CC sent full submissions to the government by the closing date of December 6th. We now wait for the Government to view these submissions along with many letters and emails sent by club members around Australia.<o:p> </o:p> Motouring Australia is a group made up of delegates from the CMCA, the National Association of Caravan Clubs, the ATCM&CC and the ACC. After many years of going our own ways we now meet and act as one on behalf of all RV Travelers and after th  first meeting two years ago the group has become a very productive group working towards the betterment for all RV Travelers not just their club members.<o:p> </o:p> Hopefully in weeks to come there will be good news from Tasmania in regards to Budget Camping and through this newsletter hopefully we can keep you informed. Brian Kelleher. Motoring Australia<o:p>  </o:p> Dog Overboard <o:p> </o:p> (From Sophie Dog Overboard last week) I was a teacher in the NT for a long time until I chucked it and went professional fishing. I poached mud crabs and blue salmon (mullet too but they didn't sell well). Re dog over board.<o:p> </o:p> I had a blue heeler that came fishing with me in my dinghy from the age of 4 months and invariably found the most comfortable spot to lie down, or she would sit on the bows out of the way of the fishing activity. She did have the habit of wanting to be first off the boat when we reached camp and as punishment had to stay quivering until I had unloaded. As a pup she chased mudskippers at low tide at night. The Top End has seven metre tides giving her virtually football fields of chasing space then, covered in mangrove mud she'd burrow into my swag and snuggle up. It took me quite a while to convince her that I didn't really enjoy her enthusiastic sharing of experience.<o:p> </o:p> I used to feed White Breasted sea eagles along a 10 mile stretch of deep mangrove-lined coast, replete with saltwater crocodiles and sharks. I still have a couple of pot floats that were used as toys by rather large salties. One day I was busy either feeding the eagles or pulling crab pots when 'Cobber' fell over board and I didn't hear the splash. I didn't notice her absence for some time and when I did I had no idea where. The only course of action was to go back to the beginning and check the whole stretch.<o:p> </o:p> With sunken heart I motored 200 metre stretches, stopped the engine and called her. I can't remember how far I had to motor but in my mind it was hundreds of sea miles when I heard a responding bark and a splash and a blue head swimming towards me. We had a very happy excited reunion.<o:p> </o:p> Had Cobber swum and clambered to land I'd never have found her again, but she swam to a solitary tree and climbed into the branches and waited, probably convinced that I'd come back for her.<o:p> </o:p> Incidentally Margot my wife or my kids couldn't take her for walks along the beach in Darwin. If Cobber heard a dinghy she would swim out to sea to find me. It was hard to convince her that any dinghy wasn't mine and hers. She would ride on the icebox from the boat ramp at Buffalo Creek to our home in suburban Anula much to the delight of other road users. She came with us to Queensland where she went blind but coped well if we didn't move solid stuff around and died peacefully with much dignity. Dieter.<o:p>  </o:p> Outback Adventure - Mongolia and Russia<o:p> </o:p> Part two �Mongolia.</o:p> We all had a simple breakfast at the hotel and were eager to start our trip. The overnight temperature had dropped to -5 degrees. It was quite cold and frosty. The first hiccup was that 3 cars (2 Defenders and a Toyota) would not start as the engines kept stalling. The Discovery 3 had no trouble starting. We had to rock the cars a fair bit to coax the engines to come to life and drove them to a sunny spot to warm the engines up.  We had come to the conclusion that our Australian diesel fuel had not been �winterised� and there was wax build up blocking the fuel line.  They think the Discovery has a build in heater in the fuel tank which prevented this cold starting problem.<o:p> </o:p> After this little drama, we set off to the Gorhi-Terelj national park, a distance of about 90 km. from the city. Traffic was very congested till we cleared the city.  We were then onto a secondary highway with plenty of potholes and need to drive with care.  The final 10 km or so were formed gravel roads not unlike 4wd tracks in Australia. We did not encounter any problems.<o:p> </o:p> We camped at a nature reserve by the river with no other cars in sight except some farms in the distance. The scenery is very similar to our own in Australia. We explored the surrounding areas and had a nice campfire at night. Betty and I were in our rooftop tent with our doona and plenty of clothes, yet we felt the cold. The temperature in the morning was about -5 degrees and I reckon the overnight low must be about -10. All our bottled water was frozen.  I think we all felt the cold as the change in temperature was just too great and abrupt for us to be comfortable.<o:p> </o:p> As we were the most senior of the group, our group leader Patrick agreed to let us stay at a hotel near the national park to escape another cold night. We duly packed our tent and drove about 3 km to the Terelj Hotel. This was a 5 star hotel in the middle of the national park. We had a lovely stay there with full facilities but it came naturally with a price. <o:p> </o:p> Next day. At breakfast, the the rest of the convoy called at our hotel. We were surprised to see them so early. Turned out that our trip leader had to pull a truck out of the river near the campsite and the owner of the truck also happened to be the owner of a �ger�(typical Mongolian reinforced permanent round tent with a dome) camp and was happy to offer them accommodation at a discounted rate. The group accepted his kind offer and stayed indoors for another cold night. The ger camp was very near our hotel and we made an uneventful trip back to UB in the afternoon.  The last member with his daughter of our group arrived today. <o:p> </o:p> 18th  Sept 2011. <o:p> </o:p> It was a rest day and members took time to do sightseeing, shopping etc.  Patrick told the group that as one of the cars was a hired car and unable to drive into <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Russia</st1:place> </st1:country-region> , he had to cancel the Russian leg of the trip.  However our Mongolian visa only allowed us to stay for 14 days, we had no option but to go into <st1:country-region w:st="on"> Russia</st1:country-region> and did a tour and then return to <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Mongolia</st1:place> </st1:country-region> to complete the tour.<o:p> </o:p> 19th -26th  Sept 2011: UB-Russia ( eastern Siberia)-UB<o:p> </o:p> 19th  Sept 2011-11<o:p> </o:p> Betty and I started off early armed with nothing but our trusted Discovery 3, GPS, iPhone, satellite phone and maps of Mongolia and Russia.  Betty also had her iPad to keep us entertained at night.  We had our laptops with us so that we could connect with the outside world whenever there was internet connection.  Our local guide took us through the heavy city traffic till we were on the highway going up north to the border.  We bade our farewell and went on our merry way.  Mongolian highway although bituminised was in a state of poor repair and needed to drive with care.  There were plenty of potholes, gutters to catch the unwary drivers.  We maintained an average speed of about 80-90kph just to be on the safe side.  The highway passed through huge flat steppes with many grazing animals seen.  We reached Darhan, a nice country town about 100km north of UB.  There was a big budda shrine just by the side of the highway.  We stopped and paid our respects.  Betty did the ritual of turning the bell circuit and prayed for our safe travel.<o:p> </o:p> We reached Suhbaatar, the last small town before the border at about 3 pm and tried to locate our hotel.  We circled this very old, rundown town twice but could not find the hotel.  As we did not read and speak Mongolian, asking for direction was impossible.  Fortunately there was a police station (we could recognise the word POLICE outside the building) and went in for help.  However most of the officers did not speak English and at long last they found a young officer who could speak minimal English and tried to help us to locate the hotel.  He had no success either.  However he was kind enough to talk to the staff of one of the hotels to see if we could have a room. After much discussion, we were given a room.  While the negotiation was going on, I was saying to Betty that if all failed, then we might have to ask for permission to stay in one of the police cells for the night.  Fortunately, Betty�s prayer at the Budda shrine had been answered. We travelled 331 km for the day.<o:p>  </o:p> 20th September<o:p> </o:p> We left town at about 8.30am after a simple breakfast of Salami meat, boiled eggs and bread supplied by the hotel.  No eating utensils were provided and we had to use our hands to grab the food.  A bit of back to the stone age.  We drove about 20 kms to the border town of <st1:City w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Altanbulag</st1:place> </st1:City> .  We were completely overwhelmed by the number of people and cars and trucks there and were just worried how long it was going to take us to go through the border controls of these 2 countries.  It took us a while to work out that most of the people there were waiting to get across the border by foot and the trucks and cars were basically there to take passengers and goods.  Eventually we found the entrance to the border control.  We had a lot of forms to fill in for exit and also documentation for taking the car out of <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Mongolia</st1:place> </st1:country-region> .  The whole process took about 1 hour which I thought was good.  The officers there also spoke a little English as well.  After exiting <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Mongolia</st1:place> </st1:country-region> , we arrived at the Russian border control which was at the other side of the complex.  We had to repeat the same procedures   The Russian Immigration officer gave us a visa for 3 months and jokingly told us that we could drive all the way to <st1:City w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Moscow</st1:place> </st1:City> .  We were surprised that she gave us such a long visa as the Hong Kong SAR passport issued by <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> China</st1:place> </st1:country-region> only entitled the holder to a 2 week visa.  Again, maybe Betty�s prayer at the Budda shrine had been answered once more.   The Russian Customs officer was very thorough in checking our car: had to open the bonnet, the doors and the tailgate.  A Russian solder with a sniffer dog went through our car and asked whether we had any illicit drugs with us.  Very thorough indeed!  We cleared both border controls in about 2 hours which was pretty good going.<o:p> </o:p> After a simple lunch, we drove along the highway to Ulaan Ude(UU), a distance of about 220 kms.  It was a bitumen road but it was very undulating with many bad sections with potholes and gutters.  We drove at speeds of 80-90 kph.  As we could not read Russian, we missed the turn off to Ulaan Ude and had to go back to the city via the back way.  We were completely lost and did not know where we were.  I checked with a guy who just came out from a small supermarket and asked for directions to the hotel.  He said he knew the place and we were about 10 kms out.  He was real kind and offered to lead us there in his car.  I am surprised that UU was such a busy and bustling city and we would never be able to find the hotel.  Budda power at work again?<o:p> </o:p> We covered a distance of 295 Kms<o:p>  </o:p> 21st  Sept 2011<o:p> </o:p> We left early for Irktuska, the biggest city along Lake Baikal.  We had organised a taxis to lead us out of town onto the highway to our destination.  The road surface was reasonable but with many bad sections.  There was also extensive road works along the highway.  We had no dramas on the road.  This Highway was very scenic with tall mountains, birth trees along the way.  As it was autumn, the birch trees changed to a golden yellow colour which was really beautiful to look at.  The other attraction along the way was that you get the views of <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on"> Lake</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on"> Baikal</st1:PlaceName> </st1:place> .  This is the biggest inland fresh water lake and the views were just magnificent.<o:p> </o:p> We arrived at Irktuska at about 4 pm and were overwhelmed by this modern busy city.  We knew we would never be able to find the hotel on our own.  We stopped a taxis and used sign language to let him take us to the hotel.  He nodded and said something in Russian which we did not understand.  However he looked like a decent fellow and we just followed him.  After about 30 minutes, we began to doubt whether he knew the hotel.  Betty stopped him and said �Policia� and did s salute.  He seemed to understand us and took us to the Police station.  We were fortunate that one of police officers could speak English and know the hotel.  She was kind enough to sit in the taxis and guide us there.  We were very fortunate to have good people helped us in a strange land.  I later found out the Policia is not Police in Russian but is in Italian<o:p> </o:p> We settled in the hotel and enjoyed the hotel�s Russian food.<o:p> </o:p> The total distance travelled was 458 km.<o:p> </o:p> 22nd  Sept.<o:p> </o:p> We had a rest day catching up on emails and talking to our children on our phone etc.<o:p> </o:p> 23rd  Sept.<o:p> </o:p> We organised a car with driver and guide to take us to have a tour of the <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on"> Lake</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on"> Baikal</st1:PlaceName> </st1:place> area.  The tourist area is about 70 km from the city.  We were there in about an hour.  The tourist strip consisted of a few hotels, a ferry jetty, restaurants and the <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on"> Lake</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on"> Baikal</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on"> Museum</st1:PlaceType> </st1:place> .  The Museum housed the flora and fauna of the <st1:place w:st="on"> Lake District</st1:place> .  The most interesting show piece was the mother and daughter pair of fresh water sea lion swimming in their own aquarium.  This is the first time I have seen this specimen.  <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on"> Lake</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on"> Baikal</st1:PlaceName> </st1:place> is a huge lake of water. It is still in pristine condition and the water is so clear.  Let�s hope that the <st1:place w:st="on"> Lake</st1:place> can remain in her present condition for all future generations to enjoy.  There were a lot of street vendors selling souvenirs etc.  We had took a chair lift ride to the top of the mountain to view the lake.  However the view facilities were very ordinary.  There were very few other facilities that were being offered to the tourist to explore the area such as cruises to the lake. It would take a while for the tourist industry to build up in this area.  However this may be a blessing in disguise.  More Russian food to be enjoyed at the hotel.<o:p> </o:p> 24th -25th  Sept.:  Ulaan Ude<o:p> </o:p> Uneventful trip back to Ulaan Ude.  We had the good fortune to have a friendly Russian driver to lead us to our hotel again.  We have met many complete strangers on our trip who were really friendly and willing to help us out. <o:p> </o:p> We had a relaxing day exploring the city and visited among other places, the <st1:Street w:st="on"> <st1:address w:st="on"> Lenin Square</st1:address> </st1:Street> when there was a very impressive Lenin Bust sitting in the middle of the Square overlooking the city. <o:p> </o:p> 26th Sept.: Ulaan Ude to UB<o:p> </o:p> We had an early start as we had to cross the borders again.  We reached Kyakhta at about 11 am.  This Russian border town used to be a military town during the Soviet days.  We could still see plenty of discarded military hardware sitting in walled compounds.  There was a beautifully renovated Russian Orthodox Church sitting among ruins.<o:p> </o:p> We had no trouble going through the borders and took about 2 hours to complete the crossings.<o:p> </o:p> We were back to UB at about 5 pm and found our hotel without too much trouble on our own.  We had booked into the UB International Hotel, the 1st 5 star hotel in UB for 2 days starting on 27th.  As we arrived a day early, there was no vacancy and we had to settled for a nearby budget hotel for the night.  However we had dinner at the UB Hotel to unwind from our adventure in <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:country-region w:st="on"> Russia</st1:country-region> </st1:place> .<o:p> </o:p> 27th  Sept. UB<o:p> </o:p> Checked into the UB International Hotel.  This is a very impressive 5 star rated hotel with full facilities.  It is good to be back to civilisation again.  We had now learnt that the rest of the group had spent 3 days at the Khorsgol Lake and had a great time there doing fishing and exploring the Lake area.  However they had run into some foul weather and had to change their itinerary.  We agreed to meet up at the 3 Camels Lodge at the <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on"> South</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on"> Gobi</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on"> Desert</st1:PlaceType> </st1:place> on 1st October. As we had very scanty information about the Lodge, we went to their city office to get more information about how to get there.  Again luck was with us as the office told us that there would be a car going to the Lodge on the 28th and we were welcomed to tag along.  We just could not believe our luck and accepted the offer.<o:p> </o:p> We spent the rest of the day making preparations for the 2 day trip to the Lodge.<o:p> </o:p> 28th-29th Sept.: UB to 3 Camels Lodge at <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on"> South</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on"> Gobi</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on"> Desert</st1:PlaceType> </st1:place> <o:p> </o:p> After an early breakfast, we discovered that there was a heavy snow fall overnight and our car was covered with snow.  What a sight!!!!  We had to clear the snow from the windscreen and windows to get ready for the trip. We met the driver, Gogor and the the tour guide and the lady passenger from the <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> US</st1:place> </st1:country-region> in their Landcruiser.  We set off at about 9.30 am and took us 2 hours to cover the bitumen highway of about 100 km.  The road was in a poor state of disrepair, full of portholes, gutters and cracks.  When the bitumen ended, it became very bad gravel road with corrugations not unlike the <st1:Street w:st="on"> <st1:address w:st="on"> Canning Stock Route</st1:address> </st1:Street> .  Certain sections were full of bulldust.  All this made driving hazardous.  I have nicked him our guide as Go-and-gone rather than Gogor.  He drove so fast in the dirt that I had trouble keeping up with him and I had to check the dust cloud he stirred up to see where he was going!!!!<o:p> </o:p> We arrived at Mandagovi at about 4 pm after covering a distance of 255 km in a time of about 5 hrs.<o:p> </o:p> We stayed at a very primitive and basic hotel which I nicknamed it to be the �Grand Hyatt� at the <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on"> Gobi</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on"> Desert</st1:PlaceType> </st1:place> .<o:p> </o:p> We were on the road the next day at 6.30 am and drove more of the same bad gravel road to the 3 Camels Lodge via Dalanzadgad.  We were there at 5.45 pm.  We had made a detour to view the Canyon for about an hour and hence the later than anticipated arrival at the Lodge.<o:p> </o:p> 29th Sept.-3rd Oct.: 3 Camels Lodge<o:p> </o:p> The lodge was established about 10 years ago by an US Mongolian person in the South Gobi Desert National Park.  It is an upmarket ger camp set up and cater to ecotourism.  It is not cheap to stay there.  However I found the facilities somewhat below the expected standard such as tap water had very low water pressure, no hot water at most times.  There were very few information for the self drive tourist.  They are geared to cater to tourists who fly there and join their tours.  The tracts are not well marked and I will have difficulty following them as there are no signs to mark the tracts.  There are no shops and you can only have the meals provided by them.  All the charges include meals.<o:p> </o:p> During our 5 days there, we visited the Flaming Cliffs, the rock cravings.  The rest of time we spent reading or playing word game from Betty�s iPad.<o:p>  </o:p> 4th-6th Oct.: Lodge to UB<o:p> </o:p> The convoy took 2 days to arrive back to UB.  Patrick took a slightly different track which made the driving a little bit easier.  However it was still full of potholes, undulations, bulldust and corrugations.  We checked into the UB International hotel again for the rest of our stay.<o:p> </o:p> On the 6th, we had to have our cars thoroughly cleaned in preparation for departure for <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Australia</st1:place> </st1:country-region> .  We had to insist on making the cars as clean as possible as the quarantine regulations in <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:country-region w:st="on"> Australia</st1:country-region> </st1:place> are very strict for cars arriving onto Australian soil.<o:p> </o:p> 7th Oct.: Most of the convey left for <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Australia</st1:place> </st1:country-region> while Betty and I stayed an extra day at UB and joined a local tour to have more sightseeing<o:p> </o:p> 8th Oct.: Depart for <st1:City w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Shanghai</st1:place> </st1:City> .  End of adventure in <st1:country-region w:st="on"> Mongolia</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:country-region w:st="on"> Russia</st1:country-region> </st1:place> . <o:p> </o:p> Information that you may be interested in:<o:p> </o:p> Distance travelled: we flew from <st1:City w:st="on"> Shanghai</st1:City> to <st1:City w:st="on"> Beijing</st1:City> round trip and then one way from <st1:City w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Beijing</st1:place> </st1:City> to UB.  The distance was about 3x1200 or 3600km.  The train trip from <st1:City w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Beijing</st1:place> </st1:City> to UB was 1700km.  The road distance from UB-Russia-UB was 3750km.  Therefore the total distance for the trip would be 3600+1700+3750 or 9050km.<o:p> </o:p> Diesel price: Mongolia@1650T/l and in <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Russia</st1:place> </st1:country-region> 25.7-29.9R/l.  The conversion rate is 1US$=30 Rubbles=1400T( appr)<o:p> </o:p> Av. fuel consumption: 13l/100km( estimate)<o:p> </o:p> Punctures: No punctures for Discovery 3; 2 punctures from hired car.<o:p> </o:p> Hotel price: ranges from 400,000T to about 40,000T.  The UB International Hotel cost 280,000T/night.<o:p> </o:p> Freight charges: not cheap<o:p> </o:p> Carnet.  The Mongolian and Russian Governments are not party to the carnet system.  However they seem to know the existence and its international significance and readily accepts it.  This is proved by going through border checks, they relied on this document to check the details of the Discovery. I thank Patrick for insisting on having this piece of document to prove the car ownership.<o:p> </o:p> <st1:country-region w:st="on"> Mongolia</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Russia</st1:place> </st1:country-region> began to adopt the market economy since 1999 and they are fast catching up to the rest of the world.  They adopt the left hand drive system.  However in both countries, they allow both right and left hand drive vehicles on the road.  They all seem to get on well with each other.  Also I have not seen that many Hummers on the road as in <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Mongolia</st1:place> </st1:country-region> .  It is amazing.  However I have not seen a Rolls Royce, or other exotic sports cars in <st1:country-region w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Mongolia</st1:place> </st1:country-region> .  This is understandable as the roads are so bad there that these beautiful machines would not be able to last very long without wrecking them. Peter For Sale<o:p> </o:p> One of Westprint�s friends has for sale - due to health reasons only, well-equipped Ford F250 6-cylinder diesel, ready for around Australia travel.<o:p>  </o:p> Has only been used on long-distance treks. White 2002 F250 Extra Cab ute with steel checkerplate tray floor plus steel roof canopy and roll-downcanvas walls fitted with insect screens suitable for camping anywhere. 2 spare wheels, new tyres all round, Codan 8525 99-channel HF radio and auto-tune antenna [for flying doctor communication etc], two UHF radios with scanners, one 27mHz CB with public address system, many 12-volt power outlets, dual battery system, seats fitted with quality sheepskin covers from new, alloy running board steps, steel front bumper and bullbar, driving lights, 3500kg HReece towbar, 7-pin large and 12-pin trailer connectors, always meticulously serviced, includes 4.5 kVa Honda generator capable of running  an electric welder or powering several caravans. RWC, extras avail include full set of wheel chains for snow or muddy terrain. Cruise control, AM/FM stereo cassette, air conditioned, seats 5 persons, a comfortable, relaxing vehicle to drive, legally tow up to 3500kg, mini kitchen on tray, stainless steel fresh water tank, 4 lockable jerrycan holders slung under tray, factory turbo intercooled motor, 4.2 litre. Would suit new car buyer, would be a great set-up for a mobile mechanic, or caravanners doing outback expeditions. Options (already fitted); fridge/freezer, drink cans cooler, large-screen GPS with external antenna[marine quality, not a toy] One owner since new $61,250. ph 0354493300 ask for Lloyd.<o:p>  </o:p> Also Trakmaster 16ft.6. caravan, shower\toilet, 3 water tanks, airbag suspension, always shedded, queen island bed, full stove with oven, slide-out BBQ and hotplate, reverse cycle aircon, HWS original owner, diesel heater, awning. Nothing to spend $33.000.<o:p> </o:p> <o:p>  </o:p> Friday Funnies<o:p> </o:p> <o:p>  </o:p> Psychiatrist's Nurse: "There's a man in the waiting room who claims to be invisible."<o:p> </o:p> Doctor: "Tell him I can't see him right now."<o:p> </o:p> <o:p>  </o:p> EVER WONDER . . .<o:p> </o:p> Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?<o:p> </o:p> Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?<o:p> </o:p> Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?<o:p> </o:p> Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavoring, and dish washing liquid made with real lemons?<o:p> </o:p> Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?<o:p> </o:p> Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?<o:p> </o:p> Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?<o:p> </o:p> If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?<o:p> </o:p> <o:p>  </o:p> There once was a lass named McBride,<o:p> </o:p> Who ate a green apple and died.<o:p> </o:p> Too late she lamented <o:p> </o:p> The apple fermented <o:p> </o:p> Made cider inside her inside<o:p> </o:p> <o:p>  </o:p> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.<o:p> </o:p> </li> </ul> I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.<o:p> </o:p> I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.<o:p> </o:p> I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.<o:p> </o:p> I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.<o:p> </o:p> I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.<o:p> </o:p> Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.<o:p> </o:p> One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!<o:p> </o:p> And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows me I am not!<o:p> </o:p> <o:p>  </o:p> Disclaimer.<o:p> </o:p> Please note that the opinions and articles included in the Friday Five are not necessarily those of the Westprint mob. Nor do we endorse any products (other than our own), or tours listed in contributed articles. </o:p> To all of our Faithful Friday Five readers. <o:p> </o:p> Westprint contact details:<o:p> </o:p> Email: - as above<o:p> </o:p> Phone: - 03 5391 1466<o:p> </o:p> Fax: - 03 5391 1473<o:p> </o:p> Snail Mail: - 6 Park St. Nhill, Vic 3418 <o:p> </o:p> Please be aware that there are numerous reasons why your email address may be deleted from our system. One of the main difficulties is that many spam companies also use the program we use for publishing and this means the Friday Five may be rejected as spam. If you do not regularly continue to get the Friday Five please check with Graeme at <a href="mailto:info@westprint.com.au">info@westprint.com.au</a>. Remember to include a phone number or other alternative contact.<o:p> </o:p> New email addresses are constantly and automatically being added to our list. If you do not wish to be part of our Friday Five group then please unsubscribe from the link at the bottom of this newsletter. This takes effect immediately. Westprint apologises for any inconvenience.</o:p> Cheers for now, Jo   </o:p> <o:p>The link below is to UNSUBSCRIBE from this Newsletter only.

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