Back on the Net

Crikey it is good to stretch the vocal cords to some real INTELLIGENCES again.
I'm still locked out from t'other forum, who knows why considering all the bells and whistles attached to this new laptopsucker, so I have resigned myself to an IT culture shock (thank you TreVor, you are again a legend).
Now as regards the TITLE.
I was watching the Mythbusters program the other night whereupon(?) those pair of nerds were trying to see what it really takes to TEAR a telephone book in half; 8,000lbs of force actually; I get off on this sort of trivia, hey!!
Where was I, oh yeah; lo and behold they hitched onto the book, on one end a Sheridan AFV and bugger me, an M113A1 FSV with the Saladin turret, at the other end.
Tech Info for Bruce and Mike; incidentally Mike, I confirmed this through my copy of your Mud And Dust. For those who don't have a copy of this you are missing out on something special, absolutely praiseworthy.
M113A1, FSV; ARN, 134701; The Sandgroper; cs42.
What I gathered from the programme, it is in some sort of USofA military museum and for whoever was it's crew it ran like a new Rolex, no dirty injector smoke or rattles whatsoever.
For special reference, there is an excellent photograph of this vehicle on page 94 of Mud and Dust along with ARN 134702.
I hope some of this gets through to the "Beast" boys on the other forum; catch a look Tex Condon and others.
Regards,
Ripa.

Thanks Trevor for the invitation to rejoin this happy group of Blackhatter’s. I am very pleased to see that Rippa has found his way out of the bunker. Hey, Silver Fox, I did enjoy reading about your Mazda-Bater expedition.

Charlie P.

Thought you had gone for ever. Nice to see you corresponding again "Rippa". Also thanks Trev for reactivating a most enjoyable forum.
"Birdie"

Onya Spaz, now all I need is to get onto that other bloke's forums; that will be the litmus test.
Regards,
Ripa.

it is great to see you both on the forum again,

Someone PLEASE tell me I am back in favour.
Hulloo Keith, money is on the way.
Goods were not exactly what I wanted so I will keep looking whilst in the interim using what did arrive.
Regards and hulloo again all,
Ripa

In reply: I am still living in Wyalkatchem the metropolis of 300 people in the Central Wheatbelt where we are having unusual rain, much to the detrement of the wheat farmers, but never the less much needed to fill the dams. I have been away from home on my trip to Port Douglas in Far North Queensland.
Les Riley and Noela called in at Wyalkatchem for a 3 week visit on their around Australia trip in their motorhome and this gave me the idea that I could do the same so I bought myself a Mazda T3000 motorhome with the intention of taking Saracen and Russell [my 2 dogs and companions] on a holiday.
I flew out of Perth on the Friday night on a direct flight to Cairns, arriving at 04:15hrs Saturday, and then the shuttle bus to Port Douglas to take delivery of the "Mazda-Bater" [don't say it too fast] and drive it back to the West.
It was a bit of a rush trip to get back to the dogs as I had arranged for Jeff to come and live in Wyalkatchem while I was away and his partner wanted him back in Perth. I got to see my older Sister in Maryborough and spent several days in Sunnybank Hills with my younger Sister while having the Mazda-Bater undergo a mechanical check ready for the drive across the Nullabore. I spent several days with my Mum who is 93 years old and had just moved into the RSL Seniors Retirement Village at Sunnybank Hills -- just a few kilometers from where my Sister lives.

I will say, the people of North Queensland have a tough time adjusting after the floods and cyclone. About every 20 km or so the roads are blocked into one lane where the road is under repair or being rebuilt for up to 4 or 5 kilometers at a time. There were delays of up to half an hour in places and the traffic was always heavy, with road trains and semitrailers as well as the caravan oldies in various forms of holiday transport going both ways up and down the East Coast. No problem ! just go into the back of the Mazda-Bater and make a cuppa and wait 'till given the go ahead for the next section.
They must have had around 800 people doing the "lollypop stick" thingo directing traffic, in addition to the road repair crews. It must be costing the Country big time.

As far as the health goes Hans; After my heart attack and having the 2 stents implanted, the medicos found that I have a growth in the Right Lung - the docs put a camera down through my nose and a biopsy was taken which came back from pathology showing that the growth was malignent. So I find out that I have Lung Cancer to add to the cardiac condition. I found out about this growth on a visit to Sir Charles Gardner Hospital for one of the regular check-up appointments while Rippa was in Wyalkatchem, and this is when I decided to buy the Motorhome.
The growth is in a position that is difficult to reach and with the cardiac condition the Surgeon thought it was too much of a risk to undergo surgical intervention, "Chemo" would require me to attend the clinic in Perth every day for 5 weeks. This was out of the question as I have the dogs to think about. The next consideration was radiotherapy and the specialist explained that this would damage more lung tissue in the target area than was affected by the growth, so the conserative approach was the way to go, with 12 weekly Cat Scans to keep track on any development and monitor the spread of the tumor.
Using the theory the more you think about it the worse it becoms, I am resigned to forget about it and get on with life --hence the Mazda-Bater and now to enjoy life with planned trips with the dogs to locations unknown at this time. I could even have a trip back to Queensland. The Mazda-Bater does 9 litres of diesel per 100 km which is half of what the [petrol] Rolls uses, so it is not a great impost on travel.
Most of the usual conveniences are in the motorhome with toilet, outside shower, flat-screen digital TV, surround sound theatre DVD system, Engle front opening fridge, microwave, 4 burner gas stove, grill and oven. There is a double Queensize bed, a full length awning, and a Webber-Q outside bar-b-cue. All creature comforts while on the road going to who knows---who cares; places around the country.
There is room for a hitch-hiker but it will be a contest with Saracen [Irish Wolf Hound breed] for the front seat.
Russell [Jack Russell cross] is happy to recline on the bed and wait for all to happen, as long as he gets a good feed and a "Smacko" every now and again, and plenty of piss stops along the way.

That's it for now fellows--all clear from this end.
Keith.

Keith where are you living now, was over in kellerberrin a few weeks ago, changed somewhat. Bluey L

Phew!!! Struth I thought you kicked the bucket or something Keith. Well your not the only "robinson crusoe" there mate. Being locked out of forums is the norm for critically outspoken gents of the cavalry. Obviously the truth hurts with some, But we have a new forum. YES the pheonix has again risen and hopefully democracy in free speech and expression can once more prevail. Anyway gents It warms this old heart to again see the old and the bold resurface and may there be many mirth,informations shared and a place for good mates to exchange mails with. And how is that ticker of yours going Keith?. If I remember didn't you need a "jump start" with it some time ago?.

Good to see you foxy hope all is well with your health mate.

Thank you for re-establishing your Forum Trevor.
I am pleased to be able to enter your Forum and learn what is taking place within the activity of other "Gentlemen" of the Corps, having been Locked-Out from the other Forum for so long I have lost contact with a lot of the Family I was once a distant part of.
The OTHER BLOKE has also banned me from the 2nd Cav Forum, and also the Sports Page as well.
Keith "Silver Fox" Morris.