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[jens coins]

This is our lizard that we have come by regularly. 
If he see us then its up the first tree it sees.

[JeffH]

Jenny,
That looks like a monitor. Hand feeding definitely not recommended.

It's that time of year again.
More chilli relish and jam to come -a few batches already done.

I wonder if Jim (trout) is still growing them in between his fishing and camping trips.

[Unicorn]

Nice ones Jeff! I'm hoping that spring brings me the time to get some vegies in this year. Yes, I hope Troutski is going along well.

[Unicorn]

I've never seen one of these before .... an albino magpie .... spotted in Port Macquarie and posted by someone on facebook.

[keldaw]

very rare magpie indeed .

[JeffH]

My son's cut off saw stopped working so he asked me to check it. The "soft start" module was burnt out; the extensive burn marks around it were a bit of a give away! Chased one of those up -big difference in price between different parts agents- and replaced it.
Started it and running very slowly with arcing (sparks) out of the end of the motor. Son didn't mention that. So new brushes and commutator dressing required (don't worry if you don't know what that means, doesn't really affect the story). Looked up the parts diagram and no Ryobi service agent had the brushes -strange seeing as the next, current model has the same motor.
Tracked down a place in Melbourne that makes brushes and they have the right size, but different connector on the end (not an issue to worry about). Don't have any right now but will do another lot, that size, "soon". I thought $19 plus postage was a bit silvery so hopped on eBay. Bought two sets (so cheap I thought a spare was warranted) with the right connector from a seller in Hong Kong -cost $9.09, including GST that eBay now adds for import purchases.

Point of story now follows.....
Postage included tracking and Hong Kong Post seemed to scan the package at least a few times every day. Shows as posted at Shenzhen, not Hong Kong, but that is on the mainland immediately adjacent. That makes sense as that locality is a funnel for products sold out of Hong Kong.

Package arrived today and address label showed a return address in Vietnam??? Turned it over and the customs sticker on the revers was a Vietnamese one.
Curiosity whetted I opened the packet to find two pairs of motor brushes, in sealed bags, "Bosch, Made in Germany". Labelled in English and German.

One of life's little mysteries. Not sure what gives there but I am happy -probably got a better product than I expected. Of course they could be fake copies but, that doesn't matter, that was all I was expecting anyway.

I will check the motor bearings when I do the job. They may need replacement too but I have a box of never opened bearings that are commonly used in that type of appliance.

So the time in my traineeship spent in an appliance repair centre was not wasted. Actually that experience has benefited me, family and friends a lot over the years.

[Triggersmob]

Great story Jeff.

I ordered some 2x2s from China and was advised it
would come in 2 shipments. One came from China
and the other came from Germany.

[Unicorn]

Great work Jeff! Gee I wish I knew my way around electrics and electronics ........

[JeffH]

What's the temperature like at your place this morning? A bit chilly here!

[Triggersmob]

Starting to get chilly in the mornings, here in Perth.
Had ice on the windscreen the other day. Doesn't
normally get too cold here. Lucky if we get 2 or 3
days per year in the minus figures. Last year our
coldest day was 0.0C

[redlock]

Starting to get chilly in the mornings, here in Perth.
Had ice on the windscreen the other day. Doesn't
normally get too cold here. Lucky if we get 2 or 3
days per year in the minus figures. Last year our
coldest day was 0.0C

You are spoilt (regarding temperatures).

[JeffH]

You are spoilt (regarding temperatures).

That's alright to say for winter but what about summer when we get well in excess of 40ºC with strong wind and dust?

[Triggersmob]

You are spoilt (regarding temperatures).

That's alright to say for winter but what about summer when we get well in excess of 40ºC with strong wind and dust?

You seem to suffer more of the strong winds and dust over in the east,
than we do in the west. We do get temps of 40c to 45c, but it's not
that often and then we get the Fremantle Doctor (sea breeze) blowing in 
the afternoon to cool it down again.

[JeffH]

Is it cold where your are?
I put my big sprinkler on this morning, first thing when I got up. Three hours later when I turned it off......

[Unicorn]

Great photos Jeff! I think you were lucky to get the sprinkler going! I saw it was -6 yesterday morning in Mudgee and thought of you!