[FatBoy]

The survival time of a non instrument rated pilot once they go into cloud is about 28 seconds.

Ah, the old roller coaster, eh. 

More like not keeping the wheels pointed to the ground.  More than likely end up in a spiral dive. 

[The Gonz]

More like not keeping the wheels pointed to the ground.  More than likely end up in a spiral dive. 

... and not realising it until the ground suddenly appears as a cliff face in front of them, if at all!

[The Gonz]

I had a good start to the day with a Fix to Mrs Gonz's 1995 SEAT Cordoba GLX. She had lost the golf ball grommet that gives the gear changes that nice tactile, positive sponginess and the result was a gear stick that flopped any which way but straight up, and made gear hunting a bit more guesswork.

I researched a replacement after hitting one of the SEAT Ibiza/Cordoba forums and having a Spanish chat with the locals to help identify the cause. Something like &19.00  plus post via eBay UK seemed a bit high, especially for little ol' me who'd never used it - yes, no mobile phone AND no eBay - so I got creative.

I dropped in to Repco with the remaining fragment of the plastic grommet and asked for a near match in something like  an engine mount or suspension spring bush. Here's the result:



The big kitchen knife took care of the excess cap end, the biggest drill bit took care of the internal diameter and the grinder took care of squaring off the exterior so it would fit the as per the original.

Not bad for 15 minutes (of Mrs Gonz's nagging about how my timing sucks and she needs to go shopping) and $4.20.

[rustynutz]

She was probably hoping for a new car....

[The Gonz]

She was probably hoping for a new car....

Spot on, Rusty. She's dropped the hint more than once, lately about the Toyota 86!

Oh, and in case anyone's wondering where this all works, here's the before shot:

[rustynutz]

Are you sure you're not related to Daz, Gonz?   

[Ugly Mongrel]

Mrs UM and I are going to be grandparents for the first time in December. Mrs UM's daughter is having a bub. As Mrs UM is a redhead, she will be called Rangma while I will be known as Step Pa.

 

[rustynutz]

Congrats, Terry... 

Perhaps you could be called Pa-ugly? 

[Ugly Mongrel]

Congrats, Terry... 

Perhaps you could be called Pa-ugly? 

Thanks, mate. We're really looking forward to it.

[Dazzler]

Congrats Terry (and Megs) 

[FatBoy]

- My boss (Chief Flying Instructor) was diagnosed with Oesophogial Cancer about two weeks ago.
---- He lost his battle last night.

R.I.P. T.S.

[Just Rick]

sad news,condolence to his family and friends,insidious desease

[eye30]

- My boss (Chief Flying Instructor) was diagnosed with Oesophogial Cancer about two weeks ago.
---- He lost his battle last night.

R.I.P. T.S.

Sorry to hear the sad news.

Had he been ill for sometime and took a while to diagnose?

[FatBoy]

- My boss (Chief Flying Instructor) was diagnosed with Oesophogial Cancer about two weeks ago.
---- He lost his battle last night.

R.I.P. T.S.

Sorry to hear the sad news.

Had he been ill for sometime and took a while to diagnose?

No. He first noticed something was amiss when he had trouble swallowing his "steak and chips" at the local pub.  That was only four weeks ago.  It was another two weeks of testing, biopsies and then he was due to start chemotherapy straight away.  Apparently that is one of the worst things about this form, you don't notice anything is wrong until it is way too late (he had an aircrew medical every 6 months).

[The Gonz]

Crazy ... live every day like your last!

[Dazzler]

- My boss (Chief Flying Instructor) was diagnosed with Oesophogial Cancer about two weeks ago.
---- He lost his battle last night.

R.I.P. T.S.

Sorry to hear the sad news.

Had he been ill for sometime and took a while to diagnose?

No. He first noticed something was amiss when he had trouble swallowing his "steak and chips" at the local pub.  That was only four weeks ago.  It was another two weeks of testing, biopsies and then he was due to start chemotherapy straight away.  Apparently that is one of the worst things about this form, you don't notice anything is wrong until it is way too late (he had an aircrew medical every 6 months).

That's terrible Jamie  Was he a smoker?

If he was still in a position like that I'm guessing he wasn't that old either 

[FatBoy]

Non smoker and he was 63.

[Dazzler]

Non smoker and he was 63.

Makes you wonder what causes it  My brother Steve was only 62 when we lost him last month (early 60's is way too young)

His family must be as stunned and devastated as we were 

[Ugly Mongrel]

Sorry to hear your sad news, Jamie. Condolences to all concerned from myself and Mrs UM.
Was he your current boss?

[Phil №❶]

Congrats UM 

Condolences Fatboy 

At least he didn't suffer a long time.

[meehalych]

+ one more week of vacation
+ going to Helsinki by car on Thursday for three days trip

[Dazzler]

+ one more week of vacation
+ going to Helsinki by car on Thursday for three days trip

You are like us Misha (like to get around for a look)

Lucky we don't live in Europe or Mainland Australia (I hate to think what our annual mileage would be) 

[Doggie 1]

At the moment Dazz, you can just go around in ever decreasing circles.

[FatBoy]

Lucky we don't live in Europe or Mainland Australia (I hate to think what our annual mileage would be) 

I do more mileage in Tassie than I ever did on the Mainland.

[Dazzler]

Lucky we don't live in Europe or Mainland Australia (I hate to think what our annual mileage would be) 

I do more mileage in Tassie than I ever did on the Mainland.

Nice roads and nice views 

But I reckon Trish and I would be like a kid in a lolly shop if we lived somewhere central like Canberra 

[FatBoy]

But I reckon Trish and I would be like a kid in a lolly shop if we lived somewhere central like Canberra 

C'mon Dazz.  Central would be Alice Springs, then you would rack up the mileage!! 

[Surferdude]

Lucky we don't live in Europe or Mainland Australia (I hate to think what our annual mileage would be) 

I do more mileage in Tassie than I ever did on the Mainland.

Nice roads and nice views 

But I reckon Trish and I would be like a kid in a lolly shop if we lived somewhere central like Canberra 

Yeah. Think of all the mileage you'd do just trying to get away from the joint.

[Dazzler]

Lucky we don't live in Europe or Mainland Australia (I hate to think what our annual mileage would be) 

I do more mileage in Tassie than I ever did on the Mainland.

Nice roads and nice views 

But I reckon Trish and I would be like a kid in a lolly shop if we lived somewhere central like Canberra 

Yeah. Think of all the mileage you'd do just trying to get away from the joint.

True, too cold in winter and too hot in summer .. not my pick of places but nice and central for road trips of the East Coast 

[FatBoy]

Wouldn't somewhere on the East Coast be closer and more central to the East Coast?

[Dazzler]

Wouldn't somewhere on the East Coast be closer and more central to the East Coast?

But,but you can go North, South, West and East from there ( Alice is a bit too far from anywhere)