1 Bravo 6

:stupid: :stupid: :stupid: :stupid: Can anyone tell me the size and thickness of the foam that is glued to the top of the fuel tank ?????????????? PLEASE !!!!!!!!!! Rick.

Now come on you lot, one at a time. Come on Bambi (this'll be good). Rick.

The time has come to put faces to names. Here's ME.

YOU WIN LACHLAN.... Rick.

:devious: :devious: :devious: :devious: What's with this "Name the wineglass" Competition ????? Flute ? NAH. Tulip ? NAH. Rosebud ???????? NAH. You blokes have ALL got it wrong. It's obviously a GOBLET. Rick.

:D :D 240ZX Yes Tom, taking the wizz out of your mates is just one thing our countries have in common. One of my old army mates, who I've known for around 40 years, often calls me an "Old B--tard" and I reply in kind. BUT. If a stranger directed such expletives to either of us he'd have to be prepared to take us BOTH on. I know you lot are the same. Rick.

:love: Bloody nice one Bryan, thanks for that. Well worth the two week wait. Took me a couple of seconds to realise that there was a ZED in the pics as well. Hey Carl, I reckon they should be included in the Z Girl Gallery with all the other good looking shielas. What do you reckon ????????? That is, of course, if it's O.K. with Bryan. Rick.

:devious: :devious: :devious: :devious: Perhaps noone else has noticed, (due to drooling over your collection of Zeds), but I noticed something that indicates to me that you are just as nice a person as your very understanding wife. You let your kids park their bikes in your Zed Shed. Rick.

:devious: :devious: :devious: :devious: Hey Carl, That's quite a story mate. However, the way you present it and the way it is written, leads me to ask three questions. Does your father-in-law still think you're a good bloke and, Does your Sister-in-law still dress that way and, Did you ever find the courage to tell your wife ??? Rick.

240ZX Further to bikers explaination, the term ANZAC spirit stems from the fiasco of Gallipoli. A full explaination would take too long. Look for the video GALLIPOLI, watch it and you'll understand. Stars a very young Mel Gibson. Rick.

,Rick, bit of an Arnie fan? Yes, Lachlan, I sure am. Did you see him in the movie Predator ???????? AHHHHHHHH, now that brought back some memories. In that movie, Big Arnie reminded me of ME when I was a young bloke. You believe me,-----Don't you ?????????????? Rick.

of the T.V. show. AHA !!!!! I just did !!!! Hey there Gav, Remember the Dukes of Hazard ???????? A couple of septic backwoods country boys who seemed to spend most of their time racing their orange beast all over the countryside. I recall reading somewhere that they had half a dozen or so copies of the car so that when one got dinged they simply substituted another. Rick.

:devious: Carl, you've been studying that book of Aussie slang that Lachlan sent in haven't you ??????? Decide on any favorites yet ????? Rick.

:devious: :devious: Hey, Victor, Knowing how much you like Vegemite, I thought the following would be of interest. I've had it for some time now. Couldn't find the bloody thing for a while. Anyway mates, ENJOY. Vegemite, from a Septic Tank Written in stars and stripes, by an American soldier in Iraq 'It has been sixty days since we arrived at our deployed location. The rocks, the sand, the arid climate.....its all too familiar. If you have been to one desert oasis, you've been to them all, no? The inquisitive mind seeks to ask how we could be so bloody close to a large body of water, less than 5 miles, and still not see the slightest bit of moisture. Perhaps it's the an environmental abnormality reserved especially for today's finest military forces. So what makes this deployment any different from all the others? Would you believe me if I told you. Vegemite? A new flag was raised here recently. It waves higher than ever I've seen at (deleted). It's a lovely shade of green that any good Irishman would appreciate. The design chosen to adorn this flag is truly one not seen on the colours of any other sovereign states. There are nor stripes, or stars. Just a kangaroo....with boxing gloves. The Australians have certainly made their presence known in our small community. I think we all enjoy beginning our mornings with a 'G'Day Mate!' And they only account for roughly (deleted) of the total base population,this place seems to be teaming with them. It could be their multi-coloured uniforms and cricket games. Or perhaps it's the accent we've all grown to love from watching America's favourite crocodile hunter Steve Irwin. In their defence, I've yet to hear one of them say 'Crikey', But we still have a few months left. Personally the Aussies bring a smile to my face, and not for any of the above reasons. It's not because they are all so pleasant and amiable, though they really are. The reason is deeply routed in the emotions of current events. Their physical presence here means more than sharing workspace. The daily news will continue to jerk us about their coverage of whose on our side and who is not. It's confusing and at best disconcerting. Therefore, all we know to be true and real is what we see around us. The view here is of Australians, representatives of an entire country: a nation of friends and allies. It's a heart warming feeling to see them joining us. For to live and work at this place goes beyond the diplomatic lip service we may expect from other countries. It says something strong and sincere. It says that we are not alone. For your average troop living close to a not so friendly neighbour, that's good to know. The situation at our Base is only a small example of what is repeated throughout the OR. Nations around the world are voicing common dedication towards preserving freedom at all costs. I can only hope that it is evident as it is here. There are many things to be proud of here. Despite the long road that lies ahead, a lot has been accomplished. Rest assured, we will meet the challenges placed before us, and we will conquer them... together as friends, as allies. In the end, only one thing could possibly divide us. Fortunately, it has nothing to do with politics. It comes in a jar. It's made by Kraft. It's called Vegemite, the breakfast spread that doubles as axle grease. Could this cultural gap become a gorge? Is vegemite a weapon of mass indigestion? Rick.

Hey there HKSZ, You mention Big Arnies "Commando". After the car chase, Arnie "drops" the baddie, strolls over to the yellow porche which is lying on it's side, flips it back onto it's wheels, starts it up and drives off. O.K. so far. Now the poor yellow thing has suffered rather badly from Arnie's attentions and is pretty well stove in on all panels. BUT !!!!! Now, you have to be quick, but when the car is shown being driven away, THERE ISN'T A SINGLE BINGLE ON IT !!!!!!!! Rick.

:classic: :classic: You Bloody Beauty, I get back from two weeks of touring the countryside and find that we've got some SHIELAS in the mob. You're REALLY out of luck with me Kelly, about the same age as your dad, married for 36 years and live far, far, FAR to far away. A word of friendly advice; Pick Carl. (He'd have more experience than Lachlan)(Alfadog). Rick.

Septics won't understand this one. A seven year old boy was at the centre of a courtroom drama last week when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of the boy. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge awarded custody to his aunt. The boy cried and said that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he refused to live there. When the judge suggested that he live with his grandparents the boy cried out that they beat him more than anyone. The judge dramatically allowed the boy to choose who should have custody of him. Custody was granted to the NZ all blacks rugby team this morning as the boy firmly believes that they are not capable of beating anyone. ROFL Rick.

:love: :love: HEY, BRYAN !!!!!!! It's been more than TWO WEEKS. Change your mind ? yes/no She change HER mind ? (again) yes/no Camera broken ? yes/no Rick.

:devious: :devious: :devious: :devious: ATTA BOY LACHLAN, Now we can REALLY start edifying our septic mates. (Wonder if we'll EVER convince 'em that they drive on the wrong side of the road ? ) Rick.

:stupid: :stupid: :stupid: :stupid: Oh, you young blokes and your computer games !!!!! You REALLY think they're the bees knees ???? Have a go at a fair dinkum, you beaut PINBALL MACHINE. In order to get a free game from one of them, mates, you had to be GOOD. Plus you had the oportunity of socialising with your peers instead of being cooped up in your room staring at a screen and playing with your joystick. Rick.

Tanny, Great sense of humour there mate. There is absolutely no doubt what so ever that, (after learning to LIKE Vegemite), you'd have no trouble upgrading to being a dinkum Aussie. Rick. P.S. Read the ingredients on the back of the lable.

Come clean Mr. C. Admit it. EVERY place is at the OTHER END of EVERY WHERE from where you come from. Hey F.F. We do have members in Tassie. Might be best if you post your intended trip on the Australia page. If you get as far north as the land of sunshine and LOOOOONG beaches, look me up. If I'm in a good mood I'll let you feast your eyes on a true beauty named "Precious". (If I'm in REALLY,REALLY good mood, I'll let you look free of charge). Seriously mate, if you can spare the time, have a look around Tassie. It's a very beautiful place. Rick.

:love: :love: One thing about a democracy mates, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and I'm certain every one of us is quite prepared to fight to ensure it stays that way. My sympathies go out to St Stephen. I can't say I know how you feel because I've not been in that situation. I've been truly blessed with a loving and loyal wife for over 36 years. However, I must point out that there ARE two sides to every story. Rick.

:devious: :devious: :devious: Y'know mates, at least 16 of the 19 definitions perfecly describe the young S.O.B. who played a big part in my decision to retire earlier than planned. My choices were; A. Retire, or, B. Kill him. I THINK I made the right choice. Rick.