A Land Gone Mad

Following from Sunday's enjoyable time outback, I went again, first thing on Monday morning. Again the snow was firm. The temp and wind-chill were a little warmer than on Sunday but nothing to sweat over.

After a run down the north face of Signature Hill I skinned out behind Signature Hill to what some of us call Pyramid. It had to be done. The views from the top were spectacular and the ski back down to the top of Signature Hill most pleasant on still firm and fast snow. The long descent to the bridge was getting a little softer but not yet slow. I was unable to ski to the resort on the line I took without having to either push or traverse some bushes. The pack is melting.

Today I rode the chair to have a quick peek at what was going on. The white snow was very soft while the brown snow was firm. Nothing unusual in that.

Behind Signature Hill on Monday

Target - Pyramid

After

South Ridge from the top of Pyramid

Kosi Cornice

The Totem with Club Lake Chutes in the distant background

Signature Hill today
Are the rocks bleeding?

The Basin

The Bluff

Traktorman will appreciate the good shape of Plan A

There are rumours of more snow above 1500m on Sunday. Any sort of frost or freeze and I'll be back out there.

So why the heading to today's report? Several news items this week got my goat. Consider the following:

1. It was reported on the radio that the Fed Gov is about to relax the meat importation laws to allow meat from countries that have had mad cow disease. With beef producers in Australia about to be slugged under the new ETS, where do you think Woolworths and Coles will source their beef - the cheapest source or the more expensive quality Australian producers?

2. Also announced on TV were new state regulations requiring all pools in NSW to be fenced. Massive new fines will apply but I haven't seen any plans to fence every beach, lake, harbour, river and creek. Revenue raising or just double standards?

3. This on top of NSW state gov fines for crossing a road with an iPod.

One final thought on Woolies and Coles. Did you see on TodayTonight the story mentioning how many gambling sites that Coles and Woolies own? Reportedly, Woolies owns 11,000 poker machines. Food, petrol, hardware? and pokies. Hmmm!

Me thinks they've all gone mad. Yes, I know what you're thinking - eat more red meat ;-)

And finally the Telstra Grump: Yes there has been action here. I received a phone call from Telstra asking how I might like to receive my credit. It may take 2 - 6 months to get it.
Why did it take a written letter and why so long to get it?
More than that I wonder how many other people's credits they are holding on to?
How many millions of dollars in credits have they not yet paid back?
How many people don't even know they have a credit?

Now there's a good story for an independent investigative journalist, if there are any left.