A Shed Downunder.

[1/2 Cup]

How about one of those spotless epoxy floors while you're at it?

Riven Your on the money there.

All the cats of Shepparton are now beginning to get a little nervous.

Mark the issue is with Shelby and the Rodents cats are scarce as hens teeth around here.

That has to be one of the absolute best quotes ever Bob.

Gold

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/not_enough_room_to_swing_a_cat
I get worried when 1/2 talks about swinging cats .
Have we not covered this topic before.

HOTFR8

Yep the topic has been brought up more than once, I think that the members may start to get the wrong idea.

Have a great day.

 

[RivennHewn]

1/2 cup,

Not knock'n your floor at all, and I hope you didn't take it that way.

You just seem like the kind of guy who needs a long list it front of you. I was just doing my best to help you keep you busy.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2 cup,

Not knock'n your floor at all, and I hope you didn't take it that way.

You just seem like the kind of guy who needs a long list it front of you. I was just doing my best to help you keep you busy.

Riven, not at all. I appreciate the feedback.

To be honest the floor is terrible.

No vapour barrier, cracks, stains all the things you do not want in a floor, I have them.

Mrs 1/2 Cup has recommended that I put down some indoor / outdoor carpet in the Office/Model A area.

It is something I will do down the track for sure.

Thanks again for dropping by.

 

[dlcwent]

All the cats of Shepparton are now beginning to get a little nervous.

That has to be one of the absolute best quotes ever Bob.

I do agree with you Mark that Bob's quote is one we are all wise to live by.

But on the same token, I like your line about the cats as well.

Looks great 1/2 cup.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thank you Dan

Things are progressing well here and it’s great to have the extra elbow room in the Shed Downunder.

Mrs 1/2 Cup has decided to repaint the West Wing now, so I have been doing a bit of prep work for that over the last couple of weekends.

So the West Wing to do list looks like this at the moment:

1. Prep for repaint.
2. Repaint, which should freshen things up somewhat.
3. We are still waiting on a Powerco appointment to change the supply and main switchboard over.
4. Replace some of the Window furnishings and clean.
5. Replace carpets.
6. Central Gas heater winter service. Booked for this Thursday.

Down the track.

7. Back yard dividing fence and access to the Shed Downunder.
8. Garden makeover.
9. Decking clean and re oil.
10. Install an additional split system.
11. Repaint the front picket fence.
12. Carport installation.

Thank you one and all for dropping by and have a great day.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: i know you've got a lot done and still have quite a bit to do so all the best in your quest to maybe get your tenant in there by July 1st or is there really any specific date yet.

also thanks for the partial TO DO LIST or just the list for the rental or WEST WING.

i have TO DO LISTS, but don't get stuff crossed off them nearly as fast as you do, but i'm working on that.

when does your drone training start? also sounds like Shorty might be able to give you a few pointers or keep you on your toes.

cheers and hope you are having a great day.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: i know you've got a lot done and still have quite a bit to do so all the best in your quest to maybe get your tenant in there by July 1st or is there really any specific date yet.

also thanks for the partial TO DO LIST or just the list for the rental or WEST WING.

i have TO DO LISTS, but don't get stuff crossed off them nearly as fast as you do, but i'm working on that.

when does your drone training start? also sounds like Shorty might be able to give you a few pointers or keep you on your toes.

cheers and hope you are having a great day.

drives thank you, at this stage we have not really settled on July 1 as there is still plenty to do. The partial list is for the property as a whole. Mrs 1/2 Cup had all the gas appliances service today and they all passed with flying colours.

She had also had the tyres replaced on our Honda City yesterday which were starting to show signs of UV degradation.

Glad you asked drives Drone Training Day 1


This is a link to the drone we have purchased.

https://www.sensefly.com/drones/albris.html

I am not sure why I am training on it as this thing does it all for you seriously.

View media item 61432
A cold and wintery day at Waranga basin with occasional rain and wind gusting to 15 knots.

The shot on the tablet is from about 70 mts high looking at the reservoir embankment.


http://www.g-mwater.com.au/water-resources/catchments/storages/goulburn/warangabasin

View media item 61431
What a blast. Six four point landings.

The drone is really easy to fly, I have never been one for play stations or game controls so this is totally new to me using two joy sticks.

The unit has two auto pilot systems and once you have set the operating parameters and hit the go button it does it plotted course and then returns to the self calibrated landing point.

We were experiencing wind gusts today of greater than 15 knots so the drone spat the dummy and returned to base all by it self, amazing stuff.

With a 35 mp camera I think we will get some great shots from todays effort which I will share tomorrow after we download them on day 2.

Just how much fun can a bloke have at work...

 

[dlcwent]

That is really cool 1/2 cup. I must say that I do not like spiders and that thing reminds me of my worst nightmare......a flying spider

But I'm sure it's a blast to use. I'm envious. As you said.....how much fun can one have at work. It kind of makes you want to actually want to get back to the job when it's that much fun.

 

[Lyndon]

^^^^^^

Steve

What Dan said. Gee I wish we could get trucks we could drive like that. Would make my job a shed load easier......

Lyndon
Dinners up!

 

[1/2 Cup]

That is really cool 1/2 cup. I must say that I do not like spiders and that thing reminds me of my worst nightmare......a flying spider

But I'm sure it's a blast to use. I'm envious. As you said.....how much fun can one have at work. It kind of makes you want to actually want to get back to the job when it's that much fun.

Thanks Dan, rest assured it will take a little while to wipe the smile from my face.

And the best part because I have a private pilots licence I do not have to go through the Civil Aviation Authority exams, as it count for prior learning.

I am looking forward to day two...

Thanks for dropping by and have a good one..

 

[1/2 Cup]

^^^^^^

Steve

What Dan said. Gee I wish we could get trucks we could drive like that. Would make my job a shed load easier......

Lyndon
Dinners up!

The technology is there Lyndon.

I am enjoying a nice Scotch and Dry as I am frozen to the bone.

Cheers

 

[Terrick down Under]

1/2, read the notes about the self levelling mode, compared to the base clearance settings.

I was practicing using the level mode (plotting the terrain) and when I came up to fly thru the arch of the boom of the excavator the ground go so close...I had 6 inches clearance before I realized how close I was.
Not my drone and it cost $5000. My sphincter shut up shop for about an hour.
Lesson learned by me!!
Have you flown thru a pipe yet?, we had one about 1 meter diameter (3ft) and about 2 meters long, it was so much fun.
Enjoy!!!

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: i can feel your enjoyment through your posts and can only imagine the smiles you have while flying that little drone. to me that key board looks very difficult so happy to hear it's a piece of cake for you. i bet the wind and trees and other obstacles will be a challenge so good luck with that.

keep up the good work and looking forward to more pictures of your vacation spots that you call work.

 

[Vieux]

I drink beer and read your topic. It's cool!

 

[rixtrix1]

Wow, 1/2. I'm 10 pages into reading the last 15 I've gotten behind on and your 3 week " vacation" has been very productive. The satisfaction of knowing your investment home is safe should be very satisfying! Very well done! Much too late; now off to bed!

Our weather forecast through the end of the month has all days but one above 115 degrees with the highest being 119! { And the A/C compressor in my daily driver decided to grenade last weekend}

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2, read the notes about the self levelling mode, compared to the base clearance settings.

I was practicing using the level mode (plotting the terrain) and when I came up to fly thru the arch of the boom of the excavator the ground go so close...I had 6 inches clearance before I realized how close I was.
Not my drone and it cost $5000. My sphincter shut up shop for about an hour.
Lesson learned by me!!
Have you flown thru a pipe yet?, we had one about 1 meter diameter (3ft) and about 2 meters long, it was so much fun.
Enjoy!!!

Terrick, I have just realised that the training has really only just begun and I have a lot of reading to do.

We have been pretty conservative with what we have done thus far and no pipes or excavators at this point in time although there has been plenty of random opportunities to do so.

Just to put things in perspective the total value of the package of what the company has invested in is in excess of AU $65 k that includes the drone, training , accreditation, ongoing support and software suites.

The last two days have been a blast.

I put my out of office on and left the mobile on the desk with the message saying " Sorry but I can't take your call at the moment and I will call you back on Monday as I am having so much fun at work right now, please leave a message with your contact details." 10 plus messages and 21 emails later Monday is going to be busy....

Thanks for dropping by and have a good one..

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: i can feel your enjoyment through your posts and can only imagine the smiles you have while flying that little drone. to me that key board looks very difficult so happy to hear it's a piece of cake for you. i bet the wind and trees and other obstacles will be a challenge so good luck with that.

keep up the good work and looking forward to more pictures of your vacation spots that you call work.

Drives, I have so much enjoyed the last two days training on the drone it has been awesome and a privilege to be chosen to do it.

The key board does take some getting used to and I will spend a bit more time on that but all in all its fairly intuitive.

Day 2 we had about an hours window due to the conditions not meeting VMC minimum ( Visual Met Conditions ) with low cloud and drizzle.

We managed two missions and in that time where we did visual and thermography inspections our primary data link tower in the back ground.

From that we can do some 3D modeling.

View media item 46136
The tower is 150 ft high.

Most of today was spent getting around the software and just how to use it. This thing takes a huge amount of grunt from a computing sense but the results speak for them selves. The data down load from today will take a couple of hours.

I do have to say we have a great office/s to work from.

I drink beer and read your topic. It's cool!

Thank you Vieux, I am enjoying a beer as well.

Again thank you one and all, have a good one...

 

[1/2 Cup]

Wow, 1/2. I'm 10 pages into reading the last 15 I've gotten behind on and your 3 week " vacation" has been very productive. The satisfaction of knowing your investment home is safe should be very satisfying! Very well done! Much too late; now off to bed!

Our weather forecast through the end of the month has all days but one above 115 degrees with the highest being 119! { And the A/C compressor in my daily driver decided to grenade last weekend}

Ric, thank you so much it has been a great journey so far and as you say a very rewarding and satisfying one.

I feel for you guys with temps like that and can relate so stay cool and hydrated

We are having over night temps around freezing at the moment and I am still thawing from being out in it for six hours or so yesterday.

I hope you can get the AC repaired ASAP.

Thank you for dropping by and have a good one...

 

[rmalkow2]

Hmmm. Company vehicles so nicely decorated????

 

[1/2 Cup]

Hmmm. Company vehicles so nicely decorated????

rmalkow, the picture ( with the Comms tower in the background ) was taken at Christmas time a couple of years back. Annually our work place dresses up to get into the spirit of the season. Mind you there are some strict rules governing what is allowed.

Our Construction team thought it a great idea to have a Santa doll in the excavator and JCB dump truck as a sleigh and the Mitsubishi Outlanders dressed up to look like the reindeers.

The team won the perpetual award for its efforts.

Edit. When I left work last night the images from the tower were still being downloaded so I am hoping on Monday to be able to share the tower 3D model.



Thank you for dropping by and have a great weekend.

 

[HOTFR8]

Hmmm. Company vehicles so nicely decorated????

I am sure that is an older photo from another post (Christmas some time back) just used to show us the tower. 1/2 is having so much fan with that drone he has not as yet updated us with photos so I guess that will come with time and we may just see a photo from the top of that tower .

 

[1/2 Cup]

I am sure that is an older photo from another post (Christmas some time back) just used to show us the tower. 1/2 is having so much fan with that drone he has not as yet updated us with photos so I guess that will come with time and we may just see a photo from the top of that tower .

HOTFR8, thank you it is an older pic.

We need to process the images before I can post them and it looks like Monday at this point in time.

Not much to add today, Mrs 1/2 Cup has been over in Bendigo with the rodents on show so I have been pottering in the West Wing prepping for paint with one bed room to go. Finished are the hallway, lounge, kitchen, bedroom 1 and bedroom 2. If tomorrow fines up I will spend some more time in the garden just for a change.

I trust your week end is going well.

 

[HOTFR8]

I guessed so. Spent time out side today but boy was it cold. Little to show but did prune back a few grape vines.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I guessed so. Spent time out side today but boy was it cold. Little to show but did prune back a few grape vines.

Sunday here is the same HOTRF8 cold at around 50F, overcast and grey.

Still on the painting prep in the West Wing and I did get some time in the garden although it was one of those days when all and sundry decided to visit the 1/2 Cups not that I minded one bit and I just went with the flow, its always great to catch up with family and friends.

Andrew had the MG at Sandown today and clocked some fairly consistent lap times around the 1 min 39 sec, again shaving more off his PB which was a great effort.

http://www.sandown.net.au/motorsport.html

Have a good one and thank you for dropping by..

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: sorry to interrupt your FUN AT WORK, but didn't you have a few visitors yesterday because wasn't it Father's Day for you chaps down under?

you've done a great job with your kids and i bet the ones that didn't show up called to say hello and thanks for being a great dad.

is your dad still doing ok? i need to visit my 83 year old dad in Rehab today because he just had a new knee replacement (now has hip and both knees replaced) so he's turning into a bionic man. if they can figure some way to connect the wires back up on his head so his memory would get better that would be great.

have a great week at work and just keep having FUN learning and making the system that they bought work as good as it can.

cheers (ITFM)

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: sorry to interrupt your FUN AT WORK, but didn't you have a few visitors yesterday because wasn't it Father's Day for you chaps down under?

you've done a great job with your kids and i bet the ones that didn't show up called to say hello and thanks for being a great dad.

is your dad still doing ok? i need to visit my 83 year old dad in Rehab today because he just had a new knee replacement (now has hip and both knees replaced) so he's turning into a bionic man. if they can figure some way to connect the wires back up on his head so his memory would get better that would be great.

have a great week at work and just keep having FUN learning and making the system that they bought work as good as it can.

cheers (ITFM)

Drives, our Fathers Day is in September. To all the dads out there I trust you have had a good one.

My dad is about the same age, still lives independently and still drives at this point.

I have to smile at times as he is, lets say, a tad technically challenged so last week end he brought around a bed side clock for me to adjust the time from day light saving time. His recall is still very sharp and can recount things from his past in minute detail.

I have a busy week ahead of me at work, the drone photos, a pump station electrical design review that will take a couple of days to complete, then a Pump Stations' operational and control commissioning that's another day gone and later in the week a site meeting to discuss the detailed design of yet another rather large Pump Stations' conceptual design which is a two hour drive from here up at Swan Hill.

http://www.visitswanhill.com.au/

PS there is a great bakery up there and their Chunky Beef pies are to die for.

As always thank you for dropping by and have a good one.

 

[Bears Fan]

Sounds like you have your hands full this week at work, Never heard of a chunky beef pie, but hey I like anything with meat in it. I googled it and it looks like our pot pies here, now I'm hungry for one

 

[Bob Heine]

Once you have had a really good Australian meat pie, you are hooked for life. Unfortunately it isn't easy to find anything close in the US. I have gotten excited many times when I find a package in the grocery store but they never come close to the real thing. Of course the best pies are found in the small shops that have their own recipe and make a flaky crust that is marvelous all by itself. The dark dark gravy and chunks of meat are also marvelous by themselves but put together they are seriously "to die for."

 

[BBChevro]

Like Bob said, a good meat pie really is a treat and most of us Aussies know where to get the good ones in our local areas - however, venturing into the realm of eating "meat" pies from an unknown source is not for the faint hearted.


Hey 1/2cup, did you get any of the latest "weather event" that we sent South - it poured here yesterday (and it's windy today, so I might keep away from trees )?

 

[HOTFR8]

Here is a good example how not to fly a drone from the GJ Admin.

Look out for the power line.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Sounds like you have your hands full this week at work, Never heard of a chunky beef pie, but hey I like anything with meat in it. I googled it and it looks like our pot pies here, now I'm hungry for one

Once you have had a really good Australian meat pie, you are hooked for life. Unfortunately it isn't easy to find anything close in the US. I have gotten excited many times when I find a package in the grocery store but they never come close to the real thing. Of course the best pies are found in the small shops that have their own recipe and make a flaky crust that is marvelous all by itself. The dark dark gravy and chunks of meat are also marvelous by themselves but put together they are seriously "to die for."

Like Bob said, a good meat pie really is a treat and most of us Aussies know where to get the good ones in our local areas - however, venturing into the realm of eating "meat" pies from an unknown source is not for the faint hearted.


Hey 1/2cup, did you get any of the latest "weather event" that we sent South - it poured here yesterday (and it's windy today, so I might keep away from trees )?

BF

Bob

Mark.

All I am getting hungry just reading this again.


http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/8984/aussie+meat+pies

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Best+Meat+Pies+in+Australia&FORM=HDRSC2

I do like my pies and know all the best bakeries within 300 km radius let me tell you.

The eating technique takes a bit to master specifically if the pie is too hot.

We only received about 12mm of rain out of that last front, very little wind but it has been cloudy and overcast for the last week here.

I am looking forward to some sunny breaks.

Thanks again gents. I can feel a pie coming on for lunch...

 

[Terrick down Under]

HOTFR8, I love the YouTube clip. Absolutely a must to watch.

 

[HOTFR8]

HOTFR8, I love the YouTube clip. Absolutely a must to watch.

One of Ryans (Admin) showing us how not to fly into power lines.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Here is a good example how not to fly a drone from the GJ Admin.

Look out for the power line.

HOTFR8 all I can say is Opps sorry, now we need to fill out lots of paper work.

Not good. I think I would be looking for a career change if I did that.

HOTFR8, I love the YouTube clip. Absolutely a must to watch.

Terrick, Its a fantastic clip, with lessons learned.

One of Ryans (Admin) showing us how not to fly into power lines.

HOTFR8 with our drone it has a collision avoidance system so I am just a little comforted in that.

Thank you for sharing

 

[dlcwent]

My wife and I were discussing Drones last night and she didn't understand the "good" things they can be used for. I told her about some of the things that have been discussed here between you and the rest and it opened her eyes. She viewed them more as someone using them to invade others privacy. (And I'm sure some folks do just that)

Any pictures yet 1/2 cup?

 

[Strouty]

I was always interested in RC helicopters for doing inspections on towers that had issues, lately the drones or quadcopters seem to be really a much better option. I am thinking that the IRS might not like it, but my accountant thinks it would be a good write off on the old taxes.

 

[hewey]

I do love a good pie I prefer a mince pie rather having large chunks of beef, and soft pastry too, but that's just my taste. A particular favourite are the beef and red wine pies from the old general store in Kangaroo Valley. They do a proper milkshake too.

 

[1/2 Cup]

My wife and I were discussing Drones last night and she didn't understand the "good" things they can be used for. I told her about some of the things that have been discussed here between you and the rest and it opened her eyes. She viewed them more as someone using them to invade others privacy. (And I'm sure some folks do just that)

Any pictures yet 1/2 cup?

Dan,

You are only limited to your imagination really with the use of drones in the workplace.

We as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operators (UAV) are governed by a very strict code of conduct and regulation.

What used to take days to do in the field now takes a matter of hours, High Resolution 3D mapping, surveys, thermographic imaging, 3D modelling, Orth mosaic photography, structural inspections of inaccessible areas and the list goes on.

Our setup has some awesome software and technology that underpins its functionality and I do apologise for not updating with our downloads from last week. Our IT Boffins working on the issues due to us being heavily regulated in terms systems, systems security, software and firewalls they are in the process of setting up a stand alone system to cater for our needs our current IT setup will not cope with the new technology.

I was always interested in RC helicopters for doing inspections on towers that had issues, lately the drones or quadcopters seem to be really a much better option. I am thinking that the IRS might not like it, but my accountant thinks it would be a good write off on the old taxes.

Strouty, you will be interested in the pics we took of our Comms tower when I can get them into the system.

The quadcopter and high resolution camera provides a very stable platform to do your inspections. That said there is still nothing like the hands on approach of climbing a tower and the human touch and feel IMHO.
We climb ours every two years in any case, the drone is just another tool in the kit so to speak.

Some years ago we had a 100ft tower come down where some preventative maintenance would have picked up the issues and possibly saved the day, our comms for the 900 MHz SCADA network were out for over a month and it nearly took out a mobile phone tower in the process. so our company now has a pretty proactive maintenance schedule in place.

All, I learned today that I have to log at least five hours flight time with the drone as practical experience to receive my UAV endorsement on my Private Pilots Licence. I am looking forward to getting some more flight time

The weather here has not been conducive to any sort of flying activity over the last week in any case, cold wet and miserable.

Again thank you one and all for dropping by and have a great weekend..

 

[1/2 Cup]

I do love a good pie I prefer a mince pie rather having large chunks of beef, and soft pastry too, but that's just my taste. A particular favourite are the beef and red wine pies from the old general store in Kangaroo Valley. They do a proper milkshake too.

Hewey, now you are doing my head in, I can taste that pie from here.

Yet another bakery on the bucket list.

On my trip to Swan Hill yesterday I popped into my favourite bakery up in that neck of the woods at Kerang.

http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/kerang/

http://www.graysbakery.com.au/Home.htm

Now that you have my worms bitting for a pie if you are down this way try a Parkers Pies at Rutherglen.

http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/rutherglen/

http://www.parkerpies.com.au/index.php/our-pastries

Or better still pop into Cooper pies in Yarrawonga their pies are to die for.

http://www.yarrawongamulwala.com.au/

http://cooperspies.com.au/

Now on to the subject of milk shakes

Real milk.
Real Caramel topping that has taste.
Full cream ice cream.
Nestle malted milk powder ( two heaped table spoons at least )

Stir well and froth.

Drink slowly and savoir the moment is a must.

MMMMMMMMM

For those thinking that I have an eating disorder, not the case and I do all the above in moderation.

Blood sugars are good, weight is ok, cholesterol is ok, blood pressure is ok ( when I am not thinking of eating a pie)

Now whats for dinner.

 

[CoopVA]

We call them pot pies here... Yum! Of course Cooper Pies would be the best... LOL!