SURPRISES.

There is no greater surprise in life than to have a stroke, not of luck, although that is nice, the stroke I mean is when the brain is starved of oxygen, you lose your speech and the ability to move down one side, if not both.

I have a very recent experience of having a stroke. Strokes come without any warning and usually without any pain, and unless they can get you to a hospital for treatment, you are a gonner.

Which leads me into the point of this blog.

My wife very quickly phoned for an ambulance which came in very short order, they did their part of the job, brilliantly; I arrived at the hospital not out of it, but unable to move or talk, and in the hands of the trauma team. Pumped full of drugs, and monitored very carefully over the following 24 hours. A number of tests followed. There is no question at all, that because of the care and attention I received, I was able to be discharged from the hospital some five days later.

It is to these dedicated people that I owe my life.

The ambulance team and all the nursing staff exhibit this wizardry every, and sometime several times a day. What struck me more than anything is the care, generosity of spirit, compassion and empathy shown not only to me, but to all patients by all members of the staff at Gosford Hospital.

To state the staff at this hospital is overworked and very underpaid would be the understatement of the year.

To say thank you to all concerned in saving my life, seems very inadequate,
but I do, very humbly indeed.

Carol Armytage
Wamberal.

OLDER DRIVERS.

I have written fairly frequently and with some passion regarding the attitude to the older driver question, so I was delighted to read that common sense has at last prevailed.

However, I don't think the new rules go far enough.

I would advocate a medical,eyesight and a two hour driving test for everyone every three years, absolutely no exceptions.

It goes without saying that all those who sit behind a wheel, no matter their colour race religion and anything you can think of, know perfectly well that they are natural drivers who have well above average ability.

Those who have undergone the test tell me it is not an easy test to pass, and one can fail for the slightest transgression and in the blink of any eye.. Perhaps all tests should be as strict. Let us hope they are, but with the standard of ldriving on our roads I doubt it.

I am now informed by the Road Traffic Auhority, [no less] that 90% of drivers who undertake the older drivers driving test pass with flying colours. This would appear to support my contention that the older drivers are very probably the safest group on the road. However,I would be interested to know the pass/fail figures for other groups of drivers.

I live on the central coast about 90 minutes from Sydney, and to be sure, we have our fair share of criminal lunatic drivers. My short journey to and from a shopping mall this saturday morning confirms this view, absolutely.

The Police Service in its various forms visible, not on your life!
Caz

KEEP DEATH OFF THE ROAD.

Still more deaths.

Just to add to my previous rantings about lunatic drivers.

It is now Holiday Monday and so far 19 people, yes 19, have been killed on our roads, and still counting.

There are people who are alive this morning who will not be by the the time this day ends. The 20 figure will be passed I'm sure.

On Easter Sunday my wife and I drove to Sydney a distance of 80 k;s on the F3 freeway. We lost count of the number of drivers who broke the speed limit in all sectors of the freeway. We gave up after some 180. We were cruising at a fraction over a 100 k's and cars were going past us, some up to 140 ks an hour, some even more.

I simply don't understand why we don't learn,, why each holiday so many are killed
through sheer stupidity.

And I do wonder how many older drivers were responsible for any of the recorded deaths.

Caz.

THE OLDER DRIVER.

There is little doubt that the Road Traffic Authority in New South Wales will continue to target this group, presumably to remove as many older drivers off the road as is possible.
It should be remembered that as a group, these drivers do not tailgate, do not break the speed limit and do not drink and drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Friends and acquaintences have been discussing the driving test to which all drivers have to submit when they reach the aqe of 85, and some very intersting comments have come out of the discussion; there is no doubt at all, that to pass the test you will need to be 100% perfect in your answers to questions, your driving skills and general demeanour.

Here are some of the things drivers have failed the test on
.
Leaving your indicator lights on for too long, or not long enough. [Six seconds and not five in one case.]
Leaving insufficient,or too much room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
Stopping too near the white line at traffic lights or too far from it.
Not giving way to the right correctly.
Poor reverse parking.[Very common this one]
Not using your rear view vision mirror frequently enough.
Using the 'Bus only' lane to turn left at the traffic lights.
I'm sure the Examiner will have many more items.

Here are a couple hints to help steer you through the test.

Obtain a copy of the 'Older Drivers Handbook' from the RTA . Read it, devour it, until you know it backwards.

A week before you test, book at least three lessons with a driving school which specialises in preparing the older driver for the test. The last lesson if possible, should be on the day of the test.

When using your rear view mirror make sure you turn your head to do so,the Examiner must see what you are doing.

Do not chat the Examiner, keep your mouth shut until you are asked questions and concentrate on what you are doing.
Talk to other older drivrs who have been through the test and learn from them.
Ensure your vehicle in clean inside and out and your windows sparkle.

The following has been heard far too often, "You are an excellent driver, but I have to fail you because...."

Do remember that the test is not about being an excellent driver or how experienced you are, it is quite simply about how to pass the test.! It could be quite difficult to pass, and you can, without doubt, fail in the blink of an eye.

Read the manual, and practice practice practice.

As a final comment, Instead of targetting the older group of drivers,The RTA would be better employed in spending the time and money on more severely targetting the 18 to 24year olds, probably the most dangerous group on our roads today.

Good Luck,

Caz.

`

THE APOLOGY AND COMPENSATION.

Much has been said and written on these two subjects.

The Prime Minister has now set the date for the 'apology' to be made, and it seems that it will made as follows.

Only to those Aborigines who were taken from their families because of their race, and no compensation claims will be entertained.

There are those who feel that an apology is not necessary, and should not be made for something which happened six or seven generations ago, and we of the present generation should be made to feel guilty over this distrasous policy.

As I understand it, and I am open to correction, that children were removed because they were being abused, and /or were being given a better life.

If childen are being abused, then the sooner they are removed from the environment the better. Removing children from their parents and culture to give them a better life , depends on your point of view.

These children, from a totally different culture were made to live in a white man's world with white man's standards. Many of these children never recovered from the enforced separation and many still bear the mental and emotional scars today.

Saying sorry six or seven generations later does not lessen the hurt or the damage.Saying sincerely how much we all regret that the incidents ever took place may be just a little different from saying 'sorry', although it does no harm [or good for that matter] to say either.

When people are hurt and/or damaged emtionally, physically, or psychologically, they are entitleld to justice and compensation, such are the laws under which we live.

The Prime Minister has said that compensation will not be paid to the victims of the stolen generation. Many, many people agree with this view.

Me, well I'm a cynical son of a gun. I believe that a couple of good Barristers on say $5000- a day could make holes big enough to drive a bus through the case of no compensation. But then we'll have to wait and see won't we?.

You buy the justice you can afford to pay for.

One thing I have learned, is that never believe what politicians tell you, no matter what colour tie they wear. By and large, they tell you what you want to hear
It's all about being elected the next time round.

Caz.

Tennis Commentary


The standard of commentary offered by Channel seven on the Australian Open is just about the pits.

There are many of us who have eaten drunk and slept with tennis for longer than than current crop of players have been alive. We know what is going on, but the Commentators feel that have to fill the airwaves with their ceaseless and inane chatter non stop.

Here is some sound advice for all who commentate on tennis.

DO NOT speak whilst the service is being taken.
DO NOT speak in between services.
DO NOT speak whilst the ball is in play.
DO NOT hold a post mortem after every point. Entirely unnecessary; and bloody irritating when you have to listen to it after each point.

The paying customers are spared mercifully, to the diatribe dished out, and we, who are glued to our sets know what is going on.

Yes, we can use the mute button, mine is going on and off like a bucket of prawns in the heat. With the mute button off, the atmosphere of the match is completely spoilt.

In short, for God's sake SHUT UP!!!

Caz.

PS.I suggest the post match interview on the court is scrapped at once. These interviews are painful to endure and unfunny, [Courier the comedian, please note.] All the winner wants to do is get to the shower asap.. not giving a pointless interview.