Sunny and 30C. Quietly confident. The toss will be important. I think KP is a bit sus as is Shane Watson. Try this link. http://cricket.watchcriclive.com/the-ashes-2013-14/10

12 hours and counting down.

Forget about form when it comes to the Melbourne Cup. Anything can win it over two miles because even the long shots are horses that would win big races on any given day. I like the favourite but with no great confidence. Good luck.

We'll see how the Poms handle 35C+ as it's going to be a long hot summer with not much chance of any draws due to lack of rain. David Warner is playing himself into some form too, 191 in the OD Ryobi Cup semi final a couple of days ago to get NSW into the final. England have it all ahead of them. Good luck.

Bye!

I have my own tastes as you do yours and most of what you cited I like too. We just don't agree on the show. If you like it so much, knock yourself out and watch it as much as you want. It has no effect on me. As for my proper Australian English, it is what it is, way above average. Cheers.

Just goes to show that it's possible for a lot of people to have bad taste. I'm above average and, loving it!

To each their own. I mentioned the shows I like to watch. The Wizard of Oz was great, flying monkeys and all. What an "average" thing for you to say. Which tv shows are better, just curious? Breaking Bad was very good imho. Probably one of the best TV shows of all times. Bet you didn't like the wizard of oz because of the flying monkies either.

I watched the one about the electro magnet by chance but I knew the premise of the show and anyone who thinks making deadly drugs and killing people to support his family because they have cancer is a good thing has serious priority issues. That'll be 61 episodes I won't be seeing. To each their own but I never put the show down and yes it was very average. IMO there are much better shows on TV than that.

I watched an episode last night and with all the shaved heads, for a moment the show could've been called Breaking Bald! Average.

The NRL Grand Final between Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters.

I wonder if the Sydney show is the complete version with ALL the songs they played on the day? I see the fabled "lost", Perth show has still not surfaced and probably never will.

I watched The Lone Ranger tonight and it wasn't too bad. Jason Bonham is in it as one of the featured musicians.

A beautiful spring day, 30C. The only down side was having to vote in an election where I wouldn't feed either party. We need a viable third alternative as two party elections don't change anything, they always put the party before the country's best interests and IMO that is tantamount to treason.

Cheers, Strider and a finer Seppo you'd never find! Yes, the big 6 0! It would be a boring old world if we all agreed on everything and the one thing that is enjoyable about the discussions on here is the passion it brings out of the participants. As we say over here, I wouldn't be dead for quids! "Ooh, I'm telling you now, the greatest thing you ever can do now...."

He (Hendrix) and Page are favourites of mine. When I was playing with Page, it filled the hole that Stills used to - more than filled it, it overflowed. He's so liquid, so at ease with his guitar - a natural sense of time. I'm a hack compared to him. He can really play. Neil Young.

Australian Coat of Arms. It consists of a shield depicting the badges of the six Australian states, enclosed by an ermine border. The shield is a symbol for the federation of the states, which took place in 1901. The Australian coat of arms is commonly but incorrectly referred to as the ‘Commonwealth Crest’. Strictly speaking, the crest is the device above the shield and helmet on a coat of arms. The Australian crest is a seven-pointed gold star on a blue and gold wreath. Six of the points represent each of the states of the Commonwealth; the seventh point represents Australia’s territories. The supporters are native Australian animals: the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) and the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). It is thought the kangaroo and emu were chosen to symbolise a nation moving forward, reflecting a common belief that neither animal can move backwards easily. Source: Dept. Foreign Affairs and Tourism.

Still a good start. The second wicket was a bad call. Even Botham said the decision was wrong. We'll see howEngland goes chasing runs for a change.

^^ Yes. What goes around, comes around.

I don't know about 5-0, but it's all uphill from here. I admire Clarke's optimism but to say we can still win the remaining games is extremely hopeful to say the least. The biggest test of any side is to win away from home and we've almost certainly fallen short. So unless by some miracle the series is drawn, we'll have to wait until later on in the year when you come to Oz for another crack. The weather will be somewhat warmer than it is over there and that'll have a bearing on the outcome. Still plenty of Cricket to go in this series and there will be positives to come out of it as both sides are reasonably young and this year will set up some interesting clashes and personal rivalries for the years ahead. Bring on the next test match.

3-118. It is doable, just a bit improbable. There are four sessions left to play and if (and they are very big ifs), we don't lose any wickets today and score at about 120 a session we could get a draw or even win, which would frustrate England who have been the better team. Realistically, if England want to win they had better bowl at their best and Australia need to bat the same. I thought they may have left the declaration a little late and opened the door for a draw but who knows, we'll have to wait and see?

Almost the middle of winter and it's a sunny, 22C here.

Losing two quick wickets doesn't help. Looks like an early night.

Plenty of on field drama and the match is in the balance, slightly tipped in favour of the Poms. The way it has played out, who knows what'll happen today? As long as it doesn't rain (I haven't seen the forecast as yet). This test match deserves to have a winner one way or another and I don't think anyone would begrudge either side taking it out and not fizzle out into a draw. One thing I do know is, these late nights are finally over tonight! At least until the next test.