Times like these I am ashamed to be called a 4wd'er

[FeatherWeightDriver]

Today I saw something that made me ashamed to be called a 4wd'er.

Watching one of the 4wd shows today on tv over lunch, and I was simply appalled that the host decided it was a good idea to take parts of Australian history as souvenirs for his own personal stash. Bad enough that he was doing this, but he decided that just because there were lots of the things he was taking he should hake 2 handfuls away with him.

Great example to be setting on national television, and so much for the 4wd code of conduct, let alone ethics or morals. Not that I am one for rules mind you, but it's people with a lack of common sense that are the reason we have some many damned rules in this world.

What a :censored: lowlife.

[Chops]

I watched Pat do that,,, had much the same thought :(
The OTT apparently has next to none of the actual line due to people taking souvenirs'.

Was also not happy to see what he did on Fraser Island with the MaxTrax mats. I'm sure there could have been a better way to show/explain how they work.

I like watching him too, he's a bit more family orientated, not usually doing the "big lift, big right foot" thing.

[101RRS]

Why would you feel ashamed to be a 4wder, you didn't take anything - people have to be responsible for their own actions.

[digger]

So how does he think all these things came to still be there?

and I am pretty impressed how its all become one rolling ad with his show now...

not just plugs interspersed with info and good stories, just one long ad from one thing to the next!

[Eevo]

i dont watch too many 4wd shows, what did he take???

[Chops]

G'day Digger, how's it going old boy. :D
Yep,, it has become one big add, no doubt about that.

His kids picked up a heap of railway line spikes. Yes, there may be millions of them, but he still shouldn't advocate taking them, or anything else, and certainly not by the handful.

[digger]

G'day Digger, how's it going old boy. :D
Yep,, it has become one big add, no doubt about that.

His kids picked up a heap of railway line spikes. Yes, there may be millions of them, but he still shouldn't advocate taking them, or anything else, and certainly not by the handful.

We are all good here Marcus, more important how are you ol' fella?!


I cant be all high and mighty about this one though...
We did take about 8 spikes from the old Ghan line about 8 years ago, from a washed out section of the old line... middle of a mates property....
But we used them to make a cracker hat/coat rack for a hospital
day room... so we justified that to ourselves that way...

(Basically had about 2 1/2" wide (depth) jarrah sleeper 'slab' about 6' long and 5-6" high, installed dog spikes as hangers, (filed a few rough points but most OK) and varnished the lot! Looked schmick!)

[isuzutoo-eh]

I camped at an abandoned mine site in Tasmania, accessed only by 4wd, trail bike or horse, this place had been abandoned in 1940 when all the machinery was sold at auction. A beautiful spot, seething with character and plenty of wildlife. There was a lot of artifacts around as many building frames were left standing, lots of hand made bricks forming foundations and all the concrete buildings (powder room and steam engine plant) remained, but I was saddened to see that the beautiful timber from the mine's concentrating shed dating back to around 1910 had been burnt in a campfire. 12" square beams burnt through in the middle and plenty of smaller stuff. Sure, it was perfectly seasoned and there wasn't much fallen timber around. But don't mess up the artifacts for future generations to enjoy and interpret in context. A railway spike is just a valueless railway spike that'll eventually end up at simsmetal when taken away from where it was used and forgotten about.

[mikehzz]

From Alice to Finke there are lots of old spikes hiding in the dirt on the road. I reckon they are a little dangerous because they flick up and bash the underside of the car. I wouldn't mind if he picked all of them up as long as enough were preserved in museums etc where they can do no harm.

I don't mind his shows even though he is the king of self promotion. If that's what he has to do to keep it on air then so be it. I watch it in preference to 90% of the rubbish on television, at least the destinations are interesting to me.

[BigBlackDog]

You have to watch these shows with a mind as to what they are there for - making someone money or advertising, or both. This is how the world of tv is heading, watch any modern cooking contest show, wall to wall advertising.

The max trax thing on Fraser Island I did think was I little over the top too, or is it just that a new patrol is a little bit rubbish off road?!

[Blknight.aus]

you want to feel ashamed to drive a 4x4,

watch car vs wild, any episode.

[Disco Muppet]

I die a little inside whenever I see the local Hilux King.
Giant wrangler stickers, 2 massive aerials, two bits of poly pipe because lets face it, 4 aerials would just be ridiculous, twin giant truck stack exhausts, more lights than a brothel at christmas time, and various witty stickers such as "She'll buff" or "Bogan boys".
But I have a little laugh when he stalls it at the lights.

[Chops]

And just why would you be checking out the Brothels Muppet? ;)

[Disco Muppet]

And just why would you be checking out the Brothels Muppet? ;)

I'm not.
I just figured they've got sleazy lighting at the best of times, why should the holiday season detract from that? :D
Tis the season to be jolly after all :lol2:

[Chops]

I'm not.
I just figured they've got sleazy lighting at the best of times, why should the holiday season detract from that? :D
Tis the reason to be jolly after all :lol2:

There,, all fixed for you ;)

But it still doesn't mean Pat can steal railway pins :mad:
As isuzutoo states with the old mine in Tassie,, its sad when people destroy our heritage :( We'll have nothing to go and look at if people keep up this behaviour.

[barney]

We are all good here Marcus, more important how are you ol' fella?!


I cant be all high and mighty about this one though...
We did take about 8 spikes from the old Ghan line about 8 years ago, from a washed out section of the old line... middle of a mates property....
But we used them to make a cracker hat/coat rack for a hospital
day room... so we justified that to ourselves that way...

(Basically had about 2 1/2" wide (depth) jarrah sleeper 'slab' about 6' long and 5-6" high, installed dog spikes as hangers, (filed a few rough points but most OK) and varnished the lot! Looked schmick!)
I did the same thing, it was either that or run over them.

[BMKal]

And just why would you be checking out the Brothels Muppet? ;)

He wasn't. ;)

He was really checking out the lifted Hi-lux, secretly wishing that it was his. :Rolling:

[FeatherWeightDriver]

Why would you feel ashamed to be a 4wder, you didn't take anything - people have to be responsible for their own actions.

It is the actions of others that tar us all, and that get laws changed for the worse...

Is he responsible. No I would suggest neither responsible nor accountable (sorry day job mode lol) in this case - no downside for him, and it is not until the kids and grandkids grow up that his actions will cause issues for us all.

[Chops]

He wasn't. ;)

He was really checking out the lifted Hi-lux, secretly wishing that it was his. :Rolling:

Ye Haaww,,, I dunno, these young blokes, always thinking the grass is greener on the other side,,,, when will they ever learn ;)

[FeatherWeightDriver]

you want to feel ashamed to drive a 4x4,

watch car vs wild, any episode.

Haha - this was not a show I was familiar with (joys of life without cable tv) but youtube left me perplexed - some of the things they were trying, and the ways they solved problems were interesting to say the least, but still left me asking "why?"

[Disco Muppet]

Ye Haaww,,, I dunno, these young blokes, always thinking the grass is greener on the other side,,,, when will they ever learn ;)


He wasn't. ;)

He was really checking out the lifted Hi-lux, secretly wishing that it was his. :Rolling:

You guys have me figured out.
My chief concerns in life are:
Is it technically illegal for me to marry my cousin.
Can I fit another 3 or 4 UHF antennas on
The best way to get my remaining 4 teeth knocked out

The simple joys of Hilux owners :twisted:

Back in reality though...Disco rules :cool:

[Basil135]

You guys have me figured out.
My chief concerns in life are:
Is it technically illegal for me to marry my cousin.
Can I fit another 3 or 4 UHF antennas on
The best way to get my remaining 4 teeth knocked out

The simple joys of Hilux owners :twisted:

Back in reality though...Disco rules :cool:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Judo
You worry me sometimes Muppet!!

[Eevo]

im not sure i really see the harm in taking a handful of "nails" when there are millions of them.

its like a japanese tourist taking a camera film container of australian sand back to japan.

[BMKal]

Speaking of foreigners taking things away from our shores .............

A few years ago I was visiting a mate up in Geraldton. His kids were walking around a vacant block of land net door getting the bottom of their thongs covered in doublegees (three cornered jacks over east).

They would then come home and scrape the doublegees off into a bucket, and then place about a dozen or so doublegees into a small white calico bag (they had a box full of these bags).

When I asked what they were doing ................ turns out the Yank Navy was in port. One of the kids had a pet Thorny Devil in a shoe box. They would go down to the harbour and show Yank sailors the Thorny Devil.

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5323/f6bm.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/f6bm.png/)

The Yanks would ask if they could buy the Thorny Devil to take home. Kids told them that it is illegal for them to sell Australian wildlife, but that they could sell them a dozen "Thorny Devil Eggs" in a bag for ten bucks.

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/5544/wzmm.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/wzmm.png/)

Kids would show the Yank sailors some "Eggs" and tell them, when you get home, just spread these around in your garden, and in a few months, you'll have your own Thorny Devils living in your garden at home.

Surprising (or maybe not so surprising) the number of Yanks who believed this and forked over their ten bucks.

I reckon these kids are probably well on the way to being entrepreneurs these days. :D

And I'd just love to be a fly on the wall when the "eggs" hatched in the gardens all over the "good ol US of A".

[Didge]

You're a funny man DM, is your cousin good looking?

[Didge]

Same overall crap as Roothy on 4WDaction. Show videos of them going rip, tear, bust through the bush and then complain about tracks being closed. Ads on TV for 4wds do the same; none ever show a 4wd going slowly and responsibly through a stream or bush track. We have our backs against the wall chaps :)

[Chops]

That is pure gold :D

[numpty]

Same overall crap as Roothy on 4WDaction. Show videos of them going rip, tear, bust through the bush and then complain about tracks being closed. Ads on TV for 4wds do the same; none ever show a 4wd going slowly and responsibly through a stream or bush track. We have our backs against the wall chaps :)

Because it seems to be the exception, rather than the norm.

When you get to a nice National Park campsite (there are plenty of them) and find the picnic tables have been destroyed and half burnt, or some clowns have been doing donuts on the nice flat grass areas, I wonder how long it will be before the whole country is considered out of bounds.

Rant over :mad:

[101RRS]

It is the actions of others that tar us all, and that get laws changed for the worse...



I agree that actions of individuals do do tar the reputation on the majority but I think to be ashamed to be a 4wder is being a bit too hard on ourself.

I try to do the right thing as I am sure you do and I am proud of that - even if others may do the wrong thing.

There is not a lot else we can do but do the right thing, where is it appropriate draw the bad behaviour of others to themselves (can be difficult and painful), to the public and authorities.

Now I am not a great fan of Pat's shows only because of the commercialisation and endorsements (John Laws would have to be constantly ringing a bell if he was the compare) but I believe he is one of the more sensible and sincere presenters and I am sure if there is an issue it is more to a lack of appreciation rather than anything deliberate.

Cheers

Garry

[mikehzz]

Because it seems to be the exception, rather than the norm.

When you get to a nice National Park campsite (there are plenty of them) and find the picnic tables have been destroyed and half burnt, or some clowns have been doing donuts on the nice flat grass areas, I wonder how long it will be before the whole country is considered out of bounds.

Rant over :mad:

But everyone will blame the Greenies for the closures, don't forget that. As if Greenies are against people enjoying nature? They are against people destroying the place more like it.

[olbod]

You're a funny man DM, is your cousin good looking?


Yes, I was going to ask that !!!

[Disco Muppet]

Watch it you two, she's taken.
I'll whip you with my mullet I will...
:D

[Chops]

Muppet,,, if your sporting a mullet, :eek:,

I'm thinking us worrying about what Pats doin is like pointless :angel:

[Disco Muppet]

Ahh, surely you see I jest!

I am not related to my girlfriend, nor do I have any intention of marrying my cousin, losing any teeth, adding UHF aerials, owning a hilux, or sporting a mullet.
I own a Land Rover, I'm far too civimalised for that.

[Grimace]

all the rants above....bla bla bla, i get it some things do make us look bad... BUT.... How many of you have the white lettering of your tyres on the outside showing?

It's my pet LR hate! Ghey lettering on the outside should be reserved for street jeeps only! Seeing a landy with the white lettering on the outside makes me die a touch each time :(

[Grimace]

Ahh, surely you see I jest!

I am not related to my girlfriend, nor do I have any intention of marrying my cousin, losing any teeth, adding UHF aerials, owning a hilux, or sporting a mullet.
I own a Land Rover, I'm far too civimalised for that.

I too am not related to your girlfriend either, but i'd consider marrying your cousin. Pics??? :D

[Disco Muppet]

I too am not related to your girlfriend either, but i'd consider marrying your cousin. Pics??? :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/367.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/Jonnychung/media/Miranda_Kerr_287.jpg.html)

[Debacle]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/367.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/Jonnychung/media/Miranda_Kerr_287.jpg.html)

I'm confused is that your cousin, your girlfriend or you.

[sheerluck]

Watch it you two, she's taken.
I'll whip you with my mullet I will...
:D

Hmmm. Now where did I put that machete......

Remind me again, Muppet, was it both the Commodore and the mullet, or just either or? :D

[Disco Muppet]

John, doesn't it add to the mystery if you don't know? :D

Sheerluck.....I was being facetious, no machete fun times for you :p
And it was both :lol2:

[sheerluck]

.......
Sheerluck.....I was being facetious, no machete fun times for you :p
And it was both :lol2:

Oh, hell. :mad:

I did like your bogan Yoda in your post "whip you with my mullet, I will." :D

[bob10]

I'm confused is that your cousin, your girlfriend or you.

That is my 2nd cousin, she is Sicilian , and Angelo is coming to see you, Bob

[mick88]

I am guilty of souveniring one of the Old Ghan Railway dog spikes just after it ceased to run in 1980. I mounted it on a plaque!

Cheers, Mick.

[Bushie]

Must admit we've picked up a few over the years - there's plenty about.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/238.jpg

This pic was taken in 2008, ~ 25years after the line closed.

As a general rule I don't like people taking souvenirs, especially one offs like the Beadell signs etc, but in reality these rail spikes are more like picking something out of a rubbish dump.


Martyn

[Didge]

What's gonna happen to those spikes if they don't get collected? Perhaps they'll continue rusting away? It's not like they're part of Roman ruins or Aboriginal sacred sites, is it. How old are they?

DM, now I'm confused but I do like the pictures you post :)

[mick88]

What's gonna happen to those spikes if they don't get collected? Perhaps they'll continue rusting away? It's not like they're part of Roman ruins or Aboriginal sacred sites, is it. How old are they?

DM, now I'm confused but I do like the pictures you post :)

The line started from Pt Augusta in the 1880's so there are probaly a few among them that date back that far!

Cheers, Mick.

[87County]

ok....




now that we're back on the thread





I didn't think much of the attitude either but must 'fess up, this hatrack took our fancy in Hawker and it has proved very useful.



https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/232.jpg (http://s708.photobucket.com/user/87county/media/ghanhatrack001_zpse89701d9.jpg.html)


I've got a close up on one of the spikes for you - it's probably one of the 1880 ones I expect :)


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/233.jpg (http://s708.photobucket.com/user/87county/media/ghanhatrack002_zps7ee7795a.jpg.html)


as you can see SWMBO thinks she's entitled to use of one of the hatrack spikes as well

[mick88]

Still got this too!


Cheers, Mick.

[87County]

Still got this too!


Cheers, Mick.



ah.... nice - wonder if it can still be obatined ?

[olbod]

I am reading the book at the moment "The Ghan " by Basil Fuller.
Its a beaut book.
I have never collected a spike while passing thru but next time I will.
I like the idea of having one mounted on a plaque with a bit of a story.
I will not plate or paint it. I would sand it lightly to remove the loose stuff and then coat it with rust converter thereby keeping it looking near to original.

Cheers.


PS: I also like the idea of the hatrack.
One of those would be beaut to hang me Akubra's and Pith helmet