The Chaff

Bloody Big Bike

Ben Allcorn has changed the flavour of the next six weeks . 

He is training hard and certainly putting the pressure on . Well done Big Bike . 

Certainly I am shitting myself especially as my wing man is now riding with Ben Allcorn . Loyalty is cheap when it comes to this level of riding . 

I have been on holiday and will not ride much before the big race at the end of November and I'm getting my excuses in early . 

Allcorn maintains youth is the key . He is eighteen years younger than me . I have given him two months in which to get fit . He is a clear favourite and if you disagree you work in Party HQ

Really though he has given up smoking drinking and sex . It's only a race for Chrissakes !

Still I hope to beat him . Wish me luck . 

Remember this is for the Ben Allcorn weight loss program and you'll feel better about it !

I certainly do .

Because this signals the return of Ben into the MMRT and that is good . We need more riders to take on that unmentionable Mill in a grudge match . So Ben riding is terrific and a fillip for the riders in the MMRT . 

Country Matters

One of our finest sent me the link of Country Matters where there was a segment on Manildra . I couldn't help but remember Brunners memo where he speculated on the acting capabilities of Manildra personnel appearing in this clip .

Like him for example ! Now John may fancy himself as a Manildran George Clooney but let me be the first to tell him not to give up his day job . 

It's amazing how so much filming can translate to three milliseconds of footage .

Well done to Nerida who gave us her best Grace Kelly impersonation also Gue and his arm was wonderful TV . 

John Honan was pretty relaxed in front of the camera , he's done it a hundred times before .

He gets the Oscar ( my name and number are in the office somewhere , as is my account number , just in case .. you know .... maybe ) .

Seriously though without Manildra  the bush might as well close down , nobody to buy the wheat , no food for the stock ........ No blokes at the pub ! 

Four Is The Magic Number

Management know we want 4 % . The magic number so to speak .

As is their right they are trying to get out of it for less . The difference between four and 3.5 will be a significant cost over two years for the Mill . Also they would be negligent in their responsibilities if they just rolled over . Something they would be loath to be seen to be doing . 

They do know however that we have compelling reasons for our stance and they have tried to get close enough to the four per cent . They don't want drama either so there is a real effort in their negotiations . Fair go to them , 3.5 % is a decent offer , cumulative and everything . 

No doubt they also hope that enough of the workforce will be tempted to put the whole issue to bed and vote for the three point five .  There will be people who are keen for the back payment and would be motivated to get the whole thing finished .

I suspect that the majority will not think like that . Judging from what I am hearing , close is not close enough . Many say it is not about the money anymore , it is the principle . 

The Mill however would save heaps  if it was 3.5 . So are we in a mood to compromise ? 

Let's see , I'll go first . 

I say we persevere for four . We've come this far . My bet is that the majority is in agreeance . Bet you a carton !

So bearing that in mind , if I was the Mill I would come up with a massive gesture to sway opinions and seize the day . That's what I would do . A goodwill gesture to sweep away all resentments and objections capturing hearts and minds in the process . No prizes for guessing !

Swiss Cheese 2

Buhler Danny said:

All I'm saying is ........Fox get the box , No... not that " box " . The Buhler box ! 

Greetings from another Mill in another Country on another  Continent.

Sucked In Ben Allcorn

I couldn't believe my luck ! Big Bike Ben Allcorn saunters into the control room with all the arrogance that is associated with a Party HQ member , wakes me up , and proceeds to challenge me to a bike race . 

He needs two months to get fit he says , and then he is going to humiliate me for the pretender he reckons I am . You're nearly fifty he cackled , youth will win out . 

I'd been waiting for an opportunity to get a carton of beer back off Ben after he took one off me recently . This was it and I gleefully took it . You see Ben was taking candy off a baby when he won his bet and he took advantage of that . Now it's payback and I'm not going to be his motivation to get fit . Instead I'm going to milk it for all its worth untill I apply the coup de gras on the 27th November . 

Everyone is invited to the bloodletting . 

Ride with us , I want as many witnesses as possible !

To Ben ......so far none of your Party Animal friends are keen to back you . So much for loyalty eh ? 

The Men In White are lining up behind me !

Tracy 2

David Baker

 

The Derrick Gosper Nets

Wilbur hasn't been on here for a while . He is joined by Rob Middleton and Derrick Gosper .

The cricket nets are named after Derrick and he officially opened them last week . It is an excellent way of making sure his son makes the team .