Using A Roundabout

 

Today I am looking at roundabouts which are common here in Australia. They began appearing in Australia in the late 1960s, with the first official Australian roundabout reported to have been built in Canberra in 1969. They became more common in later decades as traffic planners used them to improve safety and keep vehicles moving through intersections.

They are designed to keep traffic moving safely through intersections. In NSW, the most important rule is that drivers entering a roundabout must slow down and give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout. You should only enter when there is a safe gap.

When approaching a roundabout, be prepared to stop. You must give way to all vehicles already in the roundabout, including vehicles coming from your right, from directly opposite, or from your left if they have already entered. Giving way means slowing down or stopping to avoid a collision.

If turning left you must indicate left before entering the roundabout, stay in the left lane unless signs or arrows say otherwise, and keep indicating until you exit.

When going straight ahead do not indicate on approach. When leaving the roundabout, indicate left if it is practical to do so.

If turning right or making a U-turn you must indicate right before entering, use the right lane unless signs or arrows allow another lane, keep indicating right while turning, then indicate left when exiting if practical.

On multi-lane roundabouts, always follow the arrows and signs on the road. Plan ahead so you are in the correct lane before entering. If the left lane is marked for left turns only, you must not use it to go straight. If the right lane is marked for right turns only, you must not use it to turn left or go straight.

You should avoid changing lanes inside a roundabout if possible. If you need to change lanes, you must indicate, check your blind spot and give way to any vehicle in the lane you are moving into. You may only change lanes where the line is broken. When exiting, signal left if practical and stop indicating once you have left the roundabout.

Simple safety tips

·       Slow down as you approach and look for signs, arrows and give way lines.

·       Enter only when there is a safe gap in traffic.

·       Watch for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians near the roundabout.

·       Do not assume another driver’s signal is correct; wait until it is safe.

·       Keep your speed low and be ready for traffic to stop suddenly.

 

Our Lungs

 

This week we are looking at our lungs.

The human lungs are a pair of soft, spongy organs located inside the chest, protected by the rib cage. They are an essential part of the respiratory system, which allows the body to take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. Every breath brings fresh air into the lungs, where oxygen moves into the bloodstream and is carried to cells throughout the body.

The rib cage plays an important role in protecting the lungs. The ribs form a strong, curved frame around the chest that helps shield the lungs and heart from injury. The rib cage also helps with breathing because the ribs move up and out when a person breathes in, allowing the lungs to expand, and move down and in when a person breathes out.

Air enters through the nose or mouth, travels down the trachea, and then passes into two main bronchi, one leading to each lung. These bronchi branch into smaller tubes called bronchioles, which end in tiny air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by small blood vessels, making them the main site where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

A person’s lung capacity or the amount of air the lungs can hold varies from person to person depending on age, body size, fitness level, and overall health. People who exercise regularly often use their lungs more efficiently, while smoking, illness, or pollution can reduce how well the lungs work. Measuring lung capacity can help doctors understand how healthy a person’s breathing system is.

The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two lobes to make room for the heart.

The diaphragm, a large muscle below the lungs, helps pull air in and push air out during breathing.

Healthy lungs help supply oxygen for energy, remove waste gases, and support the body’s overall function.

Week 34 of 2026

 

I had a rough night waking every few hours to pee and ended up getting up for the day at 4.45am.

It is raining and the temp is 10c or 50f at 5am.

It stopped raining by 10.30am, Tim left for work around 11am he will be home between 8.30 & 9pm.

I have had a good day but now at 6.3pm I am ratshit and will soon be in bed.

Steps: 7,337 = 4.5k’s or 2.7 miles

I had an ok night was up at 4.10am my left knee was bothering me due to me knocking it twice Saturday night.

I walked up and around the driveway this morning while it was lightly raining.

I also broke the long handle dustpan when I was sweeping stuff into it and lost my balanced and put too much weight on it. I will get Tim to look at it.

I had a 50-minute nap between 11 & 12pm, however by 5pm I am fighting to stay awake. I will be having another early night.

Steps: 6,456 = 4k’s

I slept trough to 2am got up and pee the back to bed and straight back to sleep till 4.25am when I needed to pee again and decided to stay up. At 5am the temp was 8c or 46f by 6am it was 10c or 50f.

This morning I manage to spill my drink, drop popcorn all over the bench it was annoying, but I cleaned up the mess. Then I sat down put my feet up and noticed Tasha’s car in her carport so I rang and asked if she was home, she wasn’t she had taken Jess’s car so she could put petrol in it for Jess. When she said she wasn’t home I said good, told her about cleaning up the mess and thought if she was home, I could had rung for help, but she wasn’t home so all good.

It has been a cool day, I managed a 30-minute nap

Steps: 7,603 = 4.7k’s or 2.9 miles

 

 

 

I slept just not a good sleep up and down since midnight. After Tim left I had a nice hot shower and shaved my legs.

Also noticed this morning that I hadn’t ordered milk or eggs when I did the shopping which is odd as they are generally the first two items I order.

Tasha had more workers arrive at her place today and they caused a lot more damage, Tasha rang the big boss who came and looked and was shocked, there are now major cracks in the ceiling and down the walls. The ceiling is creaking and she is worried it will collapse.

She is now waiting to hear what happens next.

Steps t,205 = 4.4k’s or 2.5 miles 

KIRSTY & VAUGHAN’S BIRTHDAY THEY ARE 36 TODAY

I had an ok night and managed to stay in bed till the alarm went off.

Sue and I went shopping and by the time we got to the checkout I was exhausted and ended up taking my shoes off.

Today more workers arrived to repair the damage and discovered that the back part of the ceiling is riddled with termites including living ones she is really upset and angry, she is being told it is limited to the dining room and isn’t in the walls she isn’t convinced.

It has been a nice day warm and pleasant.

Steps: 8,538 = 5k’s

I had a good night was still in a deep sleep when the alarm went off. I had to go back to bed for a bit.

I went to Tasha’s to wait for workmen to turn up, when they arrived, they were pest control men and sprayed more to kill the termites. Someone will be back on Monday to do more work.

Also, they noticed that her back wooden door was ruined from termites, but housing told them not to worry about it.

This afternoon when Tasha came down to help me, she brought down 2 jars of jam that Drew (her neighbour) bought and found out that it wasn’t the one her partner wanted.

Steps:5,940 = 3.7k’s

I had a good night till 3am when I was unable to settle after going to the loo, I was so bad I got up for an hour then I went back to bed for another hour when I got up and had a shower.

I cleaned behind my armchair and discovered why it isn’t working there is a part that has snapped so will need a new one.

I had to go and have a nap at 10am.

Tim is working this afternoon/night he won’t be home till around 2am.

Steps: 5,166 = 3.2k’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links

 

Here are this week’s links

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/08/a-flying-hodgepodge.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/08/sharing-my-world_0151277207.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/08/friendly-fill-ins_0673683324.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/08/getting-to-know-me.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The History of Sheep Shearing Clippers

 

 

Sheep shearing clippers have a long history tied closely to farming, wool production, and rural life. For centuries, sheep were shorn by hand using blade shears—spring-like metal tools like large scissors. These early clippers required strength, skill, and patience, and a shearer’s speed could make a major difference during the busy shearing season.

During the 19th century, there was a rapid growth of the wool industry, especially in Australia and New Zealand this created a need for a faster and more efficient method. By the 1860s and 1870s, inventors began experimenting with mechanical shearing machines. A breakthrough came from Frederick York Wolseley, an Irish-born pastoralist and inventor in New South Wales, who helped develop the first commercially successful mechanical shearing system. His machines used a powered handpiece connected to an overhead drive, reducing strain on the shearer and cutting wool more closely than traditional blade shears.

This transformed the shearing shed, in 1888, Dunlop Station in New South Wales became famous as one of the first properties to shear an entire flock by machine. Although many hand shearers initially resisted the new technology, mechanical shearing soon became widely adopted because it increased productivity and produced a more even fleece. So by the early 20th century, the use of machine shearing had become the standard method in many wool-growing regions.

Today sheep shearing clippers are lighter, faster, and more precise than their early predecessors, but they still follow the same basic idea: a powered cutting handpiece designed to remove fleece safely and efficiently.

From simple blade shears to electric clippers, the development of shearing tools reflects the broader story of agricultural innovation and the importance of wool in rural economies.

The Role of the Trachea and Bronchi

 

Today I am writing about the Trachea and Bronchi, after passing through the larynx the air moves into the trachea, read on to know a bit about the roles of the trachea and bronchi.

The trachea and bronchi are important parts of the respiratory system. Their main role is to carry air between the outside environment and the lungs so that oxygen can enter the body and carbon dioxide can be removed. Together, they form part of the airway system that connects the throat to the smaller air passages inside the lungs.

The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a strong tube that runs from the larynx down into the chest. It is supported by rings of cartilage, which help keep it open so air can move freely during breathing. The lining of the trachea contains mucus and tiny hair-like structures called cilia. These help trap dust, germs and other particles, then move them away from the lungs to help protect the respiratory system.

At the lower end of the trachea, the airway divides into two main bronchi: one leading to the right lung and one leading to the left lung. The bronchi act like large branches that carry air into each lung. Inside the lungs, they divide into smaller and smaller tubes called bronchioles, which eventually lead to the alveoli, where gas exchange takes place.

In summary, the trachea provides a clear, protected passageway for air, while the bronchi direct that air into each lung. By keeping air moving, moist and filtered, these structures help the body breathe efficiently and protect the delicate gas-exchange surfaces of the lungs.

If the trachea becomes blocked, air cannot pass properly from the mouth and nose down into the lungs. This means the body may not get enough oxygen, and carbon dioxide may build up.

A blockage can happen because of something stuck in the airway, swelling, injury, mucus, or a medical condition. If the trachea is completely blocked, it is a medical emergency because the person may be unable to breathe.

A blocked trachea can cause:

difficulty breathing

coughing or choking

wheezing or noisy breathing

blue lips or skin if oxygen levels drop

loss of consciousness in severe cases

Week 33 of 2026

 

Slept through the night waking at 4.50am and it is a cold morning with a temp of 5c or 41f.

I am dressed in my black track pants and a long sleeve black top, but I expect to change later.

Tim went to help a colleague move stuff he left at 8am and got home at 1pm. He has spent the rest of the day out the back doing whatever he does out there.

At 10am I changed from the trackies into something not so warm.

This afternoon he cut my hair at last only been asking for weeks.

Steps:5,234 = 3.2k’s or 1.9 miles

Slept through the night waking at 4.58am and it’s not cold with the temp being 13c or 55f.

Sue sent me a message saying she was going to Kmart and asked if I wanted to go with her, so I did. The store we went to didn’t have the top she wanted, but Sue spoke to a helpful woman who said she would let Sue know when new stock arrived.

I bought new undies and a $5 set of knifes.

The wind is so very strong, but August is known for strong winds, as we would say it is blowing a gale outside.

The temperature reached 17c or 63f

Steps: 6,980 = 4.3k’s or 2.6 miles

Didn’t sleep as well last night woke a few times during the night to pee but thankfully, I managed to go back to sleep without much effort and I got up for the day at 4.50am, the temp was 13c or 55f. Tim said it is supposed to be a warmish day.

It has been a good day reached a top temp of 19c or 66f. I went for a walk around the driveway when I went to check the letter box only took 15 minutes but at least it was something.

Steps: 5,427=3.3k’s or 2 miles

I slept well although I was up at 4am as I woke to pee and felt awake and with it so decided to get up. When I walked into the kitchen it was a right mess, dirty dishes in the sink the bench had bits of whatever all over it but that is often how it is when I get up. It was 5c at 4.30am and at 6c at 5.30am.

At 8.25 I decided to walk down and post the three letters I have written. I was exhausted by the time I got home.

By midday it was 18c or 66f

I changed the sheets and the cover over Tim’s armchair.

Steps: 8,433 = 5.2k’s or 3.2 miles

I had a good 8hrs sleep and was up at 4.10am again it was 8c or 46f I woke to pee and since I was unable to settle again, I got up and started my day.

It has been a hard start to the day, with me not feeling that with it till around 10am. That said I still managed to clean the kitchen, sweep out and vacuum, I also washed the sheets I took off the bed yesterday and folded the clean laundry and put it away. I also decided to mop the kitchen and bathroom floors.

I decided to walk up and check the letter box at 2pm that was a mistake as I had trouble walking.

Steps:7,250 = 4.4k’s or 2 miles

I had a good night slept till just before the alarm went off, it was only 5c at 5am but it did warm up a bit during the day. It reached a top temp of 21c.

I walked down and posted three letters off at 8.10 took me 30 minutes as I walked around the driveway before doing that. I was exhausted by the time I got home.

Had a mixed day part of it I felt good and other parts I felt tired and in pain.

By 3pm I was so tired and worn out that I found it hard to concentrate and had to put my feet up and close my eyes for half an hour.

Steps:7,530=4.3k’s  

I had a good night slept till 4.30pm when I woke up to pee and decided to stay up. It is 6c or 43f at 5am by 8am it was 9c or 48f.

Tim went out to buy more crumb cutlets/chops and did a baked lunch, but he added some kind of seasoning which burnt my tongue.

It has been a busy day although I feel like I did nothing all day.  

Steps: 7,567 = 4.6k’s