Backup required

As the pandemic lockdown gradually lifts we are permitted to travel further and further from home. 

We went on trip to an unfamiliar area. Of course we used the car navigation system. Wall's

But for the return journey the "Nav" screen on the car failed. This was a surprise as the car is about 11 months old.

Luckily the return journey was well signed as we were heading back to the Big Smoke.We also have a map book (2013 edition ) for our region sitting in one of the car seat pockets and our mobile phones ( 2 off )have map functions.

So three back-up in total.

And back at home there are two Tom-tom navigation devices. One is no longer supported and its suction cup device is broken but otherwise it still works. I trying to think of a use for it.

Reviewing it all having 3 systems dependant on GPS and the fourth system seven years out of date is not ideal. I will get updated maps for Queensland and New South Wales.

Update  - and Mazda replaced the faulty unit in the car- no worries.

Smokey highway

I had plans for a caravan holiday but the many bush fires made a leisurely outback caravan holiday inadvisable. Instead we travelled the coastal highway to the big smoke.

I drive a newish (2018) Mazda CX-5 Diesel. I am still learning about its features.
It is a great leap forward from my previous car a 2005 Ford Falcon (LPG). Very impressive on the highway was the control to set a maximum speed limit and a set a distance to any car ahead. Occasionally it looked like a string of cars had this feature with a line of cars going near maximum speed but maintaining good distance inbetween.

The sky was all smoke haze for the whole trip. I monitored the local ABC AM radio to ensure the way ahead was clear. AM radio is fantastic for emergency broadcasts - it is resilient long distance communications infrastructure. It is longer distance than DAB+ or FM and less prone to failure than mobile telephones or internet.

The big smoke was indeed smokey with public health authorities advising all to stay indoors. Radio personalities were mocking those who were seen to be doing exercise outdoors. The days I travelled were not the most intense fire days and still there was a hazy white sky with the sun a fuzzy glow.

Only parts of the bush are burning now. There is lots more that could burn next fire season. Is it possible that extended intense fire seasons will make the areas east of the bush fire zones undesirable or uninhabitable because of the prevailing winds?