Woodpecker Challenge

Are there really people out there who watch synchornised swimming? The 2006 Commonwealth Games are getting a bit of airplay this weekend - and at the moment they're doing the solo swimming sans commentators - to give us a chance to enjoy the music. I went channel surfing instead and ended up on TVS (oops, their site appears to be out at the moment) - our sixth free-to-air television channel. As yet, I have not noticed their program guide in the press, and it's been a while since I've checked their website to see if it's there. But at least, this way, you never know what you're going to stumble across. Today, it's 4WD TV and Rodder's Life. What you see is what you get - and this stuff is an eye opener! I admit I lead a fairly sheltered life so had no idea there were whole families and communities out there concentrated around throwing 4WDs over increasing rough terrain (you'll have to wait until November for the next Woodpecker Challenge) and/or showing off their rods. I should have realised though because when we went up to Weston (NSW Hunter Valley) a couple of years ago, a local fair was graced with cars buffed to an inch of their existence lining both sides of the streets, bonnets up and being shown off to the world. It's a different life - and a different language. A gentleman is being interviewed about a big red car at the moment and is just reeling off a list of numbers to describe his pride and joy. Oddly, though, the rods all seem to have personalised number plates - like Fuggly. Life is good.