It never ceases to amaze me as to how many of my life "problems" appear in C8, as with today's toaster conundrum, writes Brett Rogers in San Francisco. "I have the same problem. My morning toast takes 1½ maximum setting cycles, whereas my afternoon tea toast takes 3/4 of the maximum setting. As a proud expat, I do use a Breville toaster, and wondered if it just had issues with American toast?"
Here's the answer on a plate from John Clark of West Pymble, formerly engineer, voltage regulation dept at Sydney County Council. "Electricity system voltage is automatically adjusted at supply points by up to 10 per cent to ensure customers, whether they are close to or a distance from their supply point, get a satisfactory voltage. If you are close your voltage rises at times of heavy demand, frequently the evenings, and if you are a distance your voltage falls at these times. As your toasting time is shorter in the evening you must live reasonably close to a supply point and half a minute differences in time are within the limits." Clear?
From toast to hot-cross buns, which we have reported are in the shops. But Don Bain of Port Macquarie says that they are already reduced to half-price to clear at his local Woollies.
And from bread to wine (C8 big reds). From Hugh Barrett of Narrabri: "There are some strong reds (C8) out there. I picked one up a few years ago which claimed to contain 16.5 per cent alcohol, as best as I can remember."
Brian Keast of Minnamurra asks if anyone else noticed that test cricketers who make a century get a hug by their batting partner whereas anyone who passes 50 gets only a handshake. "Many years ago I did see Arthur Morris make a hundred before lunch at SCG in a Sheffield Shield match and am pretty sure cuddles weren't part of the ritual," he says.
Yes Michael Dredge, Edmund Hillary was a New Zealander (C8). However, it was a British expedition, assisted by the Nepalese, that went up Mount Everest, not a Kiwi one. From Christopher Jobson, Monash, ACT, and others.
Chris Ellenberger of Wahroonga says his iPhone calendar shows such interesting public holidays as "Royal Hobart Regatta" and "Canberra Day." "But no mention of Australia Day. Does it know something we don't?"
Twitter: @Column8SMH