Day 65 - Broadwater/Lismore

Day 65 - Broadwater/Lismore
Had lunch and worked through the afternoon at Sweet Pea Café, 13 Woodlark Street, Lismore. Great vegetable/fruit juices, gluten-free pies, and a cosy, friendly atmosphere. Both Roland and I were stunned by the wifi being the fastest speed we have ever come across in a shop. Anywhere in the world. And very, very friendly service. Wow -a world first for Lismore!

- Chance meeting with Christopher Ryan at the Sweet Pea café. A local guy from Lismore, he is about to do a One Planet MBA in Exeter, UK: -

- Also learned about an Australian invention for Solar paint – to replace tradional solar panels: see—m

- Interviewed by local ABC news, ZZZ and 2LM radio stations today about Bike the Earth. Am trying to get a podcast to post on the blog/website later.

Disappointing to hear Dr Cameron Hepburn from Oxford University on ABC TV here in Australia parrotting out the argument in favour of CCS - carbon capture and storage. Too late, and not proven. Should be ignored completely, and instead action should focus on 100% reductions as the Lismore Climate ACtion Group and the Ballarat Renewable Energy Action Group are working towards.

9000 dollars here to install a 1.5kw installation on their house. And the Govt gives a subsidy of 6000 dollars. YES. This is not a typo/mistake!
On 1.5kw installation, you will get 1500 dollars of power via the feed-in tariff, and get your money back in 2 years. meaning you get a
48% return. 32% after including investmen. And you can set costs against tax too.
North facing aspect needed in Oz. Up to 10kw poss.
Most generous system in Australiaia

Back to Bellingen tomorrow by train/bus, and then leaving by bicycle to continue our epic. Due back in Lismore on Wednesday 29th – Friday 1st October to give a symposium at Southern Cross University (tbc - please contact us), and to visit Thursday Plantation which produces organic tea tree oil so appreciated by consumers in the UK/EU and in the US.

Rod Quantock’s new play: “Bugger the Polar Bears” now showing in Melbourne. Also.

How many is a brazilian? said George Bush, having heard that there were zillions of dollars available for something, and then hearing that there was a brazilian next door.

Raining cats and dogs here today, all day. And grey overcast day. A bit like England really!