Monthly Archives: November 2023

Technology

Ford e-Transit

Ford claim that the Ford Transit Custom was ranked as the best-selling light commercial vehicle model in the European Union in 2021, www.statista.com.

Priced from $104,990 (AUS) plus on-road costs.

68kWh battery
198 kW motor on the rear axle.
115kw DC Charging

Overpriced, insufficient battery capacity.

Events

Take Charge eXpo

Take Charge eXpo

Sat & Sunday ay the convention centre.

Like the same expo last year, this consisted of 30-40 electric vehicles in the main auditorium. They still consist of mainly expensive SUVs, saloon and sporty cars. The most expensive, probably the  Porsche Taycan. While most had spec sheets, some of them seemed confused about the difference between the engine power rating and the charge rate.

I would maintain that the most important spec is the maximum DC power a vehicle could charge at. Some of those at the vehicle stands struggled to know what this was. Of those I could get an answer, the max was 150kw, interesting as we have some 300kw chargers in Auckland.

The most knowledgeable was ChargeNet (as they should be ). I was told that more 150kw chargers were coming to the South Island.

Following are vehicles seen at the expo, but not last year.

 

 

 

Books

Dragon Dusk

Dusk of Dragons
Age of the Sorcerers #6
Morgan Rice (2020)

the many storylines and characters finally converge, in an epic battle for the  future of the capital and the kingdom. (Yes, the ‘good’ guys win).

But that may not be enough, as the Dragons have yet to make their play.

 

Books

Dragon Crown

Crown of Dragons
Age of the Sorcerers #5
Morgan Rice (2020)

Things get interesting as the dragons finally enter the story. Just what will they do. Who’s side are they on and what are their objectives ?

Television

Crown 6.3-4

Episode 3 “Dis-Moi Oui”
Covers the final days of Diana and Dodi.

Episode 4 “Aftermath”
Diana dies in the accident, with Dodi. But they are not gone yet, as they appear as ‘ghosts’ to talk to Charles and Mohamed.

The royal family faces a public backlash at its muted response. Eventually the  Queen Elizabeth delivers a televised address.

 

Television

Crown 6.1-2

The sixth and final season of The Crown, which follows the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Generally got bad reviews, but as I enjoyed most of the previous episodes, tries this one.

Episode 1 “Persona Non Grata”
Diana lobbies for an official role in the royal family through Prime Minister Blair, but the Queen rejects the idea. Diana takes her two sons on a yachting holiday in Saint-Tropez, France, at the invitation of Mohamed Al-Fayed where the relationship begins.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles throws a party for Camilla’s 50th birthday, but the Queen will not attend.

Dodi invites his fiancée to Saint-Tropez but keeps her in a smaller yacht, away from Diana. Dodi confides to Diana about his reconsidering his marriage, and they bond over the difficult relationships with their fathers.

Interesting that I was listening to “Page 94”, the Private Eye podcast. They mention Dodi’s father Mohamed Al-Fayed (who died 30 Aug 2023). Describing him as a control freak and not a very nice person.

Episode 2 “Two Photographs”

Focuses on the paparazzi following Diana and the fallout from an intimate photo of her and Dodi.

William and Harry go to to Balmoral Castle to spend time with Prince Charles, and get a photo with their Dad.