I love your word - cloggage.
I rinse the sponges but felt a quick rinse of the Siporax was in order but perhaps I will not bother. Most of the gunk gets trapped in the filter wool and sponges so you are right, not much gets into the ring things.
I vaguely remember the underarm incident as they played it endlessly on TV. Not being a cricket follower I didn't care whether his actions were 'cricket' or not I just wished they would shut up about it!
I have never been out of the country myself but my husband was a regular overseas traveller before I met him. He was in Darwin just after cyclone Tracy hit and said the place was unbelievable. I would like to visit the cooler areas of Aussie one day and enjoyed watching Troy Dann's TV programme (he is easy on the eye but would be a lot better if he kept his mouth shut. His sister does not have his terrible accent. Not as bad as Steve Irwin's though). He obviously loves his country and his enthusiasm makes you want to pack a bag and head for the airport to see it for yourself.
My uncle lives in Canberra and became an Australian citizen many years ago.