It has been a mild summer in our part of the world. Just as we were getting comfortable, February arrived, along with mid-thirties temperatures and soaring humidity. We’ve had the air conditioner on for a couple of days, first time … Continued
Australia Day (26th January) has been and gone, with the usual nonsense that has surrounded that date over the last several years. It’s the day in 1788 when Captain/Governor Phillip established the first British settlement at what would become Sydney. … Continued
Well, well. It seems Saint Jacinda, current Prime Minister of New Zealand, is retiring. Five years is enough in the top job and the tank (sorry, battery) is empty. There’s a lot be said for ‘finishing on your own terms’ … Continued
If you’re wondering if I bought Henry Windsor’s much-anticipated book, the answer is no. Apart from anything else, by the time it was released in English, I’d already read and/or heard about most of it from the various newspapers, especially … Continued
We Australians live in a continent of extremes. In New Zealand they have earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In Australia we have floods and fires and droughts. We all learnt Dorothea Mackellar’s famous poem at school. It’s called My Country. Read … Continued
“May you live in interesting times” is supposed to be a Chinese curse (it isn’t). But I’m ready to believe it. We’re certainly living in dangerous times. Covid hasn’t gone away, Putin still wants to destroy Ukraine and incorporate its … Continued
Every year, around 21st June the Northern Hemisphere hands over the sun for us to look after until the time comes to give it back. That’s around 22nd December. Here it is, Northern Hemisphere. The Yule angel has looked after … Continued
Australia is still reeling from the terrible execution-style murder of a couple of young cops at a rural property in Queensland. Four of them had gone to knock on the door to ask about a missing person at the request … Continued