Apologies Lisa. I will submit my replies in threads about Australia to you for approval in the future.

Still, Mean and Tricky and his feamongering cohorts are gone. Even the air smells better, doesnt it?

OOPS...left out "political views" didn't I ;).

Don't worry Stuart - even I, one of the so-called "not reasonable people" respect your views - you're entitled to them as I am to mine.

Thank you Lisa. Now, back to the Daily Hyphen.

Nothing like talking politics to bring out the warm fuzzies in everyone:D

Can we please get back to talking about the things that make Australia great?

Beautiful beaches with exposed boobs (sorry Lisa had to sneak that one in!), unspoilt wilderness, icons like the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, lovely seafood (just the thing for a Barbie!), talented sports men and women who punch well above their weight in the world arena, plenty of space to roam and not see anyone else for days, great car racing events, a lack of threats to our safety (ignoring sharks, jelly fish, crocs, spiders, snakes and drop bears of course :D), great driving roads, the outback, mineral wealth & resources, an agricultural industry that leads the world in technology and is not dependant on subsidies, free medical care, lack of polution, tolerant society, strong economy, plenty of jobs....blah blah blah

I could go on for hours, I love it here :D

Who wants to sponsor me for a visit???? I have taken any time off for a while(years) now:D

Cam - couldn't agree more ;)...now these topless beaches; there aren't as many as there used to be "down south". We used to sunback topless on South Melbourne beach, St Kilda beach, all the back beaches down here :cool:. A "few" things stop me now - 3 kids haven't been all that kind to the ol' equipment (go on - laugh for chrissakes), at 42 I would just feel silly as I am "supposed" to be a responsible middle-aged Mum setting a good example :rolleyes:...and I definitely look better these days with more, not less on. Less ain't more any more :D!

One thing I definitely agree with Stuart about is the whole sun damage thing - the sun is really much hotter (more burn potential) down here than it was when I was a kid. There is sunscreen in every car glovebox, every school bag, in several locations around the house. The kids wear caps or sunsmart hats and so do we most times out in the sun. I NEVER go without sunglasses as I have already suffered some serious eye damage due to sun exposure. Having a growth removed from my eye 20 years ago after going sailing for a day without my sunglasses was not fun and I am anal about protecting my eyes now. We all "slip, slop and slap" here.

Cam let's keep this list going...what about all the great wines we produce and the myriad of boutique breweries we have all round the country? What about all the FRESH food, the fruit and veg, the BEST DAMNED BEEF you'll find anywhere (not that tick resistant stuff you guys have up north, the real melt in your mouth stuff we got down here - right in my backyard)...authors, artists, musicians too plentiful to name...man we got it GOOD here :D!

I am sitting in my office (at home) looking out over the trees and lush rolling green hills; crystal clear blue sky, light breeze blowing and listening to a whole host of kookaburras holding their afternoon meeting - bloody well perfect!

Byron, we Aussies love visitors; you are welcome to come visit anytime :).

Ah yes the wine, mmmmmmmmmmmm. Whilst we're on the subject, great beers - Coopers, Boags, Bundy Rum (my favourite). Gourmet foods like cheeses, oh do you guys get Pheasant Farm pate? Mmmm again! Yummy lamb, Barramundi, fresh Darwin Mangoes ooooh yeah!

The cricket, footy, rugby, tennis, Bathurst of course! I could crap on for hours here!

The sun is not so powerful up here in the tropics though, I think you southerners cop it a bit more than us. Might need to send some of our rain down your way too!

Byron I'm sure I can provide some accommodation in exchange for some exotic Porsche parts!! Lisa can show you her............................................... .new workshop ;)

Cheers, Cam

Isn't the absence of water a small problem there?

Glad to see some other sensible folks here comment about the ozone hole and skin cancer in Australia. Here's one link:

http://www.theozonehole.com/consequences.htm

I suspect the political change down there from Howard had something to do with environmental concerns.

Oh but there's no global climate change and humans have no appreciable impact on the environment, haven't you heard?

Just ignore that iceberg the size of Maine floating by. . .

Yes, the wine. I was what in what is my favorite winery (and what Robert Parker regards as Aus's third best) in McLaren Vale just a few weeks ago travelling home from Classic Adelaide rally, hand delivering our annaul order.

While there, we met a very nice couple from Canada who were tasting the house offerings and got to talking, as you do. He was a merchant banker, she thought Australia was " beautiful". They lived in Sydney. I had an inklng she was being diplomatic. I said "we not though are we, we are pretty horrible people." She stared at me aghast, mouth dropped open- then her husband said "we thought it was just us...."

Yes, Aus is wonderful. But dont understimate the effects of Cronulla, Tampa, Hicks, Habib, the Pacific Solution, children overboard on the way international community views it. Which in some quarters is pretty severe. And self aggrandisement is really very unattractive.

Which Winery? If you get the chance get your hands on anything from Rockfords in the Barossa - sensational! I'm an ex. Adelaide boy so I'm a bit partial to the SA produce... Classic A rocks, were you looking or competing?

Yeah, a print of the Rockford's old open basket press adorns my wall. Their Basket Press shiraz goes for about $110 these days IIRC. Exceptional stuff.

Which winery? Are you nuts? Im not posting that. Their big gun shiraz goes to members for $50. This year we got three bottles. The majority of the small production goes you know where and sells at $140. If you are ex-SA- 3rd gen wine McLAren family wine makers.