When is the best time to travel?

February 22nd, 2019

Now. Why? Because none of us know what tomorrow will bring. We all have to keep a bit aside in case we reach 95. And nobody wants to reach 80 & be scratching for cash. But on the other hand, most 95 year olds need very little spending money; they’re not going out on the […]

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Latest news – workshops, webinars & dinner speaking engagement

September 17th, 2016

Unique rural travel tips workshops during October 2016: As well as presenting ‘Making photography work for you’ workshops, I’m thrilled to bits to be presenting a new workshop I’ve called “Ag travel around the planet – without costing the earth” at this year’s QRRRWN Conference in Roma (Queensland) and the NSW Rural Women’s Network conference […]

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Keeping up with the Joneses of Coolibah Station, on NZ TV, and rural television

November 19th, 2011

“Keeping up with the Joneses’ of Coolibah Station (NT) is now screening on television in other countries. ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ debuted on TV One in New Zealand today, in prime time – 7pm on a Saturday night (filling the gap made by Country Calendars break for the summer).  And if website traffic is […]

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Brunette Downs Races on ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’, Series 2

October 21st, 2011

Series 2 of ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ returned on Channel Ten last night with yet another episode featuring a social occasion – this time, a trip to the Brunette (ABC) Races.  Held on Brunette Downs (Barkly Tableland, NT) twice a year but with the largest gathering held in June, this Keeping up with the Joneses […]

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Another La Nina weather pattern for Australia in late 2011?

September 1st, 2011

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology says current La Nina/El Nino-related weather measurements are at present still mostly neutral.  However there is some possibility that the Pacific Ocean will cool further, which will result in the return of a La Nina weather pattern (though not as strong as was the case for the last wet season, which was indicated as […]

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Agquip, Gunnedah (NSW) – Australia’s largest agricultural field day

August 22nd, 2011

As is apparently the case in all but the very worst drought years, it rained at Agquip last week – in  fact there was also a bit of hail on the last day.  But like most agricultural field days, rain has a beneficial affect on visitation and sales.  Only an absolute deluge like that received at Agquip 2010, causes running headaches […]

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Weather Bureau forecasts – rainfall, frost and cyclones

May 16th, 2011

In addition to the excellent ‘Water and the Land’  ‘Forecast Rain’ map, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology now has a similar ‘Forecast Frost Potential’ map.  They are seeking feedback on the usefulness of the ‘Frost forecast potential’ service, so anyone who wants to put their two bob’s worth in, should, without delay.  There are many businesses that I […]

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In search of real hamburgers, not those made with frozen sausage mince

May 9th, 2011

For years I relied on hamburgers once every day or two for a proper feed when travelling.  All five food groups  – cereals (roll), dairy (cheese), meat (mince and maybe steak as well, and certainly bacon), salad (lettuce, fried onion, beetroot and tomato) and fruit (a pineapple ring).  Plus a bit of barbeque sauce [certainly […]

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Flash food in the bush (the real bush, not the outer suburbs of Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne)

May 9th, 2011

Discovered another top eatery on the road in April, Bertoldo’s Pasticceria and Panetteria in Griffith (central NSW).  Apparently Bertoldo’s bakery opened in 1952 but for some reason I haven’t discovered it until now.  By sheer chance we were driving past just as the Easter Sunday after-church crowd were feasting.  The crowd in the quiet street […]

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Quadrant Agtour to NT cattle stations

March 2nd, 2011

This year Quadrant Agtour is running another cattle station tour.  This year it runs for 21 days in June-July, and the travellers are escorted by Brian Hill.  The cattle stations to be visited include:  Alexandria, Brunette Downs, Hayfield, Victoria River Downs, Wave Hill and Melaleuca.  Other tour highlights  included are:  the buffalo programme on Beatrice Hill Farm, Kakadu, […]

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