I always believe in holding onto any good news when you find it, especially given the blight of the present cost of living crisis. The media is full of bad news, and fair enough, but there are always a few straws in the wind. Here’s a handful of my optimistic takes. Even if they seem a tad crazy, these shafts of sunlight bring some relief. They might not apply to you. If you have your own... read more>

You shouldn’t break the rules in national parks, especially in the Northern Territory when it comes to fires, but unknowingly I did. The camp host at Litchfield National Park’s Wangi Falls politely pulled me up for collecting firewood inside the park. Fortunately, once out of the park, it didn’t stop Anne Griffin from demonstrating one of the handiest camping accessories I have seen for y... read more>

Like many lucky others, I am on the road this winter, and travel insurance is a crucial consideration. Given the big numbers of people on vacation here and abroad, a lesson I’ve just learnt around pre-existing conditions may be of interest. I was once advised whenever you've paid for an international flight or trip to finalise the travel insurance immediately. The rationale was: you mi... read more>

It’s a good feeling. My left arm has a mild ache, and I’m amongst the first of the eligible 7.4 million locals to get the fourth COVID booster jab. Being eligible does not mean 100% execution, but for my money, anything to reduce the disruption and spread of the mongrel bug, even in my tawdry body, is worthwhile. I’ve had all the vaccinations as and when they became available. They didn’t... read more>

Are you shocked by the sudden price rises of essentials such as food and petrol?  But what if some prices had gone down? Knowing where true value lies can help buffer us from the storm of price rises where some substitution is possible. You might be surprised, but as a keen food shopper, I was more reassured to learn some foods and staples do not cost more. A few, such as oranges, appl... read more>