Mareblu

😂thanks, Les.

Say a prayer for us then🙏

Yes, it seems the horse has bolted, Leigh

Like every issue, Lyle, sadly. We seem to live in divided communities these days.

It should indeed be solely a health issue. I'm an issues person, and that's how I vote. I don't follow the lines of any political party. Health has become such a major issue, and opinions and decisions, and most of all, expert advice, should all be weighed carefully and responsibly.

6.00pm 7News bulletin last night showed passengers arriving from China. One traveller interviewed said they were happy to have arrived before the January 5 deadline. Conversely, though, our Chief Medical Officer and former Deputy Chief Medical Officer (Dr. Coatsworth) believes the government's new screening protocol will take us in the incorrect direction, and we should all be learning to live with Covid as a normal part of our lives. Both emphasise that our high level of vaccination is the ultimate protection against serious adverse reactions to the virus. I have tremendous respect for Nick Coatsworth in particular, so maybe I should be reviewing my reservations.

That criteria seems very sensible🙂

A balmy 5, eh?😂. Flooding not so funny; we’re having our share and more in Australia this year. At the moment, the Murray Darling river system is in full flight, with the town of Menindee in our usually more than not dry expanse of western New South Wales evacuating as the waters of the Darling rise. It would be terrible for you now, combined with the cold temperatures. Hope you’re both well.

My home is in Canberra, home of diplomatic missions to Australia, many of them in my own suburb, including the Chinese Embassy. Accredited diplomatic staff are, by convention, free to travel from their home countries to their overseas missions (which is as it should be, btw). Covid has not, so far, obeyed health protocols. It only takes one or two cases, and we're back to the future. I want to make it crystal clear that I would have the same reservations about travellers from any country trying to contain an outbreak.

You couldn't be more correct, Lyle. I agree with every word. Have things warmed up a little in your neck of the woods?

I suspect medical/health official advice has prompted Albanese to announce this. In the background, there simmers the hope that our exports will again be accepted, so holding off made us just that little more favoured in China's eyes, resulting in a hoped-for economic and plaudits coup for the Australian government. Thankfully, cooler heads have prevailed. Just saying.....

It never has, sadly.

Yes, Italy was first in Europe to implement policy, followed by Spain and Germany, also US. Milano has been Covid’s gateway to Europe: international conferences, trade fairs, haute couture fashion central. The worry for us, of course, is not the Covid we know, but any new emerging variants. China’s problem is their inferior and ineffective Sinovax vaccine.

Happy New Year from Canberra, friends. My daughter just sent this from Regatta Point by our Lake, with Parliament House across the water

Certainly took line honours, but was just under 3 hours short of its own record. Smashed the record, but just not this year. Thrilling start this year. They all have nerves of steel😬

No fridges needed anywhere in the mountains in winter, but summer was always stinking hot. What were the wide loads, Les?

Sponars...at the junction to Perisher, Smiggin, etc. Legendary inn.

As I said in a previous post, Aussieflyer, we'll see you on the gangway😊

It actually sounds delicious😋

Just read your excellent review. Thank you so much. It's always so helpful to read a thorough review, particularly for cruisers like us, who will be new to Cunard and QE. I'm really looking forward to our new adventure now. Thanks again WBL.

I'll have to look for that one. Thanks for the tip.

Your words made my heart leap. Thredbo was our second home for many years. We used to say it kept us poor, but kept the kids off the streets😉 Do you remember which restaurant Julie? Thredbo was always magical, as you say, but even more so in a snowfall. Our kids used to do the Saturday evening torch run down Crackenback. No stocks of course, just a torch held high. Trouble was, their parkas were always flecked with holes from the cinders. We ended up buying them cheapie specials just for that run. Enjoy your sea day; we're really looking forward to Lyttelton, having never been there. It seems to be a charming town, from all I've read. Have a wonderful, relaxing, Christmas day. Linda

That’s wonderful, thank you. I’ll read it later this afternoon when I’ve finished most of the cooking for tomorrow. Have a peaceful and happy Christmas, everyone 🎄🌟

Thanks so much, WBL. I suspected such, but just had that lingering concern. Now I’m totally relaxed and ready for embarkation. QE here we come, at last🙏🏻

There's not a thing wrong with keeping tinned food as reserves, although since I married centuries ago, the only tinned food I have in my pantry is tuna, anchovies, etc. Oh, and sometimes borlotti beans. My mother always had the kitchen cupboards bulging with tinned foods, and as a result, I'm a fresh food fanatic. My idea of paradise is meandering through fruit and vegetable markets, and I just love the fish market. I did the gargantuan Christmas shop at our Canberra Fyshwick markets yesterday, and was shocked beyond belief at the tally. I think it's double last year's, and we're not collecting the turkey and ham till tomorrow. I've often wondered about all that tinned food, because my father had the most amazing vegetable garden, always, and we kids were raised on its bounty. I think the tinned "backups" were a result of living through the war years, where everything was rationed, and I suppose there was a lingering fear that things would run out. Happy, peaceful Christmas to you all, and may January bring a year of the same, with good health all around, especially for you, Les.