Hello, Autumn in Canberra is horrendous (in my opinion). The evenings become colder and the air which is already too dry for my liking gets even drier. This means my skin cracks more, it hurts every day, and my expenditure on moisturiser goes up. Hello Autumn Hello, Autumn I how I hate you. What’s worse … Continue reading "Hello Autumn"

There may be some confusion about the words quarantine and isolation. Last week, I wrote about the confusion some people have about the name of an infectious disease and the name of the microorganism that causes it. Quarantine Quarantine is when you may have been exposed to a contagion (a disease spread by close contact) … Continue reading "Would you prefer to be in quarantine or isolation?"

What’s in a name (or two)? The virus formerly known as 2019-nCoV and the disease formerly known as 2019-nCoV infection. Are you confused by the new nomenclature for the virus and the disease? Changes in names of microorganisms can be frustrating for non-health people as well as healthcare practitioners. Not least for ageing pathologists and … Continue reading "What’s in a name (or two)? SARS-COV-2 AND COVID-19"

Weight goals Last year my aim was to break the 77 kilogram barrier. A week in Norfolk Island and then a delicious Christmas and New Year period thwarted my dreams. I got close a few times last year but didn’t really dip below the goal weight. January 2020 was looking okay then I had the little … Continue reading "Meeting 2019 weight goals"

Defending Honour The Order of Australia There’s been a lot written on social media and elsewhere this past week after Honours and Awards associated with the Order of Australia were announced on Sunday 26 January. One individual was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia and because of some controversial views expressed by that … Continue reading "Defending Honour"

Australia Day has become contentious. It’s difficult now to see it as a day when all Australians are unified. Australia Day In my mind, I’d remove 26 January as a gazetted public holiday. It hasn’t always been a gazetted public holiday. In my opinion, it’s still an important day worthy of teaching about in school. … Continue reading "Australia Day"

Another week on Norfolk Island I’ve just returned from another four days of working on Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island on Google Maps. Norfolk Island The history of Norfolk Island is fascinating. You can find a lot to read about it on-line. In my opinion though, it’s helpful to speak with some of the local Norfolk … Continue reading "Another week on Norfolk Island"

This week I experienced something I never thought would happen to me. On Tuesday morning I went for a walk and was accosted by two men who demanded my wallet. Another positive experience with ACT Police Regular readers know that I enjoy waking up early, getting out of bed, and going for a walk. On … Continue reading "A close encounter of an unpleasant kind"

I saw 2020 in from Brisbane this week. I flew in on Monday and flew out on Friday. It was a nice break from existing in Canberra. Canberra’s air quality Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have seen that Australia is experiencing severe bushfires across most states of the mainland and that … Continue reading "Hello 2020"

I’ve never visited Norfolk Island before. I had heard from my parents that many of their friends had spent time on the island as tourists.