Mayor4Unley

What a fantastic 6 weeks holiday in the UK. Nice, but very expensive. The Poms are doing it tough, but don't really know it. Petrol and diesel is exactly twice as much (as in Australia). Food in the supermarkets is a bit more expensive. On the positive side, there's a huge choice of food from across Europe and beyond. Everything is available during all seasons. We bought some raspberries to have with Cornish clotted cream. The raspberries were from Morocco! Wine (sold in the shops) is somewhat expensive and compared with the choice in Australia it is absolutely woeful. Even the Aussie wine available is very average stuff. Much of the wine has foreign language labels so it was pot luck as to what you picked. Even buying by price (paying a bit more) didn't help. Mostly muck! Eating out at restaurants and cafes is expensive; costing twice as much. And I'm not talking about high end restaurants. It was a fantastic experience, but after 6 weeks it was time ...

I was heading into the CBD by tram for lunch. I like a bit of light reading on the tram, so I packed the latest copy of RAA's SA Motor magazine. Folded, it fits nicely into my small man bag. I thought I would do the road rules tests; multiple scenarios to test your road skills. Then I spotted an article by Charles Mountain, RAA's Road Safety Expert. Charles was responding to a Dorothy Dixer question from a reader. The reader asked 'what should I do if I sneeze while I'm driving?' . It's a question I'm sure that we often ask ourselves. Anyway, Charles went into considerable detail about the danger of sneezing whilst we drive. We're told that we shut our eyes for about 3 seconds (during a sneeze) and at 60kph travel about 8 car lengths. Charles says that ideally we should pull over if we feel a sneeze coming on; but he does concede that it is not always possible. So, to be prepared for a sneeze, we are advised to keep a sensible distance behind th...

Last night I attended the Unley FOCUS meeting. I was accompanied by Unley Councillors Peter Hughes and Rufus Salaman. All (but one) of the candidates for the SA seat of Unley were there to give a talk and respond to questions. I scored the candidates and rated their worth to represent us in Unley. The candidates ranged from good to bad to absolutely woeful. One was just so bad; with totally outrageous comments; a racist pun didn't go down well. It was a good evening to assess the candidates. It's a pity that the average voter won't get to see their party's candidate in the candid light that we experienced. Three of the candidates did a bit of Council bashing; two quite heavily. They obviously had no idea of where State Government funding (and involvement) ended and Council involvement started; all rather sad. Councillor Salaman asked a couple of heated questions of one of the candidates. I asked the last question of the night viz. "Will you run...

Parking fines in #Unley were down 16.3% in 2017. Total fines were 8,117 with revenue of $788,000. The fact that the number of fines is down is good news. People are getting the message; or I hope so. I have zero tolerance for all-day commuter parkers; people from the South who drive to Unley, park and then walk or catch public transport to the CBD. These people should be parking at (or near) home and catching public transport to the Adelaide CBD. Parking spaces in Unley should be for the locals and short term visitors; people who shop or do business in Unley. Thinking about it, 8,117 fines is still a lot. Way too many. We have a long way to go to get the right balance. A hefty number of these fines were associated with illegal parking during the Royal Show period near Wayville, Goodwood and Forestville.

I found the bargain of the year! Yesterday on eBay I found a used bridge for sale. It was the pedestrian and cycle overpass bridge on South Road at Tram Stop 6. Despite it being SA Government property, a frustrated commuter from Sellicks Beach (eBay account keynes8963 ) listed it for sale on eBay. The description said that it was only 7 years old and had cost $30m. Postage was $10.40 via Australia Post Parcel delivery. I placed a bid early in the day at $250. I was quickly outbid with the bids exceeding $100k. I did send the seller a message asking if the overhead lights were included. He replied that if I paid cash he would throw in the lights. Later in the day the advertisement and all trace of it was removed from eBay; probably at the instigation of the Government.

Here's a letter to the editor, published on 28 September 2016 ... A crazy and impractical idea of West Torrens Council that cyclists wear hi-vis clothing. I'm surprised that the Council didn't go further and seek to have grey and dark cars marked with hi-vis stripes to enhance visibility. An example of a Council wasting its breath on an issue that can't be achieved and doesn't match community expectations.

I was up at Stone Hut in the mid north of SA. I was on the way to Quorn at the start of the Flinders Ranges and I'd pulled in for a pie (or two). The pies there are the best in the State. You simply can't drive past. Anyway, in the outdoor dining area (under some grape vines) I saw a large group of reasonably friendly birds of a type that I didn't recognise. They were munching on bird seed that the pie lady had put out to feed the birds and to entertain the pie eaters; even in the rain. And they were friendly and loved some stroking down the back; and a tickle under the chin. I asked about the birds and pie lady said that they were called Apostles; named after the Biblical Twelve Apostles; because they usually hang out together in large groups of usually twelve. They are very social groups and have a sense of family. And they love hanging around with people; probably to get some tidbits. Amazing that I hadn't encountered Apostles before. They were entertaining to w...

Just back from a long holiday in Tasmania. Took 3 weeks and slowly travelled from Launceston via the Wild West to Hobart. In the Tamar Valley I discovered the Hillwood Berry Farm and bought 2 jars of their raspberry jam. It was superb. One and half jars were consumed on our travels. Half a jar came back home. It was so good, just so berry nice that I have placed an order for quite a few jars ... to be eaten over the coming year. Go to their website and check out the products ... http://hillwoodberryfarm.com.au/ If you get to Tasmania, then visit the farm.

Just back from a holiday in Tasmania. Fond food memories are smoked Atlantic salmon and Leatherwood honey. Smoked Tassie salmon can easily be found in home town Adelaide. I brought some leatherwood honey back home with me. Superb on toast for brekkie. I have found a supplier of Tasmanian leatherwood honey in the Central Market. So the Tassie holiday memories will linger. It's important to not lose those memories.

Just back from a holiday in Tasmania ... or Tassie as we affectionately say. A fantastic place to holiday. It would be paradise to live there. I was walking around Lake Dove @ Cradle Mountain. A long enjoyable walk at an easy pace, other than the up and down bits. There were a lot of Asian (mostly Chinese) tourists. Only a few Aussies. Quite a few were sporting trekking sticks/poles. They had been well briefed to be prepared and had their sticks. A pity they didn't also have decent hiking books. Most of the footwear were inappropriate. Anyway, I was taking a breather; the excuse was to take in the sights as you should do; not just hike along at the fastest pace possible like some do - and see nothing. An elderly Chinese family came along; most with trekking poles. Friendly as usual, I passed some comment and pointed at the poles. I don't recall what I said. Anyway, this elderly Chinese woman (with poles and inappropriate shoes) smiled and offered me her poles; or on...

Just back from a holiday in Tasmania ... The locals are bloody terrible drivers in the CBDs and towns. Like a bunch of rednecks. They are highly aware of and respectful of pedestrians, but they screech to a halt at the lights and take off with speed. But, get them out of their cars and talk with them, the locals are nice people. I had many a long chat. They do look after the tourists. Tourism there is a huge revenue earner and job creator. They are so lucky to live in God's country ... if they are lucky enough to have a job.