Fascinating segment this morning about Orcadian explorer John Rae. His story is incredible. His unpleasant truth about the Franklin expedition led to him dying in some disgrace and obscurity, his reputation only restored later when his account was validated. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ra...

Girls very pleased to see Ro Ro. The highlight of the evening was when he blew his nose (grandpa trumpet) and they fell about laughing, predictably. We'll walk to Bonnie's school in the morning with the girls on bikes, then we have Lola to ourselves for the day. 🤎🎉

Tram adventures this morning. East Brunswick to Hawthorn, to visit an old friend of the family. Hadn't seen her for decades, then she popped up at a funeral recently in Bowral, what a lovely surprise. Tramming to hers for lunch. 🥂🎉

Daylight saving. Spent some time this morning talking to Bonnie about it (she's 8), and watched the cogs whirring all day. 🤣

Have just finished Question 7 by Richard Flanagan, who nearly suffered the same fate aged 21: a gripping closing chapter in which he describes 'dying' and miraculously coming back to life, after hours of rescue operations […]

Went for a walk/cycle beside the Yarra with the girls; impressed with *cardboard* tree guards (ACT needs to get with the program). Then had some amazing, freshly made sushi in Smith St, where we sat on the grass in a pocket park to eat our lunch. Little did I […] [Original post on toot.community]

Very disturbing. What's the point of a Dog Squad then? I feel very sorry for this woman. Noisy dogs drive resident barking mad, ‘but nobody can do anything’ https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9078851/barking-dogs-drive-tuggeranong-resident-from-home/

I hope Pocock won't let this go. The Albanese govt’s promise on ACT Senate seats that was quietly downgraded (paywalled). #actpol #auspol https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9079937/albanese-govt-renegs-on-dedicated-inquiry-for-act-senate-seats/

I’m sorry to ruin your evening, but if you’re mad about what’s going on in #palestine right now, you should also be mad about what’s going on in #WesternSahara. The Saharawi Arab people are the last colonised people in Africa, in the worst police state in the world, formerly colonised by Spain […]

Chris Sidoti’s prescription for action on Palestine https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10/chris-sidotis-prescription-for-action-on-palestine #auspol

Kids gone to the circus with friends, thank dawkins. I've cleaned up the kitchen and kiddieshit around the house and been for a brisk walk up to Sydney Rd where I went south instead of north just for once (to avoid all the middle eastern cakes) and poked around Cheaper Buy Miles, what fun! Came […]

Is this the beginning of the end for US democracy? https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10/is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-us-democracy #auspol

Up at 5.30am to get Mummy off to the airport. Hence it must be lunchtime now, right? This is the first sit down I've had since dawn: we've made potions, playdough and a a delicious batch of tuna mayo onigiri already. Coffee!

Teaching Lola to say three instead of free. It's tricky... 🤣

Can't find the volume knob on the girls, so we're off to the movies. I'm looking forward to a couple of hours of relative quiet. 😬

Good grief, Mushroom Girl is back. When will it end?

Went to the Night Markets at Queen Vic Markets tonight. Lots of good food and some very amusing Fringe acts... the girls were transfixed. Big day. Exhausted.

Home again with the girls, we're all on the couch and everything's off the floor while Robert the Robovac does his very thorough vacuuming and washing of the floors. Saves hours of work a day, especially with 2 little kids in the house. I always thought these […] [Original post on toot.community]

Lunch with 'Daddy' at Atlassian in the CBD. Golly, what a place. Two floors of hot desks with great views, and free food/relaxation areas. The girls have been before and are showing me around.

On a tram with with the girls, we're going to the 'Nuseum'. 😆

Walk through Brunswick with the girls. Lola noticed a 'boobie thing' in a gingko tree. 🤣

And with that, the rain has just started in Melbs. Typical. The girls are keen to do some cooking today, they have a list, lol. With any luck we may get out for a walk up Sydney Road later. ☂️

Wow, Rick Morton won the PM's Literary Award for Mean Streak!! Excellent. 🎉👏🥂https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-29/prime-ministers-literary-awards-rick-morton-mean-streak-robodebt/105808038

Arrived and treated to the latest gymnastic feats (handstands and one-handed cartwheels) and some excellent bedtime reading. 🤎

On a train to Melbs. Spring has sprung: rolling green hills, flourescent canola, lots of little lambies.

The fluff's falling. IYKYK. #Canberra

What a bloody disappointment Albo is. And getting worse. I despair. #auspol

Reasonably sure Mastodon peeps like libraries and might like a peek at this wowzer I stepped into today. #dascdmx

Well what a time was had on the south coast. Walked from South Durras to Maloney's Beach, via beautiful coastal bush and secluded beaches: the second half of The South Coast Walk. Six retired cardiac nurses, once cardiologist, plus Himself. Good food, drink, laughs, old friends. ❤️

Gummint has put the Government Bend sign (on the Clyde) up on very tall poles to stop the amusing little game of defacement, viz GOVERNMENT BENDover. Spoilsports.

Did Snoop bring Mrs Dogg with him?

Just finished this book by a former ABC journo, a good read in a relaxed style. I don't think I am a grumpy old bugger, but sometimes I can feel a hint of it hovering in the wings. Good to get a handle on still enjoying life as you're getting older, and how not to […] [Original post on aus.social]

In news that will surprise no-one, #donnanelson has lost her appeal in Japan. 💔

Large batch of very delicious dal makhani and another of palak paneer ready for tomorrow's little trip to the coast with the cardiac mob. We're taking Ronnie and Rhonda and the rest are staying with our lovely cardiologist at South Durras. Big walk on Saturday. Home Sunday. There will be a lot […]

Every hotel sauna I've seen outside of Muslim countries has been all-gender, except for this one Brisbane hotel, where there's two, marked M & F. Is this common in Australia?

Three stunning churches for sale near Canberra 👀😍 (paywalled) https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9074029/historic-churches-for-sale-around-canberra/

If you think Tylenol is bad for children, wait ‘til you hear about assault rifles.

We're all frocked up and off to Mozart's Requiem with the Canberra Symphony and a small choir. Himself in penguin suit, phwoar!

Sorry, what?! https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-24/bruce-lehrmann-seeks-funds-for-legal-representation-over-raids/105809920

The full horror of the Orange Pustule's spray at the UN overnight has surprised even me. Clanger after clanger. Why TF didn't they turn his mic off at 15 mins? Anyway, he clearly hates the UN, so it's time they moved to Europe for the forseeable, at least until the seppos get a grip on things […]

Interesting piece on the 50th anniversary of Fawlty Towers, pointing out the inherent cruelty in British humour. I remember someone once saying that Basil Fawlty was one of a line of postwar fictional monsters - usually frustrated ineffectual males including David Brent, Alan Partridge etc. I […]

Tension mounts at the NACC as Robodebt re-run looms https://michaelwest.com.au/tension-mounts-at-the-nacc-as-robodebt-re-run-looms/ #auspol

Gado gado. Yum.👌 An early dinner as himself has a dress rehearsal* at 6.30pm tonight, for Mozart's Requiem with the Canberra Symph tomorrow night and thursday night. * He's going off in the same clothes he's had on all day. Apparently a 'dress rehearsal' doesn't require the actual dress, wtf??

Cat sitters/cattery recommendations please We need help. Miss Tabby is a fearful rescue cat who has just lost her litter mate of over nine years and has been left very traumatised. I'm hoping her behaviour will stabilise in the next month or two but she'll […] [Original post on mastodon.au]

The latest seppo autism scare has infected us here in #straya and I can't even... why are we even giving it oxygen??

So this weekend I went along to the Greek festival in Parramatta. And to say it was crowded would be a bit of an understatement... https://gts.sadauskas.id.au/@aj/statuses/01K4XJ0PPFRS0V9ZPN51TQYHDB #Greek #Greece #multicultural #festival #australia#festival#greek#multicultural#parramatta

Alex Ryvchin can just go f**k himself, on Arvo Briefing. He's even positioned a book on the shelf behind him which screams simply ZIONISM. Ffs... #freegaza #palestine

Next retired cardiac walkers' event is an away game! Our lovely cardiologist is hosting 7 of us in his coast house this friday and saturday. We'll stay 2 nights and do a coastal walk. Just back from our planning meeting where we divvied up the catering (2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, one lunch, snacks […]

Busy season for ACT govt submissions. Recently we had the Phillip Pool and Livability in Woden: done. There's currently a Sports in Woden (most facilities lost!) but that's not my forte so is a pass. Next on my list is the Enquiry into the ACT 2024 Election, on which I have a lot to say, mostly […]

Breaking: Optus. #auspol