Three things alone are certain when you venture into a loft: that you will crack your head on a beam at least twice, that you will get cobwebs draped… - Bill Bryson

We wanted proper outback: a place where men were men and sheep were nervous.

What sets the carbon atom apart is that it is shamelessly promiscuous.

So here I am, my affections torn between a postal service that never feeds me but can tackle a challenge and one that gives me free tape and prompt service but won't help me out when I can't remember a street name. The lesson to draw from this, of course, is that when you move from one country to another you have to accept that there are some things that are better and some things worse, and there is nothing you can do about it. That may not be the profoundest of insights to take away from a morning's outing, but I did get a free doughnut as well, so on balance I guess I'm happy.