Readers said

HERE ARE THE RESPONSES TO MY LAST POST, HOPE THEY ARE OF INTEREST.

Reader Dave said;
I guess I've always wondered if Australia is anything like we've seen in the "Crocodile Dundee" movies.
Are there still large groups of aborigines?
Are they treated well (unlike our American Indians were treated)?
What's the greatest misconception that visitors have of Oz? What's the biggest thing that surprises them?

Dave you were the only one who actually did as I asked... you posed some questions, thank you;
In the order you used, Yes and no, for the most parts its nothing like the "Crocodile Dundee" version, I'm guessing that the same could be said about lots of other movies too, no matter where they are set, BUT yes there are parts of our fabled outback that are very like the Dundee image, they just take a bit of finding.
Sadly the only places you find large (a very hard word to define in this case) groups of Australian aborigines is in missions or as fringe dwellers around outback towns, there are virtually none living in trial conditions now.
Treatment of aborigines has improved substantially over the past 50 years or so, intolerance still exists and there are still some racial problems but in general terms things are much better than they were during our white settlement days when the treatment handed out was abysmal.
Alcohol is the main cause of problems here, aboriginals have still not got the same toerance to or ability to handle drink as white people, maybe they never will have?
Probably the greatest mis-conception that visitors have is the "Crocodile Dundee" image they expect... kangaroos bounding down the main roads etc, there are lots of places where this image can be seen (many golf courses or other open areas) but not in downtown Sydney or Melbourne.
Probably the biggest surprise comes from the environment, the vivid colours of the sand and water of a Queensland beach, the exquisite blue of the sky when there are a few fluffy white clouds blowing across it, the incredible red of the sand in central Australia, the sheer enormity of space when traveling in the outback or watching the sunset over Uluru, the beauty of Sydney harbour with the bridge and opera house to set it off.
I hope you get the idea... its awonderful land to visit but even better to live in.






Reader Karisma said;
Hmmm! I must be a ring in then! Im not too fussed on sport myself! Especially football and cricket....I loathe those ones! How Un-Australian of me!
As for coal being a dirty word, grrrr, Im so sick of those damn ships that are polluting our nice beaches, they sit all the way down the coast from Newcastle and yes rubbish and fuel gets into the shore. Its disgusting!

Karisma, I'm pleased to hear that you recognise your Un-Australianess in not embracing sport in the traditional manner I sincerely hope you have not passed this failing on to your offspring.
I had in mind the burning of coal as its source of dirtiness but if the cap fits, wear it.

Reader Pamela said;
whaddaya mean: strikes my fancy everything you write strikes my fancy
(by the way... what is my fancy?)

Pamela, thank you for those sentiments, as for the question... I guess where ever you get "That" sensation when you read it, I sincerely hope it isn't the butt region.
(Hope you'll pardon me fixin' the typos in your comment)

Reader Cliff said;
The problem for you is that when I decide I've had enough of the drivel here in the states, I'm planning on moving to the land of oz.
Coal isn't a dirty word.
I loved your story about Ned by the way.
We've always had horses here on this farm.
That's also why I'm an angry old man and broke.

Cliff, your last sentence sort of took the gloss of the fact that you intend to emigrate to Australia, we are in the market for wealthy immigrants right now to help bail us out of this recession.
I must admit that coal isn't quite as bad as some other 4 letter words but burning big mobs of it to generate power is starting to get a bad reputation... you know, Global Warming and stuff like that.

Reader Kenju said;
Peter, they should hire you to write travel brochures for AU!!

Kenju, the last of the complimentary commenters, thank you, it has been said that what I write could possibly keep people away at times!

Reader Gattina said;
Very interesting post ! I enjoyed it very much and learned a lot ! Thanks !

And thanks to you too Gattina, so glad to hear that you enjoyed it and learned something also.

Reader Puss-in-boots said;
Well said, Peter. But you didn't mention the snakes, crocodiles, sharks, poisonous spiders

Puss-in boots, you might care to read my comment to Kenju above... you know, about scaring tourists away!!! thanks for reading though.

Reader Suzz said;
Hi, Peter. I think you should be appointed Australia's ambassador to the blogging world. Your posts are always interesting. Hope all goes well for Rex.

Suzz, perhaps you too should read my answers to Kenju and Puss-in-boots but I'm glad you like them and thank you for the thoughts for Rex... May 21 will tell the story there.

Reader Jamie Dawn said;
I enjoyed this post very much. I'm thinking that since Australia is so sports oriented, that Aussies for the most part are probably in good shape.
Should I visit Australian someday, I bet I won't be visiting the Red Center. I'm thinking I'd be a big sissy when it comes to that hard area.
In Arkansas, we have hot, high humid weather from about June through September, with July and August being the worst. I don't mind it though. I much prefer the spring weather that we are having right now. It is perfect! Not too hot or cold... it's just right. And with all the greenery and blooms and birds singing, I'd like it to remain this way longer. But alas... summer is coming, and we shall be sweating before long.
We've had TONS of rain in the past two weeks. I mean lots and lots. I'm considering growing gills.

Well Jamie thank you for the weather synopsis for Ark in saw (or is that R-kansas) I'll be able ta time my visit much more betta with that in mind.
You're right of course about us Aussies bein' in good shape, without wantin' ta brag you've seen some of the pictures of me from time ta time.... nuff sed.
Thank you also for your words of encouagement 'bout my writin' it means a lot to me.

Reader Anonymous said;
I so enjoy reading your blog and I have come to love you and your family.

What can one say in answer to this Anonymous comment except, thank you, and I love my family too.