Change equals no change

The Kiwi dollar is now so debased that they no longer bother with the correct change in shops - so much for the mighty dollar. The systematic destruction of the culture and heritage of the country is a shame. They did it all by themselves. This lament on the wall of the car museum in Geraldine, New Zealand, sums it up:

A Bank officer recently heard the following explanation
for a farmer's financial trouble:

"It all started back in 66 when they changed from
pounds to dollars - me bloody overdraft doubled.

Then they brought in kilograms instead of pounds.
Me bloody wool clip dropped by half.

Then they changed the rain to millimeters and we
haven't had an inch of rain since.

They brought in Celsius, and it never got over
40; no wonder my bloody wheat wouldn't grow.

Then they changed acres to hectares and I end
up with half the bloody land I had.

By this time I'd had it, and decided to sell out.
I got the place in the agents hands when they
changed from miles to kilometres.

Now I'm too far out of town for anyone to buy
the place."

One thing they couldn't afford to ruin was the three foot, six inch gauge railways - I'm glad I got to ride on what is left of them before they too are all gone. See PunchBuggy Passim.

Outback of beyond

We are in Cairns, Queensland after superb tour in NZ and Australia. Great visit to Charters Towers and on to Georgetown - found an old relative in the graveyard and marvelled at the toughness of the settlers on the goldfields in the 1870s. No Kuranda Scenic Railway I'm afraid as it is out of commission for two months following a landslide. Spoke to the station master at Kuranda who had a good take on tourist railroads in these parts - those at Ravenshoe and Atherton are struggling but the Savannahlander continues on a truncated route.
Endless days at 30C here - much rain in the rainforest - lots of birdwatching and wallaby spotting. Last night at Port Douglas, a tourist town north of Cairns and one giant trinketeria. Hand back the Wicked camper tomorrow morning and then we fly to Hong Kong for four nights. Back to Toronto from there. Gonna be a snowbird from now on.

Gone troppo

I'm in Townsville, Queensland in the tropics doing family research and meeting family members never before seen. Have been in 34C here - driving rent-a-wreck bus with busted lock on tailgate but coping with bush mechanics. Everywhere, like in North America, is a bloody long way - worn myself out driving but now refreshed in T'ville, which is much better than the guidebooks would have you believe. Heading for the outback later today to seek graves of old gold diggers in my family.

Running out of steam

Three weeks on the road and half way through the tour. Just arrived in Sydney, Australia after splendid NZ tour and four nights in Melbourne. Caught the Virgin Blue shuttle this morning arriving at lunch time. Took the train to Central and walked to hotel - too far with luggage!
Yesterday on the Puffing Billy [steam] Railway in Victoria - quite the nicest day out anywhere. They still operate in miles-per-hour.
Annette is blogging here.