It’s hardly a badge of honour, but at long last, after an occasionally indulgent life, I have acquired what travel insurers call a pre-existing condition. You may not regard it as much of a condition. It has come and gone, perhaps never to return, but so far as insurance is concerned, it can be akin to a Mark of Cain. However, as I’ve just learned, the news is not all bad. If you are stra... read more>

Are you ready for an electric car? Or, more to the point, are they ready for you? There are plenty of arguments going on about the pros and cons, but the one which interests me is called ‘range anxiety.’ It’s the understandable fear that you could be stranded in whoop whoop, unable to charge your wheels. Or, more likely, having to wait protracted periods to either charge up your vehicl... read more>

If you haven't booked your flights for Christmas yet, get ready to raid the piggy bank, choose another mode of transport, or stay home. We know airfares have rocketed post-COVID as the carriers take advantage of surging demand, fewer airlines are serving Australia and there’s a need to make up for earlier pandemic losses. For example, a Yuletide visit to Auckland from Sydney return could ... read more>

Whenever I go anywhere, the first thing I try to get hold of is a map. Not some poor definition tiny-screened digital version but the full fold-out paper version. And it’s getting harder and harder to find one. Agencies are keen that you download the directions and don’t you dare bother them with anything they have to print. Sadly, the excellent Cartoscope series of tourist maps (see pic)... read more>

I have been to meals involving several courses. I have sat down to eat some strange dishes. But I’ve never broken bread with ‘strangers’ from seven generations. This week I had the privilege to attend (representing many of you as “the baby boomer”) an extraordinary Generations over Dinner with participants aged eight to 99 years old. The idea is to gather friends, family and even complete... read more>