Dear Hassie,

Thanks for your condolences regarding my mother.
Mum passed as she lived - peacefully and with dignity.
May she Rest in Peace.

Foxy,

I have traveled this road many times living in Sydney with family in Melbourne.

I would consider extended periods of Boney M cruel and unusual punishment.

Hi Foxy,

My sincere condolences on the loss of your mum.

Us Sydneysider say "The best thing to come out of Melbourne is the Hume Hwy." Having made the trip down and back by road at night last winter I'd say for the first time in 20 years, and it will be another 20 years till the next time. Stopping at I think Tumblong township at 2am, at minus 2 degrees for a yesterdays over cooked Chiko Roll is the highlight of the trip.

Driving the Hume Hwy from M to S or S to M, just as horrible, its a great advert for flying. Which if "T" makes it home tomorrow from a "tangi" in NZ we'll be doing on Sunday to Brisbane to see the Mokos (grandchildren).

As for music I love Reggae myself, old school. My all time favorite is 'Three Little Birds' Bob Marley. Please have a listen and take the words to heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-qFyinrniI

Good Morning Shadow Minister,

Listening to Boney M made the journey even longer.
I now know all the word to the Rivers of Babylon,
Nightflight to Venus, Daddy Cool, Rasputin, Ma Baker,
Brown Girl in the Ring, Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord,
and finally - Gotta Go Home.

'By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down
Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered Zion ..."

Dear Paul,

Thank You for your condolences regarding the passing of my mother.
I think it's never easy to lose one's mum. They are such a
presence in our lives.

I can identify with your chiko roll. All I wanted for lunch was
a fresh salad sandwich. What I ended up with was a stale greasy
spring roll that tasted off.

Thank you for Bob Marley's - Three Little Birds. I know the
song well. And it's also a favourite.

Give my Best Wishes to "T". And have fun with your grandchildren.

We won't be travelling to Sydney by car anytime soon. (If ever
again). I think we'll definitely fly next time.

At least the speed limit is consistent. Try the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane. There is not a single kilometer with the same speed limit. Road work signs are place at spots where there is no not the least sign of any roadwork. \There was even a kilometer of "roadwork" without a sign of roadwork and two police radars in operation. I am sure the police have mobile speed limit signs.

Dear AT,

Thanks for that. I'll keep it in mind if I'm ever
tempted to drive to Brisbane again. I vaguely recall
doing it about a decade ago - but that was in my
salad days (when I was fresh and green - joke) and
I don't recall having any probs back then. However things
change as you get older that's for sure. Also being in
an unfit state emotionally as I was recently probably doesn't
help either. Should have flown.