Now that retail has retired its incessant Christmas carols, spare a thought for workers in salons offering massage and other pampering services, suggests Maruschka Loupis of Como. "They are subjected to flutes and bells or bird/whale sounds designed to provide 'relaxation' for clients, all day, every day. Far from assisting me to relax, that 'music' drives me up the wall in just one hour. Image what it might be like for them."
Our item on P.G. Taylor's Catalina caused some interest. David Woods of St.Ives writes: "I also flew in P.G.Taylor's Catalina out of Rathmines in the early 50's when a member of the Air Training Corp. I believe it was Frigate Bird II and not III and was last seen hanging in the Powerhouse Museum.
"My father Harry Purvis was the co-pilot and engineer with Gordon Taylor in the 1950s, I was allowed a rare day off from boarding school to meet the historic arrival at Rose Bay," reports Robyn Hansen of Pennant Hills.
Also, Patricia Spooner of North Turramurra writes: "My husband and I flew off on our honeymoon from Hobart to Sydney on January 2nd 1954 on a flying boat, which he assures me was a Sunderland, not a Catalina. I believe this flying boat was later purchased by the husband of actress Maureen O'Hara and taken to the Caribbean."
Bernd Fichtner of Matraville says thank you to Malcolm Gall for sharing that truly galling experience with us (C8 slow driving) "For some years, my wife and I have been quite amused when, driving on highways in Victoria, we kept seeing signs reminding drivers that police enforce speed, not speed limits. Now we can see the seriousness of their endeavour, and, like you, we are not amused."
This week in Wollongong I saw a campervan which obviously belongs to a happily retired couple. Painted at the back are the names Mrs Dolittle and Mr Fishmore," from Ross Leighton of Wollongong. Oh, the joy of the open road!
Macquarie News this morning reported that a woman was kicked in the head by a horse at Wyong. She was in "a stable" condition. Thanks Peter Procopis of Burradoo.
Twitter: @Column8SMH