Happy birthday to the synoptic chart. On February 5, 1877, the first weather map was published in Australia – in The Sydney Morning Herald – compiled from telegrams by one H.C. Russell. Writing from Hobart, library technician Russell Hill writes: "I would like to say well done great-great-great-grandfather and thanks for the memories." And the weather that day? Wind was nine pounds on the square foot, barometer 30.32, rising, and temperature 67F in the shade. Pleasant.
Heather Harman (C8 doorbell triggered by neighbour's garage) prompts Geoff Linn, Gilead, to write: "We have ceiling fans in our retirement unit. Switch off one, the doorbell plays Banjo on my Knee. Switch off another, it plays Twinkle, Twinkle. The resident's button across the road triggers our next door neighbour's bell (Big Ben chimes)."
"Perhaps it's the other way around – every time Heather Herman's doorbell gets rung her neighbour feels a compulsion to back his car out of his garage." From Stewart Smith, North Kellyville.
David Davies of Callala Beach recalls something similar with an old acquaintance. "He had to have a pacemaker installed and, thereafter, every time he made love to his wife his neighbour's garage door went up and down." Urban myth maybe?
"How soon do you think before the media will be referring to the premier (Berejiklian) and her deputy (Barilaro) as B1 and B2?" Just wondering says Mila Yates, Valentine.
More on clients (C8). "When I was a young man I was coldly informed by an older customer that only lawyers and prostitutes had 'clients'." Rob Aalders of Kanimbla.
"Apropos of dogs becoming clients, I can recall when airline travellers were passengers, not customers," writes Peter Nunan, Dareton.
"The US says it is applying 'extreme vetting' to some would-be immigrants. Sounds like something you do to stray cats," notes Adrian Connelly, Springwood.
"Bob Raine might be happy to see the return of the delightful Fiona in Antiques Roadshow, but the fact remains that this particular program is still a repeat repeat," says John Tapner, North Turramurra.
Remember The Frost Report (C8)? "Sure do, absolutely brilliant BBC comedy," says Roger Lea, Caringbah. "I remember with glee the three armed forces chiefs standing over a map of England and the Admiral saying, 'I want my ships there, in that green patch'. 'You can't!' came the reply. 'Why not?' 'That is Sherwood Forest'."
Twitter: @Column8SMH