"Thanks mate"

One of the benefits of living in a place with fewer people is that it's so much more friendly than being in a huge metropolis. I don't think it's an Australian thing per se - it's probably more to do with London being so densely populated (walking through Sydney's CBD on the way to morning lectures during rush hour is much like London). As a rough calculation I would say on average, 50% of the time passengers thank the bus driver when disembarking; marginally fewer in the busy morning rush (it's just impractical apart from anything else), but certainly higher in Balmain and at quieter times. And almost everyone seems to thank the guy on the ferry for putting out the plank for (dis)embarking - perhaps out of fear of what might happen if he suddenly stuck the other end in the water. Over the last week there have been several occasions where I've witnessed strangers start up a conversation on the ferry. When I run around Mort Bay people I pass say hello. Today I went to collect my running bag (number and running chip, etc) for the half marathon at the weekend, from a large 'expo' tent at Circular Quay. I was registered by a 77 year old man with whom I had a pleasant chat, and who, having given me my stuff, shook me firmly by the hand and wished me all the best for the run.

It's amazing how much little experiences like these can make a positive difference. More of it, I say.

Finally, for the benefit of George, here's another food photo. I made Thai red curry with fresh prawns and veg this evening; I love mushrooms but I don't think they go especially well, and they also make the sauce a bit darker, so it's not one of my best.