I can't remember the last time that I had a cheque to pay in, until last week when Telstra saw fit to give me a refund on an old account. But Bank of Queensland only has two branches in the 'Ville, one too far away (like a 20 minute drive, a marathon 😊) and one in a nearby shopping centre which is horrible to park - and horrible to shop, for that matter.
But ... this is prob old news to everyone except me, AusPost has a facility, Bank@Post. So I just toddled, well, coddled, toddled in my car, along to my local PO and paid the cheque in with even less hassle than at a bank branch. I imagine this is a Godsend in a country town where all the bank branches have been closed.
I just had a quick look at the childhood country town to see if there were any banks left there, far western NSW. It appears two that were there back in the '70s are still in operation. I also remember there being a Rural bank branch, but that had a name change and then was absorbed by another in the mid 2000s. I was surprised to see that two different banks were still operating there. The hours appear to be reduced, but that's expected given there is also an ATM available.
I am astonished at your being sent a cheque @Foaming Draught , I had anticipated that doing a bank transfer would be the way to go!
... I am astonished at your being sent a cheque @Foaming Draught , I had anticipated that doing a bank transfer would be the way to go!
You'd think so, wouldn't you, esp since they have my bank details because I pay them by direct debit each month. Ah well, it was a nice retro moment, made easy by Bank@Post. I haven't issued a cheque, nor even had a cheque-book, in the 30 years I've lived in Australia.
NZ got rid of cheques years ago, which I don't think was a brilliant move. If I want to send money to anyone I have to use internet banking. which is when my neighbour steps in and helps. I can deposit money in a business account, but not in my brother's bank account even though it's in the same bank as mine.
The young tech genius at Tech Mate turned out to be an older man who was very helpful and now both my phones are sorted, so if I lose my usual one I can ring it on the spare one.
I also sorted out my rates payments, which is a great relief. The next thing to sort out is the paperwork so I can claim a bit more money for the earthquake damage. My claim was settled early and there was a successful court case after I was paid out so I am owed money by the insurer. While it will be welcome I'm feeling a bit punch drunk from the flurry of financial stuff.
Just heard from eldest Beaky daughter that they they've received a Tsunami advisory in the Far North of NZ.
Thinking about all of our Antipodean shipmates.
Heading down to chilly Katoomba for a few days. I do like the mountains. Even in winter.
It’s lovely in all seasons! We’ve recently bought a place there and visit frequently. Never tire of the walks and the views - and the fresh air. Love to hear how your trip went, always keen to find out good places to eat and see.
I’m resting this week under instructions from the skin dr who took a chunk out of my scalp on Monday. Camping trip planned for this weekend postponed due to the forecast cold and rain.
Hope you're recovering well, mr curly. I've sent you a message.
Had a nice time. Did a few walks, Scenic World (overcame my fear, terror, of heights and went on the cable car) and wandered around. Very relaxing which is what I was after.
Had a nice time. Did a few walks, Scenic World (overcame my fear, terror, of heights and went on the cable car) and wandered around. Very relaxing which is what I was after.
I lived at Blackheath from 1985 to 2005 and loved every minute of it. However, I don't think I would handle the cold now I am over 70!!
I loved the cable car as a much younger person @Climacus. I'm glad to hear your time away was relaxing.
Good to hear of your rain @Gee D, we keep getting promises of rain here, but the odd heavy shower and the rest just enough to keep any dust down. We must have had a couple of big gusts of wind early this morning as I noticed our side gate had been blown open. Looking out the window it's grey and dull outside.
I hope your scalp is healing up OK @Mr Curly and @Huia, am I right to think all threat of Tsunami has now passed and that you and the southern Beaky family are all safe?
I'm starting to get excited because I will be reaching my preservation age for my pension this month. Having worked for so long and battling to keep my job when cheery son was unwell, I'm very relieved to have made it. It will be very minimal, but it will free up some money for Cheery husband to redirect into other things and it will allow me to do some things for the house (a water tank), and maybe over time some kitchen facelift jobs. I'm trying not to make too many plans, but am looking forward to the freedom that this will bring.
After a very stressful time on the telephone Husband Beaky (He's a bit of a luddite but it had to be him who made the booking as he had the airmiles!) managed to book our flights and we will leave the UK late September to spend a few weeks with eldest Beaky daughter and kids in the Far North of New Zealand.
Life is not easy for her atm so hopefully we geriatrics will recover quickly from the flights and be able to do our bit to support them all and have some fun.
We have yet to decide whether to hire a car in Auckland and drive north or book onward flights to Kerikeri and try to hire a car there.
Either way, looking forward to being back in beautiful NZ for the first time in six years!
My attempts to circumnavigate the Big Red Western Isle, attempts about which I haven't posted, are so far proving a little unsuccessful.
Having purchased a car I have driven it (and others) myriad (it seems) times between Melbourne's Northern Suburbs. Plus an experimental excursion to Kinglake in the Dividing Ranges. The latter was an attempt to see if said vehicle was working properly.
It was until it wasn't.
The back story to that was that it died 120 kms after purchase, as I headed out to KuruZapplette #5's farm in the Macedon Ranges, ready for departure. The dealer agreed to have it fixed, so I limped back in, warning light on, to a mechanic in Tullamarine. Who gave it a new turbo. At the dealer's expense.
So I drove it back to the Macedon Ranges via Kinglake, but it died, this time achieving 150 kms.
Back to Tullamarine.
Several trips back and forth, between Woodend and Tullamarine. Ensconcements chez KuruZapplettes ## 2, 4 & 5. Currently freezing in Preston (inner northern suburban Melbourne), freezing because KuruZapplette #2 doesn't do heaters. The car is now receiving a EGR* overhaul or transplant - which I told them was the problem in the first place. Sigh.
The circumnavigation is going to be very tight for time .,.. by the time I leave on Wednesday I will have lost ten days. And there's no guarantee there world be more, er, malfunctions. But needs must.
Not least because I'm bloody freezing and need to get north.
@Cheery Gardener The problem with an earthquake the magnitude of the one that spawned the tsunami threat is that there are likely to be aftershocks large enough to spawn other tsunami. However with the epicenter being so far away it gives us enough time to evacuate if necessary. Warnings come through the cell phone network and I have no trouble hearing them even without my hearing aids in.
My house is within a kilometre of the sea and at most 2 metres above sea level. The Anglican Cathedral (further inland) has an engraved sign that says it is only 11 ft above sea level, so a reasonable chunk of Christchurch could be affected.
Thanks for the explanation @Huia, I have only been dipping in and out of the news over the last week.
I am sorry to hear about your car troubles @Zappa, that is a right royal pain. I hope it can be fixed properly this time.
Today has been phone calls to the local hospital in anticipation of preadmission clinic tomorrow for Cheery son. After about 3 phone calls I had a helpful person to speak with, information about covid precautions (none) and advice that I can ask a staff member to wear a mask (I wonder if they will comply with a request). So husband and son will be going off with personal HPA, N95s and a couple of spares as well as all the required notes and drugs. Bler, however, the good news was, he has been allocated the number 1 appointment slot of the day, so a silver lining has appeared. We'll see what is happening after tomorrow.
While they deal with the serious stuff, I have the joy of going for an eye test in order to renew my licence next week. I don't anticipate failing the test, but will be glad when it's done and dusted.
So warm here today, I almost (but not quite) broke out a summer t-shirt. Very soon we will be in the season of needing the heater at night, but being too warm during the day when it's on (it runs off-peak).
Comments
But ... this is prob old news to everyone except me, AusPost has a facility, Bank@Post. So I just toddled, well, coddled, toddled in my car, along to my local PO and paid the cheque in with even less hassle than at a bank branch. I imagine this is a Godsend in a country town where all the bank branches have been closed.
I am astonished at your being sent a cheque @Foaming Draught , I had anticipated that doing a bank transfer would be the way to go!
You'd think so, wouldn't you, esp since they have my bank details because I pay them by direct debit each month. Ah well, it was a nice retro moment, made easy by Bank@Post. I haven't issued a cheque, nor even had a cheque-book, in the 30 years I've lived in Australia.
The young tech genius at Tech Mate turned out to be an older man who was very helpful and now both my phones are sorted, so if I lose my usual one I can ring it on the spare one.
I also sorted out my rates payments, which is a great relief. The next thing to sort out is the paperwork so I can claim a bit more money for the earthquake damage. My claim was settled early and there was a successful court case after I was paid out so I am owed money by the insurer. While it will be welcome I'm feeling a bit punch drunk from the flurry of financial stuff.
Thinking about all of our Antipodean shipmates.
However tomorrow will be cold & wet but unfortunately have to venture out to shop then visit Aged Friend in nursing home,like it or not.
It’s lovely in all seasons! We’ve recently bought a place there and visit frequently. Never tire of the walks and the views - and the fresh air. Love to hear how your trip went, always keen to find out good places to eat and see.
I’m resting this week under instructions from the skin dr who took a chunk out of my scalp on Monday. Camping trip planned for this weekend postponed due to the forecast cold and rain.
mr curly
Had a nice time. Did a few walks, Scenic World (overcame my fear, terror, of heights and went on the cable car) and wandered around. Very relaxing which is what I was after.
I lived at Blackheath from 1985 to 2005 and loved every minute of it. However, I don't think I would handle the cold now I am over 70!!
Good to hear of your rain @Gee D, we keep getting promises of rain here, but the odd heavy shower and the rest just enough to keep any dust down. We must have had a couple of big gusts of wind early this morning as I noticed our side gate had been blown open. Looking out the window it's grey and dull outside.
I hope your scalp is healing up OK @Mr Curly and @Huia, am I right to think all threat of Tsunami has now passed and that you and the southern Beaky family are all safe?
I'm starting to get excited because I will be reaching my preservation age for my pension this month. Having worked for so long and battling to keep my job when cheery son was unwell, I'm very relieved to have made it. It will be very minimal, but it will free up some money for Cheery husband to redirect into other things and it will allow me to do some things for the house (a water tank), and maybe over time some kitchen facelift jobs. I'm trying not to make too many plans, but am looking forward to the freedom that this will bring.
Life is not easy for her atm so hopefully we geriatrics will recover quickly from the flights and be able to do our bit to support them all and have some fun.
We have yet to decide whether to hire a car in Auckland and drive north or book onward flights to Kerikeri and try to hire a car there.
Either way, looking forward to being back in beautiful NZ for the first time in six years!
Having purchased a car I have driven it (and others) myriad (it seems) times between Melbourne's Northern Suburbs. Plus an experimental excursion to Kinglake in the Dividing Ranges. The latter was an attempt to see if said vehicle was working properly.
It was until it wasn't.
The back story to that was that it died 120 kms after purchase, as I headed out to KuruZapplette #5's farm in the Macedon Ranges, ready for departure. The dealer agreed to have it fixed, so I limped back in, warning light on, to a mechanic in Tullamarine. Who gave it a new turbo. At the dealer's expense.
So I drove it back to the Macedon Ranges via Kinglake, but it died, this time achieving 150 kms.
Back to Tullamarine.
Several trips back and forth, between Woodend and Tullamarine. Ensconcements chez KuruZapplettes ## 2, 4 & 5. Currently freezing in Preston (inner northern suburban Melbourne), freezing because KuruZapplette #2 doesn't do heaters. The car is now receiving a EGR* overhaul or transplant - which I told them was the problem in the first place. Sigh.
The circumnavigation is going to be very tight for time .,.. by the time I leave on Wednesday I will have lost ten days. And there's no guarantee there world be more, er, malfunctions. But needs must.
Not least because I'm bloody freezing and need to get north.
* Exhaust Gas Recirculation
Stay warm til then!
My house is within a kilometre of the sea and at most 2 metres above sea level. The Anglican Cathedral (further inland) has an engraved sign that says it is only 11 ft above sea level, so a reasonable chunk of Christchurch could be affected.
I am sorry to hear about your car troubles @Zappa, that is a right royal pain. I hope it can be fixed properly this time.
Today has been phone calls to the local hospital in anticipation of preadmission clinic tomorrow for Cheery son. After about 3 phone calls I had a helpful person to speak with, information about covid precautions (none) and advice that I can ask a staff member to wear a mask (I wonder if they will comply with a request). So husband and son will be going off with personal HPA, N95s and a couple of spares as well as all the required notes and drugs. Bler, however, the good news was, he has been allocated the number 1 appointment slot of the day, so a silver lining has appeared. We'll see what is happening after tomorrow.
While they deal with the serious stuff, I have the joy of going for an eye test in order to renew my licence next week. I don't anticipate failing the test, but will be glad when it's done and dusted.
So warm here today, I almost (but not quite) broke out a summer t-shirt. Very soon we will be in the season of needing the heater at night, but being too warm during the day when it's on (it runs off-peak).