In Australia, we call it “turtle necking”. The visual is worse.

Oh boy. Yes, I have come across those on some hikes. It’s unnerving how they look up at you as if they are sizing you up, and walk backwards while still looking at you. Didn’t know about the anaphylaxis, only know that the bites are very painful. Thank you!

I know. I also don’t like when my feet can’t touch the ground, so there’s that, too.

I’m also mad allergic to bug bites (mosquitoes and spiders are really bad), so I try to avoid anything that bites.

Still learning about Australia. I’ve survived for almost 6 years now, I think I’m doing okay.

As a Canadian living in Australia, I prefer the North American dangers. At least you can see most of them. I’ve nearly stepped too close to a tiger snake once and didn’t notice until I put my foot down. Luckily it preferred the warm spot over me.

I usually don’t go far in to the water out of fear of dark waters and rips. Seen the cute little blue dragons and jellyfish on beaches, but I leave those alone.

White tailed spiders under the covers, or in your closet or drawers are a joy, especially the baby ones.

Spicy peanut noods.

That’s awesome… And you know that now you’ve mentioned dogs, you must pay the dog tax.

Milk and cereal, milk and cereal, milk and cereal, cereal and milk!

I’m not sure. My partner isn’t as pedantic as I am, so I end up scooping his day old crumbs on to my toast the next day.

I love that you buy in bulk because you’re right - it definitely is cheaper buying more if you can eat it all before it spoils. What kind of foods do you make with cream cheese? Genuinely curious. I love cream cheese but I can’t finish it fast enough.

I don’t have a lot of stuff and not a lot of expensive stuff, but my top are:

• Instant Pot. I have a tiny kitchen, so being able to do x number of things with one piece of equipment is amazing. Also keeps the heat down in summer instead of oven and gas stove.

• Hiking poles. Got them recently, and they are a game changer. I’ve only ever seen older folks use them, but they got it right. Not only is it easier on my knees, but somehow they feel like they let me go further when I can use my arms as a little push forward.

• Garmin Fenix watch. Keeps me motivated to keep moving, and it serves as a silent wake up alarm so I don’t wake my partner in the early hours.

Honourable mentions:

• A good hand-held flashlight. I use this daily for work and when I go camping. Also great at night when hunting mosquitoes in the bedroom.

• A digital probe thermometer. Also used daily for work, and takes the guesswork out of cooking meats and things at home.

Absolutely. Butter acolytes unite!

Absolutely no digging in to the tub of butter, and no other food bits (usually bread crumbs) must be left inside.

If dug in to, it must be smoothed out before putting back in to the fridge. As for the crumbs, take them out and put them back on to the bread they came from. Now the butter can be put back in to the fridge.

I drive lots on the weekends, so I listen to podcasts. I’m currently listening to “Behind the Bastard” and I’m spending time here and there reading up on very dark history that I was never taught in any level of school.

So to answer your question, podcasts and reading! I’ve also made lists and info sheets on all sorts of things like what to look for in health food supplements, what my regiment is when I’m sick, list of books to read, ideas for birthday gifts, price comparisons… I also recently bought a Kalimba so that’s keeping me busy, too. It’s an instrument that’s easy to carry, so I dream of being able to play it by a camp-fire since I am hopeless at guitar.

At least I’ll never go hungry, but eventually I’ll get sick of myself.