G'day, Brian
All well here (now), thanks. Life and health were a tad wobbly a while ago, but those issues appear to have resolved. At 72, bits do occasionally fall off, so I'm not complaining. Given the hard times I gave my body when younger, I'm amazed it's kept going this long. lol
The only real issue here at present is the outrageous unaffordability of living in Byron Shire. We long-term and lifelong locals are being forced out by loaded newcomers (including many covid refugees from the cities – can't blame them for that). The shire now has the dubious honour of having the nation's highest average residential property prices, partly owing to an invasion of 'celebrities'. It seems that if they have a biggish name they have a property here, even if many of them live here for only a month or two each year.
An example: A couple of weeks ago a very ordinary property – unassuming house on one hectare – sold to a [insert derogatory term of your choice] 'celebrity' (a 'culture' I refuse to acknowledge beyond despising it) for $9M. Three years ago the same property changed hands for $1.2M. It's bloody obscene.
The place where I'm living – a 120-year-old wooden former church – is about to hit the market for $2M+, and my rent is set to increase from $350/wk to $550. As an age pensioner there's no way I can afford that: the pension is only $980 per fortnight.
Rentals are rarer than chook teeth and fish feathers courtesy of that other plague known as Airbnb and Stayz.
The property-profit virus has spread right across the Northern Rivers region, and I'm looking at moving at least 150km inland, possibly farther. Even the Central West may be on the cards.
At least I now have only two vehicles to move: my C126 500 SEC, currently under rebuild, and my daily wheelbarrow, a 2003 BA Foulcan ute.
Anyhow, that's my bitch. lol
All is well with you and your machines, I hope?
Have a great Silly Season and may your 2022 be an improvement on the outgoing year!
The same wishes for the new year to all Topklassers!
