2. 2013

Australia in February

In February I was fortunate enough to be invited to tour Australia by Humane Research Australia and the Anti-Vivisection Union of South Australia, to speak on the themes of my book The Costs and Benefits of Animal Experiments, which was recently released in paperback. I'm extremely grateful to them, and to the Cruelty Free Shop in Sydney, who kindly sponsored my tour.
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  • I started with the weird and wonderful sights of Singapore's Changi Airport. I do love it there. They have a massive butterfly house, orchids everywhere, a rooftop cactus garden and pool, and much, much more...

    I started with the weird and wonderful sights of Singapore's Changi Airport. I do love it there. They have a massive butterfly house, orchids everywhere, a rooftop cactus garden and pool, and much, much more...

  • Next was a chance to catch up with my great-uncle Noel. He and his wife Audrey live in Mt Beauty, in the Australian Alps. I hadn't seen them for about 35 years.

    Next was a chance to catch up with my great-uncle Noel. He and his wife Audrey live in Mt Beauty, in the Australian Alps. I hadn't seen them for about 35 years.

  • On the flight there I was reminded what a spectacularly vast, arid and ancient land my country is.

    On the flight there I was reminded what a spectacularly vast, arid and ancient land my country is.

  • The hazards of driving in Australia. The middle one is, of course, a wombat.

    The hazards of driving in Australia. The middle one is, of course, a wombat.

  • Finally Mum (right) and I arrived and had fun taking them out to lunch. Noel is 101, and Audrey a spring chicken at a mere 91.

    Finally Mum (right) and I arrived and had fun taking them out to lunch. Noel is 101, and Audrey a spring chicken at a mere 91.

  • Noel and Audrey were award winning artists, and Noel was a pretty crack photographer. Here he's showing me his camera collection - the state of the art in his day. He's pretty amazed by Mum's small compact digital. He was thrilled by his first go at using one!

    Noel and Audrey were award winning artists, and Noel was a pretty crack photographer. Here he's showing me his camera collection - the state of the art in his day. He's pretty amazed by Mum's small compact digital. He was thrilled by his first go at using one!

  • I was thrilled to see their ancient black and white photographs from over half a century ago. This one is a rare photo of the Bunganby Bunyip. It's not only Scotland that has giant serpents...

    I was thrilled to see their ancient black and white photographs from over half a century ago. This one is a rare photo of the Bunganby Bunyip. It's not only Scotland that has giant serpents...

  • The mountains around the ski resort of Falls Creek (adjacent to Mt Beauty) in summer, following a bushfire.

    The mountains around the ski resort of Falls Creek (adjacent to Mt Beauty) in summer, following a bushfire.

  • Falls creek high country in summer.

    Falls creek high country in summer.

  • The cliffs of Mt Buffalo (also close by) - a wonderful table-top mountain about 20 km long, rising about 1,000 m above the plains.

    The cliffs of Mt Buffalo (also close by) - a wonderful table-top mountain about 20 km long, rising about 1,000 m above the plains.

  • Somewhere behind that tree are some climbers part-way up one of only two, two-day climbs in Australia, looking small as ants. The drop here is about 1,000 m. They'll have to sleep on a ledge overnight. Awesome stuff and incredible views.

    Somewhere behind that tree are some climbers part-way up one of only two, two-day climbs in Australia, looking small as ants. The drop here is about 1,000 m. They'll have to sleep on a ledge overnight. Awesome stuff and incredible views.

  • I tried to get Mum to come climbing with me. She declined, but I know she wants to really... :) right Mum?

    I tried to get Mum to come climbing with me. She declined, but I know she wants to really... :) right Mum?

  • It's also a popular hang-gliding site.

    It's also a popular hang-gliding site.

  • This is where they launch from!

    This is where they launch from!

  • At the end of the high plateau is a wonderful rock tower called 'The Horn'.

    At the end of the high plateau is a wonderful rock tower called 'The Horn'.

  • With amazing views

    With amazing views

  • Being Australian, Mum's an expert in wombat poo identification. Here she demonstrates her expertise.

    Being Australian, Mum's an expert in wombat poo identification. Here she demonstrates her expertise.

  • One of our cooler animals. Quite a lot are seriously cool. One night in Western Australia a long time ago, something hopped out of the bush, sniffed around and disappeared. I never did figure out what it was.

    One of our cooler animals. Quite a lot are seriously cool. One night in Western Australia a long time ago, something hopped out of the bush, sniffed around and disappeared. I never did figure out what it was.

  • Cool house for a pygmy possum when there's no snow to burrow beneath.

    Cool house for a pygmy possum when there's no snow to burrow beneath.

  • Toward the end of that week Mum and I did a mad dash for the main range here, and Thredbo - Australia's biggest Alpine town. We drove hundreds of km in about 3 hours...

    Toward the end of that week Mum and I did a mad dash for the main range here, and Thredbo - Australia's biggest Alpine town. We drove hundreds of km in about 3 hours...

  • Passing wild emus...

    Passing wild emus...

  • Our chocolate melted in the heat. Completely normal in Australia.

    Our chocolate melted in the heat. Completely normal in Australia.

  • We got to this valley about 15 mins from Thredbo but had to turn around to make our flight. Still, it was great to get here. This was where I emerged from an epic two day solo survival adventure up on the highest peaks when I was about 20. One of the biggest adventures of my life. But that's another tale...

    We got to this valley about 15 mins from Thredbo but had to turn around to make our flight. Still, it was great to get here. This was where I emerged from an epic two day solo survival adventure up on the highest peaks when I was about 20. One of the biggest adventures of my life. But that's another tale...

  • Next, it was on to Brisbane, where I had 2 talks lined up: one in the Banana Lounge - a wonderful vegan cafe, and one at the Uni of QLD vet school, along with a tour of their facilities.

    Next, it was on to Brisbane, where I had 2 talks lined up: one in the Banana Lounge - a wonderful vegan cafe, and one at the Uni of QLD vet school, along with a tour of their facilities.

  • Brisbane is a tropical capital city

    Brisbane is a tropical capital city

  • It reputedly has the best weather in Australia, which is saying a lot. However I reckon my city of Perth is probably better - Brisbane can be hell in the wet season ('summer').

    It reputedly has the best weather in Australia, which is saying a lot. However I reckon my city of Perth is probably better - Brisbane can be hell in the wet season ('summer').

  • Banana Lounge. My ulterior motive for giving all these talks were the cakes. It was really a vegan cake tour of Australia :)

    Banana Lounge. My ulterior motive for giving all these talks were the cakes. It was really a vegan cake tour of Australia :)

  • The White House. Less commonly known as the Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, at the University of Queensland veterinary school. I think it's the only such centre at an Australian vet school, although we have centres for bioethics at other universities.

    The White House. Less commonly known as the Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, at the University of Queensland veterinary school. I think it's the only such centre at an Australian vet school, although we have centres for bioethics at other universities.

  • Meeting the PhD students in the White House. They were studying the coolest animals, ranging from tigers to elephants, and...

    Meeting the PhD students in the White House. They were studying the coolest animals, ranging from tigers to elephants, and...

  • of course the Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat!

    of course the Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat!

  • The vet teaching hospital and clinical skills centres were massive and state of the art, following a major, recent construction program. They also housed some very interesting patients. This is, after all, Australia :)

    The vet teaching hospital and clinical skills centres were massive and state of the art, following a major, recent construction program. They also housed some very interesting patients. This is, after all, Australia :)

  • Chelonian hatchlings

    Chelonian hatchlings

  • The outside runs attached to the dog kennels. Each dog received daily play time with one companion. They love running through the tunnels and leaping off the lower platform! This is how outside runs should be!

    The outside runs attached to the dog kennels. Each dog received daily play time with one companion. They love running through the tunnels and leaping off the lower platform! This is how outside runs should be!

  • Then it was back to Mum's place at Brighton in Adelaide for six days, and another presentation.

    Then it was back to Mum's place at Brighton in Adelaide for six days, and another presentation.

  • My Mum :)

    My Mum :)

  • Brighton Beach. Mum lives over the road, but in a spot with an even better view :)

    Brighton Beach. Mum lives over the road, but in a spot with an even better view :)

  • Brighton jetty - part of Mum's view

    Brighton jetty - part of Mum's view

  • And by night

    And by night

  • Uncle Grant gave up his research physicist job to reinvent himself as South Australia's biggest blueberry farmer. He has a bunch of plum trees etc too.

    Uncle Grant gave up his research physicist job to reinvent himself as South Australia's biggest blueberry farmer. He has a bunch of plum trees etc too.

  • A break from all the cakes :) A huge kangaroo also lives just behind me somewhere.

    A break from all the cakes :) A huge kangaroo also lives just behind me somewhere.

  • The Urban Cow - a really cool art gallery where my friend Georgia worked. She's a very talented jewellery artist.

    The Urban Cow - a really cool art gallery where my friend Georgia worked. She's a very talented jewellery artist.

  • Georgia & I. We've known each other since we were kids.

    Georgia & I. We've known each other since we were kids.

  • Adelaide was built on the banks of the River Torrens

    Adelaide was built on the banks of the River Torrens

  • How cool is this - the entire Uni of Adelaide campus is smoke-free! Australia leads the curve on this.

    How cool is this - the entire Uni of Adelaide campus is smoke-free! Australia leads the curve on this.

  • Bliss Organic Café. Like I said, I had ulterior motives for visiting.

    Bliss Organic Café. Like I said, I had ulterior motives for visiting.

  • It was also a chance to pay a visit to the War Memorial

    It was also a chance to pay a visit to the War Memorial

  • To see my great grandfather's name on the honour roll. He was a casualty of WW II.

    To see my great grandfather's name on the honour roll. He was a casualty of WW II.

  • His widow received a death medal. These were discontinued - there aren't too many of them.

    His widow received a death medal. These were discontinued - there aren't too many of them.

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    I tried to get Mum to come climbing with me. She declined, but I know she wants to really... :) right Mum?
    It's also a popular hang-gliding site.
    This is where they launch from!