2

sample banknotes with colour changesUntil the release of the new $10 note a few months ago, I'd never really thought about the colour of banknotes. I guess all the countries I've visited (except the USA) have had adequately different notes. But Australia's new note tore up my complacency, as I discovered that I couldn't tell it apart from the newish $5 note unless looking at the actual images and numbers on it.
...continue reading "Banking blind: new Australian notes are useless for the colour-blind"

Dolphin off Bruny Island

I've done many suitcases-worth of travelling, but there are only a few experiences which have really made it onto a notional worldwide-must-dos list. Taking a ride down the coast of South Bruny Island in Tasmania is one of them. ...continue reading "Bucket-list: Boat ride down Bruny Island, Tasmania"

Catharthic closure of my banking relationship *

So you've been a customer of a big bank for over 10 years, with a relatively smooth experience. Then you get a letter in the mail telling you that the account which you've been using for business for that period is "being used in breach of the terms of the account, because we have noticed that you are using it for business purposes". ...continue reading "Bastards: An experience with HSBC"