I assume that some of you heard about the excessive consumption of beer and other alcohol in Australia. Following article found in The Manly Daily gives you an impression of how popular drinking is in Australia.

John Morcombe

19 December 2007

ON one night 61 drivers had breath tests, and 59 had been drinking. When will the message get through?

Almost every driver breath-tested during a two-hour period on a popular rat run through Newport had alcohol in their system.

Out of 61 drivers stopped, 59 registered a reading and four were over the limit.

The appalling statistic comes as random-breath testing celebrates its 25th anniversary, but highlights the fact drivers either haven't learned to curb their behaviour or are still willing to take a chance at escaping detection.

On Saturday night Northern Beaches Highway Patrol set up their specially-equipped booze bus on Prince Alfred Pde, which drivers use in an attempt to avoid police on Barrenjoey Rd.

The four people over the limit included a 57-year-old Newport woman who was charged with mid-range drink driving and had her licence immediately suspended, a 29-year-old man from Alexandria who was charged with low-range drink driving, a 62-year-old man from Avalon who was charged with high-range drink driving and had his licence immediately suspended and a 64-year-old man from Bilgola Plateau who was charged with low-range drink-driving.

The Northern Beaches has the worst drink-driving record in the metropolitan area and the seventh worst area in the state.

Since random breath testing was introduced in December 1982, nearly 58 million breath tests have been conducted.

The worst month was March 2002, when 2466 people in NSW were charged with drink driving.

Northern Beaches Highway Patrol's Sgt Paul Green said there were three main reasons for the problem - complacency, ignorance of how much they could drink before driving and using poor public transport as a justification for taking a chance of escaping detection.

Sgt Green said the sponsoring of the booze bus by G Brothers of Mona Vale showed businesses supported the crackdown, but motorists were still being selfish by thinking they can get away with drink-driving.

``People use the rat run along Prince Alfred Pde and Hudson Pde after leaving licensed premises at Newport and Mona Vale because they think they'll escape being breath-tested on Barrenjoey Rd,'' he said. ``But we'll catch them wherever we can.''

Despite the northern beaches' poor record, former police minister George Paciullo, who oversaw the introduction of random breath testing, said it had reduced the carnage on the roads since the 1960s, '70s and '80s, when having ``one for the road'' was part of Australian culture.

``The measure's exceptional degree of success could not have been achieved with universal community acceptance if it was not for the dedicated, courteous and competent way in which police have enforced it,'' he said.

My favourite restaurant in Manly

I visited Four Olives Deli on my first day here in Manly. My host mother showed me this specific cafe and deli because her boyfriend who is my host father works there as a chef. We went there for lunch and I had some difficulties to decide what I should have because the menu is quite rich. I finally chose a very tasty beef burger made of home-made beef pattie with herbs and spices, topped with caramelized onions, grilled bacon, Swiss cheese, semi-dried tomato, mixed leaf lettuce, avocado and Provolone cheese. The burger was served with crunchy fries. I noticed that the team of staff was highly motivated and provided me with the best service. After I had finished my outstanding meal I ordered an espresso which is until now the best on I've ever had in Australia.

After that, my host father pointed at the cheese and the deli meat room where you can find the very best, and sometimes hard to find, products from both domestic and international market. As a Swiss, I critically judged these rooms and came to the conclusion these display a unique and selection of fine quality and very rare produce.

The decor is trendy, stylish and lively and you get an impression of how it must be in a deli Italy. Four Olives Deli, as I mentioned above, provides you with a huge variety of meals and delicatessen which makes it even harder to categorize its cuisine. Despite that fact, I would say that Italian and modern Australian dishes dominate its menu.

Four Olives Deli is also closely affiliated with Lake George Winery, supplying you with exclusive blends. You can enjoy a glass of wine direct from the deli or instead of it, bring your own beverages. In the second case a corkage of 2 Aussie dollars will be charged. You can either enjoy your orders inside or observe the surroundings from the outside dining area. If you are not in a mood to have a rich meal you might just grab a coffee and check out the excellent selection of smallgoods.

Anyway, Four Olives Deli is definitely the place to relax and unwind from the daily grind. Personally, I think it is a wonderful place to come together with a group of friends and share your passion for culinary delights.

Four Olives Deli is located in Darley Road in Manly (check out the attached map for further information) and it is open every day from 6am to 6pm for breakfast, lunch and Sunday brunches as well.

It's me, Martin (profile written by Max)

Martin, a 24-year-old guy from Zurich in Switzerland, is the oldest of four children. He lives at his parents house, so he still has got a good, close relationship with his family. He takes care of two brothers and one sister, especially his youngest brother he takes of care most, because on the one hand he is the youngest and on the other hand Martin is like an idol for him and he looks up to his older brother.
When he was young Martin was a lively child, was the class clown sometimes, but he knew when to stop and to calm down.
Martin is a very sporty guy and like many Swiss people he's a passionate snowboarder, which is just one of his hobbies. He also likes watching sport on TV or even live in a stadium and going to his gym club.
He likes nearly every kind of music, it depends on his mood, but when he's driving in his car he usually listens to house music.
Martin prefers watching TV shows like The Simpson's or Scrubs to movies, but he named Forrest Gump as his favourite movie.
He decided to go to Australia on the one hand because a friend had recommended Manly to him as the best place to improve your English, because he needs to do it for his job and on the other hand because of the great summer over here.
Before he arrived in Australia he had been to Bournemouth in England also to learn English. He spent four weeks there and called that time one of his best moments or time in his life, but it's quite the first time he's been so far away from home.
In ten tears Martin sees himself in a senior manager position in a big firm as far as his job is concerned and maybe he''ll be married, will have some kids, but he hasn't met his Mrs. Perfect yet.

Post from a muse

Today I've received a letter which was stamped in Baar. First I thought it could be a anthrax attack. But, fortunately, it was just a pretty girl who sent me some pictures...

For further information on Jennifer Ann Gerber and her colleagues please click on the URLs.