Shaggy Dog Comments...

Australians are said to be willing to bet on two flies climbing up a wall, but it seems the latest punt is the albatross. The Nicholas Coleridge-sponsored albatross 'Xanadu' was pipped for first by Jerry Hall's 'Aphrodite' in the Ladbrokes' Big Bird Race, which followed the progress of these amazing migratory birds across the Indian Ocean. Nicholas is a descendent of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who wrote the classic poem 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner' about the misfortune that befalls a sailor who shot an albatross. The race featured 18 Tasmanian 'shy albatrosses' fitted with satellite tracking to monitor their yearly journey to South Africa. Millions of people around the world bet on the race, then followed it on the Internet. The serious side to the tracking was its part of studies into this endangered species by Tasmanian marine biologists looking at potential fishing conservation zones. For details log onto http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/albatrosstracking/

If you're sick of voting people out of the house, maybe you'd like to vote one into the House. Prime's Sunrise program has come up with a silly reality show called 'Vote for Me', in which budding pollies get a stab at a seat on the nicely padded red leather benches of the Australian Senate. The TV station is stumping up some dosh for their election campaign, but first, there's a series of contestants to be whittled down in the SMS version of branch preselection. Among those vying for all that lovely super and travel perks is Byron bush regenerator Kim Achjian. If you're keen to waste 55 cents, SMS 188 1001, or phone 1832 1902 555 012, to vote for her.

Speaking of politics, his recent visit to Lismore Base Hospital, NSW Minister Frank Sartor revealed that he's gone fishing with Ballina MP Don Page on Eucumbene dam. It seems they resisted the temptation to use each other for bait.

Former journalist Sarah Armstrong traded her career with ABC programs such as 'Foreign Correspondent' for the life of a yoga teacher and first-time novelist in Byron Shire. Her debut novel Salt Rain, set in a local farming community, has now been published and will be officially launched at the upcoming Byron Bay Writers Festival. The Echo has six copies of Salt Rain to give away in the leadup to the Festival, which begins next Friday. To score a copy, call 6622 2888 between 10 & 10.10am this Monday and tell us the name of the pony-tailed West Australian author who promises to be one of the highlights of this year's festival.

For Robin Osborne's review of the novel, see page 29.

Easy Riders

Garry Fletcher, at the handlebars of 'Arthur', a custom-built, motorised trike, with Ballina Ramada staff Carly Morgan and Stephan Banks during his visit to Ballina on Monday, where Ramada hosted a morning tea in honour of the Fletchers.

Brisbane couple Garry and Doreen Fletcher are riding around Australia on their motorised trike 'Arthur' to raise funds and awareness about arthritis.

There were in Ballina on Monday, Kyogle today and will be in Lismore on Friday, where deputy mayor John Chant will welcome them in Heritage Park at 11.30am.

Cr John Chant will hand over a cheque for $200. The couple want to raise $1 million for arthritis research and education programs and are visiting 602 outback towns in their 30 month odyssey around the continent.

All are welcome to join them in Heritage Park.

Donations can be made to Arthritis Australia on 1800 111 101