Safe. To Your Door

01/09/2024

Just back from another airport run and saw this beautiful sunset at Scarborough. I love my job!! (Only one more trip to the airport tonight. Time for a nap.)

21/08/2024

I'd like to introduce you to my latest passenger. This is Tigi Honey, who was picked up yesterday from the airport and taken home to Maleny. Such a sweet boy. I love my job.

18/08/2024

Wishing a very happy birthday to Wendy, my associate and my friend. Thanks for all your efforts.

17/08/2024

Another early morning trip to the airport, another stunning Scarborough sunrise 🌅. I still love my job. 😊😎

08/08/2024

Yesterday was a wonderful day. I got to say, 'Happy 40th Anniversary ' to two of my lovely clients who arrived back after an amazing o/s trip. I got a free coffee at the servo at the airport. And then I received this sweet token from one of my new clients. I love my job.

05/08/2024

Two (very) early morning airport runs this morning and this was my reward. Stunning!! I love my job.

02/08/2024

Here’s a lovely list of Australia’s attributes from a visiting American. Print it out and stick it on your fridge so you can read it every time you think we’re going to pot!!
'Value what you have and don't give it away.'
There's a lot to admire about Australia, especially if you're a visiting American, says David Mason.
More often than you might expect, Australian friends - patiently listening to me enthuse about their country - have said, ''We need outsiders like you to remind us what we have.''
So here it is - a small presumptuous list of what one foreigner admires in Oz.
1. Health care.
I know the controversies, but basic national health care is a gift.
In America, medical expenses are a leading cause of bankruptcy.
The drug companies dominate politics and advertising.
Obama is being crucified for taking halting baby steps towards sanity.
You can't turn on the telly without hours of drug advertisements - something I have never yet seen here.
And your emphasis on prevention - making ci******es less accessible, for one - is a model.
2. Food.
Yes, we have great food in America too, especially in the big cities.
But your bread is less sweet, your lamb is cheaper, and your supermarket vegetables and fruits are fresher than ours.
Too often in my country an apple is a ball of pulp as big as your face.
The dainty Pink Lady apples of Oz are the juiciest I've had. And don't get me started on coffee.
In American small towns it tastes like water flavoured with burnt dirt, but the smallest shop in the smallest town in Oz can make a first-rate latte.
I love your ubiquitous bakeries, your hot-cross buns. Shall I go on?
3. Language.
How do you do it?
The rhyming slang and Aboriginal place names like magic spells.
Words that seem vaguely English yet also resemble an argot from another planet.
I love the way institutional names get turned into diminutives - Vinnie's and Salvos - and absolutely nothing's sacred.
Everything's an opportunity for word games and everyone's a nickname.
Lingo makes the world go round.
It's the spontaneous wit of the people that tickles me most.
Late one night at a barbie my new mate Suds remarked, ''Nothing's the same since 24-7.'' Amen.
4. Free-to-air TV.
In Oz, you buy a TV, plug it in and watch some of the best programming I've ever seen - uncensored.
In America, you can't get diddly-squat without paying a cable or satellite company heavy fees.
In Oz a few channels make it hard to choose.
In America, you've got 400 channels and nothing to watch.
5. Small shops.
Outside the big cities in America corporations have nearly erased them.
Identical malls with identical restaurants serving inferior food.
Except for geography, it's hard to tell one American town from another.
The ''take-away'' culture here is wonderful.
Human encounters are real - stirring happens, stories get told.
The curries are to die for. And you don't have to tip!
6. Free camping.
We used to have this too, and I guess it's still free when you backpack miles away from the roads.
But I love the fact that in Oz everyone owns the shore and in many places you can pull up a camper van and stare at the sea for weeks.
I love the ''primitive'' and independent campgrounds, the life out of doors.
The few idiots who leave their stubbies and rubbish behind in these pristine places ought to be transported in chains.
7. Religion.
In America, it's everywhere - especially where it's not supposed to be, like politics.
I imagine you have your Pharisees too, making a big public show of devotion, but I have yet to meet one here.
8. Roads.
Peak hour aside, I've found travel on your roads pure heaven.
My country's ''freeways'' are crowded, crumbling, insanely knotted with looping overpasses - it's like racing homicidal maniacs on fraying spaghetti.
I've taken the Hume without stress, and I love the Princes Highway when it's two lanes.
Ninety minutes south of Batemans Bay I was sorry to see one billboard for a McDonald's.
It's blocking a lovely paddock view. Someone should remove it.
9. Real multiculturalism.
I know there are tensions, just like anywhere else, but I love the distinctiveness of your communities and the way you publicly acknowledge the Aboriginal past.
Recently, too, I spent quality time with Melbourne Greeks, and was gratified both by their devotion to their own great language and culture and their openness to an Afghan lunch.
10. Fewer guns.
You had Port Arthur in 1996 and got real in response.
America replicates such massacres several times a year and nothing changes.
Why?
Our religion of individual rights makes the good of the community an impossible dream.
Instead of mateship we have ''It's mine and nobody else's''.
We talk a great game about freedom, but too often live in fear.
There's more to say - your kaleidoscopic birds, your perfumed bush in springtime, your vast beaches.
These are just a few blessings that make Australia a rarity.
Of course, it's not paradise - nowhere is - but I love it here.
No need to wave flags like Americans and add to the world's windiness.
Just value what you have, pray for it, work hard for it and don't give it away.
David Mason is a US writer and professor, and poet laureate of Colorado.

22/07/2024

Last booking for today and this beautiful sight met me when I left home. Gosh, living on the Peninsula is so special and, yes, I love my job. Have a great week, Everyone.

17/06/2024

After a early run to the airport this morning, with a lovely client, I spotted this conference of birds at Clontarf. Pelicans (more than I have seen in ages), cormorants, seagulls, a kite, egrets, and I don't know what else. They might have been after bait fish, I guess. The sun was shining, although it was chilly - what a great day. I love my job. ☺️

03/06/2024

I appreciate a good sense of humour. Whilst waiting for a client who was in a medical appointment, I grabbed a coffee at a fabulous little Cafe. This made me laugh out loud. Please 'like' if you get it.

03/06/2024

A big THANK YOU to Lesley and her husband for this thoughtful gift on their return from Adelaide, my home town. Haigh's is a family owned chocolate company. YUM!! Lesley, it's almost gone!!!

12/05/2024

My days are always so varied. This morning started with a beautiful sunrise and finished that night after a booking from Brisbane International Airport to the Gold Coast, where I was able to catch up with old PNG friends. I love my job.

04/05/2024

Congratulations to Shane and Eden on their wedding today. Thank you so much for asking Safe. To Your Door to drive you on your special day. Wishing you many, many years of love, laughter and happiness. And, Eden, you looked stunning!!

25/04/2024

With deepest thanks to those who fought for our freedom and way of life. Lest We Forget.

31/03/2024

A big thank you to Trish and Merv for this lovely thought. I drove them to the airport this morning, as they set out on their big adventure. Travel safe, have fun, Tupla.

30/03/2024

This lovely young woman has been a client for over 4 years. Yesterday I got to help her adopt a fur baby from AWLQ. She is a sweet, cuddly kitten who didn't utter a peep in the car. And Angi is totally besotted. I love my job!

29/03/2024

The last 4 years, since I started Safe. To Your Door, have been busy, exciting and I have met many wonderful people. I often say, 'I love my job!' because I really do. Some of you know Wendy. She started as a client and now has her own BEA, Pick Me Up Services. We support each other and share some of our clients when there are too many bookings.
We would love to involve another driver, as the workload continues to increase. This person must be flexible, easy going, organised and empathetic. We would be happy to assist someone to get their BEA. We need a really special person. Please reach out to either Wendy or myself - we would love to hear from you.

14/03/2024

Hi Everyone. After a hectic time away, with lots of new experiences, I am back. Please feel free to contact me if you have any transport enquiries. I look forward to catching up. Cheers, Hellen

27/02/2024

To all my wonderful clients and friends, I am away until 12th March. If you would like to make a booking, please contact Wendy- she has my diary and will try to assist you if you need transport before I come back. Her number is 0476989992. I look forward to seeing you soon

20/02/2024

Good morning Scarborough. A lovely morning for an early morning airport run.

27/01/2024

24/12/2023

To all my wonderful clients, please stay safe this Christmas time, have fun with family and friends, and I look forward to seeing you soon. Your support and loyalty mean so very much to me. Cheers, Hellen

23/11/2023

I am at DFO having a coffee and carrot cake while waiting for my next passenger's plane to arrive. This little dude flew into the coffee shop and proceeded to eat what was left of my cake. I love my job!!

06/11/2023

Yesterday was the end of an era for Safe. To Your Door. Yvette (193YVT) has retired after almost 4 years and 245000kms. She is still in perfect condition but deserves a gentle retirement. Please welcome Ike (106IK3) , a Hyundai Kona hybrid, my new 'workmate'. And a big thank you to Lakes Hyundai for always being supportive of Safe-ToYourDoor.

31/10/2023

5am. Airport. Waiting for my second passenger of what is going to be a very busy day. Happy Wednesday everyone.

25/10/2023

A strange sunrise this morning, possibly due to the smoke from the bush fires. These photos don't do it justice. It was a fiery ball against the clouds. A wonderful start to a fun day. A lovely new client (thanks Roz and Glyn for recommending me), and free coffee at the airport. Top day! :)

20/10/2023

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of driving Susan and John to Bribie Island. It was such an interesting trip. John was an engineer on that bridge and it was opened 60 years ago, the day before (19.10.1963). John was the second car to cross the bridge, after the premier! I love my job

12/10/2023

An early morning airport run means I get to see stunning sunrises. Good morning, Scarborough.

30/07/2023

Hi everyone. I am taking a short, well deserved break. In my absence, if you need to make a booking or get a quote, please contact Wendy on 0402328230. Cheers, see you in 12 days.

19/07/2023

An early morning client drop off at Shorncliffe. What a beautiful morning. You could even see the Glasshouse Mountains. I love my job. 😀