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Why can’t we just tow stranded whales and dolphins back out to sea?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vanessa-pirotta-873986">Vanessa Pirotta</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a></em></p> <p>On Tuesday night, a pod of almost 100 long-finned pilot whales stranded itself on a beach on Western Australia’s south coast. Over the course of Wednesday, more than 100 parks and wildlife staff and 250 registered volunteers worked tirelessly to try to keep alive the 45 animals surviving the night.</p> <p>They used small boats and surf skis to try to get the pilot whales into deeper water. Volunteers helped keep the animals’ blowholes above water to prevent them drowning, and poured water on them to cool them down.</p> <p>Our rescue efforts were, sadly, unsuccessful. The animals (actually large ocean-going dolphins) able to be towed or helped out to deeper water turned around and stranded themselves again, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=228337910167574&ref=sharing">further down the beach</a>. Sadly, they had to be euthanised.</p> <p>Unfortunately, towing whales and dolphins is not simple. It can work and work well, as we saw in Tasmania last year, when dozens of pilot whales were rescued. But rescuers have to have good conditions and a fair dash of luck for it to succeed.</p> <h2>Rescuing beached whales is hard</h2> <p>When we try to rescue stranded whales and dolphins, the goal is to get them off the sandbars or beach, and back into deep water.</p> <p>Why is it so difficult? Consider the problem. First, you have to know that a pod has beached itself. Then, you have to be able to get there in time, with people skilled in wildlife rescue.</p> <p>These animals are generally too big and heavy to rely on muscle power alone. To get them out far enough, you need boats and sometimes tractors. That means the sea conditions and the slope of the beach have to be suitable.</p> <p>Often, one of the first things rescuers might do is look for those individuals who might be good candidates to be refloated. Generally, these are individuals still alive, and not completely exhausted.</p> <p>If rescuers have boats and good conditions, they may use slings. The boats need to be able to tow the animals well out to sea.</p> <p>Trained people must always be there to oversee the operation. That’s because these large, stressed animals could seriously injure humans just by moving their bodies on the beach.</p> <p>There are extra challenges. Dolphins and whales are slippery and extremely heavy. Long-finned pilot whales can weigh up to 2.3 tonnes. They may have never seen humans before and won’t necessarily know humans are there to help.</p> <p>They’re out of their element, under the sun and extremely stressed. Out of the water, their sheer weight begins to crush their organs. They can also become sunburnt. Because they are so efficient at keeping a comfortable temperature in the sea, they can overheat and die on land. Often, as we saw yesterday, they can’t always keep themselves upright in the shallow water.</p> <p>And to add to the problem, pilot whales are highly social. They want to be with each other. If you tow a single animal back out to sea, it may try to get back to its family and friends or remain disorientated and strand once again.</p> <p>Because of these reasons – and probably others – it wasn’t possible to save the pilot whales yesterday. Those that didn’t die naturally were euthanised to minimise their suffering.</p> <h2>Successful rescues do happen</h2> <p>Despite the remarkable effort from authorities and local communities, we couldn’t save this pod. Every single person working around the clock to help these animals did an amazing job, from experts to volunteers in the cold water to those making cups of tea.</p> <p>But sometimes, we get luckier. Last year, 230 pilot whales beached themselves at Macquarie Harbour, on Tasmania’s west coast. By the time rescuers could get there, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/27/44-pilot-whales-rescued-and-returned-to-sea-after-mass-stranding-at-tasmanian-beach">most were dead</a>. But dozens were still alive. This time, conditions were different and towing worked.</p> <p>Rescuers were able to bring boats close to shore. Surviving pilot whales were helped into a sling, and then the boat took them far out to sea. Taking them to the same location prevented them from beaching again.</p> <h2>Every stranding lets us learn more</h2> <p>Unfortunately, we don’t really know why whales and dolphins strand at all. Has something gone wrong with how toothed whales and dolphins navigate? Are they following a sick leader? Are human-made undersea sounds making it too loud? Are they avoiding predators such as killer whales? We don’t know.</p> <p>We do know there are stranding hotspots. Macquarie Harbour is one. In 2020, it was the site of one of the worst-ever strandings, with up to 470 pilot whales stranded. Authorities were able to save 94, drawing on trained <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/25/death-at-hells-gates-rescuers-witness-tragic-end-for-hundreds-of-pilot-whales-on-australian-coast">rescue experts</a>.</p> <p>We will need more research to find out why they do this. What we do know suggests navigational problems play a role.</p> <p>That’s because we can divide whales and dolphins into two types: toothed and toothless. Whales and dolphins with teeth – such as pilot whales – appear to beach a lot more. These animals use echolocation (biological sonar) to find prey with high-pitched clicks bouncing off objects. But toothless baleen whales like humpbacks (there are no dolphins with baleen) don’t use this technique. They use low-frequency sounds, but to communicate, not hunt.</p> <p>So – it is possible to save beached whales and dolphins. But it’s not as easy as towing them straight back to sea, alas.</p> <p><em>The Conversation thanks 10-year-old reader Grace Thornton from Canberra for suggesting the question that gave rise to this article.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210544/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vanessa-pirotta-873986">Vanessa Pirotta</a>, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty </em><em>Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-cant-we-just-tow-stranded-whales-and-dolphins-back-out-to-sea-210544">original article</a>.</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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About 200 dead whales have been towed out to sea off Tasmania – and what happens next is a true marvel of nature

<p>Australians watched in horror as 230 pilot whales became stranded at a beach near Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast. Some whales were saved, but the vast majority died. This left a big problem: what to do with all the rotting whale carcasses?</p> <p>Authorities decided to tow the dead animals out to sea, hoping they’ll eventually sink to the seafloor.</p> <p>Such mass whale strandings are sad to witness. But in this case, the aftermath presents a fascinating opportunity for scientific discovery.</p> <p>As the dead whales decompose, an astonishing and rare chain of events is likely to flow through the marine ecosystem – ultimately leading to an explosion of activity and new life.</p> <h2>A 600-tonne problem</h2> <p>Mass whale strandings happen fairly regularly – especially in Tasmania – yet no one really knows why.</p> <p>Days before this latest incident, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-20/sperm-whales-stranded-off-king-island-tasmania/101457406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">14 sperm whales</a> became stranded off King Island, northwest of Tasmania.</p> <p>And in 2020, about 470 pilot whales <a href="https://theconversation.com/like-trying-to-find-the-door-in-a-dark-room-while-hearing-your-relatives-scream-for-help-tasmanias-whale-stranding-tragedy-explained-146674" target="_blank" rel="noopener">became stranded</a> at Macquarie Harbour. While many were pulled out to sea, some of those carcasses washed up and were left to rot on the beach – an entirely natural process.</p> <p>However, pilot whales are big animals. Males weigh up to 2,300kg, which means they take a long time to decompose. The smell of two tonnes of rotting whale blubber soon becomes unbearable, so carcasses are frequently buried.</p> <p>This time around, authorities <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-25/whale-carcasses-towed-out-to-sea-after-mass-stranding/101471166" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decided to tow</a> the dead animals out to sea. The ABC reported local salmon farm workers took almost 11 hours to dispose of 204 dead whales with a combined weight of between 500 and 600 tonnes.</p> <p>They were tied to a 400 metre-long rope and towed by boats for 40 kilometres, before being dropped into deep water in the Indian Ocean.</p> <p>Some carcasses may wash back to shore, but most are likely to disperse with the tides and currents.</p> <h2>Shark bait? Probably not</h2> <p>The big question is: what happens to all that whale mass dumped at sea?</p> <p>Initially, a dead whale tends to float to the surface as it begins to decompose and its innards expand with gas. As this happens, ocean scavengers such as sharks and seabirds are likely to feast on the remains.</p> <p>Some people <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-14/do-buried-whale-carcasses-really-attract-sharks/10996512" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be concerned</a> that whale carcasses attract sharks that might pose a risk to humans.</p> <p>Granted, encounters between sharks and humans, are <a href="https://theconversation.com/fatal-shark-attacks-are-at-a-record-high-deterrent-devices-can-help-but-some-may-be-nothing-but-snake-oil-150845" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on the rise</a> in Australia and elsewhere. But they’re still very rare.</p> <p>A <a href="https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/167613/swim-humpback-whales-risks-sharks.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> to the Western Australian government in 2012 found whale carcasses were a risk factors associated with shark attacks, and said caution should be exercised near a dead whale in the water.</p> <p>But the same report noted that of 26 shark attacks investigated, the highest number occurred more than a kilometre offshore. While there is no doubt <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00655" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sharks are attracted to dead whales</a>, the data is <a href="https://hakaimagazine.com/news/beached-whales-are-a-lure-for-hungry-sharks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not clear</a> on whether a whale carcass leads directly to an increase in shark attacks on people.</p> <p>Research <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989419301854?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has shown</a> the likelihood of whale carcasses washing towards shore, where shark scavenging can be observed, is low. So as long as the carcass is taken far from shore and people keep their distance from it, the threat to humans from shark encounters appears to be exceedingly low.</p> <h2>From death comes new life</h2> <p>Inevitably, the whale carcass will start to sink. Most life in the ocean is found fairly close to the sea surface, so if the water is relatively shallow much of what’s left of the carcass will be quickly eaten by scavengers once it reaches the sea floor.</p> <p>But these carcasses have been disposed of in deep water. The deep ocean can be a barren place, where rich food sources are rare. So the appearance of a single whale carcass can supercharge an entire ecosystem.</p> <p>New life and activity can erupt around the dead animal in very little time. This process is known as “whale fall” and has been studied by scientists, sometimes using remotely operated vehicles. On the seafloor of the North Pacific, whale fall has been found to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.885572/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">support the survival</a> of at least 12,490 organisms of 43 species.</p> <p>Deep sea sharks will make the most of the carcass. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZzQhiNQXxU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A host of other animals</a> including hagfish, octopus, crabs, lobsters, worms and sea cucumbers will join in too. All the while bacteria work away quietly in the background.</p> <p><a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to</a> Britain’s Natural History Museum, a single whale can provide animals with food for up to two years during the scavenging stage.</p> <p>Other animals and bacteria survive off the chemicals produced from the rotting carcass.</p> <p>These organisms, known as “chemotrophs” were thought to be unique to underwater volcanic vents, where they use hydrogen sulphide as the principal energy source. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2337" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> has shown a similar suite of animals recruit around dead and decaying whales – generating a completely independent ecosystem based on a gas that <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smells like rotten eggs</a>.</p> <p>Only a few organisms can break down the bones that remain, in a process that might take up to ten years.</p> <p>So take a moment to consider the effect of 204 whale falls in a small part of the ocean off Tasmania. Right now, they are probably generating interconnected marine metropolises, the likes of which are rarely seen.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/about-200-dead-whales-have-been-towed-out-to-sea-off-tasmania-and-what-happens-next-is-a-true-marvel-of-nature-191340" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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What you need to do if your car gets towed

<p>If you own a car, chances are that you rely on it very frequently to get you from A to B. Whether it be running errands, visiting family or going to appointments, relying on your car for transportation is important.</p> <p>If your car does get towed, you might at first think that you parked your vehicle somewhere else before you realise that it has been towed. Whether it is because you were in an unfamiliar place or the parking signs were confusing, here is how you need to respond if your car gets towed.</p> <p><strong>1. Observe your surroundings</strong></p> <p>Once you realise that your car has been towed, it is important to go to the area you parked in and look at your surroundings for any signs that communicate that it is an illegal parking spot. If you feel like you have been unjustly towed, take pictures of the signs in the immediate area. It may also be useful to talk to possible witnesses or other drivers who also parked their car in the same area.</p> <p><strong>2. Collect your car</strong></p> <p>Make it a priority to get your car back as soon as you can. If you do see “No parking” signs and there is a number displayed, then call the number. If not, call the local police department. They will give you further information about your car’s location and then you can go pick it up. Call a friend or family member to drive you to pick your car up or a taxi/Uber if your family are unavailable.</p> <p><strong>3. Read over the documents</strong></p> <p>It’s important that you understand the reason why your car was towed. Now is the time to ask all the questions you have and make sure you don’t sign any documents without reading the fine print and understanding it all. If you disagree with the tow, you have the right to a tow hearing.</p> <p>Why your car might be towed</p> <ul> <li>Obstructing traffic</li> <li>Sanctionable offence (street racing, burnout, police pursuit, speeding over 45km/h)</li> <li>Parking in a “tow zone”</li> <li>Suspended license</li> <li>Expired registration</li> <li>Unpaid violation</li> </ul> <p>Have you ever had your car towed? Let us know what the experience was like in the comments below.</p> <p><em><strong>Make sure you keep safe and sound while on the road with Over60 Roadside Assistance. And because your safety is important to us all of the time, we will be there to help all day everyday, should you need it. For just $79.95 per year, with Over60 Roadside Assistance you’ll enjoy peace of mind when you’re out on the wide-open road to ensure you can enjoy life with less hassle.</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/insurance/roadside-assistance/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_campaign=insurance&amp;utm_medium=in-article-link-roadside&amp;utm_content=roadside-assistance" target="_blank">Click here</a></strong></span> <strong>for more information.</strong></em></p>

Insurance

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How to safely tow a caravan

<p>Hitching up your rig and setting off to explore the outdoors is a favourite national pastime, however, if you’re new or not quite seasoned in towing a caravan than take heed of our top tips for safe towing.</p><p><strong>Check your car is in good order</strong></p><p>Towing a caravan will greatly increase the stress placed on your car so it is essential that the car be in good mechanical condition. Check the brakes, steering, suspension, tyres and importantly, the cooling system.</p><p><strong>Practice short trips</strong></p><p>If you’re a newbie, it’s a good idea to get a feel for driving with a caravan. Start with short trips and gradually increase the distance before you set out on your adventure. It’s crucial you familiarise yourself with the weight of the van and understand any adjustments necessary when accelerating, breaking and overtaking. Allow for a greater distance to slow or stop than you would in a car. When turning a corner, remember the extra length of the rig and take the widest path possible. And most important of all, practise reversing. It’s often considered a nightmare but with practice, your technique will develop.</p><p><strong>Measure and remember the height of your van</strong></p><p>When you’re driving around in a car, there’s generally no need to ever think about height clearances under bridges, car parks or those pesky trees that overhang roads. Not so when you’re towing your caravan. Make sure you check the height of your van, including roof racks. And take note of clearance signs on roads.</p><p><strong>Establish a routine check</strong></p><p>Make it a habit to check everything is in order before you move the caravan at any time. Remember the power, water and waste-water services should be disconnected, windows and cupboards fastened, parking legs fully raised, step up and jockey wheel removed. Check the coupling electrical connection and that the chains are located and secure.</p><p><strong>Distribute the weight</strong></p><p>It’s very important that your caravan is balanced, with the payload evenly distributed. Only load heavy objects such as spare wheels, batteries, gas bottles and water casks in place that where the caravan manufacturers state.</p><p><strong>Keep an eye on tyres</strong></p><p>Tyres should look the same, have good tread and no cracks in sidewalls. Under-inflated tyres create towing risks: they run hotter and more likely to blowout and they give rise to sway, which is very dangerous. Check caravan tyres regularly as they deteriorate quickly.</p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/finance/insurance/2014/08/why-i-sold-up,-bought-a-motorhome-and-hit-the-open-road/">Why I sold up, bought a motorhome and hit the open road</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/finance/insurance/2014/07/what-to-do-if-your-motorhome-breaks-down/">What to do if your motorhome breaks down</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/finance/insurance/2014/06/five-simple-ways-to-protect-your-caravan-or-motorhome-from-theft.aspx">Five simple ways to protect your caravan or motorhome from theft</a></strong></em></span></p>

Domestic Travel

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Rail tour picks up steam after tow start

<p>A South Island rail tour on board a restored World War I locomotive looks set to run out of steam in Marlborough, before it even leaves the station. But tour organisers have a more modern plan to keep the centenary tour on track.</p><p>The 1915 steam train, called Passchendaele, will be towed from Picton to Kaikoura by a diesel engine. Tour organiser John Bovis said the train needed four certified crewmen to run, but they only had two for part of the journey's first leg.</p><p>The company Steam Incorporated usually found steam drivers through KiwiRail.</p><p>It was "possible but unlikely" they would find two extra drivers before setting off on the two-week trip on Monday, Bovis said.</p><p>The Picton to Kaikoura stretch behind a diesel engine would not be as impressive from the outside, but it was still a "great ride" for passengers, he said.</p><p>From there though, it was full steam ahead for the locomotive, making stops at Christchurch, Oamaru, Dunedin, Invercargill, Bluff, Middlemarch, Greymouth and Westport.</p><p>The AB 608 engine was built in 1915 and given its name in 1925 to commemorate the lives of about 450 New Zealand railwaymen lost in WWI.</p><p>It had already travelled around the North Island, and was scheduled for a WWI centenary tour of the South Island from October 19 to November 2.&nbsp;</p><p>Restoration of the train was completed in April last year, and cost the company $500,000. Between 150 and 180 passengers would be travelling on the train each day, Bovis said. The majority were from overseas.</p><p>Steam crewman Wayne Mason said the diesel engine would only be used from Picton to Kaikoura.</p><p>"After that it's fine for the rest of the way."</p><p>He and his fellow crewman Alastair Maciver would still be manning the train in "light steam" mode but control would be in the hands of the diesel engine up front.</p><p>Restoration of the Passchendaele began more than 20 years ago and had been a "full-time job" for the past few years, Bovis said.</p><p>The engine was built in the South Island and had been used on freight trains, passenger trains, and even on two royal tours; the Prince of Wales' tour in 1920 and the Duke of York's tour in 1927.</p><p><em>Image credit: Facebook /Steam Incorporated</em></p><p>Written by Elena McPhee. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/08/classic-rail-journeys-around-the-world/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>All aboard! Classic rail journeys around the world</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2015/09/80-year-old-man-builds-dog-train/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>80-year-old man builds custom train for stray dogs</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2015/08/tips-for-packing-for-holiday/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Great tips for packing for overseas trips</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

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Rail tour picks up steam after tow start

<p>A South Island rail tour on board a restored World War I locomotive looks set to run out of steam in Marlborough, before it even leaves the station. But tour organisers have a more modern plan to keep the centenary tour on track.</p><p>The 1915 steam train, called Passchendaele, will be towed from Picton to Kaikoura by a diesel engine. Tour organiser John Bovis said the train needed four certified crewmen to run, but they only had two for part of the journey's first leg.</p><p>The company Steam Incorporated usually found steam drivers through KiwiRail.</p><p>It was "possible but unlikely" they would find two extra drivers before setting off on the two-week trip on Monday, Bovis said.</p><p>The Picton to Kaikoura stretch behind a diesel engine would not be as impressive from the outside, but it was still a "great ride" for passengers, he said.</p><p>From there though, it was full steam ahead for the locomotive, making stops at Christchurch, Oamaru, Dunedin, Invercargill, Bluff, Middlemarch, Greymouth and Westport.</p><p>The AB 608 engine was built in 1915 and given its name in 1925 to commemorate the lives of about 450 New Zealand railwaymen lost in WWI.</p><p>It had already travelled around the North Island, and was scheduled for a WWI centenary tour of the South Island from October 19 to November 2.&nbsp;</p><p>Restoration of the train was completed in April last year, and cost the company $500,000. Between 150 and 180 passengers would be travelling on the train each day, Bovis said. The majority were from overseas.</p><p>Steam crewman Wayne Mason said the diesel engine would only be used from Picton to Kaikoura.</p><p>"After that it's fine for the rest of the way."</p><p>He and his fellow crewman Alastair Maciver would still be manning the train in "light steam" mode but control would be in the hands of the diesel engine up front.</p><p>Restoration of the Passchendaele began more than 20 years ago and had been a "full-time job" for the past few years, Bovis said.</p><p>The engine was built in the South Island and had been used on freight trains, passenger trains, and even on two royal tours; the Prince of Wales' tour in 1920 and the Duke of York's tour in 1927.</p><p><em>Image credit: Facebook /Steam Incorporated</em></p><p>Written by Elena McPhee. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/08/classic-rail-journeys-around-the-world/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>All aboard! Classic rail journeys around the world</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2015/09/80-year-old-man-builds-dog-train/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>80-year-old man builds custom train for stray dogs</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2015/08/tips-for-packing-for-holiday/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Great tips for packing for overseas trips</strong></em></span></a></p>

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