ONE of the positives of my trip ‘down under’ to visit daughter Sarah and grandchildren, Josh and Holly, is enjoying the good weather of Perth, Western Australia, lapping up temperatures in the 70s at this time of year... and it's only their spring.

It's the season when many women venture out scantily clad in their thongs. No, steady on, it's not what you're thinking you saucy things. You see I was advised to wear thongs 'down under', and it's still not what you're thinking because I'm referring to their word for... sandals.

It is common for Aussies to take off their thongs and walk about shopping malls and supermarkets bare-footed. Watch out for the trolley L drivers.

I've a lot to thank the land of Oz for, because they invented the wine cask, otherwise known as a 'goon.' Their attitude is why buy a bottle or two when you can purchase four or five litres in a box?

I've even seen an Aussie guy sooking the last dregs of wine out of the foil bag. Classy. I think it was the same day that in Perth City Centre there was a busker with a didgeridoo. I wasn't sure of the tune but it sounded like Dancing Queen. Well, it was certainly Abba-riginal (boom, boom).

Mind you, they do like their 'tinnies' - cans of beer, especially the 'tradies' (tradesmen) enjoying a 'sickie' (day off) in the 'arvo' (afternoon) while avoiding the 'mozzies' (mosquitoes). Yes, they have a unique way with words which probably explains why they have towns called Tillybong, Yass and Chinaman's Knob - honestly.

READ MORE: Cochrane's Column: What do star signs really say about you?

Most Aussies give a 4x for the national liking for beer. Foster care, you might call it (I appreciate that if you’re teetotal you haven’t a clue what I am talking about).

On a serious note, one thing Australia has in common with the UK is the growth in demand for social health care. Bed blocking in hospitals is as problematic in Perth as it is over here.

Their local paper reported that, at the city's busiest hospital, it had become, in their words, gridlock. And in recent times… Aussie nurses were voting to go on strike for more money. Is that why we're told UK nurses are migrating to Oz?

The impression given in our news coverage is that we are alone in delays in treating patients. However, Aussies are often waiting months and years to be treated.

Australians have had Medicare, an insurance system, since the 80s which purports to pay back 85 per cent of medical costs to people. Despite annual subsidies, around Perth, of £5 million from taxpayers the scandal seems to be that many doctors keep raising the charges much higher than the agreed Medicare costs, leaving patients, who had paid decades of insurance, still facing big charges.

Indeed, the big 'scandal' in a special newspaper investigation was that of overcharging by doctors and specialists with some demanding 10 times what the costs should be for such operations as hip and knee replacements. Wouldn’t happen here would it?

READ MORE: Cochrane's (Birthday) Column: You can call it vintage - but my era was unmatched

On a lighter note there is a sign in Perth's King Park stating: "Beware the Bandicoots." On Safety Bay shore where my family live the warning is 'Beware of snakes.'

Bandicoots are marsupials like rats with big noses, related to rabbits. They won't bite you but can pass on dangerous ticks to humans.

So, rather than adopt a bandicoot as a mascot Western Australia Tourist Authority has adopted the more cuddly Quokka. They say it's the happiest animal on the planet as it looks like it's always smiling. We can see them on Rottnest Island, just off Safety Bay and they're not averse to a selfie with visitors.

Before I go, I bet you didn't know that Canberra is an Aboriginal word for a woman's cleavage. So named because the city sits between two big mountains. Yes, once again I keep you abreast of international issues.

Thought for the Week: Find a heart that will love you at your worst, and arms that will hold you at your weakest.

Sitting with friends (no, honestly, I still have a few) I was asked how I decide to fill this page every week and one remarked glibly: "Drew's opening paragraph can fill a page."

It reminded me of the story of the church minister who boasted that he could give a sermon on any subject with only one word as a prompt. So, his session clerk decided to test him one day and as the Reverend stepped up to the pulpit he was given a word... constipation.

Calm and composed the minister addressed the congregation as follows: "Today's lesson is from Exodus.

"Moses took his tablets and, so, came down the mountains...."