October 9, 2023		INDEX
		I was mugged by a Kookaburra today. I was visiting Taronga Zoo in Sydney and had just bought myself an ice lolly. Suddenly, the bird swooped; silently and gently knocking the lolly from my hands. It was a masterful display of aerobatics and, since I hadn't even seen the bird until the moment it struck, also fiendishly cunning. Taronga Zoo is a great Sydney institution. Although relatively small it has all the standards: elephants, lions (a few escaped not too long ago), chimps, giraffes etc. Then in addition it has a plentiful selection of antipodean life, some roaming fairly free. You might not be able to talk to the animals but you can certainly walk with some. On top of that you can get to it by one of Sydney's rather wonderful ferries. And the views are spectacular.
INDEX Jonathan Brind	October 9, 2023