Q: What was is it like living in outback Australia? Didn't you ever get bored?

A: Many people, especially young people dislike the outback because of the lack of structured activities. Out here you have to make your own 'fun' or enjoy your own company. I never got bored because I had plenty to occupy my time. I had 2 Telstra phone lines. I used one for voice and the other to connect to the Internet via a Big Pond Dialup account. I later dropped one phone line and got the Nullarbor's first satellite internet dish. I also got Foxtel satellite digital, and received hundreds of TV and radio channels on my TV. My son, Troy, joined me fairly regularly. He liked living in 'the bush' for a couple of weeks.

Q: How long did you live in 'the bush'?

A. Until 1990, I had always lived in a capital city. My life changed and I have lived in country regions ever since. I was equally at home in Madura (population 6) and Bangkok (population 6 million). I enjoy the quiet life. I traded it all for Murwillumbah at Christmas 2006 and back to Perth in May 2008..

Q. Why is fuel so expensive in outback Australia?

A. Many people are shocked at the price of fuel in remote areas of Australia. The main reasons are:

(1) The lack of price support offered by oil companies. This is explained in the WA Government's FuelWatch website.

(2) Isolated roadhouses, such as the ones on the Nullarbor, where the nearest 'neighbour' can be 181km away must supply their own power (using diesel generators), drinking water (using either dams or a desalination plant) and waste disposal. Many sites burn around 350 litres of diesel a DAY ($AUD560 a day) to produce power. Equipment, staffing and transport costs all have to be accounted for. You can't call in a casual from 'town' as there is no neighbours, often for hundreds of kilometres.

Q. What software have you used to produce such a great website?

A. Any great website, particularly peter991-ONLINE™, which is updated at least once every 24 hours needs simple software - simple to use and versatile. I use Site Designer 2.0, which is now very hard to obtain. It is uploaded to the Web, using Globalscape's Cute FTP Professional. I have a Sony Cybershot digital camera, It's a great little camera, which can hold hundreds of pictues and the batteries last for ages. I edit pictures using Thumbs Plus Version 7. For graphics and logos, I use Banner Maker Pro and Cooltext. Feedback is welcomed.

Q. What are your plans for the future?

A. Until the end of 2009, I would have answered, to retire to Thailand as soon as I can afford to do so. Now I am not so sure. Thailand is not as welcoming of retirees as previous - so I am hopeful of moving to the Philippines.